The Dogs

Sometimes secrets are harmless, sometimes they are fun, but other times, secrets can be dangerous.

The Dogs is a creepy thriller that explores the effects of trauma, paranoia, and fear. It deals with themes of friendship, bullies, growing up, domestic violence and mental illness.

In away this is a coming of age thriller. A boy is discovering who he is and where he fits in the world. Meanwhile, he knows his mother is keeping secrets even people in his new hometown are keeping secrets.

What I love best – the fact that you aren’t too sure how reliable the narrator truly is. The story goes back and forth between past and present. As readers we are only given part of the story and left to try and put together the puzzle pieces. Who can you believe? Who is crazy? Cameron? His mother? His Dad? Mr. Sinclair?

Allan Straton is a master crafter when it comes to well-written tension. I had to read this The Dogs in one sitting. There was no way I could put this book down. I tried- but I just had to find out what happened.

What really makes The Dogs shine is the ending. The last few chapters is a roller coaster of a ride that really ties everything together. So many emotions!

With the eerie supernatural element, it will keep pages turning well into the night. It is a great book to read on a storm fall night with the wind howling and the branches tapping at your window. A great thriller for MG and older.