Chloroformed
Kidnapped!
May 21, 2019 Moreland	Leave a comment
Kidnapped! (Sweet Valley High #13) by Francine Pascal
Ah, Sweet Valley. Nothing takes me back to be preteen years faster than looking at this book series I was completely obsessed with. When I first became interested in them, they were out of print which just made me want them more!
I'm going to find them and read them!
As I kid I really liked the series and wanted to even live in their idyllic Californian world, and I thought the stories were fun and interesting. But as an adult I know they weren't the best written book. Most of them are cheesy, silly, or sometimes don't make sense; but these were the '80s-'90s versions of Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill except with a different type of drama.
So the story follows twin sisters, Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. Both are juniors, blonde, 5'6, and size sixes. Elizabeth is the smart, responsible one who dreams of being a journalist or writer. Jessica is the fashionable, social butterfly, cheerleader that dreams of parties and popularity.
They live in Sweet Valley, near Los Angeles, and attend school with their friends. The first book focused on the two girls, but the later ones were divided into two stories: one about a friend or relative while the other is about the girls. The later series got a bit darker and was done in short series, two or three books that went together. The topics ranged from drugs, sex, school dances, serial killers, sports, werewolves, princes, vampires, kidnapping, stalkers, etc. You know normal teenage girl stuff. 😉
Yes as the series progressed the writers changed, and while I didn't like some of the alterations I still continued to read and collect (still do so today) the novels. What can I say? They are such a big part of my childhood they bring on a tsunami of nostalgia.
So what does that have to do with us? Well quite a few of the books in the series were mysteries, supernatural, had psycho characters, or other themes that fall in line with this blog.
So the novel series is similar to the Nancy Drew Files were you have a little teaser at the end like a preview, and the book picks up from there. In the last review I didn't think I'd be reviewing another Sweet Valley High until book #13, but I forgot book #11.
So there is only one book between the last review and this one, and it turns out that Steven's girlfriend has cancer and she dies. It is very sad, but it won't be the end of it…unfortunately. But that a book for another day.
Not looking forward to that…
Elizabeth unfastened the chain lock as Carl became aware of what was happening.
"No!" he cried as he rose to prevent her escape. "Elizabeth, no!"
She unlocked the bolt and pulled on the door handle. It wouldn't be long before she was free. But something was wrong. The door wouldn't open! Elizabeth gasped as Carl seized her. He grabbed her under the arms and threw her onto the sofa with the force of a man possessed. His eyes now bright with anger, he came toward her.
This is it, though Elizabeth as she squeezed her eyes shut. This is the end.
WHAT! I'm HOOKED!!!
Jessica and Elizabeth are candy stripers. Jessica only to meet Jeremy Frank, well-known handsome TV personality who had been laid up with a broken leg. While Elizabeth, of course, loves it. Tonight there is a party and Jessica is getting ready, while Elizabeth is still at the hospital and then going to tutor Max Dellon. Jessica has moved on to a new guy of her dreams, Nicholas Morrow who is everything she wants. Rich, handsome, etc.
Jessica waits, but at 8 she can't do it no more-someone else might grab Nicolas-and has her friend Cara Walker pick her up-leaving a note for Elizabeth when she gets home. At the party Jessica meets the dreamboat, and Regina, his sister (who is deaf).
Meanwhile, in chapter 3, we see what happened to Elizabeth. Elizabeth stayed late at the hospital, and is hurrying to her car-hoping to hurry and get to Max's. Next to her car is a junky creepy pedophile van, but Elizabeth doesn't even notice. Really girl? As an adult it makes you wonder why something didn't happen to her earlier.
She was grabbed, chloroformed, and kidnapped. And she is in a junky old place. Who took her?
Max is waiting for Elizabeth, but she is an hour late. That's not Elizabeth at all. By 9:40, he knows something is up and decides to head to the hospital.
Todd is worried about Elizabeth, but Jessica makes up a lie as to where she is as she wants to focus on Nicholas.
Low Jessica, very low.
Elizabeth wakes up and finds herself alone, but then her kidnapper comes home. It is Carl, the janitor. Carl who asked her for help, Carl who she pitied, and now is a victim of his interests.
"Help me! For God's sake someone help me!"
Todd has had enough and calls Mr. Collins, who Jessica said Elizabeth was babysitting for. He finds out the truth and guns after Jessica. Jessica realizes the time and that Todd is right-
The Wakefields come home and see the note that Jessica left-growing worried about where Elizabeth is.
Where is she? How will they save her?
They discover her car and figure out something happened to Elizabeth at the hospital, or shortly after. When the police come into it, they start looking at Max.
Its up to the gang to track her down and clear his name.
On the case!
Rereading…yes it is campy, and predictable but I still really enjoyed it. I think that the suspense and drama was right on point. As a teen and an adult, it got me wanting to get to the conclusion to find out what happens next. And that opening scene, fantastic!
Like the Nancy Drew Files, one of the best things I love in this series are the clothes, the author always gives great detail to what they wear. I've decided to add a special section for this in these reviews too.
For the party when Jessica is trying to impress Nicholas Morrow
The Next Book in the Series:
Another thing I loved about these mysteries is that they were designed like radio shows and TV episodes. They always made sure to leave you with a little preview of what will come next:
There was no way Elizabeth could mistake the look she saw in his eyes, a look that said, "You're the one I want." It made her feel awkward and uncomfortable. She had a strong suspicion that Nicholas hadn't reacted this way with Jessica. And she dreaded what would happen when Jessica found out.
Will Elizabeth leave Todd for Nicholas? Find out in Sweet Valley #14, DECEPTIONS
For more Sweet Valley High, go to Too Good to Be True
For more mysteries on a kidnapping, go to Deadly Intent
For more mysteries about a sister disappearing, go to Death Wears a Beauty Mask
For more mysteries about a disappearance, go to He's Gone
CaliforniaCancerCandy StripersCara WalkerChloroformedCreeper VanDisappearanceElizabeth WakefieldFrancine PascalGossip GirlJeremy FrankJessica WakefieldKidnappedMax DellonMr. CollinsNicholas MorrowOne Tree HillOut of PrintPreteenRegina MorrowSister DisappearedSouthern CaliforniaSweet Valley HighTodd Wilkins