A Large Token of Obedience

Chain Letter by Christopher Pike
Reviewed by Elizabeth Stigler

In Christopher Pike's Chain Letter, a group of seven high school friends are featured on a list of names in a chain letter. But this is no ordinary chain letter. The chain letter is signed "your caretaker" (p.7). In the letter it says that he/she has been watching you ever "since you first breathed in this world" (p.6). The group is scared by these unique sentences.

As with any chain letter there is a catch, which is as follows: Every day an ad will appear in the newspaper. It will state what "small token of obedience" (p.7) the next person featured on the chain letter must do. Despite danger and fear of these tasks the group performs these "small tokens of obedience"; some with injury, and some escaping injury.

During the course of the story the group meets to discuss ideas on how to win this battle with "the caretaker." They also begin to discuss any possible suspects. At first they suspect that it is one of them in the group, but later "the caretaker" responds to that in one of his/her letters to the group.

Over time they get closer and closer to the final confrontation with "the caretaker," but they are still unsure of who it is. Overall the suspense is well maintained. The characters had very believable, enjoyable personalities. However the ending is rather contrived, and a bit disappointing after a fine build up. Thier quest to overcome "the caretaker" has been hard. I recommend this book for people who like suspense.

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