I Know What You Did Last Summer (novel)
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| I Know What You Did Last Summer | |
| Author | Lois Duncan |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young-adult fiction, thriller |
| Publisher | Little Brown |
| Publication date | October 1973 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 199 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-316-19546-4 (first edition, hardback) |
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1973) is a suspense novel for young adults by Lois Duncan.
[edit] Plot summary
As the novel opens, teenage heroine Julie James receives a mysterious note from an elusive stalker, reminding her of the time she and her friends killed a small boy on a bicycle in a hit-and-run accident, before covering it up. Each one of the group then receives a unique calling card, in the form of newspaper clippings, drawings and phone calls. However, what began as malicious mind games soon erupts into violence, when a succession of brutal attacks force the reluctant pact into taking action.
[edit] Characters
Julie James - An intelligent and ambitious student, she is also the shadowy stalker's main target.
Ray Bronson - Julie's on/off lover and Barry's best friend.
Barry Cox - Teenage womaniser and rising sportsman.
Helen Rivers - Barry's oblivious girlfriend and popular local weather girl.
Elsa Rivers - Helen's frumpy, overweight and bitterly envious sister.
David Gregg - The young cyclist who was accidentally killed by the foursome.
The Villain - An evil and mentally sadistic creature, intent on avenging Gregg by destroying the five friends on a psychological level.
[edit] Film adaptation
The book was very loosely adapted into an award-winning horror film by Kevin Williamson, creator of the Scream trilogy. However, Lois Duncan was barred from the set and, upon seeing the finished production, was disgusted that her work had been turned into a lurid teen slasher film.
