Michael Paine, The Night School

The Night School

Michael Paine

Berkley, April 2006, $6.99, 325 pp.

ISBN: 0425209164

EdEntCo has bought what was once George Washington High School, which he intends to renovate into the Washington Academy, a place where the wealthy and powerful can send their children. The neighborhood knows that something evil resides inside the building, and some residents warn Principal D. Michael Canning when he inspects the edifice one night. He ignores their prattle and enters the schoolhouse; in the basement he finds a walled up room.

After tearing the wall down, D. Michael finds a headless skeleton; but instead of calling the police he places the remains back where they were and reseals the room. When school starts, screams echo throughout the building leading to everyone on edge. Acts of violence happen without any warning; soon occupants begin killing one another. Shortly afterward the Ghost of Washington Academy occupies a robot that the students are building and demands they find his head or face more of his wrath. Unless EdEntCo comes up with a plan ASAP, the ghost will continue his vengeance killings.

Anyone who appreciates a scary haunted house ghost story should look no further than THE NIGHT SCHOOL. Unlike some horror thrillers that concentrate exclusively on action, this haunting storyline develops the characters in a manner reminiscent of King or Koontz. Though readers will agree on simply shutting down the lethal school (money interests aside), Michael Paine provides a book that Poltergeist lovers will enjoy.