Author Spotlight: Adam Cesare

18 Sep Author Spotlight: Adam Cesare

Adam Cesare lives in Philadelphia and is the winner of the 2020 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel. He wrote the Clown in a Cornfield series as well as hits such as Video Night, Influencer, and Tribesman. He also has a YouTube review show called Project: Black T-Shirt, where he reviews horror films and suggests books to pair with them.

His Clown in a Cornfield series has released three volumes including Frendo Lives and The Church of Frendo.

Clown in a Cornfield

Clown in a Cornfield is a retro horror novel in the vein of Chucky, Scream, and The Purge.  New kid, Quinn Maybrook, moves to the small town of Kettle Springs, Missouri after her father takes over the local practice after the previous doctor suddenly quits. Their house, which belonged to the last doctor, sits next to an abandoned corn syrup plant. There is a noticeable divide between the kids who just want to have fun and get out of Kettle Springs as fast as they can, and the adults who want to bring back Kettle Springs to its former glory. After making friends with locals Cole Hill and Janet Murray, the three join a party in a remote cornfield. The fun soon turns to screams when Frendo, the town mascot, decides the easiest way to bring back the old Kettle Springs is to eliminate the current crop of rotten kids.

Clown in a Cornfield 2: Friendo Lives

Picking up a year after the story of the first book, Quinn, now a college student in Philadelphia, just wants to live a normal life and forget about what happened in Kettle Springs – but the past has no intention of leaving her alone. When online conspiracy theories label the Kettle Springs massacre as a hoax and murderous clowns begin targeting her and her father, Quinn realizes she will have to go back to where it all began to set the record straight. But as the body count rises, will Quinn be able to put a stop to this new nightmare fueled by misinformation and conspiracy fueled fanaticism?

Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo

After surviving multiple massacres Quinn, tired of being hunted and seeing innocent people hurt, decides it’s time to put an end to the terror. Quinn leaves her old life behind to hunt for those responsible – armed with a list of names, weapons and surprising allies. As Quinn continues to cross names off her list she realizes she’s one step behind someone who seems to have the same idea. Her rage is put on a collision course with the Frendo followers, who’s fanaticism is reaching a frenzied pitch. But Quinn is intent to put an end to the madness whatever it takes.

– Written by Alex B, Teen Central Library Assistant