Lost in the Bayou

By Cornell DeVille

People disappear in the bayou. And that’s exactly what fourteen-year-old Robin Sherwood needs to do — before her Uncle Conrad snips her toes off with his rusty garden nippers.
When her parents’ private plane disappears in the Voodoo Swamp, Robin’s uncle moves into the multi-million dollar Sherwood Estate as her guardian. It doesn’t take Robin long to figure out there’s something not quite right about Uncle Conrad — besides having a metal claw where his left hand used to be.

Weird changes to crazy when he explains the bizarre game he has planned — a game that will leave Robin dead and Uncle Conrad the sole heir to the Sherwood fortune. In order to escape his devious plan and its deadly consequences, the bayou may be Robin’s only chance. It’s a risky choice, but becoming alligator bait seems a lot less terrifying right now than what’s waiting for her in the cellar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Musa Publishing
• Release date: Dec 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781619379305

Cornell DeVille

Author and editor of children's books including adventure, mystery, fantasy and steampunk. Dedicated to encouraging imagination in children and adults.

Reviews for Lost in the Bayou

[tanat-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: Lost In the Bayou
Author: Cornell Deville
Published by: Musa Publishing
Genre: YA Thriller
Review Rating: 4 stars, Recommended read.


Cornell Devill has written an amazing YA Suspense/Thriller novel, his writing is engaging and the character descriptions where written so well that I could picture what the crazy Uncle Conrad looked like vividly in my head. Cornell’s words flowed easily and I just kept turning the pages and before I knew it the book was over. You can see from his writing that he is a very talented author and I would read any of his other books.

Lost in the Bayou is a story of brother and sister who find out their parents are missing after their plane crashed. The search and rescue for their parents has been called off and now are presumed dead. The only living relative is their Uncle Conrad, during their first dinner together they realize that their uncle is crazy and is only there for their parent’s money. He seems to relate everything he says and does to the radio show the Lone Ranger. Uncle Conrad tells the children that he is only there to get what he rightfully deserves and that they are in his way. His plan is to kill the children so he will have everything to himself. He informs them that in the morning they will play a game and that if he catches them he will kill them. Coming up with an escape plan is there next step. They decide the best place to hide is deep inside the Bayou where dangers lurk all around them, but they both agree they will feel safer around the alligators then their crazy uncle.

Lost in the Bayou is written for a younger audience, the main character Robin is a 14 year girl trying to protect and take care of her 11 year old brother Andy. Cornell Devill has written both of these children in an age appropriate manner and his younger audience will connect with these two characters well. In saying that I believe even adults who read YA suspense/thriller novels would definitely enjoy Lost in the Bayou and I would definitely recommend this book to any of my friends.

[krista23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yes, I do have to admit that this book was a page turner. It was able to keep up the pacing from the beginning to end. I enjoyed the main characters Robin and Andy, kids that have lost their parents due to a plane crash, just beyond their mansion of a house and now under the supervision of an evil Uncle.There were two things in the book that had me very confused, but did not deter me from really enjoying the story. They both take place during the children's travels into the Bayou to hide from their Uncle. One of them involving a secret about their parents and the other, somehow the children are able to have an almost superhuman physical strength when trying to get back home. I do not want to go into more specific detail in case you are interested to read the story for spoilery reasons.I think that the story was very well paced and full of action and adventure. My favorite part being a bit of a psychological thriller at the end.For those that maybe interested, the story is not too scary for younger teen readers, the worst of it is when the Uncle tells the children he is going to rip out their fingernails. I would recommend this book to Teens or older looking for a quick, fun and interesting read.Most of the story does take place inside of the Bayou, great descriptions and a setting that makes the reader feel like they are actually there.

[arlenadean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author: Cornell DevillePublished By: Musa PublishingAge Recommend: 14+Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRaven Rating: 4Blog Review For: Great Minds Think AloudReview:"Lost In The Bayou" by Cornell Deville was indeed a good YA thriller. I thought the story was very well written with lots of fast paste action. "Lost in the Bayou" was definitely a page turner in that I could not put it down until I was finished with it.... with each chapter leaving you wondering just what was happening next. This author did a wonderful job with this YA action thriller. I found Robin simply amazing... along with her dear brother....Andy. In the novel their parents had disappeared and along come this horrible person who is their fathers brother....Uncle Conrad with his metal prosthesis...... is now taking charge of them. This uncle Conrad was indeed a mean and very dangerous person and I can only say God help these poor children....for this uncle even scared me! Was he really as crazy as he seemed to be? Just how will this all work out? .... You must pick up this good read to find out what and how this will turn out.The characters really come out in making this a good read ......the author was able to make you really be drawn into this storyline. The children having been from a very loving family...close to the servants and now ....then this scary uncle who said things like: "I'm going to kill you until you kill me first." What?The ending of this novel will be very dramatic... with so many twist and turns so get ready. If you are in for a good thriller in the bayou, crazy uncle, monsters, zombies, blueberries, 'The Lone Ranger,' alligators, insects, bugs, and much more.... you will be in for a read that you will not forget. I would recommend not only for the young but the adult will enjoy this too.