If you heard that an old-fashioned "freak show" were coming to your town, showing in an old theater the middle of the night, would you be brave enough to go?

And if when you got there you saw the object of your dreams --- a deadly tarantula named Madam Octa --- would you be crazy enough to steal her from her owner, a vampire?

If you said "yes" to both of these questions, you'll love this spine-tingling story!

When Darren and his friend Steve find a poster advertising the "Cirque Du Freak," they can't resist sneaking out of their houses in the middle of the night to see the show. The poster promises a chance to see "Sive and Seersa --- the twisting twins! The snake-boy! The wolf-man! Gertha Teeth! Larten Crepsley and his performing spider --- Madam Octa!" and more. The show turns out to be more terrifying than Darren could ever have guessed --- and it's only the beginning of the horror story Darren finds himself living.

After the show, Darren learns a frightening and troubling secret about Steve. Meanwhile, Darren can't stop thinking about Madam Octa, the tarantula who is the star of the Cirque Du Freak. Soon Darren makes a mistake for which he and Steve will pay a serious price. Darren will be called on to show his bravery and prove his loyalty to his friends and family as he faces a horrifying decision and makes a shocking choice.

Creepy and grotesque, CIRQUE DU FREAK is not a book for the fainthearted. But if you love scary stories, read this one for the thrill of your life!

   --- Emily Mathieu