About This Book
Reach for this book if your teenager is struggling with the complex emotions of a parent's remarriage or feels like an outsider in their own home. It is a masterfully written supernatural thriller that uses the isolation of a Louisiana plantation to mirror the feeling of being 'locked out' of a new family dynamic. While the plot involves a high-stakes mystery regarding a family that never ages, the core of the book explores the deep-seated grief of losing a mother and the frustration of having your intuition dismissed by adults. Lois Duncan is a classic of the genre for a reason: she treats teen concerns with absolute gravity. Parents will appreciate how the story validates a child's need to trust their gut even when others call them paranoid. It is a suspenseful, atmospheric read that manages to be both a page-turner and a meaningful exploration of trust and survival. Note that there are moments of genuine peril, including a staged boating accident, making it best suited for middle and high school readers who enjoy a good chill.
