About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with intense anxiety, a history of trauma, or the feeling that their perceptions are being dismissed by the adults in their life. Marigold is a high schooler dealing with a past substance abuse issue and a debilitating fear of bedbugs, both of which make her an unreliable narrator in the eyes of her newly blended family. As they move into a renovated home in a decaying Midwestern city, Marigold experiences classic haunted house phenomena that everyone else attributes to her mental health. This is a sophisticated psychological thriller that uses the horror genre to explore deep-seated themes of gentrification, systemic racism, and the gaslighting that often occurs when a young person tries to speak their truth. It is appropriate for mature teens who can handle intense suspense and heavy social commentary.
