Description
A heartwarming and haunting story about two boys' desire to be free, one girl's desire to make a difference, and a family's desire to be together again. Now available in paperback!
"A smart, thrilling mystery." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Magical elements, evocative, intelligent writing, and ever-ratcheting suspense." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"The foreboding atmosphere perfectly matches the dark mystery and high stakes confronting the middle-schoolers." -Booklist
For as long as the Vickery twins can remember, Poplar House has been divided into two parts: On the east side, Felix lives with his father and Death, and on the west side, Lee lives with his mother and Memory. And the brothers are only able to leave the house together on one night a year-Halloween.
This is the Agreement, and it is permanent. They've learned that the hard way.
But one Halloween, Gretchen Whipple smashes her way into their lives and offers them a deal: If the twins help her solve the murder of a local girl, she'll help them break the Agreement.
However, the more the three investigate, the more they realize that something is terribly wrong in the town of Boone Ridge. If they don't solve the case-and soon-history will repeat itself, and this murder won't be the last.
About the Author
K. E. Ormsbee hails from the Bluegrass State and now lives in Austin, Texas, with her wife. Halloween is her favorite day of the year, and she believes you're never too old to dress up. She is the author of several other novels, including Growing Pangs, Candidly Cline, and the Lottie Fiske books. You can find her online at keormsbee.com.
Reviews
"A breathtaking and elegant tale with vivid prose, a spooky setting, and a fiercely determined group of unlikely friends. Will have readers flipping pages late into the night." -Ashley Herring Blake, acclaimed author of Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World
"The foreboding atmosphere perfectly matches the dark mystery and high stakes confronting the middle-schoolers." -Booklist
"A fresh, imaginative, creepy, and cheer-worthy tale of three teens trying to break family curses, escape dark forces, and do the right thing for themselves and their loved ones." -Common Sense Media5-star review
"Spooky but not too scary... the story also tells how one person, or three working together, can make a difference." -School Library Connection
"A smart, thrilling mystery, equal parts dark and gentle, that explores questions about freedom, power, and choosing one's master." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Magical elements, evocative, intelligent writing, and ever-ratcheting suspense."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Atmospheric and gripping, the book offers a boldly original take on the Grim Reaper concept, but never sacrifices entertainment for metaphysics (even while raising some thought-provoking questions). Ormsbee does a masterly job of juggling perspectives, keeping all the children distinct and fascinating in their own ways, while never losing the page-whipping pace of her well-crafted plot." -The New York Times
"Quirky, spooky, and thoroughly enjoyable." -School Library Journal, starred review
"With twins who are forced to leave separate lives, one with each parent, this is kind of like a scary version of 'The Parent Trap.'" -Romper
"Ormsbee manages quite the balancing act, giving each kid a distinct personality and an authentic perspective." -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Book Information
ISBN 9781797240244
Author K. E. Ormsbee
Format Paperback
Page Count 344
Imprint Chronicle Books
Publisher Chronicle Books
