What happens when three teenage girls are alone in a 100 year old house, with a dark past?
I first read this book when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old, and had stolen it from my older sister. And boy, did it scare the pants off me! Robin Klein really does have an amazing talent for descriptive writing, which captivates the audience.
It's a book that I pull out every two years or so, and each time I do the familiar chills run up my spine, even though I know what the conclusion is. That this book can still evoke such a response is a credit to Robin's writing.
Storywise, it concerns Patricia a lonely and social awkward teenager who is invited to spend a weekend with the schools most popular duo in a fleeting moment of gratitude. She's clearly not welcome, however can't do anything about this situation as the house they're staying is is miles away in the bush.
What develops is a thriller of a tale with elements of horror, psychological warfare and self-examination. The backstories for the main characters really make this book come alive, and it's something that can be related to by teens today. It's a quick read, and you need to keep in mind that it's YA, but the story, characters, and feeling will stick with you for a while.
I'm not sure if it's included in each edition, but the book that I have depicted the plans of the actual house which really aided the story.