by Dean Koontz
First published 2017
Malcolm Pomerantz is twelve years old in 1967, living with his bright and spirited sister Amalia in a household dominated by their dysfunctional parents. The siblings rely on each other as best friends, sharing an endless curiosity about the world that extends far beyond their unhappy home. Malcolm struggles with being geeky and socially awkward, while Amalia shines with her intelligence and beauty. Their troubled family life takes a darker turn when a secretive new neighbor arrives next door under cover of darkness. The mysterious resident's identity and motives become the most unsettling puzzle the Pomerantz family has ever encountered. As the siblings try to understand what kind of person moves in during the night hours, they discover that their own problematic household might actually serve as a refuge compared to whatever lurks in the house next door. This story explores the bond between two children who find strength in each other while confronting an enigma that threatens to disrupt their already fragile world.
Genres: mystery, contemporary, psychological-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: 1967
Period: 1967
MP3 CD · Brilliance Audio
Content warnings: anxiety, depression, mental-illness