First published 1996
Neely Bradford finds herself drawn to the abandoned Halsey house that sits empty behind her family's property. The crumbling Victorian mansion holds secrets that both frighten and fascinate her. When she begins exploring the overgrown grounds and dusty rooms, Neely uncovers traces of the family that once lived there. Her discoveries lead her deeper into the mystery of what happened to the Halseys and why the house was left to decay. As Neely spends more time in the forbidden space, she must navigate the tension between her growing obsession with the past and the demands of her present life. Her unauthorized visits to the property put her at odds with adults who want to keep the past buried. The house becomes both sanctuary and trap as Neely learns that some boundaries exist for good reasons, while others are meant to be crossed.
Genres: coming-of-age, mystery, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: forbidden-knowledge, obsession
Setting: Halsey House, Family Property
Period: Present Day
200 pages · Library Binding · Sagebrush