Ali is invited by her Aunt Dulcie to spend the summer at the family cottage, which nobody has visited in nearly 30 years. Ali’s mother, Claire, is vehemently opposed, but refuses to say why. After the family argument goes Ali’s way, and once she arrives, Ali soon learns the details of what happened in 1977 that so completely upset her mom, and determines to do what she can to solve the problem.

This is a well-written suspense story for early teen readers. The concepts are easily understood and there is absolutely nothing gory or intense to work through. It is, in effect, an engrossing little ghost story. The characters are believable, the dialogue is clear and concise, and there is a very good moral as well, which I enjoyed immensely.

Astute readers that have played Candyland with their young children or siblings will be amused at the author’s description of the game. It is clear that she has never played it before.

Rated: Mild, for only two uses of mild language. This would really just be a “none” for adults.