“A new start,” said Mum. Refurbish an old house on the edge of a lake. Go back to her design work. Live away from Sydney.

Bailey knows they need something to change. Since her dad died suddenly, mum has fallen apart, older sister Amelia hit the booze hard, and little brother Seth’s anxiety is sky high.

The builders are still working on the lake house when they move in. It’s been empty for 40 years since a family tragedy. Daughter of the house (and mum’s cousin Celina) had gone to catch the bus to school – and was never seen again.

It’s not long before Bayley realises Celina hasn’t left at all. A chest of her clothes remains in Bayley’s new room, and she can’t fight the compulsion to wear them. Visions not her own begin to appear along with strong feelings that all but consume her. Celina is back and she wants someone to pay.

Bayley has been trying to hold her own family together and Celina’s ghostly presence is not helping. Bayley is itching to talk about it, but who can she tell? No one would believe her. Not hot-boy Olympic training Oliver across the lake, or Celina’s friend who now owns a shop in town.

One thing Bayley does know is somehow Oliver’s artist and eccentric grandfather is scared of her. Is it because she looks like Celina or something more?

A gripping young adult thriller I have just reread for the 2nd time since this was published in 2013. It’s still available and well worth it. I loved it just as much as the 1st time with its imaginative and creepy ghost thread and jaw-dropping and cringeworthy revelations.

Fantastic read!

Author – Sue Whiting

Age – 14+

Read more Sue Whiting Titles (Click on a Cover)

(Walker Books, 2013, Thriller, Gripping, Lake, Loss, Grief, Family, Art, Disappearance, Mystery, Ghost, Guilt, Alcohol, Escape, Anger, Hurt, Anxiety, Fears, Confidence, Visions, 1970’s clothing, Revenge, Crime, Kayak, Rowing, Secret)