When Christopher and his little sister, Stacie, go with their dad to restore a rundown cabin, all they want is to keep him from selling it. But their father hates his family's old summer place, and is determined to get rid of it as soon as possible. As time passes, Chris and Stacie have to admit that the cabin seems cursed, and danger stalks the lake. Worse, their father is beginning to frighten Chris with his sudden temper and unreasonable behaviour. And now Stacie, who has always had an active imagination, is saying things that go well beyond her knowledge - at least of this world.

What secret haunts this family? Will Chris ever be able to trust his dad again? And before tragedy repeats itself, can Stacie and Chris discover what really caused the death of the mysterious boy named Topher?

Anita Horrocks was born in The Pas, Manitoba, and grew up in Winkler, a small Mennonite community on the prairies of southern Manitoba. After high school she moved to Alberta, where she earned diplomas in Ecological Sciences and later, Print Journalism. She worked digging for dinosaur fossils, as a park interpreter and as a freelance writer before becoming public relations co-ordinator for the University of Lethbridge. She lives in Lethbridge with her husband, Bryan.

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Horrocks' newest book is a neat, pleasing work that gives mystery fans ages 10 to 12 exactly what they want. Chapters begin with grabbing lines such as "Chris's legs gave way." Similarly dramatic closers heave the reader into the next chapter.
- Quill and Quire