Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn



 I just finished a young teen ghost story by Mary Downing Hahn. A concerned parent came to me with this book inquiring on how appropriate this read would be for a ten year old. While I would not recommend this title for younger readers, an 8th grader who is thrilled by reading horror/ghost stories may enjoy it. Ali is a quiet responsible thirteen year old who's mother suffers from depression and worry. Her mystery begins when she finds an old ripped photo. The picture clearly shows her mother, her Aunt Dulcie, and the arm of a person who has purposely been cut out of the photo. Ali finds herself back at her mother's hometown cottage where secrets and rumors still lie. She soon discovers that her young cousin is talking to a spooky girl who knows her mother's secret and why so many people fear the water nearby. Who is this mystery girl? Is it possible that she is the young girl in her mother's photo. Ali must be strong and help unravel a ghostly secret that has haunted the family for years. It takes a family friend, voices from the water, a spoiled stranger, and her Aunt Dulcie to piece together Ali's mystery. Can she uncover the past and stay alive?