THE SHADE OF HETTIE DAYNES

Simon Shepherd's strong, straightforward narration works well as he delivers the intrigue in this chilling ghost story. Harry takes his sister, Bethan, to view the famed ghost of local legend Hettie Daynes at the local reservoir. As Bethan snaps a photo of the specter floating over the water, they decide to find out why she's appeared. Their resolve upsets their mother, for Hettie Daynes was her real-life great-great auntie—who vanished. Shepherd chronicles the mounting battle between adults who want the past to stay buried and children who are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. The children are undaunted by the bullying adults, rendered threateningly by Shepherd, and fully absorbed when skeletons are unearthed. S.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2009]