Brad McLelland

The Crooked Door Brad McLelland

Something demonic stirs in this suspenseful, horror standalone novel for young readers about a close-knit circle of children, the monster at their whim, and the lone girl who can save her parents from evil--for fans of Victoria Schwab, Katherine Arden, and Holly Black.

For 12-year-old Ginny and her parents, losing their home and being forced to move to Nebraska was hard enough, but when a sudden dust storm causes them to seek shelter in the forgotten, frozen-in-time town of Pottsville, the real trouble begins. By day, Pottsville is all friendly faces and welcoming storefronts. But at night, creatures lurk in the shadows, and you can hear the sinister call of the demonic, childlike Dirge moaning in the distance. Most strange of all, the local kids--not the adults--are the ones in charge. And the monstrous Dirge is always looking for a new friend to join its twisted game.

As Ginny is drawn deeper into the kids' inner circle, she soon discovers the answer to all her wishes lies just beyond the Crooked Door, in the Dirge's realm. But beware, beware when you knock twice, for every wish comes at a price.