THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH

by E. L. Withers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 26, 1957

Katherine, almost 12, five days after her mother has died (accidentally drowned) wakes up to the premonition of a presence in her room- and to the certainty that her stepfather, Paul, is trying to kill her. A page torn out of an engagement book corroborates her suspicions; she blurts them out to her Aunt Millicent- in front of Paul, later blunders as she loses the damaging piece of paper, and is an easy victim for the worst she anticipates when Paul seals her up in the fireplace. Escaping to the roof, she undergoes a frightening vigil in the rain, runs away to the friendly lawyer nearby who offers her a hot breakfast but is cool to her fears, and finally goes home to face another, almost successful, attempt against her life....The youthful victim, unequal to her predicament, offers a vulnerable situation and a special kind of suspense; it cannot compare (despite the publishers) in reverse with The Bad Seed -- but you'll stay right with it. And for the mystery market, nail-biting bait too.

Pub Date: Nov. 26, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Rinehart

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1957

Categories: FICTION