The Thirteenth Cat - by Mary Downing Hahn (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From master of middle grade horror Mary Downing Hahn, a new thriller about bravery, unexpected friendship, and sinister cats that will captivate readers with its chilling mix of mystery and magic.

Zoey loves spending the summer with her Aunt Alice, and her aunt's new house is the perfect place to cozy up with a good book. But this supernatural adventure takes a dark turn when she's unnerved by the overgrown forest next door, which is creepy even in the daytime and full of eerie sounds at night.

Worse, there are rumors in town of a dark force in those woods. And in this spooky story, Zoey can't deny that the wild black cats who live there seem to be watching her.

When she encounters a mean old woman who claims to be their owner, Zoey realizes there's more to the cats than meets the eye. But little does she know that the closer she comes to discovering their secret, the more danger she's in...

• Witch Books for Kids: The mean old woman next door is more than just a recluse, and the secret in her overgrown woods is darker than Zoey could ever imagine.
• Kids Mystery Books: When a sweet black cat needs rescuing from its sinister sisters, Zoey must uncover the truth about her strange neighbor before she's silenced for good.
• Unexpected Friendship: To survive the danger, Zoey must team up with Lila, a new friend from town, to face the dark force that is threatening them both.
• Spine-Tingling Suspense: A spooky, atmospheric setting full of eerie sounds, watching cats, and a growing sense of dread perfect for young horror fans.

Review Quotes

"Horror maven Hahn conjures up another heart-pumping read for the younger set that strikes the right balance between thrills and chills."--Booklist