What the Dead Want - by Norah Olson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Haunting photographs and dark family secrets make this second spine-tingling novel from Norah Olson the perfect read for fans of creepy, suspenseful teen fiction.

A love of photography, an old camera, and countless questions--these are all that sixteen-year-old Gretchen has left of her mother, who mysteriously disappeared years ago.

Now she must return to the place where her mom vanished--a decaying mansion that Gretchen has suddenly inherited from her great-aunt Esther. However, Gretchen won't find the answers she's seeking without unraveling the secrets that lurk inside the house. There are stacks of photographs and letters from her ancestors that go back centuries, pointing to some kind of haunting past. But when proof of the mansion's dark history appears to Gretchen in the form of ghostly visions and the soft, eerie whisper of her mother's voice, there's no doubt that something sinister has taken place there.

No matter how scared she might be, Gretchen must somehow uncover the reasons why this indescribable force has descended upon her family and find a way to set everyone--even the dead--free.

Review Quotes

"Olson provides chills and thrills...truly original." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Olson uses her journalism background to great effect. Letters, newspaper clippings, and vintage photographs from Gretchen's ancestors' time provide added detail as Gretchen tries to solve both the racially charged mysteries of the past and the secret behind her mother's disappearance in this atmospheric exploration of family sins." -- Booklist

"Sharp character development means that ghost fans will attach to Gretchen quickly, investing in their ultimate success while also enjoying the creepiness of the haunted house. " -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A goose-bump-raising psychological thriller that will engross even the most jaded mystery enthusiast." -- Kirkus on Twisted Fate

"A riveting, addictive, suspense filled story that haunted me for days. If you're looking for a mysterious, fast-paced, compelling read, this book delivers." -- Alyson Noel, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Twisted Fate

"Sexy, complex, and unrelentingly tense, Twisted Fate is a dark, psychological thriller that will set your heart racing." -- Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and Get Even, on Twisted Fate

"A creepy, slow-burn thriller. Olson creates a suspenseful story that gets under your skin. You'll be thinking about it for days afterwards." -- Georgia Clark, author of Parched, on Twisted Fate

"Will keep readers guessing until the very last page." -- School Library Journal on Twisted Fate