Crooked Door by Brad McLelland (ARC Review)

 

Synopsis:

For Ginny and her parents, losing their home and being forced to move to Nebraska was hard enough, but when a sudden dust storm forces them to seek shelter in the strange 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 a bossy band of local kids seems to be in charge. And through it all, you can hear the eerie call of the sinister Dirge moaning in the distance, always hungering for a new friend to join its ancient, twisted game.

As Ginny is drawn deeper into the kids’ inner circle, she learns the answer to all her wishes lies just beyond the mysterious Crooked Door. But beware, beware when you knock twice, for every wish comes at a price. Soon, evil boils over in Pottsville, and Ginny must race to save her parents before they’re trapped forever in the Dirge’s dark realm.

My Thoughts:

Five very creepy stars! Wow, what a story!

Ginny and her parents are stuck in a quaint small town when their car breaks down. Ginny immediately realizes that things are not what they seem, even when "friendly" kids take her on a tour through town. I don't want to spoil anything, but literally NOTHING is what it seems, and everything revolves around a mysterious Crooked Door.

I loved the world-building here. Quaint Pottsville has a deep history that goes back generations and spans continents. There is also a very creepy "be careful of what you wish for" element running through the novel.

Is it too scary for middle grade readers? It's the same level of horror as Ellen Oh's 'Spirit Hunters,' so I definitely think it's for older middle grade readers. That said, I'm not the targeted demographic, and I couldn't put the book down. So I definitely recommend adults read it too!

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co for an ARC. Look for a copy of Crooked Door in bookstores on April 11, 2023.