Book Review: Deep and Dark and Dangerous

On September 4, 2009, I asked Stacks users in the post Get ready, get set and RECOMMEND! to recommend books for Ink Splot 26 reviews and to get into the festive Halloween mood of October, one of the books I chose to read and review this month is Deep and Dark and Dangerous: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn. As suggested by Springlilly17, Hahn's book was definitely eerie. However, did it earn five stars? You'll have to keep reading to find out.

I don't know about any of you, but cabins and camp sites have always freaked me out a little. They're usually in the middle of nowhere with only a small town as the nearest outlet and are often surrounded by wooded areas. Not to mention the fact that every time I've been to a camp site or cabin, telling ghost stories is generally on the night's agenda. So if you like ghost stories and mysteries, then you'll like Deep and Dark and Dangerous.

Set in a small and quaint town in the northern East Coast, Ali travels with her aunt and younger cousin to their long-deserted family cabin. Ali often wonders why her mother rarely mentions the cabin and why the family has not been back in so long. But against her mother's orders, Ali decides to go, mainly just to get away from her controlling mom.

The cabin and lake seem pleasant at first and Ali is having a great time playing with her younger cousin, until a new girl, Sissy, shows up at the beach one day and claims Ali's cousin for herself. Despite Ali's happiness that her cousin has a new friend, Ali finds Sissy extremely cruel and disrespectful, not to mention strange as she just seems to appear out of nowhere.

The plot begins to take a strange and eerie turn as we find out more about Ali, her family and Sissy. Once you're finished reading story, you'll definitely want to stay away from cabins and nearby lakes for a little while.

Thank you to Springlilly17 for recommending this book! It's perfect for this time of year.

I give it 4.2 out of 5 stars.

—Carly M., STACKS Staffer

Comments

[Comment #26]

By far the best book I have ever read. It's eerie, suspensful,and it's sure to chill young readers spines. Great Halloween read.

[Comment #27]

this is the best book in the whole wide world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you have to read it. :)

[Comment #28]

I love the book! It's amazingg,i read it all in one dayy.Took some time outa my school work,but that book was so worth itt!

[Comment #29]

i've read that book and it was amzing

[Comment #30]

im reading this book for a report and it is really interesting im going to draw the cottage and put actresses and actors in it cuz were making a movie poster over a boook and i picked this book and i love mysteries and i like creepy books so iits my kinda book.. :P

[Comment #31]

this book stinks im just joking i felt like i was in the main characters place Ali when i was reading it

[Comment #32]

I love mary downing hahns book Deep and dark and dangerous but i wish she can make the movie soon I WILL BE FREAKED IF SHE WOULD!!!!!! i think its five stars

[Comment #33]

I give it 4.2 out of 5 stars.@—Carly M., STACKS Staffer

I agree with ya

[Comment #34]

I thought the book looked bad but when I read the bad it sounds really good. But, it does'nt mader if ai like it or not because i have to read it for school

[Comment #35]

Sorry I made spelling errer i meant i read the BACK of the book not the bad

[Comment #36]

IT WAS THE BEST BOOK ERY I LOVE IT :D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #37]

i love this book and the author!the ending is so unexpected. its awesome!

[Comment #38]

i did this book for my project and all i can say is this about it.... it stinks!

[Comment #39]

i did this book for my project and all i can say is one word, it really stinks. i was sick of it after the first 5 minutes!