A ghost story without a ghost, this Gothic-inspired tale takes the unusual premise of a little girl, tragically orphaned, who returns to the Louisiana plantation style-house she lived in a few months ago and takes up residence in its capacious walls, unseen and unoticed by the family now living there. But the two sons eventually become suspicious, and the lengths the older one goes to to oust her from her hiding place sparks a chain of events that uncovers the darkness that can lie at the heart of humanity.
I loved this story! Elise is such a fey creature, more spirit than mortal, though she has to eat and sleep just like anyone else. She moves through the house "like a river" - and it's easy to believe that she can get away with her deception.
Apart from the haunting element of this tale, there is a strong family theme as the author explores the bond between Elise and her dead parents, the love-hate relationship between gungho teenager Marshall and his younger, probably-autistic brother Eddie, and their relationship with their own parents, who are far too sensible to believe there might be a person living in the walls of their own house!
The writing is atmospheric, the characters strong and believable, and the plot is in turns, haunting, suspenseful and chilling, with a mythical aspect to it all that has the surprising effect of making it all the more believable.
A story not to be missed.