Tuesday, April 5, 2016

D: Lois Duncan & SUMMER OF FEAR

First, an announcement. I very randomly picked a winner for Andrea Alban's book giveaway for ANYA'S WAR. The winner is Chrys Fey! Chrys, Andrea and I will be in touch with you. Congratulations!

Onto today's post: 
"If there were a mile-high mountain of granite, and once every ten thousand years a bird flew past and brushed it with a feather, by the time that mountain was worn away, a fraction of a second would have passed in the context of Eternity." -Lois Duncan, STRANGER WITH MY FACE

In Lois Duncan's SUMMER OF FEAR (Laurel Leaf, YA), a teen named Rachel learns that her aunt and uncle and their employee died in a car accident out in the Ozarks. So her cousin Julia, pretty much a stranger, must come live with Rachel's family. That summer, Julia steals away Rachel's boyfriend and her best friend. While Rachel's family repeatedly come to Julia's defense, only Rachel and her beloved dog sense something amiss about Julia. Then Rachel's dog mysteriously dies. When Rachel stumbles across evidence that Julia used black magic on her dog, no one believes her claims that Julia is a witch. While Julia continues to taunt Rachel, Rachel decides to take action before more lives are lost. 

This book connects with the part of myself that understands how lonely it feels when someone I know is trouble wears a superficial mask of goodness and light for others. But on a more optimistic note, I've found that sometimes people do catch on. 

Have you read SUMMER OF FEAR? How were your summers like when you were a teen?

19 comments:

Keith Channing said...

Another one I've not read, though it sounds like a good yarn.

Keith Channing A-Zing from http://keithkreates.com

Misha Gerrick said...

The plot rings a bell, but I don't think I've read the story. I know what you mean about people being fooled by someone's pretenses. It's seriously frustrating.

Suzanne said...

I like books with a supernatural twist, so will add it to the ever growing list of novels to read :)
Suzanne from
Suzannes Tribe

Pat Hatt said...

Sometimes it sure takes them a while to catch on though

Doree Weller said...

I have no idea if I read this one or not! It was so long ago and didn't stick with me, but I remember loving Lois Duncan's books and devouring them. The only one I remember really well is Killing Mr. Griffin.
@DoreeWeller from
Doree Weller’s Blog

djinnia said...

i have not read that particular lois duncan book, but i've enjoyed gift of magic, third eye, and gallow's hill very much. I even like the tv movie they made that is loosely based on gallow's hill.

tawnya said...

I've never read this, but I want to! I think my summers as a teen were quite boring. I don't think I hit my real adventures until I was out on my own. There was always a summer camp here or there, but nothing with quite the variety of adventure I have in my life now! :)

Claire Annette said...

Creepy! I've read other books by Lois Duncan but not this one. But, I'm adding it to my "to read" list.

Claire Annette said...

Creepy! I've read other books by Lois Duncan but not this one. But, I'm adding it to my "to read" list.

Jo said...

What a dilemma for the heroine. Sounds like a good story.

JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Elizabeth said...

I have known people like that and I feel like I'm the only one who sees through their façade, but you're right, people do eventually catch on.

My teenage summers were a lot more pleasant that Rachel's, I enjoyed a lot of swimming and fun with friends :)

The Silver Fox said...

When I was a teen? You mean, back in the 1800s? My summers were fairly quiet. Mostly reading. That is, until I hit 17 or so and started hanging out with friends who were a bad influence on me. Ha.

Jennifer R. Hubbard said...

Not only did I read that book, but I still have it. And not only that, but I have the edition with that very cover!
I loved Lois Duncan and read every book by her that I could get my hands on. This was one of my favorites.

Liz A. said...

OMG! I loved Lois Duncan. Read everything by her that I could get my hands on from the library. I don't particularly remember this one, but I'm sure I read it. If I reread it, I'd probably recall it.

betty said...

I haven't read it; not sure I would enjoy it, especially with the dog dying, but it does sound like an interesting plot!

and to answer your question left on my blog, yes it did rain when we were visiting that drive through park; sudden thunderstorm came up!


betty
http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you! I'm so excited I won. My email is Chrysfey@yahoo.com :D

I've never read anything by Lois Duncan. I'll have you add Stranger with my Facebook and Summer of Fear to my TBR list.

Chrys Fey said...

That's supposed to say Face. Not Facebook. lol

Joanne said...

never read this, but again sounds good. My summers as a teen were decent - lots of time at the local pool. I was lucky

JazzFeathers said...

Never read this book, but it sounds intriging :-)

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