On a cold, stormy night in northern Scotland, 16-year-old Josie arrives at her aunt and uncle's home, where she is to live for the next two years. It looks none too inviting. Having just lost her parents to influenza (not uncommon in 1807), her relatives' curt manner and the hostile looks from the townsfolk do nothing to assuage her grief. It is immediately apparent that something is off in Brindle. Though she is forbidden from asking questions, Josie's curious nature leads her into danger as she seeks to discover what dark, mysterious business her aunt and uncle are a part of. Then there is the handsome and enigmatic Eli, who repeatedly assists Josie, only to leave her with more questions and discomfited emotions. The only thing she knows for certain is that he is forbidden. Bunting has written a taut page-turner full of an eeriness that would be at home in any piece of gothic literature. The result is an atmospheric, otherworldly mystery best absorbed in one sitting.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 7 Up-When 16-year-old Josie Ferguson is orphaned, she travels to a small fishing village on the windswept coast of Scotland to live with her aunt and uncle. Much of the intrigue of this story is derived from its setting-the early 1800s-and its dark and stormy backdrop. Narrator Alison Larkin captures the anxiety, fear, and trepidation that Josie experiences when meeting her relatives for the first time. Feeling far from welcome in their dark and dreary home, Josie is forbidden to venture to certain areas or parts of the house. It becomes quite obvious to listeners that despite Josie's resolve to be polite and gracious, her aunt and uncle are more interested in her inheritance than in Josie. The suspense builds as she meets some of the local inhabitants and realizes that everyone is keeping secrets. While the story hints at a romantic relationship between Josie and Eli, the only character who shows her compassion and understanding, it is the mysterious activities of the town that will have the most impact. VERDICT This is an excellent book for introducing tweens to gothic romance with a hint of the paranormal. ["An excellent introduction to the gothic genre and a satisfyingly eerie read": SLJ 9/15 review of the Clarion book.]-Sheila Acosta, San Antonio Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

No stranger to ghost stories or historical tales, Bunting (The Pirate Captain's Daughter) returns with an eerie novel set in 1807 along the northern coast of Scotland. It centers on orphaned 16-year-old Josie Ferguson, who leaves her Edinburgh home to live for two years with her newly met, but unwelcoming and insensitive uncle and aunt. She befriends "brooding" Eli Stuart and his grandmother, only to learn that she cannot associate with or become attached to Eli, as he is mysteriously "forbidden." The town's inhabitants appear to be hiding a secret, and over the course of three days Josie seeks answers about Eli and the townspeople. Bunting skillfully drops clues about the cruel truth Josie will discover and cleverly incorporates supernatural elements into the historical aspects of the story about the intentional "wrecking" of ships for their bounty. Josie's whirlwind crush on Eli, her strict adherence to propriety, and lack of backbone when confronting the cagey townsfolk can wear thin. But keeping Josie naively unaware allows Bunting to strategically build suspense, and Josie's unstoppable curiosity will endear her to mystery-lovers. Ages 12-up. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.