I didn't really like it. I'm sort of surprised it was even published, given it's subject matter, but then again kids eat up the Goosebumps series, so what do I know? I think what really bugged me about this one was how completely tactless Honey is the whole time. Over the previous 31 books they've harped about how polite and sweet she is, and in this book she does a complete about face. Maybe she's spent too much time with Trixie. At any rate, the girls are trying to help out a friend who is living in a haunted house nearby. Strange things happen that can't be explained, until Di notices that the priceless antique furniture is actually fake. It was easy enough for Trixie to figure out the new owner of the house was removing the real furniture so he could burn it down and collect on the insurance. ( )

A childhood favorite re-visited.

Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes

What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.

Length? – Most of a day’s read.

Characters? – Memorable, several characters.

Setting? – Real world, pre - computer, pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.

Written approximately? – 1980.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers and cell phones.

Short storyline: Honey and Trixie meet Fay who believe she has been possessed by the long dead witch in the haunted house her mother is a live in housekeeper in. While more than one person is responsible for the mystery, only one attempts to burn the house down around the ears of Fay and the Bob Whites.


Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence and no murder. ( )