Murdered parents? Check. Lonely, orphaned sisters? Check. Creepy, possessed dolls? Check. Help for the Haunted by John Searles has all of these wrapped in a compelling story told by a 14 year old narrator.
The author of the critically acclaimed Boy Still Missing and Strange but True returns with an unforgettable story of a very unusual family, their deep secrets, their harrowing tragedy, and ultimately, a daughter’s discovery of a dark and unexpected mystery. It begins with a call in the middle of snowy February night. Lying in her bed, young Sylvie Mason overhears her parents on the phone. This is not the first late-night call they have received, since her mother and father have an uncommon occupation, helping “haunted souls” find peace. And yet this call is different because by the end of the evening Sylvie’s parents will be dead.
Nearly a year later, Sylvie is struggling with her loss, and living in the care of her older sister, who may be to blame for what happened. As the story moves back and forth in time, Sylvie pursues the mystery, moving closer to the knowledge of what occurred that night, as she comes to terms with her family’s past and uncovers secrets that have haunted them for years.
We here at LLF are all big fans of the book, which you can find on Edelweiss, so I recommend getting your hands on a digital copy because it.is.good!
– Annie