Return to the Dark House

“My bedroom door creaks open, and the light from the hallway penetrates my room. I see his boot first: black wrinkled leather soiled at the toe.” “Return to the Dark House” by Laurie Stolarz is a mystery/horror book, suitable for readers in grades 7-12 and (Horror is not suitable for people who get scared easily.) The book starts off with Ivy Jensen, the main character, as she wakes up in a hospital after surviving the “Dark House” and being the only one coming out alive, besides Taylor who escaped in the beginning. The book is mostly set in an old abandoned private school in the woods where the killer used to go to school. The characters are very likeable and friendly for example the way they are secretive and at the same time open about things., and it’s easy to get attached. The only way to know what happens, is to read “Welcome to the Dark House” and see what awaits.

The author lets us imagine what the setting is and what the characters look like. She gives a great description of their appearance to the reader, as well as describing the places around you. The book mostly focuses on Ivy meeting Taylor and both of them going to a private school to search for Ivy’s parents killer who was also the dark house killer. In my opinion, “Return to the Dark House” is a wonderful and exciting book but it is supposed to be one of Stolarz´s scariest stories. I especially like how the author writes her books because they are very intriguing and suspenseful. Also she has the characters switch parts in every chapter therefore giving the reader a new perspective as the book moves on. Finally, I would recomend “Return to the Dark House” to anyone who loves a thrill because you’re definitely in for one. “Two months have passed since Ivy narrowly escaped the Nightmare Elf’s grip, but the memories of Parker, Natalie, Shayla, Frankie, and Garth continue to haunt her.”