An engrossing, atmospheric novel—following a teenage boy as he uncovers the secrets of the mysterious and provocative Wish House
It's the start of summer vacation, and 15-year-old Richard has discovered that a family has moved into the usually deserted Wish House. Richard is intrigued by both the house and the bohemian family now living there. The father, Jethro Dalton, is an internationally renowned painter; his seemingly licentious wife is fascinated by herbs and cures. But it's their beautiful and vibrant daughter, Clio, the muse for Jethro's paintings, who draws Richard into the Daltons' world. Soon Richard finds himself so captivated by Clio that he steals off to the woods to spend days and nights with her, meanwhile struggling to understand and fit in with her eccentric clan. How could he know that some mysteries are best left alone—and that some betrayals can never be forgiven?
"Rees is a master at evoking both a sense of place and atmosphere."—Booklist
For mature teens, the story of Richard and Clio and their summer together draws on the theme of first love. Christopher Cazenove's narration engages as the account of Richard and Clio's time together moves between the past and the present. The story features descriptions of paintings from that summer by Clio's famous father. One storytelling device juxtaposes the captions on the paintings with startling scenes from Clio's unconventional family life, which Richard finds captivating. Casenove's nuanced performance illuminates the deception that Richard experiences and its effect on him. The secret of what happened that summer is finally revealed at the end of the story. L.D.H. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
