The Winter People

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

West Hall, a small town in Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends.  The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter, Gertie.  Now in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara's farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister, Fawn.  One morning Ruthie wakes up to find Alice has disappeared without a trace.

A small town ghost story, told from multiple points of view from 2 different eras.  We learn about Sara's life in 1908 via her diary entries. Ruthie discovers Sara's diary, hidden beneath the floorboards of her mother's bedroom, while searching for clues about her missing mom.  The author does a great job merging the past with the present and building a sly and surprising link between the two.

This is a solid, spooky, creepy and chilling tale - I was just a little disappointed in the end because I felt a few questions had not been answered. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you are in the mood for a spooky ghost story. You can find this book in the adult fiction section of the library.