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missecat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If I had read this book as a middle schooler, I feel like it would have been a turning point for me, and I would be a horror girly. It felt like a gateway drug.
As an adult, I found Wright's storytelling so compelling that while I wasn't feeling scared it was still obvious that the situation was scary. I loved it.
As an adult, I found Wright's storytelling so compelling that while I wasn't feeling scared it was still obvious that the situation was scary. I loved it.
queenbeelyn's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book as a kid, I love this book now. Actually a really good plot and great mystery :) I think the cover makes it appear more childish than it actually is as far as the story's quality
naturegirlj9's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent premise and plot device with the haunted dollhouse. I literally read this in one shot. Like all other books I've read by this author, she does a great job of capturing childhood angst and feelings, but only the main ghostly plot line is resolved at the end. Whatever personal problems the child is having with the adult/adults (usually the mother), there is no satisfying resolution at the end.
redhdlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I don't remember reading this as a kid but it reminds me of a short story I wrote when younger. So odds are that I plagiarized and did read it.
A bit creepy. I thought the dolls were going to come alive and kill the kid or Aunt just like they had killed the grandparents, but boy was I wrong. I forget how older books are so straight-forward with kids and adults. Nowadays none of this would be in a book because kids are "sensitive".
I too was irritated by the character of Louann, as the author didn't give much for the reader to love her. I feel the author wanted you on the same page as Amy.
Overall, interesting read. I would recommend it. Also a bit scary.
A bit creepy. I thought the dolls were going to come alive and kill the kid or Aunt just like they had killed the grandparents, but boy was I wrong. I forget how older books are so straight-forward with kids and adults. Nowadays none of this would be in a book because kids are "sensitive".
I too was irritated by the character of Louann, as the author didn't give much for the reader to love her. I feel the author wanted you on the same page as Amy.
Overall, interesting read. I would recommend it. Also a bit scary.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
5.0
Another fab book from my childhood!
Girl discovers haunted dollhouse which brings painful memories back to family...
Girl discovers haunted dollhouse which brings painful memories back to family...
scarwilde's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a favorite when I was a small child and I was reminded of it when watching a video on Frances Glessner Lee's miniature forensic dioramas.
I'd completely forgotten the MacGuffin that is Louanne, the disabled sister. I feel like Betty Ren Wright must've either had someone in the family or known someone closely with profound cognitive disabilities, because she nailed a certain toxic family dynamic extremely well.
The plot itself moves along at an incredible pace. The murders of the title are solved very easily and unrealistically.While being hunted by a gun-toting murderer, this severely arthritic old woman had time to run downstairs, barricade a door, hide a small child, AND write and hide a letter lamenting that this guy has decided to do this, when they were so fair to him? I think not.
But for all that, it's a charming little book, and third-grade me loved it very much.
I'd completely forgotten the MacGuffin that is Louanne, the disabled sister. I feel like Betty Ren Wright must've either had someone in the family or known someone closely with profound cognitive disabilities, because she nailed a certain toxic family dynamic extremely well.
The plot itself moves along at an incredible pace. The murders of the title are solved very easily and unrealistically.
But for all that, it's a charming little book, and third-grade me loved it very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent
mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
one of the truly creepy books I read as an adolescent (does using adolescent as a descriptive make me old?)
I'm sure half of my morbid persona comes from this very book
(yeah, you, off my lawn)
I'm sure half of my morbid persona comes from this very book
(yeah, you, off my lawn)
situationnormal's review against another edition
4.0
Living dolls was one of my favorite childhood horror tropes and I still love it just as much as an adult. This one was resolved a little too quickly for my liking but it was creepy in all of the right places without being too over the top for a childrens' book. The family themes were nicely handled and developed, too.