Suspicion

Gr 8 Up—When Imogen was a child, she and her family spent the summers at Rockford Manor. At age 10, she accidentally conjured a flower out of nothing. That night, still troubled by her supernatural power, she wakes to a fire in the garden-one that traps her parents and her cousin's parents, leaving the girls orphans. After returning to New York to live with friends, Imogen cuts off contact with Cousin Lucia. Now, right before her high school graduation, Imogen's grandfather and cousin have both died, and Imogen inherits the estate-and the title of Duchess. Rockford Manor holds many secrets-ghostly whispers, strange winds, and a return of Imogen's elemental powers. The first half of the book is more reminiscent of Meg Cabot's "The Princess Diaries" (HarperCollins) than it is of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, on which this story is based; the supernatural elements are hardly necessary to the plot. Teens may get frustrated with plot points that don't make sense, but a hinted-at sequel might offer clarification in future installments.—Brandy Danner, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA