You've let them in by Lois Murphy

13-year-old Scott and his family move into a neglected old house on the edge of town. They get to work sorting out the house and garden, while their dog forms an odd attachment to a garden gnome found in the middle of the tangled backyard.

Scott's twin toddler sisters are neurodivergent and live in their own tranquil little world. They rarely speak and then only in solemn meaningfully paired words ('Dog' and 'gone' when the dog runs away). They are referred to as the 'celebrated centre of our household' and are key to saving the family. 

An early chapter builds background - the family was shattered four years ago by the terrible loss of their mother, and there's long detail about how they felt and coped. This awful time is told as Scott remembers it and is raw, honest and tragic.

In the present day, the story quickly turns frightening. Scott starts sensing, seeing and hearing things he can't explain. There is a séance, and several chilling attacks as well as multiple detailed descriptions of awful nightmares that blur Scott's sense of reality, leaving him jittery and exhausted.  

In addition to the spooky/horror aspect of this story, mature content also comes from Scott and his friends. They are full of teenage bravado - there's some swearing and mention of an older brother dumping a girlfriend who's not into orgies.

The plot unfolds cleverly with various relationships within the family and with friends woven throughout, along with constant menacing undertones. There are also touches of humour in the way the family tease each other.

This is the first children's book by author Lois Murphy. The language and content will make this an easy entry to horror for lower secondary readers.

Themes: Gnomes, Mystery, Supernatural, Bereavement, Stepfamily, Horror.

Kylie Grant