Hi Spook Lovers!

Reading has been a little tough for me lately with the state of the world. I’ve been such a moody reader that I ditched three books before settling on Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn. 

In the past I read Took and really enjoyed it, and there was something about the first page that drew me in and just clicked, so I went with my gut.

Let’s see how this creepy story went!

Blurb

Beware of Helen…

Heather is such a whiny little brat. Always getting Michael and me into trouble. But since our mother married her father, we’re stuck with her … our “poor stepsister” who lost her real mother in a mysterious fire.

But now something terrible has happened. Heather has found a new friend, out in the graveyard behind our home—a girl named Helen who died with her family in a mysterious fire over a hundred years ago. Now her ghost returns to lure children into the pond … to drown! I don’t want to believe in ghosts, but I’ve followed Heather into the graveyard and watch her talk to Helen. And I’m terrified. Not for myself, but for Heather…

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The Review

I wanted to love this one, but I’m on the fence.

Young Michael and Molly have recently moved out to the country with their mom, stepdad, and his insufferable daughter Heather. Things seem to be normalizing, but when Heather starts to linger around the nearby cemetery, Molly suspects that something paranormal is at play, something that is determined to tear their family apart.

I really liked Michael and Molly as the main characters of this story. Michael is more logical, while Molly is more sensitive to what is going around them. They seemed pretty realistic for children in the 80s, and their dialogue was very believable.

The paranormal side of the plot was really great. Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Helen and the story behind her was heartfelt and I enjoyed things coming around full circle.

The main issue I had was with the parents and Heather. The parents are extremely neglectful and basically moved to pursue their passions while giving no thought to their children. They pay them very little attention and constantly place blame without getting involved. This story wouldn’t have worked without them as a plot device, and while I understand that parents were more aloof in this time period it’s something that frustrated me to no end.

Heather was allowed to wreak havoc where she saw fit without any consequences. The girl clearly needed therapy for her past trauma, but again, the parents just don’t care enough to dive deeper into things.

The story was satisfying overall, but I just can’t get over deadbeat parents being used as a plot device. It sends a bad message to the reader.

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this book review. Like what you see? Leave a tip!

Have you read this book? Are there other similar books you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

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