Book overview
From Edgar nominee and author of critically acclaimed The Whispers comes a tale of friendship, found family, and the knowledge that even in death, those we love never really leave us. Now in paperback!
When twelve-year-old Ben Turner's mom unexpectedly passes away, he's forced into the care of the only living relative he has left--a grandmother he's never met who lives in a place he's never been. To Ben, who most recently called bustling Nashville home, the quiet of Rutledge, South Carolina is worlds away from the happy life he had with his mother.
Upon arriving at his grandmother's house, Ben is dumbfounded by the large, stone and brick building that greets him. Clifton House appears far more haunted mansion than house and Ben can't get over the fact that this is where his mom grew up. Inside, Ben is surprised to see clocks--clocks of all shapes and sizes on the walls, mantels and tables. What's even more surprising, is that none of the clocks tell the correct time and some even seem to be moving backwards.
Before Ben can ask too many questions, his stern grandmother tells him there are two rules that must be followed at Clifton House: never touch the clocks and never go up to the third floor. But on his very first night, Ben hears footsteps and hushed whispers--all seeming to come from the third floor.
Soon Ben begins to suspect there's something more to Clifton House than broken clocks and dusty old furniture. Is it poltergeists? Or something to do with the very fabric of time itself? With the help of two new friends, Ollie and Ash, Ben embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of Clifton House and his grandmother. Along the way, just maybe he can forget the pain of missing his mother and forgive her for leaving him alone.
When twelve-year-old Ben Turner's mom unexpectedly passes away, he's forced into the care of the only living relative he has left--a grandmother he's never met who lives in a place he's never been. To Ben, who most recently called bustling Nashville home, the quiet of Rutledge, South Carolina is worlds away from the happy life he had with his mother.
Upon arriving at his grandmother's house, Ben is dumbfounded by the large, stone and brick building that greets him. Clifton House appears far more haunted mansion than house and Ben can't get over the fact that this is where his mom grew up. Inside, Ben is surprised to see clocks--clocks of all shapes and sizes on the walls, mantels and tables. What's even more surprising, is that none of the clocks tell the correct time and some even seem to be moving backwards.
Before Ben can ask too many questions, his stern grandmother tells him there are two rules that must be followed at Clifton House: never touch the clocks and never go up to the third floor. But on his very first night, Ben hears footsteps and hushed whispers--all seeming to come from the third floor.
Soon Ben begins to suspect there's something more to Clifton House than broken clocks and dusty old furniture. Is it poltergeists? Or something to do with the very fabric of time itself? With the help of two new friends, Ollie and Ash, Ben embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of Clifton House and his grandmother. Along the way, just maybe he can forget the pain of missing his mother and forgive her for leaving him alone.