Mary Downing Hahn's Deep and Dark and Dangerous delivers an engaging ghost story that grips readers with its suspenseful plot and atmospheric setting. The characters, although well-developed, can sometimes feel predictable. While the climax may be foreseeable for avid mystery readers, the book still provides a chilling and satisfying tale for middle-grade audiences.

Readers who enjoy suspenseful, ghostly tales aimed at an audience aged 8-12, with a penchant for eerie mysteries akin to those in Mary Downing Hahn's Wait Till Helen Comes or R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, will find Deep and Dark and Dangerous captivating. Its atmospheric storytelling appeals to those who enjoy unraveling spooky secrets.

In Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn, 13-year-old Ali discovers a torn photograph and becomes curious about the mysterious girl in it. She accompanies her aunt and cousin to their family's lake cottage, where she meets Sissy, a strange girl who befriends her cousin Emma. As eerie events unfold, Ali uncovers a haunting family secret related to the ghost of a girl named Teresa. Themes include reconciliation, loneliness, and family secrets, with incidents of drowning.

Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Suspenseful / Emotional

- Mary Downing Hahn, the author of Deep and Dark and Dangerous, was once a children's librarian before becoming a full-time writer, which contributed to her knack for creating suspenseful and engaging children's stories.
- The setting of Deep and Dark and Dangerous draws inspiration from Hahn's own experiences vacationing in similar isolated and eerie locations, adding an authentic atmospheric touch to the narrative.
- Deep and Dark and Dangerous received the Texas Bluebonnet Award nomination in 2009, showcasing its popularity and acclaim among young readers.

**Alison “Ali” O’Dwyer**  
A curious and competitive 13-year-old, Ali is the story’s first-person narrator and protagonist who navigates the challenges of family dynamics during a fateful summer.

**Emma Thornton**  
Ali’s almost five-year-old cousin, Emma is a lonely child who longs for friendship and enjoys imaginative play, often seeking companionship in unexpected places.

**Sissy/Teresa Abbott**  
A mysterious almost 10-year-old girl who appears one summer and forms a complex relationship with Ali and Emma, her presence is shrouded in secrecy and intrigue.

**Dulcie Thornton**  
An artistic and lively abstractionist, Dulcie is Ali’s aunt and Emma’s mother, whose impulsive nature leads her to Sycamore Lake, impacting her family dynamics.

**Claire O’Dwyer**  
Ali’s mother, Claire is a sensitive and emotionally complex character dealing with depression, whose artistic past contrasts with her current disposition.

**Kathie Trent**  
A reassuring and nurturing figure, Kathie is an acquaintance who provides emotional support and insight into the history of the lake community.

**Pete O’Dwyer**  
Ali’s father, Pete is a rational and patient mathematics teacher who supports his family while navigating the tensions surrounding their summer plans.

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