About this book

In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But it’s better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything… everyone… away. Here, at least she has food and company, even if Bunny’s words scare her.

And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses her—a scrawny and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she can’t seem to get Bunny’s words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier…

“You’re going to regret this! I just know it!” Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right…

There is a scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Road. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Max’s room, almost overpowering. If the smell isn’t enough, Duchess, the family’s old parrot, won’t let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of it…haunting her…

Licorice is a fantastically kid-friendly book full of mystery and suspense, for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and Aaron Reynolds.

Reviews

*"LaReau retells Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for young audiences with a feline protagonist... A purrfectly fresh and fun take on a beloved classic: bewitching, mysterious, and thoroughly engrossing." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"LeReau cleverly channels Daphne du Maurier in this haunting chiller that ratchets up the suspense as Kitty slowly pieces together the truth about Licorice and her troubling legacy. It’s aa modern gothic that is oh so satisfying, and it will leave readers as contented as a cat." -- Booklist, starred review

*"Moments of genuine creepiness alternate with cozy instances of domestic life across Kitty’s wistful narration which perceptively considers the dichotomy between the freedom of the outdoors and the safety of a kept life....A satisfying emotional arc and hopeful resolution make this an appealing tale for animal lovers and mystery readers alike." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A twistingly haunted story about the power of finding your own place; an excellent addition to middle grade collections" -- School Library Journal