Summer of Fear (1977)

Summer of Fear is about a girl named Rachel whose family takes in her cousin Julia after she is orphaned. From the moment Rachel meets Julia she feels something is not right about her cousin, yet everyone else adores her. Even her boyfriend and her brother seem to be captivated by her. There is something sinister about this relation and Rachel is sure of it, she will go to great lengths to uncover Julia’s sinister secret; what she finds out would change her and her family forever and she must stop her plans before it is too late.

This book was full of mystery and suspense along with a huge surprise at one point in the book (I will not say what it is for those who have not read the book). The book is thought provoking and a bit creepy. The story was well written and as always Lois Duncan does a fantastic job in creating a specific tone and emotion for the book.

This book was a quick and easy read yet the story line was anything but light. It was original and was a great story. Throughout the book the reader is itching to know Julia’s true agenda; whether it is Rachel’s imagination or if she is indeed right about her cousin. The outcome does not disappoint ( )

This book was supremely creepy to me as a kid: the stranger / cousin who is somehow just not right, and turns out to be even wronger than imagined. Of course it also imprinted my brain with old-fashioned color advice: that redheads shouldn't wear pink. ( )

From the moment Rachel's family takes in her orphaned cousin Julia, strange things start to happen. Rachel grows suspicious but soon finds herself alienated from her own life. Julia seems to have enchanted everyone to turn against her, leaving Rachel on her own to try and prove that Julia is a witch. One thing about Julia is certain-she is not who she says she is, and Rachel's family is in grave danger. ( )

Lois Duncan's "Summer of Fear" is another suspenseful book from an author who has made a career out of writing YA books filled with suspense. The book, written in 1976, tells the story of typical teen Rachel and a new "family member" Julia. Julia, the daughter of her aunt is thrust into Rachel's life because of a horrible accident which killed both of her parents. Rachel has difficulty adapting to Rachel's arrival and subsequent taking over of her life. Mysterious things are happening and suspicious Rachel is desperate to discover all the secrets that Julia has brought with her...
This is a decent book although the "shock" is at least partly obvious and Rachel's narration is very,very dated. Overall it would be a good recommendation for fans of teen suspense or for those middle/early-high school readers who enjoyed "I Know What You Did Last Summer". ( )

Rachel doesn't understand why she can't warm up to her recently-orphaned cousin Julia. Is it because Rachel's dog, Trickle, takes an immediate and intense dislike to her? Is it because Julia gets along so well with all of her friends--and her boyfriend? Is it because of the way Julia talks to Rachel's dad, more like a woman than a girl? Or is it something more sinister than Rachel can imagine?
A fast-moving, nail-biting novel of suspense that will leave you hanging until the last chapter. ( )