Illustrated edition published 2002.Ex-lib. AADL ( )

When the three Waite children--Richard, Linda, and Dudley--arrive at the Vogel's farm for their summer vacation, they immediately want to visit the mysterious island in the lake. But it is off-limits since a tragedy occurred there years ago, the maze overgrown, the mansion decaying, and a surly caretaker the only living human inhabitant. But then who is the boy who leaves messages and clues for them, and tempts them to come to the forbidden island?
The hot, sweaty summer atmosphere is well conveyed, and the children's frustration and boredom, driving them to investigate a somewhat transparent mystery. I found the reveal flat, without the tension of Time at the Top or David and the Phoenix. The eeriness and sadness of the situation weren't really brought out, and the children, in the end, are rather commonplace and dull.