Shirley Jackson’s signature wit and knack for finding the absurd and horrifying truly comes to light in this classic. This chilling tale has none of the usual horror elements. There are no ghouls, goblins, or ghosts. It is simply about an odd 18-year-old girl named Mary Katherine, and the strange and dubious fall of her parents and the house she grew up in. She and her sister Constance provide the witty, yet disturbing dialogue that proves Jackson to be a literary genius. The scariest parts of the novel are the things that are left unsaid and sneak up behind you. You will only realize the true terror of this book after reading it. You will sit and think about the minute creepiness for days after. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of psychological horror.