One flight up the narrow, steep stairs, Robin finds himself swallowed up by the darkness, terrified and hating the thought of the misery and fear his knock will bring to the wretched families who huddle behind every door in the building.

Thus begins the story set in a grim tenement district of New York City before the turn of the twentieth century. It is there that Robin, once protected by a loving mother and father, both now dead, must contend with a brutal stepfather, Hawker Doak. Yet Robin is faced with only two choices: remain in the ruthless charge of Hawker, collecting the hated rents, and, perhaps worse, being sent to work in a factory or escape into the treacherous slum streets, haunted by, among other horrors, the bullying boys who work and live in the streets, and whom Robin so fears. Either choice provides a sure recipe for a very short life. But in the end it is fear for the life of his baby brother that makes Robin's agonizing decision for him. The answer to whether or not they survive will only be found when Robin discovers the secret guarded by a place called St. Something.

Within this true picture of tenement life, Barbara Brooks Wallace has created another chilling mystery that starts with one kind of terror, only to weave its way into yet another, deepened by intrigue and unspeakable treachery.

 

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.

There are 160 pages in this book. This book was published 2008 by Simon & Schuster .

Barbara Brooks Wallace has written Victorian mysteries that include a parlor, a tavern, a castle, a scullery, and a gallery. But she claims never to have lived in a tavern or a castle, or owned a house with a parlor, a scullery, or a gallery. So far she has not lived in a tenement, either. She simply dwells in a nice little house in Alexandria, Virginia, with her very nice husband; affectionate Burmese cat, Cleo; and turtle, Peter. Her son, Jimmy, daughter-in-law, Christina, and Victoria and Elizabeth, their two daughters, live nearby.

This book has the following chapters: Contents

1. 
   
2. Robin
   
3. OUT!
   
4. A Sad Explanation
   
5. Escape!
   
6. A Desperate Measure
   
7. A Whole Nest!
   
8. St. Somethin'
   
9. Duck's Tale
   
10. A Disappointing Discovery
    
11. A Startling Scene
    
12. A Chilling Customer
    
13. A Puzzling Report
    
14. Pawnshop Revisited
    
15. Peril Under the Pier
    
16. A Good Boy
    
17. A Final Wish
    
18. A Terrible Confession
    
19. A Supper Invitation
    
20. A Vile Crime
    
21. An Invite Accepted
    
22. Quite a Story Indeed!