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Once Upon a Dark November

by Carol Beach York. (Holiday, 1989 ISBN 0823407802. Out of Print) Novel. Grades 3+.
This review by Carol Otis Hurst first appeared in Teaching K-8 Magazine.

Review

I like mysteries and I especially admire the work of Carol Beach York. Her stories are not difficult to read but they usually pack a wallop. I keep hoping they'll bring her Takers and Returners back into print, but so far it's just a hope. However, she keeps turning out good ones. Once Upon a Dark November starts with a peaceful scene: a woman putting down her reading, climbing the stairs and then stating cheerfully, "Auntie's coming!" She then releases a frightened child from the locked attic. We then switch scenes and times and come upon Katie, doing light housework after school for Mr. and Mrs. Herron. Truthfully, she has a crush on Mr. Herrron, her teacher. Life goes on until Mrs. Herron announces ominously that their cousin is coming. Then the mystery really takes off with murder and mayhem.