Post by booboobrewer on Feb 3, 2009 2:40:14 GMT -5
In reading over this thread it seems there are many non-fans of the supernatural/ghost/mystery stuff in the books, but I am a total fan and always liked this book because it was so creepy. There are a lot of things I like about it in general though--I think this one has one of the most engaging intros/chapter ones, because Stacey describes her weekend with her dad in such an enthusiastic way. And to me, the Charlotte subplot is always interesting to read. Anyway. I think this is a well-written book. Good job, Ellen Miles. So, just for fun, my theories...
I think Mr. Hennessey's house had to have been haunted. Not because of what Stacey and Charlotte hear/see that first day--the pipes that they think are chains dragging, the flies, the face in the window that turns out to be the workman, because those were all explained at the end. But it's the fact that the other girls had stories to tell--Claudia feels a hand touch her when she is looking at the house, and Mallory has a dream that someone wants those flowers back that she picked for her mom. So, not just one, but three people having dreams/visions of bad things about the house in the middle of the night (Stacey and Charlotte have nightmares simultaneously). I think just the fact that the house gives everyone nagging thoughts/feelings long after they leave says something. And well, they are in small-town New England, where there are a lot of big, old houses. Perfect site for hauntings.
When the girls meet Ronald Hennessey, he tells his stories and mentions how the house and town were built on burial grounds,
something he already knows without them saying anything about it. He dies the night before the house is demolished. The day it is demolished, Stacey has the vision of the house going up in flames and a face in the window calling for help. Perhaps while the house was being destroyed, all those restless spirits in and around it generated the energy needed for Stacey to have that vision. (Yeah, I've been watching too many episodes of "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel). Maybe there was a fire in the house a long time ago? And maybe Mr. Hennessey sensed that Stacey had a strong connection to the house and was the most frightened, believing she might have visions if she went back there (he did tell them all to be careful, those were his parting words, and she was the only one who saw the fire), and so sent her, specifically, the letter telling her his stories were made up. My theory is that they weren't made up; he just embellished them for dramatic effect. I think he must have experienced some scary stuff while living there--his eyes alight as soon as they tell him they've seen and heard things--and wrote Stacey that letter to help calm her fears.
I think Mr. Hennessey's house had to have been haunted. Not because of what Stacey and Charlotte hear/see that first day--the pipes that they think are chains dragging, the flies, the face in the window that turns out to be the workman, because those were all explained at the end. But it's the fact that the other girls had stories to tell--Claudia feels a hand touch her when she is looking at the house, and Mallory has a dream that someone wants those flowers back that she picked for her mom. So, not just one, but three people having dreams/visions of bad things about the house in the middle of the night (Stacey and Charlotte have nightmares simultaneously). I think just the fact that the house gives everyone nagging thoughts/feelings long after they leave says something. And well, they are in small-town New England, where there are a lot of big, old houses. Perfect site for hauntings.
When the girls meet Ronald Hennessey, he tells his stories and mentions how the house and town were built on burial grounds,
something he already knows without them saying anything about it. He dies the night before the house is demolished. The day it is demolished, Stacey has the vision of the house going up in flames and a face in the window calling for help. Perhaps while the house was being destroyed, all those restless spirits in and around it generated the energy needed for Stacey to have that vision. (Yeah, I've been watching too many episodes of "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel). Maybe there was a fire in the house a long time ago? And maybe Mr. Hennessey sensed that Stacey had a strong connection to the house and was the most frightened, believing she might have visions if she went back there (he did tell them all to be careful, those were his parting words, and she was the only one who saw the fire), and so sent her, specifically, the letter telling her his stories were made up. My theory is that they weren't made up; he just embellished them for dramatic effect. I think he must have experienced some scary stuff while living there--his eyes alight as soon as they tell him they've seen and heard things--and wrote Stacey that letter to help calm her fears.