Feral

Claire Cain was beaten, literally, to within an inch of her life. After months of healing and rehabilitation, she faces returning to school, an unpleasant prospect. When her father has an opportunity for a sabbatical far from Chicago, it seems to be an answer to her prayers. Now she can have a fresh start where no one knows her or her terrifying story. But when they reach Peculiar, Missouri, it is in the teeth of an ice storm just like the one in Chicago when she had been nearly killed. She is also greeted by feral cats that seem to be everywhere and seem to be watching her. When Claire finds the body of a missing girl, there are echoes of her own experience all around her. Peculiar things begin to happen, frightening things, seemingly very personal things. It’s hard to know who she can trust, who are friends, and who might be allying themselves with those on the very dark side.

Holly Schindler has written a very compelling psychological thriller with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. With a cast of believable and perhaps familiar high school students, this is sure to be a hit with the young adult crowd.