A dark family secret prompts a ghost to wreak havoc in this spooky novel in the spirit of Mary Downing Hahn. The only life four-year-old Emily has ever known is the Cold, unloved existence of being an orphan. But everything changes when the thorntons, a young couple from London, adopt Emily, whisking her away to a new life at their grand estate. At first, life at Blackthorn manor is wonderful. But as Emily explores the grounds and rooms, she stumbles upon a mysterious girl named Kat, who appears to be similar in age, and the two become fast friends. That's when things take a turn for the worse. Kat seems to know a curious amount about the estate, and strange things happen whenever she's around. In one case, Emily narrowly avoids getting toppled by a bookcase in the library; in another, the fire erupts in the fireplace, nearly burning  emily's hands. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- wants Emily dead. Emily must find out what happened to the thorntons and, more important, how Kat is connected to these strange goings-on at Blackthorn manor before it's too late!.