The Strangers : The Books of Elsewhere: Volume 4

The stakes are higher than ever in this kid-favorite horror series that's perfect for fans of Small Spaces, Nightbooks, and Wednesday

This house is keeping secrets . . .

On Halloween night, not all is what it seems.

When Olive swallows her fear of the McMartins to sneak Morton out and go trick-or-treating, they're in for a shock—and being followed by an ominous creature is only the beginning. Strangers have come to Linden Street, and though they claim to be her allies, Olive has a bad feeling. After she's forced into an uneven bargain with Annabelle McMartin, Olive sacrifices something that could mean doom for the house—and for Elsewhere itself. Can she trust the strangers? Or will she put her faith in her own worst enemies to save the people and home she loves?

Welcome to Elsewhere . . .

First, a pair of enchanted spectacles. Next, a deadly book. Then, magical paints from which a world called Elsewhere spills like a dream turned nightmare. And lastly, strangers, come to take it all for themselves—if even darker forces don’t prevail. At the center: the flawed and tenacious Olive, three talking cats, two remarkable friends, and a hard-won trust that binds them all. This is the scary, must-read series widely praised and adored by kids, adults, and critics alike.

Jacqueline West is obsessed with stories where magic intersects with everyday life—from talking cats, to enchanted eyewear, to paintings as portals to other worlds. What paintings might she sneak into if she got her hands on Olive’s glasses? “I would probably have to go with Salvador Dalí’s paintings,” she says, “because they would be such amazing worlds to explore. I imagine everything would feel rubbery and slick, sort of like Silly Putty or fried eggs.” An award-winning poet, former teacher, and occasional musician, Jacqueline lives with her husband in Red Wing, Minnesota, surrounded by large piles of books and small piles of dog hair.