The Trunk by S. Carey

Eeries series. Puffin Books, 2013. ISBN 978 0 14 330698 6.
(Age 10+) The Trunk is a spooky story and is part of a series (or Eeries) of 13 books. It is a short Australian novel which is great for those reluctant readers and it is a mystery to solve. In The Trunk, young Charlie is facing a boring summer holidays until new people move next door. Unfortunately, the new couple are rather creepy-looking and Charlie's dog, Dexter, doesn't like them at all. The mystery deepens as the odd couple carry a very large trunk into the house. Charlie's imagination starts running wild and you can imagine the crazy thoughts he starts to have when he hears strange noises and then beautiful singing. Was there a child hidden in the trunk? Is she really talking to him? Why has she been hidden away? What has scared Charlie so much that he runs, screaming, from her?
The Trunk is a quick read and will engage reluctant boys (and girls) aged 10+. Prepare to be spooked!
Kylie Kempster