I don’t know where the title of the book fits in with what I read inside the book but nevertheless, the book was just what I needed. The story is written in alternating chapters told from the viewpoints of Aimee and Alan. Alan has just moved from Oklahoma up to Maine with his mother to help her sister, as her husband is missing at sea and now she seems to be lost in her own world. Alan, who is not too thrilled to be making the move, is now at a new high school making that adjustment while dealing with cultural difficulties as his father’s Navajo blood catches the eye of his classmates. Aimee misses her father and although many feel the water will be permanent resting place, Aimee hopes for his return. All living together under one roof, the noises of the house start to take on a mind of their own and Alan realizes something is just not right within the house. Aimee’s best friend is Courtney and Courtney’s mother died many years ago. Many say her mother had a disease but she also had a gift. She was a healer. Courtney has the gift which she uses under discreet conditions but Courtney also fears she may grow up to become like her mother and get the disease. Strange things are happening at Courtney’s house too, which may sound like a haunting. But why now, after all these years? The lake holds many mysteries and the River Man is making his appearance. He’s bold and he knows what he wants. Courtney lying in a hospital bed, doctors confused at her diagnosis but Alan and Aimee know her possession is in the final stages. The River Man has to be stopped and the town has go back to what ist was, right?? Love the action, love the confusion, love the characters.I finished this book in one sitting, if that should say anything about it. Great adventure and the book went so fast! The bit with the Marilyn Monroe Cheeto was terrific and put some humor into the story line. I despised Aimee at first but as the story moved on, I thought her character did a lot of growing and maturing and I ended up cheering her on at the end. The librarian, she was a knowledgeable lady and I wondered if she tried to help Aimee’s mother or if that was even possible given her age. I do wish the ending of the book would have been longer as I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters and their lives. “For now, know that is not a man’s ancestors who define who the man is. It is what he does for himself.”
