The Whispering Fog

In an atmospheric mystery incorporating mystical elements, a take on "Snow-White and Rose-Red" by the Brothers Grimm, debut author Jennings tells the tale of middle schooler siblings Neve and Rose, who move to Etters, S.C., with their mother following their parents' separation. After being as "close as the sisters in the fairy tale," the girls--only 11 months apart--begin forming their own identities in their new town; Neve, in particular, starts stepping out of her older sister's shadow, "being assertive and making decisions." But while Etters provides the sisters with opportunities to grow, it's also home to haunting secrets. They soon learn about local girls' unexplained disappearances, which some townsfolk have inexplicably forgotten, and frightening rumors about the swamp not too far from their house. When a mysterious fog rolls in and swallows Rose up, Neve--joined by an ethereal boy in a red shirt, a hound, and a worn book of fairy tales--searches for her missing sister. Though the overarching mystery's plotting feels disjointed, Neve's growth from reserved introvert to take-charge heroine capably propels the narrative toward a climactic resolution. Ages 8-12. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Sept.)

"With a dose of creepiness and a dash of delight, Landra Jennings brews a bewitching tale of sisterly love, finding your voice, and the value of a good tomato. I love this book." — Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

"The Whispering Fog is a dark and twisty retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, with a delicious page-turner of an ending. But underneath the magic, it's a refreshingly honest story about imperfect families, about how sometimes we care best for others by being real with ourselves. I loved it." — Laurel Snyder, author of Orphan Island and My Jasper June

"This riveting retelling of Snow White and Rose Red is eerie and atmospheric, grounded in an extraordinary sibling connection that is given room to shift and evolve . . . a splendidly suspenseful and sinister read with a tender heart." — Booklist

"A swamp full of secrets and a quirky cast of characters combine for a delightfully dark debut." — Kirkus Reviews

"Jennings threads the fantasy and horror elements with the book's realism with a goosebump-inducing precision while infusing the story with small details that leap off the page. . . Hand this to fans of Doll Bones (BCCB 06/13) and middle graders looking for a spooky blend of horror and folklore." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books