The Door to January (PB)

Growing up in rural Maine led Gillian French to believe that the mystery of the past is all around. She uses her surroundings as a setting for the dark stories that often have a creepy twist. While she's never seen a ghost, she's pretty sure she’s heard ghostly footsteps in the night. Her short fiction has appeared in various publications and anthologies. She holds a degree in English from the University of Maine, and is perpetually at work on her next novel. Her other YA novels include Grit, The Lies They Tell, and The Missing Season.

"Chilling and suspenseful, this paranormal thriller with a touch of romance will keep readers on the edges of their seats."
––Kirkus Reviews

 

"French has crafted a story that will grab readers' attention from the beginning. Teens will be continually drawn into the intrigue through chapters that present alternating time lines. Readers will feel connected to Natalie and her plight of past, present, and future, and though there are supernatural elements to the story, the emotions and feelings are all too real. VERDICT: A provocative mystery that would be a strong purchase for libraries' supernatural/mystery collections."
—School Library Journal

 

" . . . the slow unraveling of the house's history, the increasing tension around Natalie's flashbacks to a distant crime, and the creepy but pitiable spirits that haunt her all come together to make a spine-tingling tale."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

 

“Gillian French tackles a topic that is dark and disturbing and impresses with how she handles it in her new novel . . . The author sets up and handles the paranormal dimension of the book with surety.”
––Maine Sunday Telegram

 

"French’s stories are more than just small-town Maine life, though. They are nuanced, layered tales that grip the reader."
––Bangor Metro Magazine

 

"...all of the makings for theperfect ghost story"
––The Geeky Yogi

 

“French expertly builds tension and dread in masterful fashion in this truly frightening paranormal thriller, weaving the storylines to a climax that will leave readers gasping." 
––Indiepicks Magazine

 

"This novel was ever-changing; every time I thought I had it pinned down it grew and matured and turned in a direction I wasn’t quite expecting."
––The Suspense is Thrilling Me

 

“[a] fast-paced cliffhanger” 
––VOYA Reviews

 

“...it will put a chill in your bones. Gillian is a queen of suspense”
—Unabridged Bren

 

“...this chilling tale features it all! French effortlessly weaves the supernatural into this very believable teenage drama, and the journey is both suspenseful and rewarding for the reader!”
—BibliophileShanna

 

“It is the perfect blend of spooky, supernatural and teenage angst.”
—Rose Quinn

 

“this is a great, swift read for anyone who likes paranormal fiction.”
––LitPick Teen Reviewer