
The Miles family—parents and four lively children—find themselves sent to the remote coastal estate of Finster St. Mabyn’s for a spell of sea air after a harsh bout of influenza. The house, perched on a jutting headland and draped in centuries of history, promises a change of scenery that feels almost like stepping back into a storybook. Its ancient stone walls, sparse furnishings, and the surrounding cliffs create a hauntingly beautiful backdrop that both excites and unsettles the young Leila, who narrates the tale.
From the moment they arrive, the air seems charged with something unseen, as shadows lengthen under the moon and the old rooms whisper of forgotten lives. The family’s curiosity grows alongside a subtle dread, especially when strange sounds echo through the empty corridors and the landscape seems to watch them back. As they settle in, the line between the house’s storied past and the present blurs, hinting at mysteries that will linger long after the first night’s darkness fades.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (246K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net
Release date
2011-03-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1921
A beloved Victorian writer for children, she filled her stories with everyday magic, family feeling, and the quiet adventures of nursery life. Her books helped shape generations of young readers, especially through classics like The Cuckoo Clock and The Tapestry Room.
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