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Table of Contents
About The Book
A “haunting…addictive” (Publishers Weekly) novel about a teen who must delve into her past if she wants to live long enough to have a future when murders eerily similar to the dark stories her brother used to tell start happening in her hometown—now with updated text and a brand-new look!
You swore on summer.
Ben was Lana’s world. He was her big brother, her best friend, her summer. And then he was murdered in a grisly carjacking, and her world ended.
Now, six months after Ben’s death, Lana is trying to reinvent herself. She’s found her way into the inner circle of popular kids, and the Lana she is now—bold, daring, brash, adventurous—barely resembles the shy, unpopular Lana she used to be.
And then a body turns up. At first, everyone thinks it’s just a horrible accident. But when more corpses are discovered, Lana realizes the details of the murders eerily match the dark fairy tales Ben used to tell her—stories that only she and Ben knew.
Is Ben seeking vengeance from the grave? Or has a darker phantom from their past come to haunt Lana’s present?
You swore on summer.
Ben was Lana’s world. He was her big brother, her best friend, her summer. And then he was murdered in a grisly carjacking, and her world ended.
Now, six months after Ben’s death, Lana is trying to reinvent herself. She’s found her way into the inner circle of popular kids, and the Lana she is now—bold, daring, brash, adventurous—barely resembles the shy, unpopular Lana she used to be.
And then a body turns up. At first, everyone thinks it’s just a horrible accident. But when more corpses are discovered, Lana realizes the details of the murders eerily match the dark fairy tales Ben used to tell her—stories that only she and Ben knew.
Is Ben seeking vengeance from the grave? Or has a darker phantom from their past come to haunt Lana’s present?
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 15, 2025)
- Length: 416 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665973854
- Ages: 14 - 99
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Raves and Reviews
“Haunting…[an] addictive novel."
– Publishers Weekly
“Will leave readers stunned and satisfied.”
– Booklist
"A neatly done murder mystery."
– Kirkus Reviews
"Lana’s got a steely edge to her narration, even in her most vulnerable moments, and her confident determination that she’s going to figure out what is going on may inspire plenty of readers to follow her."
– BCCB
Awards and Honors
- Bram Stoker Nominee
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Telling Trade Paperback 9781665973854
- Author Photo (jpg): Alexandra Sirowy Photograph © Lori Huneke(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit