by Elsbeth Edgar

Laura has always been a bit different, but she really stands out in her new town. Her family just moved into a big, fancy house on the edge of small town that all the kids think is haunted. Apparently, a man built that house and moved from Italy, but then lived there alone for the rest of his life. Nobody knows his story, but they are sure it isn’t a happy one.

When Leon moves in with his Grandma down the road from Laura’s house, they start a tenuous friendship. Leon has his secrets, too, and he’s not ready to reveal his past. He is interested in the Visconti story, though, so he and Laura start investigating. Why did he move halfway across the world just to be alone?

If you are a fan of the Blue Balliett books (Chasing Vermeer, The Wright Three, The Calder Game, The Danger Box),  you should pick up The Visconti House.