LICORICE, by Kara LaReau and Kelly Murphy, Scholastic Press, Oct. 20, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
An adopted cat moves into a home that might be haunted by the cat who lived there before in Licorice, by Kara LaReau and Kelly Murphy.
In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But it’s better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything… everyone… away. Here, at least she has food and company, even if Bunny’s words scare her.
And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses her―a scrawny and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she can’t seem to get Bunny’s words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier…
“You’re going to regret this! I just know it!” Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right…
There is a scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Road. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Max’s room, almost overpowering. If the smell isn’t enough, Duchess, the family’s old parrot, won’t let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of it…haunting her… —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
Licorice is a suspenseful mystery for middle graders inspired by Daphne Du Maurier’s gothic tale, Rebecca.
I was 12 or 13 when my mom handed me Rebecca. At the time, the variety of young adult novels was nowhere as robust as it is now. My mom thought I would enjoy the mystery, and I fell in love with it. To this day, Rebecca is one of my favorite novels.
To say that author Kara LaReau captured the spirit of Rebecca is an understatement. In fact, it’s uncanny. And yet, Licorice stands completely on its own. She captures the mystery and suspense perfectly. Even Kitty’s name is perfect. (In Rebecca, the protagonist never gets a first name.)
The characters, from the timid Kitty to the haughty Bunny Van Hopper and the confusing Max to the enigmatic Duchess, are spot on.
Licorice is a fast-moving, compelling mystery that holds interest from beginning to end. At less than 200 pages and sprinkled with expressive black-and-white illustrations by Kelly Murphy throughout, it’s accessible to a wide range of readers. I wouldn’t hesitate to add it to any home, school or public library.
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