The Secret of the Cellars

Three teens in a sleepy college town get tangled up in a spy caper in this classic middle-grade suspense novel by a New York Times–bestselling author.

The old Upton place has fascinated young Tish Howard all her life. Built in the 1870s, the decrepit Victorian mansion is a three-storied monstrosity, and according to Tish’s brother, Mike, someone’s bought it. A man named John Smith called the real estate office looking for a large house with a big, secure cellar. The strange thing is Smith paid in cash without even seeing the property in person. Even stranger, a refugee scientist from East Berlin will be his tenant.

Tish, Sally, and Mike’s imaginations run wild, and they begin to investigate. Who would buy such a spooky old house? But as they uncover secret after secret, they realize they are in very real danger. They will need to rely on their wits—and each other—if they hope to have peace in their town ever again . . .

Originally published in 1964.