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Informationen zum Autor Dan Poblocki; Illustrated by Marie Bergeron Klappentext Gilbert's visit to his injured brother takes a haunting turn when he discovers a mysterious satchel of cassette tapes containing chilling stories that seem to hold the key to saving his brother, but he may be opening a door to something much, much worse. Leseprobe Gilbert Gets a Call Gilbert Campbell was shelving books at the public library on the Upper West Side when his phone dinged. One new voicemail. His brother’s message was garbled, mixed with static, but Gilbert was able to make out: “. . . tell you . . . Important . . . Whatever you do . . . Don’t listen to the tapes . . . Explain more when I . . . ” This was followed by about thirty seconds of a soft hissing. Gilbert played the message again. Then again. Was there panic in Ant’s voice? Or did it only sound that way because the recording was messed up? It was the week of winter break. Holiday festivities had come and gone. Gilbert and his best friend, Percy, had been planning on playing video games and catching up on their favorite shows, but he hadn’t thought to ask Mrs. Effiong for time off—a bummer, especially since this particular library was up by their school and nowhere near home. His mom and dad were away on vacation, and Grandma Rosemary was visiting. This wasn’t a bad thing—Grandma Rosemary didn’t mind TV bingeing or video games. In fact, she often joined in. The problem was that whenever their grandmother looked after them, Gilbert’s older brother tended to act out. Whatever you do . . . Don’t listen to the tapes, Ant had said. Which tapes? Gilbert wondered. Before returning the call, he noticed that Ant’s message was from early that morning—before dawn—but it had only just arrived. Weird. The line rang and rang. Shivering, he returned to the shelving cart, deciding to grill Ant later. Since his shift was nearly done, only three books were left: The Secret of the Stone Child by Nathaniel Olmstead, The Clue of the Incomplete Corpse by Ogden Kentwall, and something called Elsewhere Gardens by an author named October Bowen. This last one he handed to Mrs. Effiong across the counter. “I’d like to check this out before I go. It’s for my best friend.” Percy was a self-proclaimed botanist-in-training. Once, they’d said, What in the world is more hopeful than a garden? Gilbert loved that. Mrs. Effiong’s big brown eyes glinted as she scanned the copy into his account. Gilbert’s phone dinged again—a message from Percy. Their ears must be burning! My mom wants to know if you can come over for pizza later. Gilbert typed back: Sure! I’d love to have pizza with your mom. Will you be there too? HAR. HAR. Mrs. Effiong tsked as she slid the book to him. “Gilbert, you know I don’t like our volunteers on their phones—” “I just have to check in with my grandmother. I’ll be quick.” When Gilbert pulled up Grandma Rosemary’s contact info, the phone buzzed in his hand. She was calling! Ignoring Mrs. Effiong’s frown, he swiped to answer, to say something about the cheerful coincidence. But his grandma sounded frantic. “Where have you been? I’ve called and called!” “Service is spotty at the library. What’s wrong?” “It’s Antonio.” His brother’s strange voicemail crackled through Gilbert’s memory. “Is he okay?” “Do I sound like he’s okay?” Grandma Rosemary sighed. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s just . . . he got hurt.” “How hurt?” “We’re in intensive care. Please come.” She told him the hospital name. “The entrance is by the river.” A map of the city flashed through his frazzled mind. “I’ll catch the bus.” “I have to get in touch with your parents—” There was a click. She’d h...
