Forbidden Garden by Diane Guest

Journalist Patrick Kaiser arrives for a holiday on Nantucket Island to forget a crushing divorce. But late one night, from across the garden, he hears the sound of haunting sobs. Curiosity draws him to investigate -- and he quickly and irrevocably becomes entangled in the dark lives of a mysterious family.

What powerful and unnatural hold does the celebrated conductor Julian Ferrare have over his terrified wife and children? Is their attic sanctuary or prison for little Hildy and Christian? And why does Julian's volatile sister Elise hate them so much?

Kaiser vows to protect the children from the growing evil of their home. But as each new horror unfolds he becomes enmeshed in a shocking legacy of heated desire, stark fear, and secrets too monstrous to share . . . 

Hildy didn't hear her little brother until he had snuggled up beside her on the attic floor. 'Christian' she said, sitting up. 'Thank goodness. Was Julian angry?'

Christian nodded, the tears sliding silently down his cheeks. Hildy pulled him close and rocked him. Mumma would have helped if she could have,' she whispered. 'How was your fishing trip with Mr Kaiser?'

His dark eyes were filled with tears. 'I didn't get to bring my fish home. How come you and Mumma were out there?'

'We went on a picnic. And when Mumma sent Julian back to get her sweater, she grabbed me by the hand and we went running through the dunes and down to the beach.' In a hushed tone that couldn't hide how upset she was, she said, 'Christian, I think we were running away agin.'

He sat up. 'Again? But why? Why do we keep running away?' 

Genres: Horror - American Author