REVIEW: The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane
Author: Laird Koenig

In 1976 Jodie Foster starred in a movie that scared the crap out of me. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane. A thriller about a little girl who knew how to survive....how to take care of herself...no matter what. I had no idea that this creepy-cool film was based on a book by Laird Koenig until a few days ago. Remembering the movie that seriously creeped me out, I had to read the book. Luckily, a quick check of openlibrary.org turned up a scanned copy available online.

This book is a serious creep-fest just like the movie. Even better than the movie (of course).

Rynn lives in the large, old house at the end of the lane with her poet father. People who stop by seem to always arrive when her father is busy translating, writing or sleeping -- he is ill, you know. The house was leased for 3 years from Mrs. Hallet -- a pushy, wealthy real estate agent that is used to controlling everything around her. But Rynn won't allow Mrs. Hallet to bother her father. She won't allow her to see him. She also turns away her son, Frank....the neighborhood policeman that stops by....basically everyone. Only when she makes a new friend, Mario, does Rynn allow anyone to get close to her, to learn her secrets.

I had the BEST time reading this book! Awesomely creepy and suspenseful. I have to watch the movie again now as well. Jodie Foster was soooo good in it. Good enough to make me sleep with my light on for days afterwards. :) This story is subtle, psychological. There is no spurting blood or even blood-curdling screams. It's all a mind game.....a kid's game. Well....a kid who isn't really childlike in any way.

Awesome read for anyone who likes thrillers or suspense. The movie version changed the story a bit here and there, but it's a good movie. For those wanting to watch it -- the full movie is available on youtube: https://youtu.be/8z0zRAPBHuk