“THE CRESSWELL PLOT,” by Eliza Wass, Disney-Hyperion, June 7, 2016, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
The Cresswells are weird. Everyone knows it. Even the six Cresswell siblings — Castella, Hannan, Casper, Mortimer, Delvive and Jerusalem — know it. They siblings have spent most of their lives confined to their dilapidated home deep in the woods of upstate New York. They abide by the strict rule of God, whose messages come directly from their father.
The Cresswell girls look straight out of the 19th century with plain, shapeless dresses and long hair pinned up. Their brothers are equally modest — or at least appear to be on the outside. But as they get older, the siblings start to test their boundaries. Hannan is the star football player; Casper and Mortimer begin to show interest in girls; and Castley partners with a boy in drama class.
As Castley spends more time with her partner, George, she gets a glimpse of what her life could be. Once she’s had a taste of freedom, Castley doesn’t want to give it up. Castley wants nothing more than to leave her father’s world behind, but she’s unwilling to do so without her siblings. Just as she’s formulating a plan, so is her father. When he announces the Cresswells will soon return to their home in heaven, Castley has to act fast before it’s too late.
“The Cresswell Plot” is beyond creepy. Not in a horror movie kind of way, but in a suspense, biting your fingers kind of way. Even without the synopsis to help, you can’t help but know something bad is looming. Everything about the Cresswell patriarch is terrifying. His slick words and looming presence are perfectly conveyed by author Eliza Wass. Her ability to slip between his religious discourse and Castley’s rebellion is impressive.
I found “The Cresswell Plot” equally disturbing and engrossing. I didn’t want to put it down all the while dreading what was about to unfold. While I probably won’t reread this book, it’s worth noting Wass knows how to set a scene and her pacing is on point.
Sensitivity note: The f-bomb is used somewhat frequently throughout the novel, and physical and mental abuse, sex and sexuality are central to the plot. I suggest this for mature readers only.
