Summary:
The Dark and Deadly Pool by Joan Lowery Nixon is a thrilling mystery novel with a supernatural twist.
Book Genre:
Mystery, Young Adult Fiction
Main Topic:
The book follows the story of 17-year-old Christie who takes a summer job as a lifeguard at a luxurious country club. However, her dream job turns into a nightmare when strange incidents start happening, and she must uncover the truth behind the dark and deadly pool before it’s too late.
Key Ideas:
– Appearances can be deceiving, and one should not judge a book by its cover.
– The past can have a significant impact on the present and future.
– Sometimes, the ones you trust the most can turn out to be your biggest enemy.
Main Parts and Summary of the Book:
– Prologue: The book opens with a prologue that sets the scene for a dark and deadly mystery surrounding the pool at the country club.
– Chapter 1-4: Christie starts her summer job as a lifeguard and meets the members of the country club who come from wealthy and influential families. She also learns about the tragic incident that happened years ago involving a young woman and the pool.
– Chapter 5-11: Strange things start happening around the pool, and Christie suspects that someone is trying to harm her. She also discovers that the lifeguard before her mysteriously disappeared.
– Chapter 12-17: Christie’s suspicions grow, and she starts investigating with the help of a new friend, Jeff. They uncover secrets and lies that lead them to the truth behind the dark and deadly pool.
– Chapter 18-20: Christie confronts the culprit, who turns out to be someone she never expected.
– Epilogue: The book concludes with Christie reflecting on her experience and the lesson she learned.
Key Takeaways:
– Things are not always what they seem, and one should always question everything.
– Trusting blindly can lead to dangerous consequences.
– The past can come back to haunt us.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Joan Lowery Nixon was a renowned American author known for her mystery and young adult fiction novels. She is a four-time winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award and has authored over 140 books. As a former teacher and librarian, Nixon used her knowledge of young adults to create relatable and engaging stories.
Target Audience:
The target audience for The Dark and Deadly Pool is mainly young adults, but it can also be enjoyed by readers of all ages who love a good mystery.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The book was first published in 1980 by Laurel Leaf Books, a division of Random House Children’s Books.