payment page
The House of Dies Drear is a children's mystery novel written by American author Virginia Hamilton and published in 1968. Set in Ohio, the story follows Thomas Small as he and his family move into an old house that had previously been part of the Underground Railroad. Dies Drear, an abolitionist, had his house built with secret tunnels to help escaping slaves. An old caretaker named Mr Pluto frightens Thomas with his secretive ways and ominous warnings. Strange and frightening things begin to happen in the house, and it turns out a treasure is hidden in the tunnels and that another family, the devious Darrows, want it for themselves. By joining forces with Mr Pluto, Thomas is able to scare the Darrows and put them off the scent of the treasure, while Thomas' father can catalogue the treasures and give them to the local historical society. The House of Dies Drear won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile in 1969.
