[Awee]

Hi everybody!

Years ago I was digging through a box of old books left at a home my family moved into. I loved reading the story and would LOVE to read them again.

This has been a constant aggravation for me for about 4 years and I stumbled upon this site today while, once again, searching for the name of the book(s). I hope someone can help.

I don't remember a large amount of the plots or even about the characters, and what I do remember could be from multiple books in the same series. I do remember this being a series of at least 2 books, probably more. The cover for one of them was dark, lots of blue and black, and contained a picture of a large house.

I am pretty sure these books could be classified as either science fiction or mystery/suspense. I have no idea how old they are. I read them in the mid to late 90's, but they could have been much older.

The book (if I remember correctly) was about a family, possibly in a southern location. There were more female characters than male. One of the women had twin girls. The mother raised one, while the other girl was raised by the grandmother, who lived very nearby. The girl who was raised by the grandmother was described as beautiful, while the other (Who was called Francis?) was described as “homely” or some other synonym. The series begins when the girls are young, but I seem to recall the second book (possibly out of order) taking place when the girls are older.

Now for bits and pieces. I remember a scene in which one woman (I want to say her name began with an E) has a very abusive husband (I think his name is Carl, but don't quote me) who comes into the kitchen and begins cutting her back with a potato peeler. This scene sticks out vividly in my mind. I also remember this same woman putting the man's body in burlap sack and crushing him to death (I think). I seem to remember that she could transform into something when she entered the river nearby, and so could Francis. I think this woman was the twins' mother?

I also remember a light coming from underneath a door in the house most of the plot is centered around.

Everything from there is blurry. I should add that the grandmother spoils the girl who she takes care of and seems to ignore the other child. There may also be a character named Livinia, who would be the twins' mother's sister.

Any help would be much appreciated. You would think with all of this information I could find it myself, but no luck.

Thanks!

[hiddencat12]

Can you remember anything else

[Awee]

can you remember anything else

I was agonizing over it last night, and I think the story has an awful lot to do with the house.. like maybe the house emanates the power or something? I had hoped something else would come to me, but I just can't seem to open up that memory!