Licorice by Kara LaReau

#Licorice #NetGalley

Middle grade fiction

213 pages

Pub date: 20 October 2026

Four stars ****

My thoughts:

This is a chapter book that has illustrations; I think that kids will enjoy them. These pen and ink drawings tie in nicely with the text. Middle schoolers will also enjoy the story, as narrated by a cat, if they are comfortable with the spookiness level.

As an adult, I love how clever this book is. Of course, kids may not realize this, but Licorice is a retelling of Rebecca. Adults will notice the references, as for example, an address of Manderley Road and the story’s opening lines. There are also familiar names like Max. This made it a fun title for me as I have read and re-read Rebecca.

This new take on a well-known title could be enjoyed by both adults and kids.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

A feral tabby cat is finally adopted by a loving family at 5 Manderley Road, only to realize that her new home might be haunted by the cat who lived in the house before her. Spine-chilling and heartwarming, funny and charming, Licorice is a purrfect retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for young readers, by award winning author Kara LaReau.

A young and frightened kitten is brought into a new household.

A boy named Max is trying desperately to get over the loss of his former beloved pet.

But ghosts don’t always enjoy being forgotten.

Sometimes they have to make their presence known.

In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But it’s better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything… everyone… away. Here, at least she has food and company, even if Bunny’s words scare her.

And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses her—a scrawny and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she can’t seem to get Bunny’s words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier…

“You’re going to regret this! I just know it!” Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right…

There is a scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Road. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Max’s room, almost overpowering. If the smell isn’t enough, Duchess, the family’s old parrot, won’t let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of it…haunting her…

Licorice is a fantastically kid-friendly book full of mystery and suspense, for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and Aaron Reynolds.

From the Publisher:

Editorial Reviews:

*”LaReau retells Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for young audiences with a feline protagonist… A purrfectly fresh and fun take on a beloved classic: bewitching, mysterious, and thoroughly engrossing.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*”Moments of genuine creepiness alternate with cozy instances of domestic life across Kitty’s wistful narration which perceptively considers the dichotomy between the freedom of the outdoors and the safety of a kept life….A satisfying emotional arc and hopeful resolution make this an appealing tale for animal lovers and mystery readers alike.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A twistingly haunted story about the power of finding your own place; an excellent addition to middle grade collections” — School Library Journal