His parents are long dead. His mother, a circus mermaid who made her living by holding her breath, drowned in the very water his house overlooks. His younger sister, Enola, ran off six years ago and now reads tarot cards for a traveling carnival.One June day, an old book arrives on Simon's doorstep, sent by an antiquarian bookseller who purchased it on speculation. Fragile and water damaged, the book is a log from the owner of a traveling carnival in the 1700s, who reports strange and magical things, including the drowning death of a circus mermaid. Since then, generations of "mermaids" in Simon's family have drowned--always on July 24, which is only weeks away.As his friend Alice looks on with alarm, Simon becomes increasingly worried about his sister. Could there be a curse on Simon's family? What does it have to do with the book, and can he get to the heart of the mystery in time to save Enola?In the tradition of Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus, and Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian, The Book of Speculation--with two-color illustrations by the author--is Erika Swyler's moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic.

    When she learns the whereabouts of a missing boy her decision to go after him leads her to a gorgeous ally. As they push deeper into the mystery surrounding the boy's disappearance they uncover a nest of deadly secrets that leaves Addie wondering if she'll survive to graduate. This contains both of the Hidden novels - Hidden Truths and Hidden Lies.Hidden LiesIt's been over a year since Addie Michaels and Jake Kincaid met under less than ideal circumstances. They both think life has settled down as Addie enters her second year of college, but when you have a gift for knowing the truth - things don't stay quiet for long.Missing girls on campus have them investigating once again as Addie discounts the idea they are runaways. They discover a more sinister plot is in play and when it strikes a little too close to home they have to trust friends, both old and new, to save them."Hidden Truths is one of those YA Hidden Treasure reads.""This is a story that had me hooked.""Stop what you're doing and read this!" "Intriguing and original with a good deal of suspense and mystery!"