Kara LaReau and the Haunting Heart of Licorice
On today’s KNCT Artist Spotlight, we turn the page to a story that blends gentle chills with heartfelt charm — a tale perfect for autumn evenings and young readers who enjoy just a touch of mystery. Award‑winning author Kara LaReau joins us with her newest middle‑grade novel, Licorice, a kid‑friendly psychological horror about fear, belonging, and the courage it takes to find home.
At the center of the story is Kitty, a frightened young kitten swept away from her forest home during a storm. She arrives at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter unsure of her future, comforted only by warmth, food, and the intimidating presence of her cage neighbor, Bunny Van Hopper. But everything changes when Max, known for adopting shelter pets and giving them a life of kindness, chooses Kitty and brings her to his home at 5 Manderley Lane.
What Kitty finds there is not just safety — but a mystery. The house is steeped in the lingering scent of licorice, woven into every chair leg, carpet fiber, and quiet corner. Duchess, the family’s aging parrot, reminds Kitty that she is merely a replacement for the beloved cat who came before. And as Kitty explores her new surroundings, she begins to wonder: is she living in another cat’s shadow, or is something truly haunting her new home?
LaReau’s storytelling brings a gothic shimmer to the tale, echoing the spirit of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca while keeping the tone accessible and inviting for middle‑grade readers. Licorice is spooky without being frightening, mysterious without losing its warmth — a story about love, loss, and the families we find along the way.
As Halloween approaches, Licorice offers young readers a perfect seasonal read: atmospheric, tender, and filled with the kind of suspense that keeps pages turning. And for longtime fans of Kara LaReau, it marks an exciting new chapter — her first standalone novel for middle‑grade audiences, crafted with the same care and imagination that have made her earlier works beloved.
Today on the Artist Spotlight, we celebrate Kara LaReau’s Licorice — a story that reminds us that even in the darkest corners, there is room for hope, courage, and the possibility of home.
