The Girl Next Door – Jack Ketchum

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum, a tale of two orphans who move in with a family that slowly abuses them, is disturbing enough on its own.  Then, you learn that it is based on a true story and it makes you wonder where humanity began to run off the rails.

After the death of their parents, Meg and Susan go to live with their Aunt Ruth and her three sons.  Slowly, Ruth begins to allow the boys, along with some of the neighborhood kids, to abuse Meg.  When she tries to go to the police, the abuse intensifies, eventually turning into rape and, finally, death.

Ketchum tells the tale through the point of view of a neighbor, who is both infatuated with Meg yet a willing voyeur, if not participant, in the abuse heaped upon her.  He does try to tell his parents twice, and eventually decides to help Meg escape.  When that goes south, he himself is locked in the basement with her, leading to the final confrontation that ended Meg’s life.

This was my first exposure to Ketchum’s work.  While I enjoyed his approach to the story, I’m not sure if I’ll be heading back for more.