I’m looking for this book that I loved when I was 10-12ish, so it would’ve been published or available in the late 90’s. I can’t remember the title or author, but here’s what I do remember.
The protagonist (who I think has an older brother) and their mum go to stay with an uncle in a house near a cliff or a raging waterfall. The uncle has a weird automaton in the basement, which shows the decapitation of a man, woman and child.
The automaton is broken but is fixed during the course of the novel. When it’s finally switched on, it reveals a secret about the mother, who is wracked with guilt about not coming to the aid of someone. Their dad? One of the brothers?
That’s literally all I remember, but I loved that book and would love to read it again. It was creepy, but definitely aimed at teens/younger readers.
Anyone???
by Zyrrus