The Monster in the Closet

Gauthier (Echoes on the Pond) revitalizes the familiar horror trope of the creepy imaginary friend in this unsettling novel set in New England. Protagonist Tim Beaulieu is overwhelmed with taking over as the primary caregiver for his four-year-old daughter, Cleo, and blames himself for the death of his ex-wife, Jenny, who was in an accident on her way to pick up Cleo at his request. His fragile mental state is threatened even more when Cleo tells him about her numerous conversations with Mr. Brambles, the “good monster” residing in her closet. Initially, Tim believes this to be a coping mechanism that could help Cleo process her grief. Then Drew Raposo, a neighbor who was once mean to Cleo and whom Tim threatened in response, disappears and Tim becomes a person of interest in the case. Gauthier maintains a high level of suspense throughout as he keeps readers guessing whether Brambles, who, Cleo reports, has also voiced threats against Drew, is real or a figment. Meanwhile, the fully three-dimensional characters make buy-in to the central conceit easy. Stephen King fans will be enthralled. (Mar.)