Beware of this Shop

by Carol Beach York

Hester discovers that Mr. Mordrian casts an evil spell upon each item sold in his shop and that he intends to further his power using Hester as his assistant. Can she foil his plan?

Genres: Young Adult, Childrens

127 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Erica Leigh]

- Mysterious shop stocked with seemingly strange objects that give off ~weird vibes? Cool.
- Our protag visibly hates the shop—even insults the shopkeeper’s beloved brass toad—and the shopkeeper still gives her a job?
- All the adults are mean in this one
- Somewhat of an ambiguous (and DARK) ending but the writing makes up for it

[Kathleen Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember loving this book in junior high. Came searching for it trying to find the name of the shop. Anyway it was a good read and I bet I'd enjoy it even now. I loved that nasty old woman. "Mauve is a bad color for you." Just wanted to slap her.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hester and Isabel walk into a mysterious shop by the park and purchase a few items. Taking home their purchases, Isabel becomes sick and Hester links her illness with the shop. Its up to Hester to find why the shopkeeper is here when she is thrust into a job there by her aunt. A swift, and moody story written perfectly by Carol Beach York.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a kid!

[Grace Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carol Beach York is always good for a moody, atmospheric read! Not one of my favorites from her though...
Hester discovers this creepy old shop run by a creepy old dude, and discovers all the items for sale are cursed and harbingers of bad luck. She hates the damn shop and can't wait to GTFO. And YET she gets pressured into WORKING THERE by her mom and the creepy old dude, like WHY GIRL.

I feel like i need a little more from this one, the HOWS and the WHYS which are never fully explained. If you're looking for a solid FIVE STAR from Carol Beack York, I highly recommend "Once Upon a Dark November" or "On that Dark Night"!

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Hester Linden and her friend Isabel Abbott, living in a small Massachusetts town in 1892, come upon a little shop on Marley Street that they had never encountered before in this spine-tingling novel for young readers, and leave with a golden ring and china shepherdess. When Hester learns that a neighbor had an eerie experience with the music box purchased at the same shop, she begins to understand why she has been having bad dreams and why Isabel has fallen ill, since returning home with their own purchases. After the items are destroyed, health and good sleep return, and Hester is left with the realization that something is very wrong with the shop on Marley Street, and with its creepy, hunchbacked owner, Mr. Mordrian. But when Isabel goes away on a family trip, and her Aunt Sophie agrees that she should have a job, Hester finds herself working for Mr. Mordrian, growing ever more aware of the evil he is working through the items he sells to the locals. Can Hester break free of this evil, and finally put a stop to it...?

Published in 1977, Beware of This Shop is the first book I have read from author Carol Beach York, who appears to have written many other books for children, both novels and picture books. I had never heard of her, until a friend gifted me with a copy of this book, but I am glad I am now aware of her work! Although I wouldn't describe this one as great literature for children, I found the story gripping and very enjoyable, racing through it in one evening. I think that, had I encountered it as a girl, I would have been charmed by the period setting and detail, and would have been caught up in the suspenseful story. York succeeds in creating a real sense of menace in her story, both with the setting and with her antagonist. The colophon lists "Demonology — Fiction" as one of the book's subjects, and the manuscripts Hester discovers in the shop's back room, with their odd language and images, seem in line with that idea. I do wish York had explored that a little more, that the reader had the chance to learn what Mr. Mordrian was up to, specifically, but perhaps the vagueness of it—that he was putting spells on the objects being sold—was in keeping with the suspense. In any case, this is one I would recommend to middle grade readers who enjoy scary and/or suspenseful stories. For my part, I will be tracking down other titles by the author.

[Meaghan Steeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1977 and based in 1892, this is a story about a teenage girl and a dreary little shop whose wares are under an evil spell.

While we might consider this to be YA now, I know in the ’70s that genre wasn’t as much of a thing yet. It was appropriately creepy and a page turner, and there were particular passages I thought were just plain good writing. This was the first time I’d read it (found it at Value Village), and I’d intended to burn and turn it but now I think I’ll keep it. 🤓

[Super Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still terrifying after all these years! I had a wonderful time reading this to my fiancé. He was unfamiliar with the works of Carol Beach York and this was the perfect introduction. So atmospheric and so creepy!

[A.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book as a child and it left me with strong, sinister, memories. It was fun to revisit it via the Internet Archive and compare the text with the impressions I still carry.

[Shellylovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hester and Isabel are excited to explore the new shop on Marley Street. But when after purchasing a ring Isabel falls ill and Hester is haunted by terrible nightmares after she buys a china figurine.She tells herself that it is a coincidence objects don’t bring bad luck to the people who own them. But as time goes on she can’t shake the feeling that there is something wrong with the little shop on Marley Street. And that the mysterious Mr. Mordrian may be up to something sinister. This is Ya story that has a lightly scary story and a gothic feel. A enjoyable book for readers of any age.

[Payal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a mystery book and is really interesting. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really dark for a teen book, particularly the ending. It was an interesting read, but I won't keep it.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really odd for a young person't read...weird.