Snowman (Rook Series) (Bk. 4)
When Jack Hubbard enrolls in West Grove Community College, hes assigned to Jim Rooks remedial English class. Soon the California campus and student body, sweltering in a torrid June, are experiencing mighty strange goings-on: A water fountain freezes solid; a mens room is coated with giant ice crystals; a classmate wearing Jacks sweatshirt is frozen to a handrail and can be removed only minus his arms; the school pool completely freezes, trapping several in its depths and killing one. Whats behind the freaky weather? Spirit-sensitive Rook (Tooth and Claw, 1997, etc.) and his Tarot-reading cat (dont ask) concur that its a vengeful Inuit spirit who was promised Jacks soul by his dad in exchange for leading him to safety from a crisis-strewn Alaska expedition, only to see the old man renege on the deal. Rook takes off for Alaska with both Hubbards, his cat, a magic mirror, and a supply of Snickersjust the equipment that will allow him eventually to confront the spirit demon in Dead Mans Mansion, a northern folly built by a survivor of the Titanic, who may have made his own pact with the hood-shrouded, ice- spewing spirit. If you think Snickers will sustain you on a trek through the tundra, youll undoubtedly think Rook is the most beloved teacher since Mr. Chips. A blend of jaunty dialogue, floridly chilling demises, and preposterous phenomena.  --Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.