HAMILTON, Virginia. The Mystery of Drear House. NY: Greenwillow, [1986]. 8vo, [ii] 188pp. Glazed color pictorial wrappers. A fine copy with a publisher’s press release announcing the forthcoming March 16, 1987 release of the hardcover first edition. Signed by the author, Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton.

Advance reader’s copy being issued late in 1986 to reviewers and booksellers in anticipation of the March 1987 release date. The sequel to the Edgar Award-winning The House of Dies Drear from 1968. Having discovered the vast treasure kept hidden in the caves under the property of Dies Drear House, which had once been a stop on the Underground Railroad, best friends Thomas Small and Pesty Darrow must now keep it safe. But with enemies at every turn, and plenty more secrets hidden in the underground caves – from hidden rooms and Indian legends to terrifying ghosts! – will these two teens be able to keep these historical artifacts safe until they can be cataloged and presented to the world?