It's Spider Time!

People say they love being scared. Then one little itsy bitsy spider comes along, lands on their hand or sweeps across to tickle their face and chaos erupts. There is flailing and leaping and high pitched screaming, all from one little itsy bitsy spider. Forget vampires and ghosts. Spiders rule!

What do Shelob and Aragog have in common? Both are mammoth-sized. It is rumored that Aragog is the largest between the two, according to Harry Potter fans. Bilbo and Frodo may disagree. Lord of the Rings followers stand with Shelob. She is defined as the "great spider of Ungoliant spawn." Ungoliant was an evil spirit who took spider form. But does it really matter? Whether extra large or extra tiny, we humans swipe, shiver and run.

Perhaps the many children's books and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" song were created in order to help children from panicking when confronted by sudden spider sightings, and to see spiders as friendly rather than scary. Available to parents are a variety of itsy bitsy spider books that provide sound with nursery rhymes, finger puppets and touch and feel opportunities. (I am really not sure what that means?) Some spiders dance and some wear hats, have friendly adventures and share in the fun. Nothing to run and shriek about.

Then there is the novel "Itsy Bitsy Spider" by author Willow Rose. This book is not intended for children or comfort. It is not for those who shy away from violence, gore and steamy adult situations with perverse actions. Aside from all that, her spider book holds a convoluted mystery that will have readers holding their breath till the ending.

A young divorced mother inherits a house on Fanoe Island off the coast near Copenhagen. With two children, a teen daughter and a 7-year-old autistic son, she decides a free house is worth the move. Her late grandmother's house is big, old fashioned but comfortable, with a water view (if a dense stand of trees were not blocking the shoreline and sea beyond). The garden is large and wildly overgrown. It is also full of spiders. Other than that, a perfect house to raise her kids.

Perhaps the murder of a neighbor down the road their very first morning should have been more alarming. But there were boxes to unpack and personal items to place so the house felt like home. Barely past adjusting to new schools and routines for the kids, a second murder takes place. Just a coincidence or connected? The town had always seemed pretty safe. But the many clues revealed along the way defies that description.

Her dad had grown up in that house, but refused to come visit. Then, when unexpected events spiral out of control, the rest of the story pushes you to the edge of your seat. Because spiders crawl out of the emotional cracks and crevices of the story. As they keep you focused in every direction and force you to evaluate each character within, you might start experiencing the heebie jeebies in your immediate surroundings.

Is there a spider in that dark corner? Crawling on the ceiling? Is swiping at the skin a compulsion, just in case that little shivery feeling was created by thin spidery legs across your arm?

Not every spider is the cutesy, itsy bitsy type. They creep in stealth silence. They run quickly when approached. They are ever watchful with black beady eyes. And no matter what you do to rid yourself of them, they always seem to return.

"The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout.

"Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

"Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.

"Then the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again"...and again...and again...

Happy Halloween!

Good Books.

Good reading.

*Midge Lyn'dee is a fictional character used for the purpose of entertainment though the reviews are real and sincere.