Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss introduces readers to the protagonist, 12-year-old Miranda, who has just moved with her parents into an old Victorian house, Hard Scrabble. Exploring the house, Miranda finds an antique dollhouse in the attic, which is an exact miniature of Hard Scrabble. When she looks into the dollhouse windows, Miranda realizes they offer a unique gateway to the past, allowing her to witness scenes from the lives of the house's previous inhabitants.
The narrative becomes particularly intriguing when Miranda encounters the unsettling history of a young girl named Abby and her nanny, Dorrie, who lived in the house in the early 1900s. Dorrie, practicing witchcraft, uses Abby to communicate with her deceased children, but a ritual goes wrong, trapping Abby's spirit in the dollhouse and leading to Dorrie's death. Recognizing the dire situation, Miranda resolves to free Abby's spirit. The novel's climax occurs when Miranda finds herself transported through the dollhouse window into the past, interrupting the dangerous ritual and successfully liberating Abby.
From a narrative perspective, the novel offers an engaging mix of the supernatural and historical, with the dollhouse acting as the intersection of these two realms. The scenes Miranda witnesses through the dollhouse windows build suspense and deepen the mystery, drawing the reader further into the story.
Moreover, the journey Miranda undertakes to free Abby's spirit increases the narrative tension and engages readers' emotions, keeping them invested in the story's outcome.
The character development in the novel, particularly Miranda's, is also notable. Throughout her journey, Miranda displays a remarkable blend of curiosity, courage, and determination, which serve her well in facing her challenges. Her relationship with her friend Dan, who assists in her mission to free Abby, adds a layer of complexity and relatability to the narrative.
Reiss's writing style is also key to the book's success. Her descriptions are detailed and atmospheric, effectively evoking the various time periods Miranda observes. These vivid descriptions not only enhance the historical elements of the novel but also contribute to the building of suspense and tension throughout the narrative.
