The Price of an Orphan (2012)

Sullen, unhappy Johnnie Heath is the central character in ''Orphan.'' Recently adopted by a kind couple breaking under the strain of caring for him, Johnnie often runs off to play at forbidden, isolated cave entrances. All three of the Heaths' lives change in a creepy version of ''The Boy Who Cried Wolf.'' Carlon's descriptions and deftly applied nervous pressure put her in the same league as Patricia Highsmith. Fortunately, more of her work will soon be available: Soho, which has recently brought out six of Carlon's novels, plans to release four more in 2001.