One of the first clues that Old Lyme author Luanne Rice has perhaps entered new territory is right there on the cover of her latest young adult novel, "Pretend She's Here." It's an enthusiastic blurb from superstar thriller writer Harlan Coben.

The folks who market books by Rice — a New York Times bestselling author of over 30 titles usually filed in the "family," "women's fiction" or YA sections — typically wouldn't seek endorsements from thriller authors. But "Pretend She's Here" is indeed different — a genuine psychological suspense story with plenty of Coben-esque plot spins, truly dark villainy and, yes, because this IS Rice we're talking about, a sweet but pivotal romantic thread and desperate allegiance to family.

When 15-year-old Emily Lonergan loses her best friend Lizzie Porter to cancer, she's devastated. Not surprisingly, so are Lizzie's parents, who've moved out of state to deal with their grief. After Emily loses consciousness while accompanying the Porters to Lizzie's grave on the first anniversary of her death, she wakes up in Maine, far from her Connecticut home — and discovers she's a prisoner in a replica of Lizzie's old bedroom. Her hair has been dyed to match her deceased friend's, and she's dressed in Lizzie's clothes.

With dawning horror, Emily realizes she's been kidnapped for the lunatic purpose of BEING Lizzie. She gradually learns the Porters have credibly established real-world evidence that Emily has run away, supposedly frustrated by her mother's battle with alcoholism. Further intimidation includes video and computer surveillance on the Lonergans, which include "close-call" footage demonstrating to Emily how easily (and willingly) Mrs. Porter can physically harm her parents.

Gradually, through a system of punishment and rewards, Emily/Lizzie is integrated into school and the culture of an isolated and rural Maine town. She continues to seek out ways to escape but is frustrated by Mrs. Porter's anticipatory prescience at every turn. It isn't until Emily meets and develops a secret romantic relationship with Casey, a partially blind classmate and musician, that escape suddenly becomes a possibility.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Rice appears in Mystic at Bank Square Books to discuss and sign copies of "Pretend She's Here." Last week, in the sun-dappled kitchen at a friend's home in Noank that was pleasantly redolent of fresh lemon, she answered questions about the new book, her recent forays into the young adult market and the value of nostalgia, and the writing life in general. Earlier that day, Monkees bassist Peter Tork had passed away, and the sound of the group's innocent pop played softly in the background.

Q: Let's keep this simple: Did you consciously set out to write a thriller with "Pretend She's Here"?

A: I actually don't think of it as a thriller or a mystery, and part of that is because I don't think like a thriller writer. Like a lot of my books, "Pretend She's Here" is about an ordinary family that somehow ends up on the edge.

Also, I've never plotted a novel in my life, and I think (detailed plotting) would be a big part of writing thrillers. The way I work, I generally think of an opening line or a character that interests me. And if suddenly that character has a name, I know it's time to give it a go. Gradually, more characters enter the story, and I just follow their internal logic. If the characters I'm writing stay true to themselves, then I've learned to trust that the story will work out.

Q: But would you be willing to acknowledge that "Pretend She's Here" is pretty dark?

A: Oh, definitely. (Laughter.) But I don't even think this is my darkest book. Both "Little Night" and "Stone Heart" are darker. Those both dealt with domestic violence. But this book certainly has a dark element. Part of the tragedy is that, all along, Emily had a whole other, normal relationship with the Porters while Lizzie was alive. And she had no idea these seemingly loving, ordinary people were capable of this. It's a situation we see more and more — people aren't who they seem — and it's always shocking when that reveals itself in violent ways.

Q: Without giving too much away, Emily has to walk a bit of a tightrope in terms of taking calculated chances that might lead to escape because she does fear what might happen to her family if she tries and fails. She has to appear as though she's buying in. That couldn't have been easy to write.

A: It wasn't. There's a small element of Stockholm Syndrome to her situation, but I don't see Emily identifying with her captors or emotionally acclimating to her new life. In her situation, that wouldn't be possible. She might try to give that appearance. I love how Emily focuses on remembering every member of her real family — reciting her parents' and siblings' names — hanging onto that connection and her real identity. She never gives up.

Q: We're sitting here listening to The Monkees, a band that meant a lot to both of us growing up. Peter Tork is dead, and it's sad — but hearing the music is somehow therapeutic. In that context, "Pretend She's Here" is your fourth YA novel. Did you get interested in that genre as a natural way to look back a bit at youth and the past?

A: (Rice gestures at her cell phone, which issues forth the sound of Tork and Davy Jones singing "Shades of Gray.") Music, I think, can take you back more than anything, and it's fun to spend some time there. When you're young, everything is so profound. If you're in love, the joy is boundless. If you felt sorrow, the hurt was bottomless.

Sometimes, though, to try to go back is ... a very wistful experience. It reminds me of what's been lost or what will be — and somehow that makes the memories more indelible. You know, at that point in life, you had your family and your best friends from the beach, and every day was forever. To write about that time in someone's life is pleasant in an emotional and cathartic fashion I didn't expect.

That said, I only started writing YA when Scholastic Books approached me and asked if I'd consider writing a book for that market. So I'm grateful that happened. I'm not sure I would have thought of it.

Q: If YA provides a different sort of experience for you as a writer, can the rewards also be different? I mean, success is great any time, but do you get different feedback from a younger readership?

A: One of the best things about writing YA is that I get real letters from eighth graders. Handwritten letters! It's wonderful, and they come to my agent. I'm not sure how it happens, but I envision maybe they'll read the book for class and a teacher suggests writing to the author. I don't know, but the letters are always specific to the book in question and how the story relates to their lives. That's an amazing connection.

Q: What determines, from a creative standpoint, whether you'll write an adult novel or a YA novel? And what would you say to aspiring authors in any genre?

A: Sometimes, you write what contracts might dictate. At the same time, again, the idea of a certain character is key for me. I've actually just finished writing an adult book that will be out in about a year. It's just important that, if you want to and need to, you keep writing because — and I think I'd say this to any writer — there's a place on a book shelf for you. Not every reader will like your books, but some of them will. That's who I'm writing to, and there's room for all of us. Just tell the story you want to tell with characters that you believe in.

If you go

Who: Old Lyme novelist Luanne Rice

What: Discusses and signs copies of her latest, a YA novel called "Pretend She's Here"

When: 6-7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic

How much: Free

For more information: (860) 535-2300