Five YA Mysteries That Will Keep You Up All Night

The days are shorter, the nights are longer and all the bare branches look like witch's fingers scratching at your window. Yup...it's perfect weather for staying up late reading a thriller.

I dare you to read these picks...

#1. Made For You by Melissa Marr

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Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital to discover an attempt has been made on her life. But who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why?

Before she can consider the question, she finds that she's awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people's deaths when they touch her.

While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva's power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive



#2. The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson


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Fascinated by forensics, seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney persuades her father, the county coroner in sleepy Silverton, CO, to take her on as his assistant. But she never expects her first case to involve the death of a friend! Rachel Geller, a beautiful young waitress, is found strangled in a field with a Christopher medal around her neck—clearly marking her as the fourth victim of a serial killer.

Cameryn is determined to help find Rachel’s killer, and attending the autopsy gives her the first clue. But as she follows her instincts and gets closer to the killer, Cameryn suddenly finds herself on the verge of becoming his fifth victim!






#3. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

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Sixteen-year-old Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her unusual so-called gift. While her confusing feelings for her best friend are new, she has been able to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered—and the imprints that attach to their killers since she was a little girl.

Violet has never considered her ability useful, but now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.









#4. Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan
 

An oldie but a goodie. No body does suspense like Lois Duncan.

From the moment Rachel's family takes in her orphaned cousin Julia, strange things start to happen. Rachel grows suspicious but soon finds herself alienated from her own life.

Julia seems to have enchanted everyone to turn against her, leaving Rachel on her own to try and prove that Julia is a witch. One thing about Julia is certain-she is not who she says she is, and Rachel's family is in grave danger.



#5. Acceleration by Graham McNamee




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In the depths of the Toronto Transit Authority’s Lost and Found, 17-year-old Duncan finds a little leather book. It’s a diary filled with the dark and dirty secrets of a twisted mind, a serial killer stalking his prey in the subway. And Duncan can't stop himself from reading. 

What would you do with a book like that? How far would you go to catch a madman? 









Enjoy those sleepless nights! What are your favourite thrilling mysteries?

Once Upon A Time Season 4, Episode 7 "Smash the Mirror"

Or better title, "Sister Act"

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A long time ago...

The Snow Queen pays a visit to the wild haired apprentice with news that she has the mysterious wizard's stolen magic hat...'cause she stole it from Anna who stole it from Rumpelstiltskin.

I thought he was a mouse?

Ingrid will give the wizard back his hat in exchange for the happiness she once knew with her sisters. Then she boldly asks for two magical sisters, just like her. Okay, make that one magical sister—she's already found Elsa.

The apprentice frowns. The spell to find her perfect match for a third sister will take time. She assures him she is a very patient woman.

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Henry finds Emma hiding in the forest with her dangerous spark sputtering hands. His voice cracks as he tells Emma that her powers won't hurt the ones she loves, but when she tries to hug him he gets zapped and ends up falling down and cutting his ear.

"Its okay, Mom," he whimpers, running away.

The Snow Queen arrives (still in the white dress and three inches of cleavage *rolls eyes*) ready to lend an empathetic ear. "Don't worry about those muggle losers, you're magical and that's super cool. Let's start a club called Sisters Rule! We'll make t-shirts!"

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Robin and Regina wake up after a full night of making out in the crypt. He says, "Let me take you back to my camp and cook you breakfast?"

She could say, "Hey, why don't I try and find a curse to wake up your frozen wife." Instead she shows him the storybook that details all the lives of the fairy tale characters. Robin has never seen the book. She laments how the author wrote her as a villain...and we all know villains never have happy endings. Robin takes this as a challenge and they make out again.

Mary Margaret is worried about Emma hiding in the woods. Elsa says, "When your powers are out of control you don't want to be around the people you love. But they're the only ones that can help you."

Henry arrives with his bloody ear and everyone exchanges awkward glances.

Back in Arendale, Elsa is excited to prepare a welcome back dinner for Anna. Ingrid arrives and tells Elsa the truth about her parents wanting to take away her powers, then she drops the bomb that she was trapped in the urn by Elsa's mother. And now Anna plans to do the same to Elsa.

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Emma asks Mr. Gold to help her control her powers.

"There's only one way," he says. "If you lose your power you'll be...ordinary."

Gasp! Dear God, not ordinary!

However, the spell will set off such a blast that everything, except Emma, will be destroyed within a city block radius. They agree to meet at an abandoned mansion that no one has every heard of in Storybrooke.

Elsa pays Anna a visit in the dungeon.

Um...who the heck put her in there? Ingrid? How can a stranger lock up one of the princesses? Doesn't Elsa rule the kingdom?

Anyway, Elsa lets Anna know she has a plan to trap evil Aunt Ingrid back into the urn.

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Emma calls Mary Margaret with the good news that she's getting rid of her magic forever. Hook is suspicious and makes a secret call on his cell phone, but apparently Emma's not taking anymore calls and it goes straight to voice mail.

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Elsa and Anna search the castle for the urn. They go straight to the forbidden East Wing which no one has talked about before this moment. The sisters wonder what it must have been like for their mother to turn on her own sister.

*cough* FORESHADOW! *cough*

They find a cabinet with a frozen Hans inside, and the guess what? The urn is behind him.

Mr. Gold pays the Snow Queen a visit inside her winter wonderland bedroom. They both monologue about their diabolical plans. Mr. Gold has the upper hand as he sprinkles the remnants of the urn around the Snow Queen, temporarily trapping her in place.

Robin visits Will at Granny's pub/diner/laudromat with the stolen storybook. He asks Will to help him find the author.

Mary Margaret pines over pictures of Emma and wonders if they should rush out to stop her from releasing her powers. David says, "Nah, she'll be better ordinary."

Elsa eavesdrops and is disturbed that Emma's parents wouldn't accept her as she is. She takes the vial of locator spell Regina dropped off earlier and Emma's red scarf (a scarf we've never seen her wear).

Will and Robin break into the library looking for a clue about the storybook.

Regina asks Henry to talk about what happened when Emma sent him smashing into the forest floor. She magics his wound all better, but instead of saying, thanks, he gets all bummed out that he doesn't have any magical powers. Regina's all, "Don't worry about Emma, she's the hero and heroes always win."

Hook leaves Emma another voice mail about Mr. Gold's evil plan to take her power and put it into the magic hat. He then confesses Mr. Gold has the real dagger and that he didn't say anything before because of that nasty blackmail thing with the video tape of him helping Mr. Gold kill the apprentice.

Emma refuses to stop changing the radio station while driving, melting the dashboard. She gets distracted and almost runs over the Snow Queen. Instead, she swerves and crashes her yellow bug and goes unconscious.

*Yawn*

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Anna hides the urn in her jail, ready to trick Ingrid when she arrives to punish her. Oops, all of a sudden Ingrid appears inside the jail with her and puts Anna in chains. She's wise to their little scheme. Ingrid casts a spell called 'shattered sight' on Anna making her see the worst in everyone she loves.

Emma wakes up with perfect hair and the Snow Queen appears in the form of a hologram, warning her Mr. Gold shouldn't be trusted.

When Regina finds out no one is trying to stop Emma from losing her magic she goes into parenting mode. They talk about being ordinary and normal and how magic comes at a price and never dies...or something like that.

Regina and Mary Margaret walk in the dark forest looking for Emma while talking about good and evil and how the book decides all things. Blah...blah...magic comes at a price. Ordinary sucks. Go magic.

Will and Robin are at the library. Without being seen, someone has slipped a piece a paper inside Robin's pocket! He quickly calls Regina.

Thank goodness for magic cell phone reception in the deepest parts of the forest!

Emma meets Mr. Gold in the abandoned mansion. He creates a magic vortex with the hat, but he tells Emma it's just a spell to take away her magic. Emma has second thoughts. Mr. Gold tells her he wouldn't go to the room because he's a man who always chooses power. Then he pulls a little reverse psychology by saying she always does the right thing.

Hook arrives and battles outside with Mr. Gold.

Elsa follows the red scarf to the abandoned mansion, seeing neither Hook nor Mr. Gold.

Anna arrives under the spell of shattered sight and lays into Elsa about how she ignored her all those years. Elsa refuses to use her powers on her sister, even as Anna opens the urn and traps Elsa inside.

Anna comes to her senses and Ingrid freezes the whole palace. She takes the urn and leaves speedy quick.

Elsa tells Emma she can control her magic, but being supporting by the people you love isn't enough, she has to accept and embrace her own powers. Then Elsa says, "It's time to stop being afraid."

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Emma's sparks touch Elsa's icicle fingers and....the lights stop flickering.

Whoa! That's some amazing magic show.

Mr. Gold looks shocked when the house doesn't explode. But then he lets us know about the secret ingredient to cast the spell that will cleave him from the power of the dagger—he needs the heart of someone who knew him before he was the dark one...and the only one alive is Hook. He takes the heart easily without disturbing Hook's shirt or chest hair, but now Hook is controlled by Mr. Gold.

Regina meets up with Robin in the library. He shows her the piece of paper he found—it's a picture of them meeting inside the pub, instead of her running away which she did the first time. They figure this means Regina deserves happiness or something...

Back in Arendale, Ingrid retrieves the magic hat from the cave. She calls Rumplestiltskin to make a deal, but the apprentice arrives. He convinces her the wizard will reunite her with Elsa and has found a third sister that will be a perfect match. She hands over the hat, he gives her a scroll to help her find the third sister and opens a door to another world...1992 to be exact.

Everyone is happy Emma still has her powers and even better, she's in control and can make northern lights and fireworks and stuff.

Oh-uh. A yellow ribbon suddenly appears on Emma and Elsa's wrists, harnessing their power.

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Mr. Gold visits the Snow Queen, she's ecstatic that Elsa is the one who saved Emma. And now that all three have embraced their powers, the Snow Queen is more powerful.

Okay, people. Who is your pick for this episode's MVP? Click your choice on the pole station to the right.

Check out my other Once Upon A Time recaps here!

Top Nine Reasons Why Halifax Is Awesome

#1. The Emera Oval



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Located in the north commons, the 'oval' is open to the public seven days a week all year round. Whether you're roller blading or playing street hockey in the summer, or ice skating in the winter, all rentals and admission are FREE.


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Host to speed skating events throughout the season, the oval is the largest outdoor, artificially-refrigerated ice surface east of Quebec City. It has an ice surface equivalent to 3 NHL hockey rinks, and can accommodate up to 1500 skaters at a time.



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#2 The Halifax Citadel



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Originally built by the British military in 1749, the Halifax Citadel continues to watch over the city’s downtown core.

As a visitor you'll be able to explore the fortress, learn about the soldiers who were stationed there,  and literally touch a piece of Halifax’s military history. Don't miss the Army Museum, which showcases uniforms, weaponry and models of the fort throughout history.

 

 

Every day at noon, the cannon is still fired from atop Citadel Hill. Not just for summer tourists, the Citadel is also famous for its ghost tours and Christmas programs.  

#3. The Halifax Public Library

 

 

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Pardon me while I drool. With the official opening date of December 13th, 2014, this sleek design incorporates the feeling of inviting openness with high tech influences. Personally, I'm going to try and hide and get locked inside overnight, then read ALL THE BOOKS.

You have to check out the link for the photo gallery because, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

#4. The Waterfront 

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I feel incredibly lucky to live in a city where I'm only a half hour walk away from the ocean!

Stroll along the boardwalk that stretches from Pier 21 all they way to the Historic Properties, while stopping at various vendors and delicious restaurants along the way.

With the downtown business district as a backdrop, the Halifax waterfront is home to countless world-class events each year. From Nocturne Halifax: Art at Night, to the renowned TD Halifax International Jazz Festival to international Tall Ships visits, Halifax is a vibrant event city.

#5. The People!

Yes, it's true. We are awesome. Halifax—and let's be honest—all of Nova Scotia is world renowned for its hospitality.


#6. The Halifax Public Gardens



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Recognized as a National Historic Site in 1984, the Public Gardens showcases a collection of garden artifacts such as statues, fountains, and the iconic bandstand.



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With it's lush backdrop of massive rhododendrons and pathways lined with vibrant annuals, the Public Gardens is a popular spot for Wedding and Prom pictures.

Plus, it has Uncommon Grounds, a locally owned and operated gourmet coffee shop that also serves hand paddled ice cream.


#7. The Halifax Seaport Farmers Market



halifaxwaterfront.ca

Originally created in 1750, the Seaport Farmers Market is well placed in the vibrant arts and cultural district found at the south end of the Halifax waterfront. It is the longest continually running market in North America and is home to over 250 vendors.





#8. Pier 21


nationalparkscanada.ca

This National Historic Site was the gateway to Canada for one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971. It also served as the departure point for 500,000 Canadian Military personnel during the Second World War.


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Today, Pier 21 hosts the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier   21—Atlantic Canada’s only national museum!


#9. Neptune Theatre

The perfect way to spend an evening downtown, Neptune Theatre is the largest professional theatre company in Atlantic Canada.







With the capacity to showcase a range of plays from Chicago to Margaret's Museum, the Neptune Theatre successfully brings the flash and glamour of a Broadway musical without losing its perfectly intimate appeal.






BONUS!

Nimbus Publishing

Halifax also happens to be the home of my publisher, Nimbus Publishing—the largest English-language publisher east of Toronto.

Nimbus produces more than thirty new titles a year on a range of subjects relevant to the Atlantic Provinces— children’s picture books and fiction, literary non-fiction, social and cultural history, nature photography, current events, biography, sports, and cultural issues.


What's your favourite thing about Halifax?

Once Upon A Time, Season 4, Episode 6 "The Snow Queen"

 

Or better title "Family Feud"



We're princesses! Let's play with this broken kite!
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Through the miracle of flashbacks, we learn that Ingrid and her two little sisters, Gerta and Helga were almost kidnapped by a kite flying predator, but Ingrid uses her icy powers to stop the abduction. A frozen tree branch falls on the creep and kills him.

Dead predator.
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Gerta and Helga manage to recover quickly from witnessing their sister kill a dude with icicles and while his body lays five feet away, they promise each other to always stay true and keep Ingrid's secret. They use the ribbon from the kite to make bracelets for all three of them.

Let's decorate ourselves with evidence from the felon we killed!

No longer interested in blending in the Snow Queen roams the streets of Storybrooke in her Kardashian inspired maximum cleavage wedding gown. She goes to the clock tower and produces another magic mirror.

Regina pours over magical text books about reanimating your boyfriend's wife, but she's interrupted by Robin and his words of luv. "I don't know what to do!" he says.

Maybe stop dropping in on your ex-girlfriend?

Emma and Elsa study a book with elfish writing and they discover a spell with a candle and something else, but I'm distracted by Elsa's blue dress.

You know, the dress she's been wearing for every episode.

But Emma's magic isn't strong enough. She leaves Elsa and finds Mary Margaret and baby Neal at a sing song with other fairy tale characters and their babies (including Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty).

Keep that freaking magic away from my baby!
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Emma gets a little jealous because she never had this fun stuff with her mother since she was the savior and all that. Mary Margaret gets a little freaked out when Emma makes the baby bottle start to boil. But before she can say, "This episode will be about family treating you differently when you can't control your magical powers," David comes on the walkie talkie to tell Emma the Snow Queen is in the clock tower.

Emma and Elsa arrive at the clock tower with the magic candle. This time Emma makes no mistake and is able to light the thing. A pair of firey handcuffs keep the Snow Queen from fighting back.

Oh, and Hook is there too. Why?

No really, go without me. I'm totally okay with it.
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Ingrid and her sisters gets ready for a special ball for their father. But Ingrid has spent the last ten years hiding herself and her powers so she doesn't get to dance or have any good fancy times. A Duke from a neighbouring kingdom has eyes for Greta. Soon the oomp pa pa band starts up. Ingrid sneaks in to watch and begins to cry because she is such a freak and all. And every body knows, freaks don't get married to Dukes.

This is about to get Orange is the New Black.
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Emma and Elsa interrogate the Snow Queen, but she refuses to give up any info about Anna. Elsa says, "We know Anna is alive. We heard her heart beat on Bo Peep's crook."

Man, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that sentence.

The Snow Queen mentions Emma's 'super power' as a human lie detector. Then they hit on the 'your family will shun you because of your magic' element for a bit to establish the plot theme for anything who hasn't caught on by now.

Henry gets all fancified in a suit and tie to work at the Pawn Shop with Gramps. Regina holds back her tears about Robin and talks about happy endings and how operation Mongoose is now her new focus.

The Snow Queen lets Emma know that she was protecting her by erasing her memories. then she says, "Elsa and I are your only family because we are the only ones alike."

Um...this is frickin' Once Upon A Time, every one has powers; Tinkerbell, Regina, Mr. Gold, Peter Pan, the Blue Fairy...

Ingrid confesses to her sisters that she is leaving and handing the throne over to Helga. Gerta pipes up and says there is someone, a sorcerror, that maybe able to help them, Rumpelstiltskin.

Duh.

Belle arrives at the clock tower and can tell in one glance that the mirror is a fake.

Oh my gosh! The Snow Queen tricked them AGAIN. She wanted to get caught on purpose. Why?

Emma is in danger! When they arrive at the jail, they see the doors frozen shut.

Wil and Robin chew the fat at Granny's pub/diner/Laundromat and reminisce about the good ole days as Merry Men in the forest. Robin tries to convince himself that he's still in love with Marion.

Check it out. Our new fall line.
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Ingrid and her sisters visit Rumpelstiltskin to see if he can take away her powers. He tells them their sisterly bond is very strong. He gives her a pair of gloves and a gold vase that will be her failsafe if her magic gets out of control. In return, he takes the ribbons around their wrists, which interestingly enough still fit after ten years.


The Snow Queen works the misunderstood magical person angle with Emma. "You can't love somebody you don't understand." Emma freaks and blows out a wall. The Snow Queen is excited Emma has shown her true power, plus she gets to escape jail.

Thank goodness the yellow bug was there.
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When David and the others arrive to find a hole blown out the side of the Sheriff's office, Emma tells them to run away because she can't trust her powers. David gets hurt and Emma takes this as proof that she is indeed a monster. Mary Margaret feels guilty for not hugging Emma after she blew up the jail.

This is a fake mustache!
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With her fancy gloves, Ingrid is now able to hang out in her royal robes. The Duke (who looks like someone's fourteen year old kid who wandered onto the set) shows up and makes a few passes. Ingrid's gloves drop and she pushes him away with her frozen powers. Helga arrives and tells him to get his creepy arse back to his kingdom. A fight ensues and Ingrid ends up zapping Helga by mistake, turning her into a pile of ice cubes.

Awkward.

Oops.
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Robin finds Regina in her tomb of candles and magic books. He doesn't say much but the meeting ends in a hot kiss.

Whoo-hoo!

Gerta finds Ingrid and her sister, now transparent and melting. Gerta calls her a monster and grabs the failsafe golden urn. It sucks her up lickity split. Gerta takes the gloves and travels to the Troll King and asks him for a mega potion to ensure that every one in the kingdom forgets there were three sisters.

Troll time.
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The Snow Queen arrives at Mr. Gold's pawn shop and asks for her ribbons back. She knows the one last item he needs in order to cleave himself from the dagger to be able to leave Storybrooke and start to rule the world.

And she knows all of this...how?

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Oh, she's owned the magic hat. Simple. And since Mr. Gold will rule the world, she's only asking to rule Storybrooke.

When he agrees, she leans over and whispers the answer to him.

Why? They're alone in the store.

Anyway, he grins so it's either a home perm kit to make him look like Rumpelstiltskin again or Hook's hook.

Check out my other Once Upon A Time recaps here!

Once Upon A Time Season 4, Episode 5 "Family Business"

 

Or better title, "Elsa Needs A New Dress"

Darn the green background!
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During a flashback we see Belle and her mother hiding from an Ogre as it storms the castle. by the way, it's time ABC amp up the special effects budget. The sets are so fake it's ridic. When Belle wakes the next day, she has no memory of her mother's death.

Emma plays the video showing the Snow Queen as her guardian during her foster years. Regina mentions it might be a good idea to search for her. Everyone one is like, "Yeah, let's get this party started." Henry suggests they should search her ice cream truck.

I suggest they search the forest because that's where everyone hides.

Young Belle is determined to regain her memories to learn how exactly her mother died.

I'm guessing the ogre ate her.

Anyway, through the miracle of reading, Belle uncovers a map to a magical place where creatures can help unlock memories. And that place? Arendale...aka the enchanted forest.

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Elsa reunites with Anna in their castle. Anna lies and says she didn't find out why their parents went away. The Snow Queen arrives and introduces herself as her long lost aunt, plus she has that icicle power thing. Elsa is excited because she's finally learning to control her icy powers. Anna isn't so sure.

Belle and Elsa go to Storybrooke's library to find answers! Elsa asks about Arendale and Belle flat out lies she never heard of it.

Holy sparkling snowflakes! Elsa needs a new outfit. Seriously, I saw kids trick or treating with the same damn dress.

Anna is wary of her aunt so she decides to travel to the rock trolls for answers.

Regina and everyone else who considers themselves the police, ambush the ice cream truck that's been parked in the middle of the forest. Inside, Emma finds newspaper clippings about her past.

Scandalous!

Elsa breaks down in the library. She has no memories of how she got to Storybrooke, she doesn't think she'll ever find Anna again, and she's still wearing the same dress from the first episode. Belle can't take seeing her pathetic display and runs away promising to find a way to Anna.



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Young Belle arrives at a secluded supply shop looking for the rock trolls, she bumps into Anna who offers to show her the way.

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Since there's no one to fire an arrow at, Robin uses the down time around the abandoned ice cream truck to let Regina know he's still hot for her. She says her magic is useless against the ice spell the Snow Queen put on Marion. So if Robin wants to save his wife he has to stop loving Regina and muster up his best true loves kiss to break the spell and wake his wife.

Storybrooke romances are so darn complicated. Remember when David was so excited to tell Mary Margaret that his wife wasn't pregnant? 

Mr. Gold chats with the Snow Queen in a clearing in the forest glade. He warns her Emma is closing in on her secret. She calls his bluff and says Emma is finding out everything she needs to know.

This is a pointless conversation that just wasted a few minutes of my life.

Anna and Belle journey through the woods and talk about how they both lost their mothers. Belle says she's looking for answers to find peace. Anna has a stumble and the golden box falls out of her satchel. She tells Belle it contains a powerful hat that absorbs the most powerful magic...she stole it from some golden dude with a bad perm.

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Mr. Gold comes back from his useless conversation to find Belle ready to go on a field trip in search of the Snow Queen. She tells him she has to fix a mistake she made long ago. She wipes out the fake dagger and commands Mr. Gold to take her to the Snow Queen.

Hmm...how's he going to play this?

Emma goes through the news clippings baffled that she doesn't remember having the Snow Queen as a step mother for six months. Hook pulls out a scroll full of hieroglyphs. Emma asks, "What the hell was she doing with me?"

Mr. Gold leads Belle to the Snow Queen's cave. She confesses she knows of a hat that has the power to absorb magic and she's convinced the Snow Queen must have it.

And she knows this how?    

Anna and Belle reach the Troll King. He gives Belle a magic herb and tells her to make tea at the spot where she last saw her mother and the memories will return. He also tells Anna that her mother did indeed have a sister, two in fact—who both mysteriously disappeared one day. Anna is more confused and mistrustful of her aunt.

Belle enters the ice cave and is drawn to the magic mirror.

On the trip back to the castle Anna and Belle are trapped on the mountain ledge by a sudden storm.

Actually it's perfectly sunny, but I guess they spent too much on the special effects budget.

Anna slips over the side while the magical tea tumbles from Belle's grasp. Instead of going to Anna's rescue Belle reaches for the tea, but it falls. And then Anna falls! She lies unmoving, far below. The gold box has come out of her satchel.



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Oops.

The Snow Queen arrives and scoops up the golden box.

Double oops.

Back in the ice cave, the mirror is a sounding board that echoes Belle's worst paranoia. Besides telling her she's a slime ball for choosing the tea over Anna, it also mentions the fake dagger. Mr. Gold arrives and magically whisks her back to the pawn shop. The cry and hug and blah, blah, blah...she's still too stupid to see that the dagger is fake.

Young Belle returns home and faces her worried father. She tells him the trip was a huge mistake. He looks sheepish and finally tells her he knew all along how her mother died. When the Ogre attacked, Belle's mother distracted it long enough for the guards to rescue Belle, but when they returned the mother was already dead.

What? The King only had like two guards or something? Why didn't the guards fight the Ogre?

Her father says the ogres are winning the war and they'll soon be made into soup. Belle comes up with the fantastic idea that they should summon this wizard she heard of in Arendale to help them fight back...Rumpelstiltskin.

 

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Mr. Gold pays the Snow Queen a visit inside her snow cave. She's all confident until he whips out the magic hat. Again, she talks about her secret mission. And again, I've lost another minute of my life.

Anna wakes up in a dungeon. The Snow Queen has the golden box and says she'll tell Elsa how Anna was going to strip their magic away. Anna asks what happened to the missing sister, but the Snow Queen answers ambiguously about finally getting a family to embrace her.

Um...yeah, we learned this last episode.  

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Elsa rushes to the Sheriff's office and shows Emma a book she just happened to find in the library that shows her royal family tree...with pictures!

What?

Elsa then points out Ingrid is the Snow Queen's real name, and the missing sister is Helga. And Helga looks a whole lot like Emma. Hook is struggling to come up with a dumb blonde joke when Elsa sees the scroll lying inconspicuously on the desk. Elsa is amazed the scroll is written in her own language...or something like that. She reads the prophecy out loud about Emma being a savior and from this Elsa deducts that Ingrid believes that Emma is the reincarnated version of her missing sister!

What? *head hits keyboard*

Belle arrives out of breath and confesses to Elsa that she knew Anna. She was hoping to steal a weapon from the Snow Queen's cave but, yeah...it didn't go so well. And plus, there's this scary mirror made of black magic that has the power to turn everyone in Storybrooke against each other.

Hook declares the town will destroy itself. Emma and Elsa turn to each other and say, "Except us. Ingrid wants us to be one happy family."

I miss the good old days when David was still in a coma and Ruby and Granny shouted at each other in the parking lot. What do you miss? 

Check out my other Once Upon A Time recaps here!