If there was ever a recipe for the perfect middle-grade scary story, then The Haunting of Aveline Jones has followed it to a tee. Take one eerie and miserable seaside town, a girl with a penchant for ghost stories, and a generous helping of things that go bump in the night, and you have all the ingredients you need to conjure up a tale that will have you well and truly spooked.
Aveline finds herself being left to spend her October half term with her Aunt Lilian in dreary Malmouth, a desolate and grim seaside town ravaged by stormy weather. From the minute Aveline arrives, she is perturbed by the presence of ghoulish scarecrows adorning the houses, and the unmistakeably creepy sounds she hears at night. Upon discovering the local bookshop and its eccentric but loveable owner, Aveline buys a book of local ghost stories, but is intrigued to find that the last story has been scratched out by the previous reader. Armed with a sense of determination and her inquisitive mind, Aveline embarks on a mission to uncover the missing story, but soon realises that something or someone already has its sights set on her…
What the author has created here is a fast-paced and chilling story, which will serve as the perfect introduction to horror as a genre for younger readers. Every sight, sound and smell feels so real, from the waves crashing against the harbour wall, to the wonderfully comforting treasure trove that is the bookshop. The suspense builds as Aveline delves deeper into the history of Malmouth and its urban legends and culminates in an epic and heart-stopping moment when the story comes to an almighty and terrifying climax. However, this is more than just a spine-tingling ghost story. This is a story about family, friendship, loss and adventure, with a tale that is laced with sadness weaving its way throughout. I consumed this book in one sitting and by the time I finished reading, I was left feeling satisfyingly thrilled, yet hungry for Aveline’s next adventure.

Aveline Jones loves stories of ghouls and ghosts; fascinated by the idea of the dead returning to life. Ghosts are everywhere, so Aveline always keeps an eye out, just in case, her morbid fascination bordering on obsession. But her Summer is stretching out in front of her, dreary and uneventful, as she is taken to stay with her cold and strict Aunt Lilian in the less-than-exciting town of Malmouth. Though in the Summer this seaside town may be filled with the buzz of tourists and beachgoers, in October all Aveline is greeted by are empty, desolate streets and the menacing child-like scarecrows put out by locals in time for Halloween. There are odd goings-on all around her, scratching on windows, footsteps on floorboards, and shadows everywhere. All the right ingredients for a haunting.

As Aveline explores the local town, she visits an eccentric bookshop and purchases a second hand book of ghost stories from local folklore, but the very last story has been scratched out, removed from existence by the previous owner. Why would anyone want to do such a thing? Frustrated, Aveline sets out to find out what happened to the story, and indeed the previous owner, and is led down a sinister path of malevolent long-forgotten spirits. The closer she gets to finding out the truth, the closer she comes to danger herself. A storm is coming, and when Aveline finds herself face to face with the past, will she escape from the clutches of Malmouth’s most tormented and vengeful spirit?

Hickes has hit the perfect note for a chilling ghost story for middle grade readers. There is a sense of foreboding from the moment Aveline arrives in Malmouth, and the reader is swept up in uncovering the truth about the eerie happenings there. Hickes creates the perfect blend of tension, suspense and atmosphere with storms, crackling fires, unexplained shadows and a rich, supernatural plot. There are themes of loss, lonliness, and injustice. I devoured this in one sitting—there were chilling moments when I felt a shiver down my spine, and a truly heart-pounding climax. The stories of local spirits feel so real I could picture them perfectly, and I felt that a protagonist who isn’t afraid of them played a part in comforting the reader. As Autumn approaches, this is a story that 9+ horror fans will relish, just in time for Halloween! Perfect for fans of Crater Lake or Goosebumps. Both adults and children will be staying up late to finish this one under the duvet with a torch! Deliciously terrifying.

Wow - I loved this. It reminded me of ghost stories I used to read when I was in primary school, devouring all of the books that were meant for people older than me.

A really well developed plot, characters and setting that feels incredibly realistic. It's genuinely spooked me and I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Wonderful!

Its half term (and halloween) when Aveline arrives in the seaside town of Malmouth to stay with her Aunt. A visit to the local bookshop leads Aveline to discover some haunting local folklore that is tied up with the disapperance of a young girl called Primrose Penberthy. As Aveline begins to investigate the mysterious disapperance of Primrose she is drawn into a dark and haunting tale, and as the stormy weather stirs so does a restless spirit from the depths of the sea....
Just the right amount of horror and suspense for ages 9+ I loved the authors descriptions of the sea and the weather as the suspense built...this would be the perfect read for a wet and dreary afternoon when the wind rattles the windows and the sea mist rolls in..,.just make sure you put a scarecrow outside your house first!