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!