As October draws to a close (seriously, how is the month already over?), I’m wrapping up my annual attempt to cram in as many spooky reads as possible. Inevitably, my “to be read” stack is still taller than the list of books I’ve actually finished, but with one day left in the month, I was determined to squeeze in just one more. The perfect pick appeared in Ghosts of Grayhaven by Amy Newbold and Lark Wright. It’s a quick, ghostly novella tailor-made for the season. Even better, Lark Wright happens to be one of my most trusted book-blogging buddies. Knowing her taste, I had a feeling I was in for a treat.
Mariah has arrived in Grayhaven, a small Pacific Northwest town that feels like it was plucked straight from a Hallmark movie, with a singular focus. She’s been hired by an anonymous client to locate the grave of Bartholomew Krane, chip away at its inscription, and recite an ancient spell. It sounds absurd… if she actually believed in any of it. For Mariah, it’s simply another job.
But things change when she meets Zeb, a local who’s inherited his family’s long-standing duty to protect the very grave Mariah’s been sent to deface. When she carries out her assignment, Mariah unknowingly unleashes a vengeful spirit with centuries-old rage. Now, she and Zeb—along with his loyal dog, Moose—must find a way to put the spirit to rest before the entire town becomes its next victim.
Ghosts of Grayhaven is the perfect little novella to cap off spooky season. It’s a quick read with a clever plot that flows effortlessly from page to page. Sure, it leans on a few familiar tropes, but that’s part of its charm. Author duo Amy Newbold and Lark Wright, sisters who were inspired by their shared hobby of exploring old cemeteries, infuse the story with both heart and atmosphere. I was instantly drawn in and read the entire novella in a single sitting. Ghosts of Grayhaven delivers adventure, humor, a touch of will-they-won’t-they romance, and just the right amount of spooky to satisfy even the most cautious readers. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best stories to end spooky season aren’t the scariest ones, but the ones that make you smile when you turn the final page.
For more information, visit Amy Newbold's website, Lark Wright's blog, Amazon, and Goodreads.
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