Book Review: 'The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story' by Charis Cotter

✰✰✰✰½ Alice and her friends had their whole summer planned, but now that her parents are getting a divorce, summer is ruined. She suddenly finds herself on a train to a small town where her mother has taken a job as a live-in nurse. The rich lady who lives there is known to be cantankerous and dislikes kids. The house is huge and spooky, but Alice quickly befriends the housekeeper's daughter, Lily. 

Soon Lily lets Alice in on a secret, there's a ghost in Alice's bedroom. But that's not the only secret being kept at the house. When Alice discovers a dollhouse locked away in the attic, things start to get really weird and spooky. As Alice drifts back and forth between real-time and era represented by the dollhouse, she starts to lose herself. Will she be able to find her way back to the real world? Or is she lost forever? Pick up this supernatural page-turner to find out.

The Bottom Line: There's nothing I love more than a good ghost story, and Charis Cotter is one of the best at telling them. With an eerie Gothic feel to this story, readers won't be able to put this one down. Enthusiastically recommended for kids, teens, and adults who enjoy suspenseful ghost stories and stories with the supernatural at work.

Details: The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter. Paperback published by Tundra in 2022. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-7352-6908-8 [NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' by Keigo Higashino

✰✰✰✰½  When three petty thieves take refuge in an old abandoned general store, they think they are in for a quiet night. However, when a letter falls through the door’s mail slot, the trio is concerned and intrigued. The letter asks for advice from the former shopkeeper who offered thoughtful guidance to those seeking help. In his absence, the trio steps into his role. As the night slowly moves on, the correspondence they provide through their unique perspective of modern time proves life changing for everyone involved. By morning, the trio emerge to a different world than what they knew before.

The Bottom Line: With shifting time, this book is magical. The interwoven layers of plot in this novel submerses you into a rich world full of unexpected twists and turns. It makes you realize that people may be connected somehow even if they don’t realize it. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of Japanese literature with a bit of magic sprinkled in.

Details: The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino. Paperback published by Yen On in 2019. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-9753-3386-7

Book Review: 'Bells, Spells, & Murders' by Carole J. Perry

✰✰✰ As a field reporter for WICH-TV, Lee Barrett is living the dream. Unfortunately, when the topic of her next interview turns up dead, Lee has some questions. Luckily, Lee’s detective boyfriend catches the case as Lee experiences some disturbing psychic visions that leave her reeling. Nevertheless, Lee is determined to follow the biggest scoop of her life, even if it means her own downfall.

The Bottom Line: While this was a pleasant, quick read, this book just seemed average to me. Maybe it was because I have not read the first six installments of the series, but I just didn’t connect with the characters or setting. Still fans of cozies with witches as the main character may want to check it out.

Details: Bells, Spells, & Murders (A Witch City Mystery): 7 by Carole J. Perry. Paperback published by Dafina Books in 2018. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-4967-1458-9

Book Review: 'Pumpkin Jack' by Will Hubbell

✰✰✰✰✰ When Tim's mom tells him his amazing jack-o'-lantern, Jack, is beginning to rot, Tim sets it out in the garden. It's a sad day, but the garden is better than the garbage. As fall changes into winter and then spring, Jack changes too. Soon all that's left are a few seeds, which Tim plants. As the days grow warmer, Tim uncovers a surprise in his garden. With careful nurturing, by fall Tim has a wonderful gift to share with his friends.

The Bottom Line: What a wonderful story! With it's emphasis on gardening, the life cycle of the pumpkin plant, and the changing seasons, this book is both entertaining and educational. Hubbell's illustrations in colored pencil with solvent wash effects demonstrate the amazing change of seasons. Heartily recommended for story time reading. This title is my new fall favorite!

Details: Pumpkin Jack written & illustrated by Will Hubbell. Picture book published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2000. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8075-6665-9 

Book Review: 'The Goodbye Witch' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is exactly the kind of witch you want as a best friend; she’s kind, loyal, and determined. So when Darcy’s best friend Starla Sullivan is stalked by her abusive ex-husband, Kyle, Darcy is immediately concerned. It seems Kyle escaped from jail and is invisible to all except Starla. As the incidents escalate, the stakes get higher, and Starla’s safety is in question. With help from her family, friends, and Police Chief boyfriend, Darcy navigates several twists and turns to protect her best friend and uncover the horrible secrets hidden within the Enchanted Village.

The Bottom Line: Book #4 in this series features all the characters I’ve come to adore, but very little of the family business, As You Wish. With a heavy emphasis on romance, a depressing subplot, and just a bit of magic, this book just didn’t shine for me as much as the previous ones. Still, recommended for fans of cozies featuring a touch of magic.

Details: The Goodbye Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by Obsidian in 2014. 314 P. ISBN: 978-0-451-46587-0

Book Review: 'Mother Ghost' by Rachel Kolar

✰✰✰✰ Based on classic nursery rhymes, this seasonal collection of Halloween-themed rhymes will make kids laugh and shiver. Beautifully illustrated with creepy creatures in dark blacks, lots of purples, whites and just the right amount of orange, pink, green, and yellow hues to delight.

The Bottom Line: “Little monsters” everywhere will enjoy reading these spooky poems over and over again.  With a creepy twist on the original nursery rhymes, these are great for reading aloud. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 7 and for story times for Grades 1 – 2.

Details: Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters written by Rachel Kolar & illustrated by Roland Garringue. Picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-58536-392-6 

Book Review: 'Creepy Carrots!' by Aaron Reynolds

✰✰✰✰✰ Jasper Rabbit LOVES carrots, especially the wild carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field. Those are the most delicious carrots ever, and they are FREE! Jasper helps himself ALL the time…on the way to school, after a big game, and even at night for a snack.

But one day when he’s picking carrots something odd happens. He hears something behind him. When he turns around, nothing is there. He doesn’t think anything of it, until it happens again…and again. What’s going on? Nobody believes him, but Jasper knows there are creepy carrots out there. He dreams up a plan to deal with the problem. Will he succeed in ridding himself of the creepy carrots forever? Check out this Caldecott Honor Book to find out.

The Bottom Line: It’s easy to see why this book is a winner with kids. Easy to read and infused with humor, this is an awesome book to read out loud to a class. Brown’s illustrations are spot on with tones of grays and black and minimal use of color in just the right places. Highly recommended for seasonal reading as it’s not too scary and has a fun twist ending. If you enjoy this one, check out the other picture books in the Creepy Tales! series, including the recently released Creepy Crayon!

Details: Creepy Carrots! (Creepy Tales!) words by Aaron Reynolds & pictures by Peter Brown. Picture book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2012. 40 P.  ISBN: 978-1-4424-0297-3

Book Review: 'We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt' by Mary Hogan Wilcox

✰✰✰✰ An adorable assortment of animals go on a pumpkin hunt to find a big, orange, round pumpkin. Their adventure leads them through grass, over a mountain, and to a river. What they find on the other side will leave them scrambling all the way home, where they find the perfect surprise ending. 

The Bottom Line: A charming story with whimsical illustrations in pen, ink, & watercolor that will delight kids in Pre-K - Kindergarten. With a fun twist ending, this picture book is perfect for fall storytime.

Details: We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt written by Mary Hogan Wilcox & illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Picture book published by Charlesbridge in 2020. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-62354-118-7

Book Review: 'On Halloween Night' by Ferida Wolff & Dolores Kozielski

✰✰✰ Count up to 13 as two little boys journey through a spooky forest to a school yard at night. Along the way they discover creatures like owls, goats, and wolves. Observing from a careful distance, the boys are in for a surprise at the end.

The Bottom Line: The atmospheric watercolor illustrations featuring each item being counted plus the two little boys on each page are the highlight of this book. Somehow the rhyming seemed a bit awkward for me. This could easily have simply been a fall book except for the witch and ghosts.  Page through the illustrations for the best effect.

Details: On Halloween Night written by Ferida Wolff & Dolores Kozielski and illustrated by Dolores Avendaño. Picture book published by Tambourine Books in 1994. 32 p. ISBN: 0-688-12973-0 

Book Review: 'A Very Witchy Spelling Bee' by George Shannon

✰✰✰✰½ Cordelia loves spelling more than anything. She even spends her playtime practicing spelling and spells. So when she sees a sign for The Witches' Double Spelling Bee, she knows she just has to enter. Her mother is hesitant. After all, Cordelia is just a child witch, but Cordelia is adamant. She has studied and practiced. She's ready to win. 

The defending champ is a force to be reckoned with, but Cordelia isn't afraid of Beulah Divine. Even when Beulah bends the rules and doesn't play fair, Cordelia keeps her calm. Soon it's down to the last round. With nothing on stage to work with, has Cordelia met her match? 

The Bottom Line: This fun tale featuring colorful, humorous illustrations is perfect for storytime. With a surprise twist ending that's sure to please, this picture book is a seasonal winner. 

Details: A Very Witchy Spelling Bee written by George Shannon & illustrated by Mark Fearing. Picture book published by Harcourt Children's Books in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-15-206696-3 

Book Review: 'The Ghost Belonged to Me' by Richard Peck

 

✰✰✰✰ Young Alexander Armsworth is seeing things, strange things. There are signs of a haunting in the barn on his family's property. He's determined to get to the bottom of this, but his spunky neighbor, a girl named Blossom Culp, keeps nosing around. Then one night, the ghost of a young girl named Inez confronts Alexander with a spooky message. With the help of Blossom, Alexander will have to think fast to avoid a tragedy. Will he and Blossom be able to set things right and help a ghostly girl finally rest in peace? Check out this classic ghost story for a hauntingly good read. 

The Bottom Line: This book was the basis for the 1978 made-for-television movie, Child of Glass. I remember the movie as a creepy ghost story. While the book takes place in the early 1910s, the plot of the movie was updated to the present (late 1970s) era. Still a fun read over 40 years later, enthusiastically recommended for middle grade and young adult readers. And if you enjoy Blossom's character, there are several more books featuring her.

Details: The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck. Paperback edition published by Puffin Books in 1997. 176 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-038671-4 

Book Review: 'Elevation' by Stephen King

✰✰✰½ All Scott Carey wants to do is enjoy his home as he recovers from a nasty divorce. Unfortunately, who can work from home with the new neighbor's dogs running amok in your lawn? With all that is going on, it's little wonder that Scott is losing weight. Or is he? The bathroom scale registers a loss in weight, but Scott looks as pudgy as ever. By the time Scott tells his friend, Dr. Bob Ellis, that he's losing weight on the scale, but still looks the same, he is sure there's something unusual going on. As a retired medical doctor, Ellis is skeptical at first. However, as the days and weeks pass by it's evident Scott is indeed losing weight.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Scott weight loss continues, and he is still at odds with his new neighbors. While Missy is approachable, her wife, Deirdre, seems to have a chip on her shoulder. It's no wonder though; their restaurant is fast approaching inevitable failure due to the town's prejudices. Just when it looks likes their animosity can't get any worse, something magical happens during the annual Thanksgiving 12K run that will forever change Scott, Missy, and Deirdre's lives. 

The Bottom Line: With a bittersweet ending, this easy-to-read novella is a suspenseful weekend read. If you enjoy a mashup between horror and science fiction, check out this book. It will make you think about finding common ground between people who are at odds with each other. 

Details: Elevation by Stephen King. Hardcover published by Scribner in 2018. 160 p. ISBN: 978-1-9821-0231-9 

Book Review: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is still learning her craft. Up until a year ago, she didn’t even know she was a Wishcrafter. Now she’s learning the ropes from her Aunt Ve and adjusting to life in the Enchanted Village. Life here is simply magical.

Working at As You Wish, a personal concierge service, keeps the family busy. When Floracrafter Harriette Harkette decides to hire them to plan her 80th birthday celebration, the whole town is buzzing. It seems that Harriette is the envy of the town with her new creation, the midnight black Witching Hour rose.

Darcy is hard at work. Unfortunately, when a delivery boy is found dead, his ghost quickly attaches to Darcy. She’s stuck with him until she can solve the mystery of his untimely death. In an odd twist Harriette's stunning new roses have perished as well. How is that possible?

With help from her new friends, her misbehaving dog, and the handsome Police Chief, Darcy is on the case. She’ll need to crack both mysteries or else she’s stuck with a ghost forever. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you root for Darcy to solve the mysteries in time.

The Bottom Line: The Enchanted Village is always entertaining, and the third installment of this series is simply a magical treat. With just the right combination of magic, gardening, and romance, this cozy is the perfect weekend read. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with a splash of the supernatural.

Details: The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by An Obsidian Mystery in 2013. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-451-23969-3