Ghost Town

by Kirsten Reed

Tucked into reputedly haunted woods stretching to the horizon, the quaint, small-town ennui of Moon Hill, Maine is shaken by a concurrence of troubling events: a horrific crime, several missing people, and the arrival of a mysterious lone toddler. A years-long manhunt uncovers more than a dangerous killer; an intimate portrait of all involved reaches far beyond town lines, and ventures into secrets too vital to reveal.

Kirsten Reed’s second novel reaches into New England’s past, and examines the challenges and moral dilemmas of modern life, in a deep, well-paced character-driven ride.

400 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2023

Reviews

[Jaimee Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a little bit for me to get into it, but once i did, i was fully pulled in by the story. I fell in love with all of the main characters, especially Al and Agnes. I live in maine and spent my whole life visiting before moving here, and northern Maine has always held a pretty high degree of mysticism, mystery and magic to me so it was so fun to read the little world Kirsten created in such a beautiful and remote part of our state.

I was lucky enough to get to meet Kirsten and have her sign my copy of her book a few months ago, and I’m so glad i had that opportunity.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this atmospheric mystery set in a small fictional town in Maine. The police chief Al and his daughter, Deb, also in law enforcement, were compelling characters, as was the rest of the extensive cast. The writing is lyrically beautiful, and there was an element of magic realism woven into the novel with a ghost-like community living secret, unrecognized lives in the woods, which reminded me of the New England tradition of transcendentalism. It was fascinating to watch Agnes’ arc, as she grows from a child emerging from the woods' community into a teenager, trying to adapt to life in Deb’s family and to find her place in two very different worlds. This novel manages to accurately portray small-town Maine while also giving readers a more expansive sense of a larger, otherworldly community that exists in a precarious harmony with the "real" world. A gripping read with a ghostly tone full of unforgettable characters!

[Michelle E. Shores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will confess that I struggled getting through the first few pages of this book. But the problem was all mine! The author is also an artist and she writes in a very artistic way. I have a very non-artistic brain so it took me a few pages to begin to understand her style. But once I did I was able to follow the story easily. And oh what a story it is!!
This book held my attention page after page. It’s full of mysterious snippets that you just have to keep reading to find out how they all fit together. I was very impressed with the author’s ability to stitch together different storylines that ran concurrently into one overall tapestry of a story.
I recommend this book to anyone that loves a good puzzle. This is exactly what this book is. A journey of placing one piece after another together until you have the final picture.

[Jochen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Kirsten and I knew the book would be great so I didn’t bother the “slower” start. The more I read the more the book grew on me even further and childhood memories from Main kept flooding in (funny enough that’s related to both of our families).
Well done Kirsten, I highly recommend your book and wish it would have continued… how about a part 2? ;-)

[Jeani · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!

[Kyle Buntin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Town is a haunting, beautifully crafted novel that pulls you into the eerie woods of Moon Hill, Maine and refuses to let go. Kirsten Reed blends mystery, moral complexity, and richly drawn characters into a slow-burn story that’s as unsettling as it is deeply human. The sense of place is vivid, the pacing confident, and the emotional depth lingers long after the final page. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and quietly powerful this is a standout read for anyone who loves character-driven fiction with a dark, compelling edge.

[Chantelle ellesbooksandbakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing mystery that successfully evokes the isolation and drama of the north woods. It felt like it couldn’t quite decide whether it wanted to be a cozy mystery or horror, and I wish it had leaned in to the latter. An enjoyable read for an October weekend, if a little slow at times. Good writing and curiosity kept me turning pages.

[Candi Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, the book was well-written and had an excellent plot. However, the reader should be warned that, as the book goes on, there are a few scenes that you might want to skip.