The Phantom Pilot

Phantom #1

by Ann Swann

When a small plane crashes behind Jase's house, he finds himself being haunted by the ghost of the pilot. The phantom pilot even seems to have some strange attachment to Jase's rescued dog, Lady. Jase doesn't know where to turn until he sees a girl named Stevie entering the local "haunted" house, alone. He believes she is the only one who may be brave enough to help him. But will they be able to communicate with the pilot to find out what he wants? Or will Jase remain "haunted" for the rest of his life?

Genres: Middle Grade

ebook

First published December 26, 2011

About the author

New Release Jan. 20, 2025

REMAINDERS: Apocalypse in Eden book 3

Most of the crew survived the apocalypse, but what now? All they have left is faith, hope, and each other. Will that be enough?



A TRACE OF ROMANCE
A Two-Hour Novella

Laynie & Trace were best friends until tragedy struck, then they were split apart. His family moved away. Somehow, he forgot her, but now, after six years, he was back, leaning into her flower shop doorway, taking up all the space just the way he'd always done. Why was he here, in her new life, after all this time?

https://www.5Princebooks.com/annswann...


SEEKERS: Apocalypse in Eden trilogy - Book 2

Jack and most of his crew survived the battle with the Takers in Book One. Now, they are headed back to Eden, seeking the whereabouts of Jack’s father. Along the way they will encounter other survivors, some friendly, some decidedly unfriendly. And they will find more Takers. Lots more Takers. But nothing can prepare them for what they will discover when they follow instructions to go on to Cheyenne Mountain. This time, it will be a miracle if anyone survives.

https://www.authorAnnSwann.com

This just in ...
TAKERS: Apocalypse in Eden now on Audio!
Message me here or on FB for a FREE audible copy! Whoohoo! "Jack survived the rip in the universe, he even survived the Taker-monsters, but can he survive the other survivors?"

And ...

My new HEA novel A CROSSBOW CHRISTMAS tells the story of a woman who has survived Covid and the loss of family members and now just wants a big, old fashioned Christmas. Unfortunately, the only one who shares her attitude is her young friend, Max. Check it out and let me now what you think. You can find a snippet and all the buy links at www.5Princebooks.com/annswann.html

I also have a novella in the anthology, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER. It's only 99¢ for seven novellas from 5Prince authors. My story is COPPER PENNY CHRISTMAS and I don't mind saying, I kinda like it. I don't write much regular romance, so I'm a little proud of this one. ❤️

Happy Reading -
And if you want to stay up to date on books in the works, sign up for my newsletter at www.authorAnnSwann.com

Did I mention there are a couple of FREE short stories on my blog/website? Yep. Enjoy!


Read on to learn more about TAKERS:

TAKERS: Apocalypse in Eden Book 1

TAKERS was just re-released in hardcover. It's the story of a boy, Jack, and a deaf pit-bull named Snake who have to battle the cannibalistic Takers after the monsters are spat out into the town of Eden, Texas from a parallel universe called Purgatory.

https://www.authorAnnSwann.com

TELEPHONE ROAD

Stalked, assaulted, and left to die, Marlena thinks her life is over. Then she meets Destiny and justice takes on a new meaning. It's called revenge.

https://www.authorannswann.com

A former emergency services dispatcher, rock-n-roll radio station secretary, hospital information operator, and grade school teacher, Ann Swann has been many things. Through it all were the words. She's been a writer since her teenage years and began winning fiction awards in college. As a child she grew up much like Stevie-girl in small town Texas. One difference? Ann never got up the nerve to enter the haunted house alone. She waited until she married her husband, Dude, then they went in together. Ann would love to hear your thoughts on her stories. Feel free to message her at any of

Reviews

[Ann Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, of course. But I could be considered biased since I wrote it! Seriously, it is a good read for anyone from ten years old to 100 years old.

[Sandy Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: The Phantom Pilot
Author: Ann Swann
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Length: Novella

A trip back in time.

This is the second book I've read by ANN SWANN and I'm a huge fan. Ms. Swann has the ability to catapult the reader back in time and make us feel as though our somewhat older brains are working on a 12 year-old-level again. This is not an easy task, but she does it with such ease and finesse, and beautifully descriptive writing that it's easy for the reader to get lost in her stories. I've had such fun reading her short story, CHEMS, and this novella, THE PHANTOM PILOT. I've found that while reading her work, I can close my eyes and picture the town and feel the era again that she has described so divinely.

Twelve-year-old Stevie needs a friend. Her classmate, Jase, needs a friend that he can talk to without being judged. Jase gathers the courage to share a story he's written, The Shepherd, with Stevie about paranormal events that has happened to him. They come together and between the two of them help three trapped and mourning ghosts move on.

This is a truly touching story and I'm really excited to tell you that by the ending, it sounds as though Ms. Swann has left room for a sequel. I sure hope so. I'd love to read more about these kids and the circumstances they find themselves in. I highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys a good ghost story. While this is a YA novella, this book is good for any age group. By taking us back in time, Ms. Swann has the ability to flawlessly pull even us older kids into the story.

[Deanna Lynn Sletten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two twelve-year-old kids are on a hunt to solve a mystery - why is a ghost pilot haunting young Jase? The story follows Jase and Stevie (a girl) as they try to unravel the mysterious haunting of Jase's farmhouse by the man whose plane crashed in his parent's field. Soon, the kids begin to learn a few secrets that have been quiet for years.

Although this book is geared toward kids/YA, I enjoyed it immensely. I think anyone, no matter what their age, would enjoy this story. The author writes beautifully and unfurls a story with the greatest of ease. Expertly written, intriguing story with characters that are as real as you or me. Love it! Can't wait to read more from this author.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read "ghost stories," but this one sucked me in from the first paragraph and kept me eagerly turning pages all the way through to the satisfying ending. The characters are so well drawn you feel as if you've made some new friends, the plot is engaging from beginning to end, and the writing is rich in details and seamless in execution.

The Phantom Pilot will appeal to both children and adults, especially those of us who grew up in the sixties. Reading this book made me feel as if I'd stepped back into my childhood and had an adventure with two very likeable young people. The ending hints at more adventures with Stevie and Jase. I can't wait!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fantastic ghost story for young and old!


Ann Swann did a great job with this short ghost story. All ages from middle schoolers to senior citizens wii love it. The characters are well fleshed out and Ms. Swann did a suburb job recreating the 60’s time period. While it’s technically a short story an amazing amount of information is packed in those few pages, plus a few ghosts! I was hooked from the first page to the last one. . I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series. This is a cute p, relaxing, clean read and I highly recommend this for all ages. Kudos to the Ann Swann. Grab it today.

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Swann has started a marvelous series here of a girl who, with her friend Jase, helps ghosts of the departed tie up their business on earth. I thought starting out right in front of a haunted house was a perfect beginning. Love the characters! If I had grandchildren, I would be recommending this story to them, but since a part of me never grew up, I enjoyed the scary story for little ole me alone!

[Caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This is a good book for younger teens or older kids who like scary stories. Definitely a good read for classes.

[Linda Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read a lot of YA books when my children were in that reading era. I always enjoyed them as much as they did! My kids have their own kids now and when I had a chance to enter a giveaway by Ann Swann and I saw what this book was - I jumped in to enter! Lucky me! I won a copy and sat right down to read it. The plot was perfect for this time of year and the setting took me back to a time and town much like the one I grew up in! Add a “haunted” house and the possibility of a ghost and a mystery is born! The story had just enough suspense to keep an adult “kid” like me reading but not too scary to send the younger group running. Can’t wait to share it with my grandkids! And the best part is - there is more in this series!!

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

After losing both her parents and grandmother, 12 year old Stevie lives with her ‘Gramps’. To have something to write to her best friend, who recently moved away, Stevie decides to venture into the haunted Taylor house. That’s when she ‘stumbles’ across the cute boy from her class, Jase.
Jase sees Stevie walking into the Taylor house alone and follows her. He feels that Stevie was ‘very brave’ and asks her for help. Ever since a small plane had crashed into Jase’s backyard, he had been haunted by the ghost of the pilot. Jase & Stevie together with Billy Bob works toward finding out what the Phantom Pilot wants. Why does he keep haunting Jase? Why does Lady, Jase’s Shepard, always disappear with the Phantom? And, why is Stevie attacked by the ghost when he never hurts Jase?
The plot is set in the sixties and the author has done a beautiful job in setting the backdrop of the story. The characters of Jase, Stevie and Billy are lively. They are average 12 year olds – sometimes being the kids that they really are and sometimes being more matured than their age! The supporting characters of ‘Gramps’ and ‘Mr.Pearcy’ also adds something to the novel, highlighting the author’s capability of painting her characters beautifully.
Though overall I loved the story, I thought a few things didn’t really fit in. Some things like the ‘jelly rain’ or Mr. Pearcy’s response towards the end were like the dull spots in a really bright painting. However, since this is a fast paced, Novella length story, it’s a good read for your tea-break or would make a great bed-time story too!

[Two Nerds With Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant story! I loved this and so did my daughter. It's only approximately 87 pages long, but there was so much in it that I didn't want it to end. It was like a step back in time and even one of my favorite bands Creedence Clearwater Revival got a mention which made my day.

The Phantom Pilot is a ghost story set in the sixties and the heroine Stevie, who's 12, and her new found friend Jase and his faithful dog Lady try and find out: why the phantom pilot keeps returning to the same place each night? What does he want and can they help him? This story is atmospheric and quite emotional with references to the Vietnam war, its effect on the families left behind, and the loss of loved ones and how the youngsters deal with it.

The characters are very well written and believable and you feel for them and the things they have gone through. This book is definitely one for all ages and Ms Swann leaves it open to the possibility of their being a sequel, trilogy, quadrilogy who knows!

These characters and their relationships have the potential to be more than a short story. It leaves open the question of Stevie's ghostly story. Could their be a romance between them as they get older? Do Stevie and Jase end up together as adults? I would really love to know. I hope Ms Swann will answer these questions as I am extremely nosey!

I highly recommend this book as it is very well written: a little cracker! Well done Ms Swann. I give this little gem 5 stars, so go on go buy it now ;)

Written by Kay G for Bex 'n' Books

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes Ghosts Need Help"

This is a young-adult story which I enjoyed very much, even if I'm not young anymore! This story takes place in the late 1960s when the Beatles sweep Americans away with their engrossing music. Jason Lee lives in the country where years ago a small plane crashed behind his home. In his school class is Stevie-girl, who is 12-years old, wears pigtails, ragged denims, and considers herself a tomboy. Though being in the same class as Jase, they are not friends ... yet. Stevie likes adventures and she is going to challenge her fears by opening the door to the known empty haunted house, the old Taylor place. She's scared, but after seeing some ghost movies and reading scary books, she is determined to open that door and go up the stairs. When she starts climbing the inside stairs, she notices something scary on the upper level, She loses her cool and races down the stairs and screams at the shadow standing in front of her. She runs smack dab into Jase and from here, they have quite the adventure of solving the ghostly visions which Jase has seen in his own house. He never goes anywhere with out his dog "Lady," a well mannered German shepherd. By adding Billy Bob, another boy from class, they work as a team to solve the mysteries of Jase's ghosts and the old Taylor place. This is a fun story to read by young teens. It's very well written, easy to read, and it's positively exciting. Highly recommend, even for a casual read for avid adult readers.

[Teressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Ghost Story With Wonderful Characters

STEVIE-GIRL and the PHANTOM PILOT was a delightful listen. This was a ghost story but the kind to give you chills, not overly scary. It also had human interest value. Stevie is a very likeable, kind character who lives with her dad and also helps an aging widower.

Stevies friend Jase is a great character as well. One day he sees a plane crash and runs over to see a man who's survived the crash or so it first appears until Jase sees him vanish. The man then returns to visit Jase and it becomes apparent that he's a ghost and there's something he wants. With the help of another friend and Lady, Jasons dog, they soon begin to piece together what the man is looking for and why he stays.

ANN SWANN did a wonderful job writing this book. I loved it. It was a nice story that makes me want to hear more. I think the length was just right and the overall story was fulfilling. I would most definitely recommend giving this audiobook a listen.

JANET BORRUS did an outstanding job narrating this audiobook. Her voice was nice and easy to listen to. She had a lovely tone and maintained a perfect pace with good inflections. This was a well-matched story/reader.

Audiobook provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Valerie Hemlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this entire story—especially the plucky, fiesty heroine, Stevie-girl. Not a surprising, since I am also a big fan of Ms. Swann's Stutter Creek series, though I did wonder how captivating a YA would be for me. Very much so, as it turned out!Set in the 60's, the protagonists are eighth-graders, with cultural references to food, music and the small-town setting, all transport us back to a simpler, easier time. Or is it? Though I found myself reliving my carefree tomboy years with Stevie-girl and her friend Jase, there was also a rather spooky element, as the title suggests. I loved the relationship Stevie-girl has with her grandfather . . . and of course Jase with his trusty dog, Lady. All of them play an important, intriguing part in helping solve the case of the phantom pilot.

Swann's prose is easy and elegant, flowing seamlessly from one scene to the next with great characterizations and a gripping plot. Janet Borus's narrative style with her southern drawl and smooth delivery lends the tone of a grown woman relating a childhood memory. I was enchanted.

MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for readers of all ages.

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[Rosemary Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult fiction, paranormal. I am surprised at how good much of the young adult fiction is. This is another good one. Although I am not usually a fan of paranormal, this one is very well done.

Stevie is a 12 year old girl who feels alone and different. Her best friend has moved away and she is lost. Enter Jason-Lee, a boy from school, who sees her enter an empty house which is said to be haunted. It gives him the courage to approach her and eventually reveal his own ghost story.

Together, along with a third friend, they try to figure out why the ghost is there and what they can do to help him. It is a very good story and I think young adult readers will be drawn in from the very beginning.

Because it is set in the 60's, adults will be drawn in, too; not just by the story, but by the memories of what it was like when we were young. I would recommend to adult readers, as well as the young adults.

This is the first book in a series, but this story is complete in and of itself. I received a copy in exchange for writing a review.

[Abby Vandiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I grew up in the sixties.

This is a great book. It is well-written with interesting characters. I am always so impressed with authors who can tell a story in a few words. It takes a great writer, and, Ann Swann is certainly that. At first I worried that some things in the book were anachronistic and reminded me of the movie Restless Spirits, but those concerns were quickly squashed. It is fresh, and original.

Stevie-girl and her friends, with their bikes and adventures, reminded me so much of when I was their age, growing up in the sixties. Swann has written a captivating, spooky, and delightful story. It is like one of the books I read when I was younger. The kind that pulls you into the story so that you feel like you are there. It's an adventure that the reader takes right along with the characters.

Wonderful story. Wonderful author. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author and recommend her books to everyone.

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stevie-Girl and the Phantom Pilot by Ann Swan is a charming ghost story reminiscent of the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot. I've always enjoyed good old fashioned ghost stories and this one does not disappoint. It is well written, flows naturally, and the two main characters are fully developed.

The story centers on two 8th graders, Stevie and Jase, who try to figure out why Jase is being haunted by the pilot who crashed his plane behind Jase's farmhouse. Stevie soon works out a way to communicate with the pilot out of old newspapers. She also uncovers the relationship between the pilot and the abandoned house across town that is supposedly haunted. With Jase and Stevie's help, the pilot (and his fiancé) soon passes into the hereafter.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Janet Borrus who did an admirable job. She portrayed the tweeners as likable characters surrounded by unbelievable events. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audio book!

[Berk Washburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stevie-girl gathers her courage to enter the haunted Old Taylor Mansion, she finds Jason Lee, a cute boy from school, and his dog Lady, who both have interests in haunted places. A small plane had crashed by Jase's home and immediately strange things began to happen to him. Jase is sure the ghost of the plane's pilot is responsible, but his parents won't believe him. Stevie-girl and Jase team up to figure out what is going on--hopefully before opposing forces crush them.
Ann Swann has created characters so real that I quickly became invested in each one, drawn into the story by their worries and perils. I loved the spooky atmosphere and the chills caused by "Oh, no!" reactions.
This is a great book for middle-grade/young adult readers, but any age will enjoy this spooky tale set in a small Texas town in the 60's. It was like a step back in time for me.

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tween Ghost Story

It's the 1960s and Stevie-girl is twelve years old. She loves her family and she likes to read. One placid day, Stevie decides to visit a notorious haunted house on the way home from the Piggly Wiggly. In the grocery store, Stevie sees a skull instead of a gentle old man's face. Certain her imagination is overheated due to the planned haunted-house visit, Stevie shrugs off the vision.

Stevie is shocked when she runs into Jason, a boy from school. When she discovers he's dealing with his own ghost, she decides to help him.

Stevie-girl and the Phantom Pilot, by Ann Swann, is an installment in the Phantom Series. If you're looking for a book for the tween in your life, Stevie's adventure is a great choice. As a special treat, the first chapter of Stevie-girl and the Phantom Student is included at the end.

[Elyse Salpeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic young adult novel by author Ann Swann. Her characters are believable, likable and the story truly engages you. I love when I read a book and get scared or concerned for characters and I really don't know or can't guess which way the author is going to go. That's how it is with The Phantom Pilot. There are "oh no, don't do that" moments or "watch out" moments, and I love that.

This book is great for all age groups and my ten year old daughter read it and absolutely adored it. She related to the main character and grabbed my Nook and couldn't put it down until she finished it. When she finished, I asked her what she thought? Her words were "it was awesome." You can't get a better review of a YA book from a YA reader than that. Great job, Ann.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stevie-girl and the Phantom Pilot: I guess when your 12 years old anything can happen, at least it did for Stevie and Jase. This story is so cute you just have to like it... Stevie has gone through so much for a 12 year old, losing both of her parents and her grandmother. Then to top it all her best friend is forced to move away also. The story line is very well laid out with all kinds of twists and turns. The kids handle it all great and even managed to solve a mystery while they are at it. Love does conquers all. Stevie even manages to find a new best friend. It seems I have found about author to add to my ever growing list. Hope you enjoy this refreshing read as much as I did.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read "ghost stories," but this one sucked me in from the first paragraph and kept me eagerly turning pages all the way through to the satisfying ending. The characters are so well drawn you feel as if you've made some new friends, the plot is engaging from beginning to end, and the writing is rich in details and seamless in execution.

The Phantom Pilot will appeal to both children and adults, especially those of us who grew up in the sixties. Reading this book made me feel as if I'd stepped back into my childhood and had an adventure with two very likeable young people. The ending hints at more adventures with Stevie and Jase. I can't wait!

[Diane Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous flashback to the sixties plus a ghost mystery.

This novella is perfect for a tween reader but appeals to adults who enjoy fond memories. I loved visiting this small Texas town during the sixties and meeting Stevie. The mystery of the phantom pilot intrigued me, and I wanted to discover how the youngsters handled this scary haunting. The author's descriptive narrative helps a reader see everything through the young girl's eyes. I recommend it to anyone who remembers Hardy Boys mysteries or Nancy Drew, a fond flashback to a bygone era of classic story telling. Give it as a gift or sneak a read for yourself.

[Linda Hamonou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a nice and spooky read for Halloween's weekend.
Stevie seems to have a knack for seeing ghosts. Soon, she is asked to help her classmate with a strange case of a house haunted by the phantom of a pilot who crashed in his backyard.
This book was really easy to read with a lot of historical references which made it seem very real. I really enjoyed following Stevie and Jace in their understanding of what the ghost wanted and about what he needed them to do.
My only regret about this book was that it wasn't longer, with more research on the ghost at the library for example. I would have loved some back story about the ghost before his death.

[Cassandra Wilson-Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I've read/listened to by Ann Swann, and I enjoyed it. It only runs a little under 3 hours, so it's a short story but it's a pretty good one. Enjoy the journey of Stevie-girl and her buddies as they figure out the mystery of the Phantom Pilot that's been hanging out at her friends' house. And of course, you can't forget Lady...she was a very good touch to the story, especially towards the end and more information becomes available. The narration was good and the writing all flowed well. I didn't have any hiccups with this story. A solid 4 stars!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Swann did a marvelous job writing this tale. It's a sweet story that middle graders-- and even a bit younger, will enjoy. The setting--during the Vietnam War, took me back memory Lane. So, it has a story for children, and generous touches of nostalgia for the adults who read it.

Stevie Girl is a very likeable character, as is Jase. Working together, they solve a mystery full of ghosts, jelly-ball rain, and a flying 45 rpm record.

Very nice book for youngsters.

I'll read more of this series.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I was given a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review **

This was great, the characters are so likable....and this short story is told so well! I listened to it all in one setting and enjoyed every minute of it...this is about a girl, a boy and a dog! There was a mysterious plane crash and a pilot dies, but does not leave...well as things unfold, we find out there are several ghosts floating around so to speak...and the mystery unfolds!! super great!!!! moving on to #2 soon!

Thank you, Audiobookblast(dot)com

[Mary]

What would you do if a phantom lived in your closet? When a small plane crashes behind Jason Lee's rural home, strange things begin to happen. He tries to tell his parents that the ghost of the pilot is haunting him, but they don't believe in such things. Then he sees Stevie Rae Sanders entering the local haunted house, and he thinks he has found someone brave enough to help him. Stevie-girl isn't certain she is all that brave, but she agrees to try. Together they confront The Phantom Pilot. But is it too late, or will he live in Jase's closet forever?

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although for a younger audience, I think this book is a well written ghost story with a strong, likeable and believable female lead - I certainly liked her 'voice' - especially her thoughts about 'not going into the scary house' - a clever way of highlighting the cliche, yet at the same time gives the reader a thought provoking jab - okay, this is going to be interesting!

I don't give spoilers but will say that this story is well worth a look.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to get your mind engaged then this is the read for you. Very thought provoking ideas and scenarios brought to life.

[Angela(demonsangel) Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted on Audible