The Ghost Ring: Welcome to Wilder House

by Tom Hoffman

New release from the author of The Translucent Boy! Simon Moody’s mom inherits her wealthy Uncle Edmund’s estate, giving them more than enough money to pay all four years of Simon’s upcoming college tuition. The only problem is, they have to leave Brooklyn, move to the little town of Caligo Falls, and make Wilder House, the infamous Victorian mansion built by Edmund’s grandfather in 1905, their new home. They’ve also inherited a mysterious caretaker named Harrington, and a punctual but melancholy cook, Mrs. Morley.

Edmund Wilder leaves Simon a mysterious ring, along with a cryptic note, a quote from Hamlet. There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Simon and his new friend Clara Barley soon find themselves entangled in the unfathomable, sometimes terrifying, sometimes heartbreaking mysteries of Wilder House.

Welcome to Caligo Falls, New Hampshire, population 329, not including ghosts.

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

A veteran author of thrilling young adult and middle grade adventure stories, Tom Hoffman received a B.S. in psychology from Georgetown University and a B.A from the now-defunct Oregon College of Art. He has lived in Alaska with his wife Alexis since 1973. They have two adult children and four amazing grandchildren. Tom has been a graphic designer and artist for over 35 years. Redirecting his imagination from art to writing, he wrote his first novel, The Eleventh Ring, at age 63.

The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse adventures are multi-leveled stories and have been compared to classics such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and Neverending Story. The books were written for his grandchildren to first enjoy as thrilling adventure tales; then as adults to discover the underlying themes of ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, quantum physics, and spirituality. A common theme is the idea that there is no magic, only science we don't understand. The books were written to provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see all life as a single force, all life equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!

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Reviews

[Brenda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This is a very good book. The story was very interesting and the characters were great. You did a very good job. A must read.

[Lory A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great feel good story! It seemed it eluded to another book, continuing their adventure perhaps but ... No way! Oh well.

[Rea Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother and son, recently abandoned by their husband and father, receive an unexpected, though spooky inheritance from a long lost great uncle. This book has it all: ghosts, magic, time travel, unimaginable wealth, romance and hilarious dialogue. I so enjoyed this new facet of Tom Hoffman's considerable imagination. Another story of his that both adults and tweens/teens will all enjoy. It should be a movie. Keep them coming!

[merlin513 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have absolutely ADORED this book when I was younger. I’m old as dirt now and still enjoyed it immensely!

It’s the rags to riches, cluttered great-aunt’s attic to pilfer thru that all kids dream of. Life changing, world encompassing adventure all found in the comfort of a good book.

I heartily endorse this series to any parents with their own little Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, Mummy loving offspring.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Once I started reading it I didn’t want to put it down. Kept my interest from the first page to the last. I really hope this will be the first in a great series. Please more 😃

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neat Story

Very interesting storyline -- multifaceted and not always what you expect. There's humor as well. Editor should have caught a few things; but nothing that detracts. Recommend for tweens and those who enjoy ya books.