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The Night Train
The past has come calling in the town of Hush, and for one girl, that means facing her ghosts. Perfect for fans of the satisfyingly scary Small Spaces quartet!Maddie Maverick likes to win. Whether it’s track team races or one-liners she delivers on her parents’ home renovation show, Maddie knows that if she puts in the work, she’ll always come out on top. But things take a turn when her ghost-hunting nana passes away, and Maddie and her twin sister, Nat, discover that Nana left them an unexpected They can now see ghosts just like she did.While Nat is totally on board to try to help some spirits find peace, a ghostly calling is just not Maddie’s speed. So when history comes back to haunt their town, and the story of a decades-old train crash rears its ugly head, Maddie wants nothing to do with the ghosts of days long gone. But one ghost in particular won’t go away, and Maddie might just be the only one with the power to help her—that is, if she can survive the Night Train herself.In this eerie tale by beloved author Lorelei Savaryn, one girl’s determination to bring long-hidden secrets to light might just change her town—and herself—forever.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2024
7 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Lorelei Savaryn
3 books133 followersLorelei Savaryn (loreleisavaryn.com) is an author of creepy, magical stories for children. She holds a BA in creative writing and is a former elementary teacher and instructional coach. When she isn’t writing, she spends her time amidst the beautiful chaos of life with her husband and four children outside of Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 22, 2024
This is very spooky. It’s not Ho-hum, kind of mildly creepy. It’s straight up chills and not wanting to read it at night scary. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would say that if your middle schooler is sensitive, it might be a good idea to skip this one. I know for sure it would have freaked me out as a kid!
The mystery is well-done and the pacing is great. I will definitely be checking out Savaryn’s other books.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I am writing this review voluntarily.
The mystery is well-done and the pacing is great. I will definitely be checking out Savaryn’s other books.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I am writing this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2024
I am not ok! 😭 the grief representation in the book! I’ll have to come back to you more thoughts but it was SO good! Heavy hitting like Edge of in Between but a lot more erie!
October 17, 2024
Great for fans of Lindsay Currie and Victoria Schwab's Cassidy Blake series.
March 26, 2025
This book was so eerie and I’m here for it! It is definitely edgier than the average spooky middle grade. I enjoyed how the plot developed. The sisters are passed down the gift of seeing ghosts after their grandmother passes away. Their family has a renovation YouTube channel and while working in one of the houses the sisters have their first paranormal experience. They work together to navigate and accept their new ability, and figure out how to help the ghosts that they are seeing. They do some research and sleuthing to piece together the mystery of a centuries old catastrophe that happened in their town that resulted in the deaths of a lot of people. I really enjoyed this!
August 10, 2024
There were so many elements I enjoyed about this excellent spooky middle-grade novel! It's set in a small town right around Halloween, leading up to the anniversary of the town's historical train wreck and its reenactment. Twin sisters Maddie and Nat have just found out that they inherited their grandma's ability to see -- and help--ghosts. It also just so happens that their parent renovate old houses for their show, Wrecked to Decked, and they're starting work at the old Signalman's Cottage near the tracks.
The reenactment, the renovation, the girls' new gifts -- and a horrifying realization that so much more than just helping understand the true history of the train wreck, instead of a warped narrative that's been layered over the truth for so many years-- all come together to create great tension and high stakes.
The mystery of what really happened and why kept me guessing until the book's satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend!
The reenactment, the renovation, the girls' new gifts -- and a horrifying realization that so much more than just helping understand the true history of the train wreck, instead of a warped narrative that's been layered over the truth for so many years-- all come together to create great tension and high stakes.
The mystery of what really happened and why kept me guessing until the book's satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend!
October 12, 2024
The Night Train is a thrilling spooky middle grade novel following twins that can see ghosts after their grandma passes away. Their town has a morbid past that comes back to life, with children disappearing on the night of the anniversary. While I found parts to be predictable as an adult, I think middle graders will love the twists and turns. I loved the spooky aspects and the premise.
I received an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Maddie and her twin sister Nat live with their parents, who have a YouTube show called "Wrecked to Decked" and renovate houses in their Midwestern town of Hush. The girls help out and appear on the show, and enjoy this somewhat unusual life. When they visit the sight of the next project, the Signalman's Cottage, Nat says she sees a ghost. The girls' grandmother, who died recently, also had a history of seeing ghosts, but their father always thought it was nonsense. Knowing that, Maddie, who also felt an eerie presence, tells her father that nothing was wrong, angering her sister. The girls are very different; Maddie runs cross country and plays volleyball, and Nat has been obsessed with the paranormal ever since their grandmother passed away. She has done lots of research, and has discovered that the cottage is tied to the most significant event in the town's history, an 1893 train wreck apparently caused when the signalman who drunk and didn't switch the tracks. A passenger train collided with a mail train, and everyone involved was killed. Every year, the town stages a reenactment, which takes place on Halloween. This was the birthday of the conductor, Alphaeus Fink, and also coincidentally Maddie's birthday (Nat was born 1 November). When Maddie lets Nat know she did see the ghost they called Sarah at a previous renovation, and can see the ghost of a girl with her mouth sewn shut at the cottage, the two know that they have to work together, as their grandmother would have, to help the spirits move on. Through their research they, along with classmate Westin, who is helping their parents film the renovations, find out that every 13 years during the reenactment, a child goes missing. Maddie finds a notebook kept by the most recent victim, who was the best friend of Oliver Fairbanks, who has grown up to be their teacher. Because Maddie's birthday is on October 31st, she has a connection to the train wreck, and because she has paranormal abilities, she is able to go through "thin places" and talk to some of the children who have been taken during the reenactment. What's going on? How is the man who acts as the conductor, Mr. Shanek, involved in this? Hush is a creepy place, and the train wreck would add ghosts to any location, but there's even more involved. Westin thinks that what is happening is a curse tied to a deal that someone made, a deal that involves sacrificing children at a regular intervals. There are a lot of pieces to the history and the curse that are revealed in a very tantalizing way that I don't want to wreck. Will Maddie be able to piece them together before she herself is in danger?
Strengths: This was one of those books that cause me to smile because the plot is so clever and I am surprised as to the direction the story is so clever. The history needs to be understood in order to solve the mystery, but there are a lot of layers that are, again, a bit surprising. The tension between the twins added another level of interest, as did the appearance of paranormal powers. I loved the fact that the powers were paralleled with puberty; it's not always something welcome of enjoyable. Maddie doesn't WANT to see ghosts; she just wants to do sports. The twins also argue with their parents, who think that powers are silly and that their grandmother was making up her abilities. That is also a great way to explain how the parent child relationship changes in the tween years. The story of the conductor and his daughter, who is the ghost with her mouth sewn shut, was very interesting, and I was glad that we do get to hear her side of the story at the end of the book. Westin is a helpful character to have to balance out the twins. The fact that the reenactment is occurring in just a few days lends an air of urgency to the story. Very well done, and probably going to be my favorite book of the month! (It's the first book I read in May, so I should at least keep an open mind.)
Weaknesses: This is another title I read while on a bus of 8th graders going to DC, and the intricacies of plot involving the times on the watches took more mental effort to figure out than I had. Also kind of doubt that the watch company would still have any records of a watch purchase from that long ago. Did enjoy the fact that the children went to the library to research the event in the newspapers!
What I really think: This had an effective blend of history, mystery, and horror that will appeal to fans of Currie's It Found Us, Cohen's The Shadow Grave, and Duga's The Ghost in the Headlights. Feels a bit like some of Dan Poblocki or Mary Downing Hahn's work, which is always a good thing.
Maddie and her twin sister Nat live with their parents, who have a YouTube show called "Wrecked to Decked" and renovate houses in their Midwestern town of Hush. The girls help out and appear on the show, and enjoy this somewhat unusual life. When they visit the sight of the next project, the Signalman's Cottage, Nat says she sees a ghost. The girls' grandmother, who died recently, also had a history of seeing ghosts, but their father always thought it was nonsense. Knowing that, Maddie, who also felt an eerie presence, tells her father that nothing was wrong, angering her sister. The girls are very different; Maddie runs cross country and plays volleyball, and Nat has been obsessed with the paranormal ever since their grandmother passed away. She has done lots of research, and has discovered that the cottage is tied to the most significant event in the town's history, an 1893 train wreck apparently caused when the signalman who drunk and didn't switch the tracks. A passenger train collided with a mail train, and everyone involved was killed. Every year, the town stages a reenactment, which takes place on Halloween. This was the birthday of the conductor, Alphaeus Fink, and also coincidentally Maddie's birthday (Nat was born 1 November). When Maddie lets Nat know she did see the ghost they called Sarah at a previous renovation, and can see the ghost of a girl with her mouth sewn shut at the cottage, the two know that they have to work together, as their grandmother would have, to help the spirits move on. Through their research they, along with classmate Westin, who is helping their parents film the renovations, find out that every 13 years during the reenactment, a child goes missing. Maddie finds a notebook kept by the most recent victim, who was the best friend of Oliver Fairbanks, who has grown up to be their teacher. Because Maddie's birthday is on October 31st, she has a connection to the train wreck, and because she has paranormal abilities, she is able to go through "thin places" and talk to some of the children who have been taken during the reenactment. What's going on? How is the man who acts as the conductor, Mr. Shanek, involved in this? Hush is a creepy place, and the train wreck would add ghosts to any location, but there's even more involved. Westin thinks that what is happening is a curse tied to a deal that someone made, a deal that involves sacrificing children at a regular intervals. There are a lot of pieces to the history and the curse that are revealed in a very tantalizing way that I don't want to wreck. Will Maddie be able to piece them together before she herself is in danger?
Strengths: This was one of those books that cause me to smile because the plot is so clever and I am surprised as to the direction the story is so clever. The history needs to be understood in order to solve the mystery, but there are a lot of layers that are, again, a bit surprising. The tension between the twins added another level of interest, as did the appearance of paranormal powers. I loved the fact that the powers were paralleled with puberty; it's not always something welcome of enjoyable. Maddie doesn't WANT to see ghosts; she just wants to do sports. The twins also argue with their parents, who think that powers are silly and that their grandmother was making up her abilities. That is also a great way to explain how the parent child relationship changes in the tween years. The story of the conductor and his daughter, who is the ghost with her mouth sewn shut, was very interesting, and I was glad that we do get to hear her side of the story at the end of the book. Westin is a helpful character to have to balance out the twins. The fact that the reenactment is occurring in just a few days lends an air of urgency to the story. Very well done, and probably going to be my favorite book of the month! (It's the first book I read in May, so I should at least keep an open mind.)
Weaknesses: This is another title I read while on a bus of 8th graders going to DC, and the intricacies of plot involving the times on the watches took more mental effort to figure out than I had. Also kind of doubt that the watch company would still have any records of a watch purchase from that long ago. Did enjoy the fact that the children went to the library to research the event in the newspapers!
What I really think: This had an effective blend of history, mystery, and horror that will appeal to fans of Currie's It Found Us, Cohen's The Shadow Grave, and Duga's The Ghost in the Headlights. Feels a bit like some of Dan Poblocki or Mary Downing Hahn's work, which is always a good thing.
August 31, 2024
How can I express how much I enjoyed The Night Train, the third book by Penguin Random House Author Lorelei Savaryn? If you’re looking for the perfect Autumn read, this is it!!
While it’s designed for the middle grade genre, I found it to be delightful at 60 years old. This would be a fantastic book club book for so many reasons.
I expected to be spooked, but I never expected to be moved to tears. But Savaryn did both in a beautifully crafted novel about the detrimental effects of secrets in this world and in the world beyond.
I was immediately drawn into the family’s adventures with their youtube home renovation show “Wrecked to Decked.” As a kid, my siblings and I were a part of our family’s business so I instantly found myself invested in the family dynamic.
The relationship between Maddie and Nat was so sweet, yet strained, as Maddie betrayed her twin sister in order to avoid an uncomfortable situation caused by the ghostly gift their departed Nana left for them. The scenarios that unfolded because of Maddie and Nat’s ability to communicate with ghosts were intriguing, thought provoking and downright scary!!
I loved the revelations of the villain’s cunning ways as he tried to “craft” what was true to suit himself while disregarding everyone around him. Seeing the consequences of his manipulative behaviors can open doors to meaningful conversations about how our actions, or inactions, can impact others.
It was heartwarming to experience the characters pulling together for a beautiful cause, even though it would have been easier for all of them to turn a blind eye to others in need. I appreciated the threads of faith woven throughout this tale.
It felt so good to see Maddie grow, throughout the story, in courage and honor and to “look on” as her relationship with Nat transformed. In fact some of the resolutions, with the earthly and ghostly people alike, caused me to weep.
I had greatly anticipated this release because of how much I loved Savaryn’s first two novels for Penguin Random House. She did not disappoint. In fact, Savaryn did it again. Again, she brought me into a story so deeply that I could “see” the landscapes vividly, “hear” the sounds clearly and “feel” the feelings fully.
It feels like magic to read a book that escorts you to a new place with new adventures to the point you forget you’re reading. But that’s what Savaryn has done. Every single time. I always feel like, somehow, she’s reading what’s long been in my heart. She perfectly describes experiences in ways I couldn’t have imagined before reading her expertly designed tales.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for this fantastic author!!!!
While it’s designed for the middle grade genre, I found it to be delightful at 60 years old. This would be a fantastic book club book for so many reasons.
I expected to be spooked, but I never expected to be moved to tears. But Savaryn did both in a beautifully crafted novel about the detrimental effects of secrets in this world and in the world beyond.
I was immediately drawn into the family’s adventures with their youtube home renovation show “Wrecked to Decked.” As a kid, my siblings and I were a part of our family’s business so I instantly found myself invested in the family dynamic.
The relationship between Maddie and Nat was so sweet, yet strained, as Maddie betrayed her twin sister in order to avoid an uncomfortable situation caused by the ghostly gift their departed Nana left for them. The scenarios that unfolded because of Maddie and Nat’s ability to communicate with ghosts were intriguing, thought provoking and downright scary!!
I loved the revelations of the villain’s cunning ways as he tried to “craft” what was true to suit himself while disregarding everyone around him. Seeing the consequences of his manipulative behaviors can open doors to meaningful conversations about how our actions, or inactions, can impact others.
It was heartwarming to experience the characters pulling together for a beautiful cause, even though it would have been easier for all of them to turn a blind eye to others in need. I appreciated the threads of faith woven throughout this tale.
It felt so good to see Maddie grow, throughout the story, in courage and honor and to “look on” as her relationship with Nat transformed. In fact some of the resolutions, with the earthly and ghostly people alike, caused me to weep.
I had greatly anticipated this release because of how much I loved Savaryn’s first two novels for Penguin Random House. She did not disappoint. In fact, Savaryn did it again. Again, she brought me into a story so deeply that I could “see” the landscapes vividly, “hear” the sounds clearly and “feel” the feelings fully.
It feels like magic to read a book that escorts you to a new place with new adventures to the point you forget you’re reading. But that’s what Savaryn has done. Every single time. I always feel like, somehow, she’s reading what’s long been in my heart. She perfectly describes experiences in ways I couldn’t have imagined before reading her expertly designed tales.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for this fantastic author!!!!
August 4, 2024
Night Train by Lorelei Savaryn offers an eerie, atmospheric journey into the supernatural with a compelling premise. Maddie Maverick, a determined and competitive protagonist, grapples with her newfound ability to see ghosts following her ghost-hunting nana’s death. Alongside her twin sister Nat, Maddie faces the haunting legacy of a decades-old train crash in their town of Hush.
Savaryn's writing shines when it comes to setting the scene. The town of Hush is vividly depicted, enhancing the spooky undertones of the story. The tension and suspense are palpable, especially as the history of the Night Train begins to unravel. Fans of middle-grade horror, like the Small Spaces quartet, will appreciate the chills and thrills this book provides.
However, the story's pacing occasionally falters, and some plot points feel underdeveloped. Maddie's reluctance to engage with her ghostly abilities and competitive nature are well-established, but her character development sometimes feels rushed and lacks depth. The supporting characters, including Nat, could have been given more complexity to enrich the narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, Night Train delivers a satisfying ghost story with a heartfelt message about facing one's fears and uncovering long-buried truths. It's an engaging read for younger audiences who enjoy a good scare, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of other books in the genre.
Overall, Night Train is a solid three-star read. It offers an enjoyable, if not entirely flawless, supernatural adventure.
Savaryn's writing shines when it comes to setting the scene. The town of Hush is vividly depicted, enhancing the spooky undertones of the story. The tension and suspense are palpable, especially as the history of the Night Train begins to unravel. Fans of middle-grade horror, like the Small Spaces quartet, will appreciate the chills and thrills this book provides.
However, the story's pacing occasionally falters, and some plot points feel underdeveloped. Maddie's reluctance to engage with her ghostly abilities and competitive nature are well-established, but her character development sometimes feels rushed and lacks depth. The supporting characters, including Nat, could have been given more complexity to enrich the narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, Night Train delivers a satisfying ghost story with a heartfelt message about facing one's fears and uncovering long-buried truths. It's an engaging read for younger audiences who enjoy a good scare, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of other books in the genre.
Overall, Night Train is a solid three-star read. It offers an enjoyable, if not entirely flawless, supernatural adventure.
May 10, 2024
Twins about to turn 13 learn they've inherited their recently deceased grandmother's ability to communicate with souls that are unable to rest. Like their grandmother, they consider it their duty to help those souls, even when it requires the girls to defy their parents, who refuse to believe them. As they seek to help the soul of a little girl they encounter in a home their parents are renovating, Maddie (the narrator) and Nat discover that one of them is now in danger. Their friend's Catholic faith helps him understand and explain how the concept of thin places and an actual Faustian bargain factor into an historic event in their home town. This understanding leads the two to a willingness to risk their own lives in order to help souls from the past (all of which were children) and to protect children in the future. The novel definitely has an eerie aspect, but that's more from the character who'd sold his soul to the devil than from the souls of the children, and the suspense was off the charts. There's no violence, but the story is definitely intense. Recommended for middle-school students.
October 3, 2024
This is a fun middle grade horror about twins who inherit the ability to see ghosts when their grandmother dies, who also had that ability. Nana would help ghosts cross the barrier between life and death by solving their unfinished business. Oldest twin Maddie doesn't want the ability, unlike her sister Nat, and she resents that it's been thrust upon her. Her parents are home renovators who are hoping to make it big with a show. Their next project is a historic home in the town of Hush, the signalman's cottage. Long ago, there was a disastrous train crash on Halloween, blamed on the signalman, and the town reenacts that train crash every 13 years. This year is the year for the reenactment, and Halloween is also Maddie's birthday. When the twins see a ghost in the signalman's cottage, they'll have to start making connections about what really happened at the train crash before it's too late.
I love the concept of a historic train crash. And super cool that it takes place on Halloween! I didn't love some of the twin tropes, but that wouldn't have bothered me as a kid.
I love the concept of a historic train crash. And super cool that it takes place on Halloween! I didn't love some of the twin tropes, but that wouldn't have bothered me as a kid.
May 7, 2025
Maddie and Nat may be twins, but the distance between them has only grown over the years. Maddie wants a normal life--she wants no part of her grandmother's "gift" of communicating with ghosts. Nat wants to use their gift for good, but that would make their lives far from normal. Their parents' newest home renovation project introduced a new complication and leaves the girls with a choice--one that might save a life as well as help the dead, but only if they act before time runs out.
In spite of the paranormal angle, there's something about this that feels reminiscent of old school middle grade mysteries like The Boxcar Children or The Hardy Boys. You have a few wholesome determined kids doing their own sleuthing with just a little assistance/support from a kindly adult or two, and even though things get a little spooky, you know the kids are going to figure it out. A solid read for middle graders who are looking to dabble in creepier books before going straight to, say...Small Spaces (Katherine Arden).
In spite of the paranormal angle, there's something about this that feels reminiscent of old school middle grade mysteries like The Boxcar Children or The Hardy Boys. You have a few wholesome determined kids doing their own sleuthing with just a little assistance/support from a kindly adult or two, and even though things get a little spooky, you know the kids are going to figure it out. A solid read for middle graders who are looking to dabble in creepier books before going straight to, say...Small Spaces (Katherine Arden).
July 27, 2024
The Night Train is a fun and spooky read following twins, Maddie and Nat as they figure out their newly inherited ghost-seeing gift. The twins, who've always done everything together, start seeing their differences when Nat embraces the gift, but Maddie would rather follow their parents' belief that ghosts aren't real. That is until the dreams start, and Maddie can no longer deny that she and the ghost haunting the house their family is renovating have something spooky in common.
Together, along with the help of a new friend, the girls learn the ins and outs of the the afterlife along with the chilling past of their hometown.
If you enjoy close, first person POV, stories about learning who you really are, complicated family dynamics, and all things speculative, then you will love this story as much as I did from the very first page. It will take you on a wild ride of bravery, courage, and friendship all while gripping you emotionally.
Together, along with the help of a new friend, the girls learn the ins and outs of the the afterlife along with the chilling past of their hometown.
If you enjoy close, first person POV, stories about learning who you really are, complicated family dynamics, and all things speculative, then you will love this story as much as I did from the very first page. It will take you on a wild ride of bravery, courage, and friendship all while gripping you emotionally.
March 8, 2025
Twins Maddie and Maddie and her twin sister Nat have discovered that when their Nana died, she left them something completely unique--a burden for the ghosts of people stuck in the world and unable to move on. Nat embraces this gift, but Maddie resists until she is confronted with the unavoidable need to use it. When their town of Hush prepares to reenact a train crash that killed a significant number of passengers and crew from two trains, Maddie and Nat discover a sinister secret --that every 13 years at the reenactment, a 13-year-old born on Halloween disappears and is never found. With the help of a friend and a teacher whose own friend was lost, Maddie and Nat race to identify and break the curse on their town, help the ghosts of the train wreck, and save Maddie from her own disappearance. This book was expertly creepy! It was hard to put down as the author kept the suspense just bearable.
October 14, 2024
I am not a fan of spooky. The reviews saying this book was legit creepy gave me a bit of hesitation. But, I know that Lorelei is a seriously talented writer and I absolutely loved her first two books. So a long, cold October weekend at the cabin seemed the perfect time and place to give it a try. And I’m so glad I finally did.
As with her other books, the characters are relatable kids, dealing with real challenges. Regardless of your opinion of the supernatural, the struggle to embrace your true self and not always put on a facade that others will like is probably the biggest challenge for pre-teens.
The writing is smooth. The plot is just the right amount of complicated. The story is definitely spooky, but not too much to be avoided if that’s not your thing. While this is not my favorite book of Lorelei’s, I think it might have the most universal appeal.
As with her other books, the characters are relatable kids, dealing with real challenges. Regardless of your opinion of the supernatural, the struggle to embrace your true self and not always put on a facade that others will like is probably the biggest challenge for pre-teens.
The writing is smooth. The plot is just the right amount of complicated. The story is definitely spooky, but not too much to be avoided if that’s not your thing. While this is not my favorite book of Lorelei’s, I think it might have the most universal appeal.
December 28, 2024
In THE NIGHT TRAIN, as the once every 13 years reenactment of a tragic train crash in their town approaches, a set of twins uses their ability to see ghosts to unravel a century long mystery of unsolved disappearances related to the event. When their family begins work on the historic Signalman’s Cottage by the train tracks as part of their home renovation show, the twins begin to peel back the layers and dig into history of the long-ago disaster, then develop a risky plan to correct wrongs from the past. The twins have distinct personalities, with one more willing to lean into the ability to see ghosts than the other. As the story progresses, Maddie, the more hesitant twin, demonstrates growth as she overcomes her fears to save others. This fast-paced pairing of historical mystery with creepy supernatural elements will keep readers at the edges of their seats.
February 8, 2025
I decided to read this middle grade book so I could read it with my middle schooler. It had thoroughly creepy vibes that made her incredibly happy!
The plot includes a mystery, and I’m impressed at how well the chilling features were done for a book that’s aimed at a younger audience. Will probably be buying a hard copy for my daughter!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the gifted copy. All views are my own.
The plot includes a mystery, and I’m impressed at how well the chilling features were done for a book that’s aimed at a younger audience. Will probably be buying a hard copy for my daughter!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the gifted copy. All views are my own.
March 17, 2025
Maddie and her twin Nat seem to have inherited their late grandmother’s ability to see ghosts. While helping their home-renovating television star parents, they encounter a ghost who clearly has a story to tell. As the reenactment of their town’s historic and tragic train crash approaches, they realize that several ghosts need their help and they might also be in danger themselves. Fans of scary books will find this creepy and satisfying!
June 30, 2024
I was instantly drawn in by Maddie, and her tween struggles (including getting along with twin sister Nat). The scary element was blended so well with the historical mystery, and I quickly forgot that this was a book for kids.
The Night Train is a clever, top-notch scary mystery with absorbing characters, perfect for fans of Small Spaces. Highly recommend it.
The Night Train is a clever, top-notch scary mystery with absorbing characters, perfect for fans of Small Spaces. Highly recommend it.
October 26, 2024
I liked this one, but I’m not sure it would be a good fit for EC8 due to some content (deals with devils, spiritualism, etc). I do love a good author’s note! This one has some history of trains wrecks connecting to the story. I didn’t know that the expression “on the ball” likely came from the accuracy of Ball watches which were created to try to avoid train collisions.
October 12, 2024
wow, this was such a fun read! nat and maddy's journey was full of heart and mystery, and the spooky atmosphere totally pulled me in. i loved how their bond developed and the twists kept me hooked. it was dark but still had moments of hope, which made it really stand out for me!
October 28, 2024
This was a fun read! Maddie and Nat help their parents with their home renovation show, which was a fun angle to see in a middle grade book. The ghost train is plenty creepy and the twists along the way are super satisfying.
November 14, 2024
Great story! Maddie and Nat Maverick received an inheritance from their Nana who recently passed away .. they can now see ghosts.
A long ago train train wreck rears it's ugly head ... will they survive the midnight train.
A long ago train train wreck rears it's ugly head ... will they survive the midnight train.
September 15, 2024
I love trains, Halloween and a good mystery. This was a perfect fall read.
October 2, 2024
A fantastic ghost story that will leave you guessing until the very end.
October 3, 2024
3.75
Such a fun book to read. Definitely would scare me as a kid but it gives a fall feel.
Such a fun book to read. Definitely would scare me as a kid but it gives a fall feel.
October 8, 2024
A good recommendation for kids who also like the Small Spaces series.
November 6, 2024
An eerie ghostly mystery with fabulous historical details and a true to life main character! I love love love the train setting.
November 19, 2024
Spooky, creepy! A great middle school horror.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews