Ghost Writers: The Haunting of Lake Lucy

by Sandy Deutscher Green, Blas Madera (cover_art)

Genres: Novel In Verse, Horror, Mystery, Childrens

294 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

My poetry has appeared in children's, university, national, and international journals. My children’s work is included in Chicken Soup for the Child’s Soul, Highlights for Children, and poetry anthology Words and Other Wild Things.

I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the author of two children’s novels and two poetry collections.

Before the pandemic, I served as the literature judge for my local PTA Reflections Art Program.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

When the author contacted me on Twitter after I retweeted her tweet about her book I just couldn't say no. I just love spooky books and while I am not 100% on the fence about verse I was curious about a spooky book featuring verse. Mostly verse is used for non-spooky books, more serious books. So I was eager to see how it worked out!

Well, the start was a bit slow for me, at times I had to reread because sometimes things just hopped from one to another and I felt like I missed things, plus I was still getting into the verses and all the fun stuff the author did with that, but after 50 pages it started to kick off for me and I was really invested. Before I knew it I read the whole book. Yep. I just couldn't stop reading. I have to say it wasn't as scary as I had thought it would be but it was still a very good book with some very spooky moments. More on that later!

First up, meet our MC, hello to Jayce! Jayce and his family are staying at Lake Lucy for a fun summer time, but quite soon we see that something spooky is happening in the abandoned house next to their home. Plus, the strange dreams that Jayce is having and that freak him out. Eventually he, with the help of his twin sister who is just a bit braver and the support of a new friend named Blas, posts a letter in the mailbox of the abandoned home to ask the ghost some serious questions (including the ghost's name, but also why the heck is there a rowboat in the room, yes a rowboat). This let me to think hard on how US mailboxes work again and as for this review I looked it up. Interesting idea that whole flag, and wow that you can even have the postman pick up mail for you? But back to the book! Our MC is exchanging some letters with the mysterious ghost. Though I quickly had a feel there was more to it than just ghostly business, the way the letters were written just seemed off to me. And that sparked an interest in me. Because is it or isn't it a ghost? And if it isn't, who is replying and who is working on that rowboat in the house next door? I was very curious and I love the conclusion to that. I won't tell you. You will have to read it! But you are in for a ride!

There are also some spooky moments. Like the dreams which were scary, but later on things get really creepy and a tad scary and I loved every moment of it. Think spooky mists. Think something is not happy with certain things happening. Especially the later part of the book just went up in speed.

Oh, and I liked both the twin sister, Evie and Jayce's new friend: Blas. They were great characters and brought something extra to the story. Evie with her bravery and I loved how she was willing to help out her brother BUT only if he did something back for her, and those things back were just very wholesome. Like doing an activity together. And Blas, the new friend, was just such a fun character, I love how he believed Jayce. I was a bit worried when Jayce told him about the ghost stuff, but Blas was fully into it and that was so fun.

I loved finding out more about what was happening and the history of the lake. About the families there. And see how all the puzzle pieces just clicked together.

Oh, and I love how the author did the verse. Some books just keep the verse one way, but this author added thoughts, little explanations in special verse, bold and cursive were added, there were words or letters to be found that formed a sentence or a word. It was a lot of fun! As I said, I had to get into it for a bit, but after a while I just loved it.

All in all, if you want a fun spooky summer read told in verse be sure to check out this book. It is perfect for this upcoming summer months. And I will be looking forward to what is next for this author!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Rapunzel Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunting of Lake Lucy is a fast-paced novel-in-verse that I highly enjoyed. I love novels in verse, but as someone who often steers clear of stories whose central plot reduces me to tears, I often sample the genre somewhat liberally. The Haunting of Lake Lucy satisfied my wish for an interesting, multilayered verse book that left me excited and wishing I could read more.

Green’s well-written, descriptive verse propels the story forward and dropped me directly into Jayce’s thoughts and feelings, a level of personal intensity lent by the format which truly brought the story alive. It took me a few poems to orient myself to the characters and setting, but once I’d gotten to know them, I was able to truly absorb myself in the story. The setting felt particularly well-imagined to me—the mythos surrounding Lucy and the descriptions of the lake were notably vivid—and helped immerse me in the story.

Although parts of this book were definitely creepy, I still found it appealing and engaging as someone who doesn’t always like horror-leaning stories (I’d place the level of creepiness around, or slightly less than, books like The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle and The Thickety).

Release date: May 14, 2024
Thank you to Sandy Deutscher Green for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Gary Anderson]

Sandy Deutscher Green’s The Haunting of Lake Lucy (Monarch Educational Services, 2024) is a middle grade horror novel in verse. The main characters are thirteen-year old twins Jayce and Evie. Their family’s summer stay at Virginia’s Lake Lucy begins as a beach vacation but soon turns into an adventure featuring a haunted house, a ghost story from the not too distant past, unexplainable lights and other eerie happenings, and a mysterious older boy who doesn’t interact with the other vacationing kids. While reading The Haunting of Lake Lucy I thought I had figured out what was behind all the strange phenomena. I was definitely wrong, but I won’t say here whether the ending leaves the ghost story intact.

Green’s poetry is accessible enough to understand easily but varied enough to enhance various moods and narrative purposes. Her primary poetic form is unpunctuated phrases that read like quick-moving, partially-formed ideas–sort of like what might float through the minds of adolescents in summer mode. The horror in The Haunting of Lake Lucy is gore-free, but the supernatural elements will keep readers turning the pages.

I’ve seen a lot of requests lately for middle grade verse novel suggestions from parents, teachers, and librarians. Middle grade horror novels in verse are rare, and this one can fill many of those recommendations. The Haunting of Lake Lucy is a perfect summer read for those who like spooky stories, mysteries, or verse novels.

Blas Madera’s cover art is especially striking and appealing. The cover also suggests that The Haunting of Lake Lucy may be part of something called Ghost Writers. If this title is any indication of the quality of a series, it’s worth following.

This review is cross-posted in slightly different form on my What's Not Wrong? blog.

[Stephanie Cotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique, spooky tale about a young boy and his sister unraveling a ghostly mystery at their family's summer vacation spot. This was my first novel-in-verse I've read, and since I'm new to this genre, the story took me a bit to get in to. There was plenty of clever prose, phrasing, and poetic tools that I enjoyed, but there were times I lost sense of the action beats in the story. That could just be me, though!

Ghost Writers is a great place to start for young readers interested in poetry, and if you're a fan of novels-in-verse, you'll certainly enjoy Green's writing and storytelling chops.

[Amily D'Nas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandy Deutcher Green's middle grade fiction story, The Haunting of Lake Lucy, was superbly done! This novel in verse drew me in as the storyline and mystery unfolded. It was age appropriate and just the right amount of spooky for middle grade readers. It made me feel like a kid again as the characters were well developed with traits of curiosity and active imaginations. I saw a lot of my younger self and friends I grew up with reflected in these characters. Really enjoyable read that kids will love!

[Caitlin Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy and his twin sister suspect a ghost is lurking at the vacant home next door at their summer vacation rental-- told in-verse! This was the first novel-in-verse I've ever read, and I loved that it was spooky and fun. Loved the environmental descriptions of the lake environment, as well.

[Sandi Brann · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy spooky middle grade stories and novels in verse, this book might be right up your alley.

Combining summer vacation, friendships, a possibly haunted lake, and a mysterious pen pal, The Haunting of Lake Lucy is a fun, fast read, sure to entertain!

[Laura Petrisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I’ve read a novel in verse and I’m hooked. Sandy Deutscher Green is masterful at her craft. The book captured my attention at the first page and never let go! So many book endings are predictable. This one was not. I never knew what would happens next. When Jayce and his twin, Evie, vacation with their parents at Lake Lucy, no one is expecting eerie things to be happening in the abandoned house next door. One thing leads to another and Jayce finds himself communicating with a ghost. Evie is in on it and I like the relationship the twins have - close, but not sickenly sweet.

The Haunting Of Lake Lucy is a great read for middle schoolers. Shoot, it’s a great read for adults! If you want a book that will keep you guessing until the end, this is it!

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 This was my first horror middle-grade, thriller, a ghost story... and it was awesome. Reads fast because it's in verse, but also because of the thrill of the theme. Summer vacation by the lake and the possibility of these twin siblings communicating with a ghost. Who is he/she? What secrets are behind the abandoned cabin?
Fun for ghost story readers, not very scary. It has a great ending, the author addresses all questions, with a display of humanity bravery, and friendship. The supernatural elements are good too and creepy.

I love the extras: the correspondence between the twins and the Ghost, the dreams, and the footnotes are poems too. Has a link at the end of the book for the reading guide and contact for important resources.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunting of Lake Lucy weaves ghost story and summer vacation at the lake together. I loved how the author often dropped more information into the story, by highlighting particular letters throughout poems. The story twists kept me guessing, but I also appreciating the bread crumbs of evidence dropped before they happened. Looking back I could see the twists had solid foundations. I think this may be the first middle grade ghost story novel-in-verse I have read. And I really enjoyed it!

[Stacey Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle grade novel-in-verse was a delight to read from start to finish! Beautifully written and lyrical, it reminded me of days gone by, summers at the lake, and children spending time outdoors and having adventures. If you have a child who loves all things spooky like mine, then I can highly recommend this book! And with its exceptionally gorgeous cover, it will make a beautiful addition to any home, school, or library.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not really a fan of spooky books, but a spooky novel in verse piqued my interest. I devoured it! I enjoyed twins Jayce and Evie’s vacation to Lake Lucy with their parents. I was sucked into their journey to learn about the ghost from the dilapidated house next door, and I can certainly say they got more than they bargained for. Great read!

[Paige V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayce wants to solve the mystery of the house next door.

Jayce, a 13-year-old boy, is on vacation with his family at Lake Lucy. Despite the idyllic surroundings, Jayce can't shake off the unease whenever he sees the house next door. It's the same house that haunts his dreams night after night. Determined to uncover the mystery behind the eerie house, Jayce and his twin sister, Evie, start writing to the ghost next door. As they delve deeper into the chilling history of the house, they realize that some secrets are better left untouched. Will Jayce be able to solve the mystery before it's too late?

I was absolutely captivated by this spine-chilling horror fiction in verse. I was hooked on the first page and couldn't put it down. The author's masterful use of poetic language to convey the suspense and terror of the story was impressive. The use of verse added to the overall sense of unease, and I loved how it gave a sense of rhythm to the story.
The mystery and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself constantly second-guessing what would happen next. But the ghostly presence lurking throughout the book sent shivers down my spine. Though I would have loved to see more of it, the glimpses we got were enough to send chills down my spine.

Jayce was a fascinating character, and his curiosity and intelligence made him the perfect protagonist for this eerie tale. Blas, while not the most memorable character, still played an essential role in the story. And Evie... well, let's say that her bravery in the face of unspeakable horrors is something to be admired.

Overall, it was a unique and captivating read that encouraged me to explore more horror-in-verse books. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and isn't afraid of a bit of spookiness. Just make sure to read it with the lights on.

Happy Spooky Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚

Pub date: May 14, 2024; you don’t want to miss this one!

Thank you to the author for sharing this excellent horror-in-verse with me. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayce and his twin sister Evie, who are 13, are spending a few weeks vacationing on Lake Lucy with their parents. Next to the place they’re renting is an abandoned, falling down house surrounded by an overgrown yard. At the lake’s beach, they hear the rumors about the house, which is said to be haunted: there was a girl named Lucy who went out on the lake in a rowboat but was never seen again. When Jayce starts having nightmares about the house, and then sees flickering lights in the windows, he and Evie decide that there’s a ghost there. They write a series of letters to the ghost, put them in the mailbox, and the letters are answered! The kids try to figure out who or what is writing the letters, and what they want.

I was initially drawn in by the great cover art. This is the first time that I’ve read horror in verse. The author uses different rhyme forms in one to three page chapters with headings. Jayce tells the story, and the verse is mostly his ruminations on his fears, nightmares, and efforts to solve the mystery, including figuring out how a ghost could steal his sister’s favorite stuffed animal. There are some scary moments, and a few really suspenseful ones that take place on the lake with an invisible ghostly force. I like that Jayce figures out the mystery and grows more confident from the experience.

I didn’t think that the verse created the chills that a traditionally written novel may have. The verses felt disjointed to me. The discovery that a human contributed to most of the ghostly phenomena felt like a letdown to me.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayce is the quieter of the twins but he still has an adventurous spirit and when he dreams of the ghost next door he gets his sister to help with the investigation. What he finds is both more mundane and more spooky than he imagined! With the letters from the ghost, Jayce's dreams and the creepy mist appearing, you never know what is real or what is imagination.

This is a great option if you want to try out a poetry style novel. Even though I'm not used to reading poetry, the writing flowed really easily. I also enjoyed the clever use of different formats, like highlighted words telling a different story. I would have liked more of those as I expected a bit more variety in the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story's descriptive detail, thoughtful verse, and the relationship between the siblings and the lake setting all contribute to its charm and mystery. It evokes memories of the carefree days of summer break when children were free to roam and not tethered to a computer. As kids, we would let our imaginations run wild, seeking the magic and delicious horror in old, spooky houses. It reminded me of the ghost stories we would share around campfires and the tales we would tell to one-up our friends.

[Calinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Haunting of Lake Lucy offers a tale of horror suitable for children, which is a rare find in today's literature market. To find one in verse is even more rare, and sets this one apart as unique. However, the youngest of readers in this book's target audience may find th verse off-putting, as it makes the story considerably more complex to read than if it were prose.
For more details, see my full review at Compass Book Ratings:
https://www.compassbookratings.com/gh...

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first ghost story I've read in verse and it flew by. I enjoyed the characters, the family relationships, the friendships, and the lake setting. The mystery kept me guessing and even gasping out loud. A twist I didn't seen coming, but it's foundation was all there upon retrospect, made this fun. The scary level is perfect for middle grade readers with lots of action, suspense, and tense survival moments. I received an e-ARC in return for an honest review.

[Sandy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a chance writing a novel-in-verse ghost story, but I'm glad I did! I think readers will like the short sentences and fun clues hidden in the some of the poems. But above all, a good ghost story is a safe place for kids to navigate their fears, especially when they can go along with the characters and watch them interact with their friends and family. Thanks for reading!

[Sandy Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, and a great way to introduce kids to poetry! Middle graders will love this unique, spooky horror-in-verse! Highly recommend it!

[Ava F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, not only is it a fantastic spooky book but it’s also in verse! Which I thought was really cool because I haven’t read a spooky book in verse before.

[Danielle M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novels-in-verse are used routinely in works that tug at your heartstrings and have you reaching for tissue but the strong emotion evoked in this NIV is of a different sort-that eerie, deliciously scary feeling that middle grade readers love. Jayce, his twin sister Evie and their parents are vacationing beside a haunted house along a lake with a sad history. When something enters his dreams, Jayce begins to investigate by leaving letters in the mailbox at the creepy house and gets answers from the ghost who soon starts making demands. Sandy Green’s verse runs the gamut: free verse, rhyming couplets, some shape poetry, creative use of bolded letters as well as shaded portions of text. There is even an example of line palindrome. Her characters are clearly developed and the mystery grows with every chapter. Along with the ghostly storyline are subplots of making friends and getting along with siblings. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Ideal for grades 4-8.

[Lori Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunting of Lake Lucy is a fun novel in verse that follows siblings as they quickly realize that the place is not what it seems. Strange occurrences and ghostly encounters start happening, turning their summer getaway into a thrilling and spooky adventure. The novel, written in verse, adds a unique and poetic element to the story, enhancing the atmosphere and immersing the reader in the haunting world of Lake Lucy. With its blend of fun and fear, this book is sure to captivate readers who enjoy a good ghost story.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

A spooky middle grade horror novel in verse! I've always thought that the atmospheric nature of horror would lend itself well to verse (I've only read one other horror NIV--a manuscript, not a published novel--and I loved it), so I was excited to read this one. The story revolves around a 13-year kid who starts getting notes from the ghost who's supposed to live in the lake house next door. He needs to get over his fears and unravel the mystery of who the girl in the lake truly is before it's too late! Kids will be hooked on the central mystery, and the idea of getting creepy notes from a ghost gives a thrill! The book culminates in an action-packed spooky adventure that horror readers will love!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the author for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***