What do you think?
Rate this book
The Thirteen Doors of Black House
Maya Murtagh can’t wait to spend a week at Black House, a looming seaside mansion that was once home to her favorite mystery author, Augusta Black. After a falling out with her best friend and journalism partner, she needs ideas for a juicy new story that will repair their friendship and earn them a coveted regular column in the school newspaper. Black House is the perfect place to spark inspiration.
But when Maya and her family arrive at the mansion, the host who greets them is totally creepy. So are the thirteen doors inside Augusta Black’s old office, each one carved with an eerie symbol. Add in the unshakeable feeling that someone—or something—is watching her, and Maya becomes there’s a mystery to be solved here, real. . . or supernatural. Each of the thirteen doors hides a secret but opening them leads to dire consequences. When too many doors are open and Maya and her cousins are unable to close them, not only are they and the mansion at risk, so are their parents who are left stranded in town. Maya receives some help from an unexpected place, but will it be enough to save them?
Told over the course of one thrilling day, The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced mystery that is sure to hook young readers. A little bit spooky, and a little bit funny, it perfectly pairs the magic of vacationing with your family with the magic of an old, storied house.
But when Maya and her family arrive at the mansion, the host who greets them is totally creepy. So are the thirteen doors inside Augusta Black’s old office, each one carved with an eerie symbol. Add in the unshakeable feeling that someone—or something—is watching her, and Maya becomes there’s a mystery to be solved here, real. . . or supernatural. Each of the thirteen doors hides a secret but opening them leads to dire consequences. When too many doors are open and Maya and her cousins are unable to close them, not only are they and the mansion at risk, so are their parents who are left stranded in town. Maya receives some help from an unexpected place, but will it be enough to save them?
Told over the course of one thrilling day, The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced mystery that is sure to hook young readers. A little bit spooky, and a little bit funny, it perfectly pairs the magic of vacationing with your family with the magic of an old, storied house.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lavoie
7 books29 followersLaura Lavoie writes picture books and middle grade novels. Some of her books are silly, some are spooky, and some are a little bit of both. In addition to writing stories, Laura can also tap dance, tell terribly cheesy jokes, and bake a mean chocolate chip cookie.
When Laura isn't writing or reading books, you can usually find her playing outside: hiking, kayaking, or hanging around in trees. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughters, two irritable cats, one hyper dog, and several sagging bookshelves.
When Laura isn't writing or reading books, you can usually find her playing outside: hiking, kayaking, or hanging around in trees. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughters, two irritable cats, one hyper dog, and several sagging bookshelves.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 14, 2025
✰ 3 stars ✰
An enjoyable and fast-paced spooky middle grade read, and an interesting blend of ghosts and curses and magical doors. And cats! 🐈⬛ And a mystery! 😌 So Laura Lavoie's debut had a little bit of everything to make for a fun read before work this morning. 📖
I just wish Maya could have been a bit more likeable character! True, she was being led by her own selfish desires and only thinking about what she wanted. 😕 And at age twelve, it's very easy to be rather narrow-minded and not feel all that guilty of withholding certain information for the greater good of finding out more information; which, of course, curiosity is a mark of a true investigative journalist that she wanted to become. 🧐
“Maya loved a story that made her spine shiver, her toes scrunch up, and her stomach sink to the floor.”
But she was a fangirl living her dream and a lot on the line, so I guess I can't really fault her entirely for her more often than not selfish actions and lack of conscience. Shame that it didn't really appear later on either, but what's a little detective work without its fair share of risks of danger. 🕵🏻♀️ She definitely put her cousins through the ringer as they worked together to solve the secret behind The Thirteen Doors of Black House.
Which, when came down to it was interesting; not entirely unique , but to imagine that it was real is enough to put the fear in anyone, especially with results as disastrous and dangerous as what befell them during what was meant to be a simple family vacation, that quickly became an uncovering of hidden secrets and forgotten truths that Maya took it upon herself to lay the cards on the table. 💨 And donning her thinking hat and writing cap, she certainly rose to the task.
It helped that the ambience was dark, ominous, mysterious, which very much suited her palette oh so well; a horror lover, she was in her element in the house of her favorite horror writer, Augusta Black, driven by her own desire to put an end to the supernatural forces at work that were threatening her family. 👻 And with a Jumanji-esque plot, it certainly kicks off for a most unpleasant of manifestations.
“Welcome to Black House. I trust you’ll enjoy your stay.”
I liked it; it wasn't ground-breaking, but for a tween reader, it ticks all the boxes for a scary read. ✅ The curiosity of the kids was believable, along with their horrified shock of lack of Wi-Fi; the surprise reveals also were convincing, the enchantment of the cryptic manor was palpable, as well as the reclusive history and intrigue behind the forbidden if not hidden glass door. 🚪 Maya's passion to be connected to her hero was relatable, with a hint of mirth of how she put her theory to the test about the doors and the fear that emanated over the unknown.
I just wish I could have liked her; her attitude was just not so fun, y'know. 🙎🏻♀️ Like I know her heart was in the right place, but at times, it never really felt like she had a heart. So that created a weird imbalance to the story. I also don't know if I needed that final explanation; it could have stayed a mystery for perhaps even another story! So that felt out of place, too.
For its target audience, though, even with the predictability of it, it wasn't a bad effort. 👍🏻 What was lacking though was the real fear; yes, the fear was there of the unknown, but the scare itself concerned more of unresolved business with a soft edge to it, rather than something gone terribly amiss, which, maybe - considering the vibes - was unexpected. I just want a little more of a dark sinister side to it, to really have also tickled the horror lover in me, as well. 😞
“It was the kind of sight that typically made a character in a book think, We should get out of here. Maya had the opposite reaction: she wanted to go inside.”
An enjoyable and fast-paced spooky middle grade read, and an interesting blend of ghosts and curses and magical doors. And cats! 🐈⬛ And a mystery! 😌 So Laura Lavoie's debut had a little bit of everything to make for a fun read before work this morning. 📖
I just wish Maya could have been a bit more likeable character! True, she was being led by her own selfish desires and only thinking about what she wanted. 😕 And at age twelve, it's very easy to be rather narrow-minded and not feel all that guilty of withholding certain information for the greater good of finding out more information; which, of course, curiosity is a mark of a true investigative journalist that she wanted to become. 🧐
“Maya loved a story that made her spine shiver, her toes scrunch up, and her stomach sink to the floor.”
But she was a fangirl living her dream and a lot on the line, so I guess I can't really fault her entirely for her more often than not selfish actions and lack of conscience. Shame that it didn't really appear later on either, but what's a little detective work without its fair share of risks of danger. 🕵🏻♀️ She definitely put her cousins through the ringer as they worked together to solve the secret behind The Thirteen Doors of Black House.
Which, when came down to it was interesting; not entirely unique , but to imagine that it was real is enough to put the fear in anyone, especially with results as disastrous and dangerous as what befell them during what was meant to be a simple family vacation, that quickly became an uncovering of hidden secrets and forgotten truths that Maya took it upon herself to lay the cards on the table. 💨 And donning her thinking hat and writing cap, she certainly rose to the task.
It helped that the ambience was dark, ominous, mysterious, which very much suited her palette oh so well; a horror lover, she was in her element in the house of her favorite horror writer, Augusta Black, driven by her own desire to put an end to the supernatural forces at work that were threatening her family. 👻 And with a Jumanji-esque plot, it certainly kicks off for a most unpleasant of manifestations.
“Welcome to Black House. I trust you’ll enjoy your stay.”
I liked it; it wasn't ground-breaking, but for a tween reader, it ticks all the boxes for a scary read. ✅ The curiosity of the kids was believable, along with their horrified shock of lack of Wi-Fi; the surprise reveals also were convincing, the enchantment of the cryptic manor was palpable, as well as the reclusive history and intrigue behind the forbidden if not hidden glass door. 🚪 Maya's passion to be connected to her hero was relatable, with a hint of mirth of how she put her theory to the test about the doors and the fear that emanated over the unknown.
I just wish I could have liked her; her attitude was just not so fun, y'know. 🙎🏻♀️ Like I know her heart was in the right place, but at times, it never really felt like she had a heart. So that created a weird imbalance to the story. I also don't know if I needed that final explanation; it could have stayed a mystery for perhaps even another story! So that felt out of place, too.
For its target audience, though, even with the predictability of it, it wasn't a bad effort. 👍🏻 What was lacking though was the real fear; yes, the fear was there of the unknown, but the scare itself concerned more of unresolved business with a soft edge to it, rather than something gone terribly amiss, which, maybe - considering the vibes - was unexpected. I just want a little more of a dark sinister side to it, to really have also tickled the horror lover in me, as well. 😞
June 21, 2025
Maya is looking for a scoop to get herself on the school paper. Maya convinces her family to vacation at her favorite author Augusta Black’s house. The one room Maya really wanted to see is behind glass. How can that be? The house and the caretaker Carlisle are full of secrets for Maya and her cousins to uncover read and be delighted.
January 22, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Maya Murtagh is VERY excited that her parents have agreed to book their week of vacation at the former home of her very favorite horror writer, Agatha Black. She and her parents travel from Vermont to Wisteria, Maine, where they meet up with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. The creepy caretaker, Carlise, shows them around. While Maya is happy to get to hang out with her cousins (Kennedy, 16, twins Riley and Connor, 12, and Tommy, who is six), she's disappointed that she can't get into Augusta Black's writing room. Carlisle informs the group that it is strictly off limits, and the room itself is barricaded behind a glass door. The weather is appropriately gloomy, and when a weary traveler show up, Maya is suspicious. It turns out to be Carlisle's nephew Drew, who works at the local convenience store, and he tells them a bit about the house and Ms. Black, who died at the age of 96. Maya, since she knows all of Black's books, notices that there are doors in the writing room with symbols from the twelve volumes on them, and also notices a ghostly cat prowling about. When the parents go shopping in town, and Kennedy is off with Drew, the remaining children play a game of hide and seek. They almost lose Tommy, and end up lost in the woods, where they are attacked by an owl but also find a large wheel hidden in the ground. They manage to turn it, and when they finally make it back to the house, realize that the wheel managed to open the writing room. Tommy impetuously flings open one of the storms, unleashing a huge storm. The parents are stuck in town, and the children slowly realize that there are stories trapped behind the doors. Trying to find out the secret behind this odd facet of the house, Maya opens the door to the Woman of the Waves. The ghostly figure indicates that there is a secret in a nearby tower, and with the help of Drew and Kennedy, who have come back, the group manages to break into a tower room where Maya finds a thirteenth manuscript, The Case of the Curious Cat. When Carlisle shows up, he is very angry, even using the phrase "You meddling kids!" Family secrets come out, but even Carlisle doesn't know how to close the doors. Will Maya and her cousins be able to close the doors created by the stories and save themselves?
Strengths: A vacation with cousins in a creepy old house and a mystery to solve? Yes, please! This realistically seques from just being a creepy story to having the supernatural elements make perfect sense, and the tie in with the author of a horror series was perfect. I don't want to give away too much, but I am now looking at typewriters a bit differently! This had a lot of good, scary scenes, but was well paced, with the children thinking about what they needed to do next in between the heart pounding action. Bonus points for having the parents stranded in town instead of killing them, and for providing help from helpful slightly older teens. I even enjoyed the brief story at the end about Augusta finding the typewriter. This looks to be available only in paperback, but I'm hoping there will be a prebind.
Weaknesses: There is a subplot about Maya's fight with her best friend Claudia about a new boy, Noah, who starts working for the school newspaper. Maya even hopes that writing an article about August Blackwood will help her get back in the newspaper and her best friend's good graces, but I didn't find that part of the book very interesting and would rather have had more descriptions of the house.
What I really think: I wish I still had Nance's 2007 Daemon Hall, which had a similar vibe, but a student lost it long ago. This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Szpirglas' Book of Screams, and I know there are other titles involving horror writers, but they must be as old as Daemon Hall, because I can't think of the titles. Enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Has a bit of Bell's Frozen Charlotte feel to it; probably because of the house.
Maya Murtagh is VERY excited that her parents have agreed to book their week of vacation at the former home of her very favorite horror writer, Agatha Black. She and her parents travel from Vermont to Wisteria, Maine, where they meet up with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. The creepy caretaker, Carlise, shows them around. While Maya is happy to get to hang out with her cousins (Kennedy, 16, twins Riley and Connor, 12, and Tommy, who is six), she's disappointed that she can't get into Augusta Black's writing room. Carlisle informs the group that it is strictly off limits, and the room itself is barricaded behind a glass door. The weather is appropriately gloomy, and when a weary traveler show up, Maya is suspicious. It turns out to be Carlisle's nephew Drew, who works at the local convenience store, and he tells them a bit about the house and Ms. Black, who died at the age of 96. Maya, since she knows all of Black's books, notices that there are doors in the writing room with symbols from the twelve volumes on them, and also notices a ghostly cat prowling about. When the parents go shopping in town, and Kennedy is off with Drew, the remaining children play a game of hide and seek. They almost lose Tommy, and end up lost in the woods, where they are attacked by an owl but also find a large wheel hidden in the ground. They manage to turn it, and when they finally make it back to the house, realize that the wheel managed to open the writing room. Tommy impetuously flings open one of the storms, unleashing a huge storm. The parents are stuck in town, and the children slowly realize that there are stories trapped behind the doors. Trying to find out the secret behind this odd facet of the house, Maya opens the door to the Woman of the Waves. The ghostly figure indicates that there is a secret in a nearby tower, and with the help of Drew and Kennedy, who have come back, the group manages to break into a tower room where Maya finds a thirteenth manuscript, The Case of the Curious Cat. When Carlisle shows up, he is very angry, even using the phrase "You meddling kids!" Family secrets come out, but even Carlisle doesn't know how to close the doors. Will Maya and her cousins be able to close the doors created by the stories and save themselves?
Strengths: A vacation with cousins in a creepy old house and a mystery to solve? Yes, please! This realistically seques from just being a creepy story to having the supernatural elements make perfect sense, and the tie in with the author of a horror series was perfect. I don't want to give away too much, but I am now looking at typewriters a bit differently! This had a lot of good, scary scenes, but was well paced, with the children thinking about what they needed to do next in between the heart pounding action. Bonus points for having the parents stranded in town instead of killing them, and for providing help from helpful slightly older teens. I even enjoyed the brief story at the end about Augusta finding the typewriter. This looks to be available only in paperback, but I'm hoping there will be a prebind.
Weaknesses: There is a subplot about Maya's fight with her best friend Claudia about a new boy, Noah, who starts working for the school newspaper. Maya even hopes that writing an article about August Blackwood will help her get back in the newspaper and her best friend's good graces, but I didn't find that part of the book very interesting and would rather have had more descriptions of the house.
What I really think: I wish I still had Nance's 2007 Daemon Hall, which had a similar vibe, but a student lost it long ago. This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Szpirglas' Book of Screams, and I know there are other titles involving horror writers, but they must be as old as Daemon Hall, because I can't think of the titles. Enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Has a bit of Bell's Frozen Charlotte feel to it; probably because of the house.
April 25, 2025
Thank you to Union Square Kids and Edelweiss Plus for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
After an argument with her best friend over an article they wrote for their school newspaper (and a boy), Maya Murtagh hopes to find a new, can’t-miss scoop on her family vacation at the home of her favorite mystery writer, Agatha Black. But Maya’s hopes fall flat when the creepy caretaker informs them that the room with Agatha’s writing desk surrounded by unusual doors is off limits. She knows a good story must be hiding in that room.
With the help of her cousins, Maya finds a way into the sealed off room to search for clues. But when the kids start opening the doors they unleash real-world consequences - like a massive flock of crows and a never-ending storm. It’s up to Maya to solve the mystery of the thirteenth door before the floodwaters rise too high.
Strengths: The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a quick read that picks up pace once the kids get inside the writing room. I really enjoyed the relationship between the cousins. Most of the scares come from the characters being in peril with a few mildly creepy supernatural elements.
Weaknesses: Early portions of the book lagged for me. Especially, the chapters involving the hide-and-seek game. More to the point, I found the motivation behind Maya’s quest – the need to find a can’t-miss article for the paper and preserve her friendship – somewhat unconvincing. It may have helped if I got the impression Maya herself was driven by some deeper curiosity or a need within her personality to investigate, even beyond the point of danger. Writing a column for the middle school newspaper rather than just talking things out with her friend doesn’t strike me as a strong enough motivation to keep Maya going when things get difficult or scary.
After an argument with her best friend over an article they wrote for their school newspaper (and a boy), Maya Murtagh hopes to find a new, can’t-miss scoop on her family vacation at the home of her favorite mystery writer, Agatha Black. But Maya’s hopes fall flat when the creepy caretaker informs them that the room with Agatha’s writing desk surrounded by unusual doors is off limits. She knows a good story must be hiding in that room.
With the help of her cousins, Maya finds a way into the sealed off room to search for clues. But when the kids start opening the doors they unleash real-world consequences - like a massive flock of crows and a never-ending storm. It’s up to Maya to solve the mystery of the thirteenth door before the floodwaters rise too high.
Strengths: The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a quick read that picks up pace once the kids get inside the writing room. I really enjoyed the relationship between the cousins. Most of the scares come from the characters being in peril with a few mildly creepy supernatural elements.
Weaknesses: Early portions of the book lagged for me. Especially, the chapters involving the hide-and-seek game. More to the point, I found the motivation behind Maya’s quest – the need to find a can’t-miss article for the paper and preserve her friendship – somewhat unconvincing. It may have helped if I got the impression Maya herself was driven by some deeper curiosity or a need within her personality to investigate, even beyond the point of danger. Writing a column for the middle school newspaper rather than just talking things out with her friend doesn’t strike me as a strong enough motivation to keep Maya going when things get difficult or scary.
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars
What caught my attention was the line Told over the course of one thrilling day from the description. It made me think time would be a narrative device (like organising chapters by the hour, something not chronological) or a race against the clock where something must be done before the day is over. That was not the case, unfortunately.
I might have been disappointed that it did not match my expectation, but that's just because I interpreted the description wrong.
The actual book was a fun middle grade story for when the weather is stormy and you feel like reading about ghosts. I loved the atmosphere and the combination of the supernatural and the written. There are secret doors, haunted animals and a mystery surrounding the main character's favourite author.
As an adult, I though that the hint about the end reveal came too early (on page 60 of 260) but otherwise this was a suspenseful children's book that I would recommend to young readers.
What caught my attention was the line Told over the course of one thrilling day from the description. It made me think time would be a narrative device (like organising chapters by the hour, something not chronological) or a race against the clock where something must be done before the day is over. That was not the case, unfortunately.
I might have been disappointed that it did not match my expectation, but that's just because I interpreted the description wrong.
The actual book was a fun middle grade story for when the weather is stormy and you feel like reading about ghosts. I loved the atmosphere and the combination of the supernatural and the written. There are secret doors, haunted animals and a mystery surrounding the main character's favourite author.
As an adult, I though that the hint about the end reveal came too early (on page 60 of 260) but otherwise this was a suspenseful children's book that I would recommend to young readers.
June 10, 2025
Maya is an aspiring journalist who writes for her middle school newspaper. She needs a great story and hopes to find one this summer. Maya gets to choose the family summer vacation destination. She chooses Black House, a crumbling seaside mansion which happens to be the home of now deceased, Augusta Black, her favorite author. Maya knows that Augusta had a secret. She just has to prove it. But when she arrives at Black House things take a turn and she and her family are in danger.
Black House is a fun, spooky, not too spooky, unique ghost story.
I enjoyed every minute being immersed in this story and I never wanted it to end.
Black House is a fun, spooky, not too spooky, unique ghost story.
I enjoyed every minute being immersed in this story and I never wanted it to end.
July 27, 2025
“Hannah Montana!”
I was sent a copy by the author, and this book is such a fun and exciting middle-grade mystery that is the perfect start to your Summerween festivities!
A crumbling seaside mansion, a creepy caretaker and a deceased mystery writer are just the things Maya Murtagh needs if she wants to grab a column in the school newspaper. But what happens when her quest for the perfect summer scoop places her loved ones at risk of a decades old mystery that haunts the halls of Black House?
With a fast pace, hilarious characters, and a delightfully spooky atmosphere, Laura Lavoie has created a spectacular debut novel that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
I was sent a copy by the author, and this book is such a fun and exciting middle-grade mystery that is the perfect start to your Summerween festivities!
A crumbling seaside mansion, a creepy caretaker and a deceased mystery writer are just the things Maya Murtagh needs if she wants to grab a column in the school newspaper. But what happens when her quest for the perfect summer scoop places her loved ones at risk of a decades old mystery that haunts the halls of Black House?
With a fast pace, hilarious characters, and a delightfully spooky atmosphere, Laura Lavoie has created a spectacular debut novel that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
May 21, 2025
My daughter, aged 12, finished this book in less than 48 hours and loved it! Her notes (with careful care not to give spoilers):
"I loved the details she put into it and the background thing at the end."
"It gave me a chill up my spine but the good kind."
"I think you'll love it, Mom. There's a cat!"
"I really hope there's a sequel."
She said it was spooky but not scary, and I would say the testament of her stealing it off my bedside table and devouring it in two days is a great sign that kids will love it!
"I loved the details she put into it and the background thing at the end."
"It gave me a chill up my spine but the good kind."
"I think you'll love it, Mom. There's a cat!"
"I really hope there's a sequel."
She said it was spooky but not scary, and I would say the testament of her stealing it off my bedside table and devouring it in two days is a great sign that kids will love it!
July 18, 2025
I can never resist a good, gothic haunted house mystery, and The Thirteen Doors of Black House by Laura Lavoie is the perfect answer. I quickly connected to Maya and her cousins as they arrived at the mysterious Black House that once belonged to author Augusta Black. And those thirteen doors… Kid readers are going to love young sleuth Maya and this blend of mystery and paranormal.
The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced scary mystery that is destined to become a classic haunted house book for kids.
The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced scary mystery that is destined to become a classic haunted house book for kids.
July 1, 2025
in order to give middle grade MC agency, something has to happen to the adult characters. but this time it seemed very contrived and convenient. the mystery of the doors was interesting but i would have liked it to go more a little in depth for each door. after the story ended i was thinking this would have made a nice series, each one focused on a different door or a couple of door. so this wasn't as scary as i would have liked, nor as in-depth as I would have liked.
May 20, 2025
Solid read. Excellent gateway into Spooky Books. Curious kids will be interested in this one for sure. Some readers seem confused by the drama between the two girls but as a teacher I am well familiar with the triangle effect between two best friends and a newcomer. Add in the MCs passion for investigative journalism and it all makes sense to me.
May 21, 2025
Want a spooky book that will fascinate kids and keep them hooked without giving them nightmares? This one is a super choice! The plot moves quickly, the characters are relatable and spunky, and there is just enough supernatural mystery to intrigue. Your kids will gobble this one up and ask for more!
December 6, 2025
Mystery loses steam as it goes on and becomes a bog-standard haunted house story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews