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It's Watching
A chilling middle school novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Scritch Scratch, three kids must discover who—or what—is terrorizing them after receiving an ominous meme on Halloween night.
On Halloween night, Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison, sneak into the infamously haunted Bachelor’s Grove cemetery. They are hoping to prove the existence of a famous ghost to secure coveted editorial spots on the school newspaper. Instead, they are chased out by a security guard before they gather any evidence…or so they think.
Later, a sinister meme appears on their phones. It’s an image of the “phantom farmhouse,” an evil apparition rumored to appear to unlucky visitors at Bachelor's Grove—luring them in…and never letting them out—with the words I’m watching dripping down the screen.
Soon, strange and scary things begin to happen all around them. When a second meme from the same number arrives, this time with a countdown, they realize they have only three days to figure out who is terrorizing them. As they investigate, the trio must use their journalistic skills to uncover the truth, or risk becoming a part of the graveyard’s sinister past forever.
On Halloween night, Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison, sneak into the infamously haunted Bachelor’s Grove cemetery. They are hoping to prove the existence of a famous ghost to secure coveted editorial spots on the school newspaper. Instead, they are chased out by a security guard before they gather any evidence…or so they think.
Later, a sinister meme appears on their phones. It’s an image of the “phantom farmhouse,” an evil apparition rumored to appear to unlucky visitors at Bachelor's Grove—luring them in…and never letting them out—with the words I’m watching dripping down the screen.
Soon, strange and scary things begin to happen all around them. When a second meme from the same number arrives, this time with a countdown, they realize they have only three days to figure out who is terrorizing them. As they investigate, the trio must use their journalistic skills to uncover the truth, or risk becoming a part of the graveyard’s sinister past forever.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2025
37 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Currie
18 books981 followersLindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and It's Watching, She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale. When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220 acre farm in downstate Illinois where she finally gets to see stars every night, and take hikes every day.
Coming soon: X Marks the Haunt (January 2026) and The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society (October 2026)! For more details on Lindsay's upcoming books, please visit the My Books tab at the top of the page.
To find out more about Lindsay, please visit her website at www.lindsaycurrie.com. Instagram: @lindsayncurrie
Coming soon: X Marks the Haunt (January 2026) and The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society (October 2026)! For more details on Lindsay's upcoming books, please visit the My Books tab at the top of the page.
To find out more about Lindsay, please visit her website at www.lindsaycurrie.com. Instagram: @lindsayncurrie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
September 16, 2025
It's Watching is the latest release from my favorite Spooky Middle Grade author, Lindsay Currie. I always find myself completely invested in her stories.
She knows how to deliver that perfect, cozy, spooky small town atmosphere, all while pairing it with likable, strong-willed, curious and determined young characters.
This book kicks off on Halloween night, when Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison, sneak into Bachelor's Grove cemetery on a mission.
With dreams of being journalists, they have the perfect story idea to help secure them editorial spots with their school newspaper. They just need to find and prove the existence of a local legend, The Woman in White.
Unfortunately, before they're able to get the proof they need for their story, they're chased off the property by someone who they assume to be the security guard.
Shortly following that ill-fated adventure, they all receive a creepy meme on their phones, an image of the 'Phantom Farmhouse', a known haunt in their town, with the words I'm watching dripping down the screen. This frightens the pants off the three kids.
It's said that the Phantom Farmhouse sporadically appears, luring people in, but never letting them out. So, yeah, I think they had good reason to be afraid.
Soon many strange things start happening to them, including another threatening meme, this time with a countdown. Apparently, they have three days to figure out what's terrorizing them, or it may be too late.
I had so much fun with this. I loved Josie, Jackson and Alison. Their friendship was supportive and sweet. It's always great to see such positive relationships in books for Young Readers.
I thought the investigation the kids did into what was happening to them was completely engaging as well. They incorporated different resources, including a ghost hunter and the local library.
Another aspect that Currie always includes in her stories, which I appreciate so much, is the incorporation of history. There's always a part of the story that focuses on local history, wherever the story is set, and I feel like she does a great job making history exciting.
As books for Younger Readers, I feel like that's so important to get them interested in topics like that, and she certainly does it well. In fact, it's that more than anything that makes her stories stand out to me.
Don't get me wrong though, she's great at writing all aspects, including my favorite: ATMOSPHERE. Currie is always delivering the exact vibe I'm looking for when I pick up a Spooky Middle Grade, and that's why I keep coming back for more, and always will.
Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I'm looking forward to whatever spooky adventure Lindsay Currie has in store for us next!
She knows how to deliver that perfect, cozy, spooky small town atmosphere, all while pairing it with likable, strong-willed, curious and determined young characters.
This book kicks off on Halloween night, when Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison, sneak into Bachelor's Grove cemetery on a mission.
With dreams of being journalists, they have the perfect story idea to help secure them editorial spots with their school newspaper. They just need to find and prove the existence of a local legend, The Woman in White.
Unfortunately, before they're able to get the proof they need for their story, they're chased off the property by someone who they assume to be the security guard.
Shortly following that ill-fated adventure, they all receive a creepy meme on their phones, an image of the 'Phantom Farmhouse', a known haunt in their town, with the words I'm watching dripping down the screen. This frightens the pants off the three kids.
It's said that the Phantom Farmhouse sporadically appears, luring people in, but never letting them out. So, yeah, I think they had good reason to be afraid.
Soon many strange things start happening to them, including another threatening meme, this time with a countdown. Apparently, they have three days to figure out what's terrorizing them, or it may be too late.
I had so much fun with this. I loved Josie, Jackson and Alison. Their friendship was supportive and sweet. It's always great to see such positive relationships in books for Young Readers.
I thought the investigation the kids did into what was happening to them was completely engaging as well. They incorporated different resources, including a ghost hunter and the local library.
Another aspect that Currie always includes in her stories, which I appreciate so much, is the incorporation of history. There's always a part of the story that focuses on local history, wherever the story is set, and I feel like she does a great job making history exciting.
As books for Younger Readers, I feel like that's so important to get them interested in topics like that, and she certainly does it well. In fact, it's that more than anything that makes her stories stand out to me.
Don't get me wrong though, she's great at writing all aspects, including my favorite: ATMOSPHERE. Currie is always delivering the exact vibe I'm looking for when I pick up a Spooky Middle Grade, and that's why I keep coming back for more, and always will.
Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I'm looking forward to whatever spooky adventure Lindsay Currie has in store for us next!
March 8, 2025
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
Reading latest middle grade releases definitely puts into perspective just how much you're not the target audience, when protagonists like twelve-year-old aspiring journalist, Josie says, 'I don’t know what Murder, She Wrote is'. Oh, the disrespect! 🤣😭 But, aside from making me feel my age, a fun blend of horror and mystery is sometimes exactly what my middle grade loving heart needs at times. 👻🕵🏻♀️
Sometimes getting an exciting story is dangerous, and a good journalist needs to be brave.”
I love solving puzzles, finding clues, figuring out the details. So, when a Halloween trip to the graveyard investigating a piece for their newspaper column takes a horrible turn for Josie and her best friends, I was seated to see how they would get themselves out of this creepy bind, in which they found themselves trapped in the Worst. Halloween. Ever.. 😥 Haunted by eerie happenings, mysterious findings, with a sinister message of It's Watching that joins the sinister presence in Josie's house in which they were spending a long weekend together, unsupervised by adults, of course, because unbeknownst to their parents, it's pretty much a sleepover without permission. 🤨
So, that takes out the parental factor in a horror story is unnecessary. Okay, fine, yes, there is some slight mentions of them being the concerned parents, but I just felt it was to fill the quota of not making it as unbelievable as possible - but believe me, in our culture, parents rarely planned/agreed to anything via the kids! 😅 But, that's going way off base of where the story excelled at. For starters, the friendship dynamic between the tweens was a delight - endearing and believable. Having read a few books already by Lindsay Currie, I love the subtle way in which she plays with male-female friendships, that yes, they are on the cusp of hormonal change, but they are still very much friends who deeply care for each other. ❤️🩹
“They could have also just been friends. Friends can love each other.”
See?? That's the kind of positive representation I need. 🥹 And Josie and Joseph's caring relationship was a lovely, if not sweet nod to that. 🫂 Even Alison and her oddity of old-aged quirky adages had me chuckling. I mean, where else would I have heard 'Porch light's on but no one's home as a way of saying it's time for bed! 😄 It was also nice to see them each fight their fears with their own strengths and channel their own abilities by cluing in on what was happening. I liked how the author shed light on death, as well as being respectful about it, but still hinting towards the likely danger it can lead to - but physically and emotionally.
I felt the horror. No, seriously! I did! 😨 The goosebumps that erupted with each uneasy reveal, along with the chilling countdown that inched closer as things only worsened for the trio was palpable, reminding them of how time was of the essence. The creepy graveyard and its spooky feel, the confusion, as well as trying to understand where they erred, why they were being targeted, what tied them to secrets of Bachelor’s Grove, and putting their investigative guidelines in action, kept me invested. KNOWING! 🙂↕️ And keeping that suspense alive within a likeable trio made it enjoyable, if not refreshing to actually see these kids be smart about choices, which tend to make things go horribly wrong for characters in the oh-so typical horror movie.
I do wish the ending hadn't been so -- lighthearted. 🤷🏻♀️ I know that sounds harsh, but the jovial vibe to it, was an odd match to the overall spooky ambience that it had captured earlier, which felt a bit uneven, especially since I wanted more from the build-up of anticipation and suspense that had been successfully captured, but didn't leave with the same feeling. I also would have liked a bit more closure if not explanation into the mysterious text messages; which, when you think about it, didn't really make much sense --- to me, anyway. But, aside from the lukewarm conclusion, the thrills and the chills were spot on for what makes me still interested in seeing what Lindsay Currie brings forth next. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
“We never should have come here.”
Reading latest middle grade releases definitely puts into perspective just how much you're not the target audience, when protagonists like twelve-year-old aspiring journalist, Josie says, 'I don’t know what Murder, She Wrote is'. Oh, the disrespect! 🤣😭 But, aside from making me feel my age, a fun blend of horror and mystery is sometimes exactly what my middle grade loving heart needs at times. 👻🕵🏻♀️
Sometimes getting an exciting story is dangerous, and a good journalist needs to be brave.”
I love solving puzzles, finding clues, figuring out the details. So, when a Halloween trip to the graveyard investigating a piece for their newspaper column takes a horrible turn for Josie and her best friends, I was seated to see how they would get themselves out of this creepy bind, in which they found themselves trapped in the Worst. Halloween. Ever.. 😥 Haunted by eerie happenings, mysterious findings, with a sinister message of It's Watching that joins the sinister presence in Josie's house in which they were spending a long weekend together, unsupervised by adults, of course, because unbeknownst to their parents, it's pretty much a sleepover without permission. 🤨
So, that takes out the parental factor in a horror story is unnecessary. Okay, fine, yes, there is some slight mentions of them being the concerned parents, but I just felt it was to fill the quota of not making it as unbelievable as possible - but believe me, in our culture, parents rarely planned/agreed to anything via the kids! 😅 But, that's going way off base of where the story excelled at. For starters, the friendship dynamic between the tweens was a delight - endearing and believable. Having read a few books already by Lindsay Currie, I love the subtle way in which she plays with male-female friendships, that yes, they are on the cusp of hormonal change, but they are still very much friends who deeply care for each other. ❤️🩹
“They could have also just been friends. Friends can love each other.”
See?? That's the kind of positive representation I need. 🥹 And Josie and Joseph's caring relationship was a lovely, if not sweet nod to that. 🫂 Even Alison and her oddity of old-aged quirky adages had me chuckling. I mean, where else would I have heard 'Porch light's on but no one's home as a way of saying it's time for bed! 😄 It was also nice to see them each fight their fears with their own strengths and channel their own abilities by cluing in on what was happening. I liked how the author shed light on death, as well as being respectful about it, but still hinting towards the likely danger it can lead to - but physically and emotionally.
I felt the horror. No, seriously! I did! 😨 The goosebumps that erupted with each uneasy reveal, along with the chilling countdown that inched closer as things only worsened for the trio was palpable, reminding them of how time was of the essence. The creepy graveyard and its spooky feel, the confusion, as well as trying to understand where they erred, why they were being targeted, what tied them to secrets of Bachelor’s Grove, and putting their investigative guidelines in action, kept me invested. KNOWING! 🙂↕️ And keeping that suspense alive within a likeable trio made it enjoyable, if not refreshing to actually see these kids be smart about choices, which tend to make things go horribly wrong for characters in the oh-so typical horror movie.
I do wish the ending hadn't been so -- lighthearted. 🤷🏻♀️ I know that sounds harsh, but the jovial vibe to it, was an odd match to the overall spooky ambience that it had captured earlier, which felt a bit uneven, especially since I wanted more from the build-up of anticipation and suspense that had been successfully captured, but didn't leave with the same feeling. I also would have liked a bit more closure if not explanation into the mysterious text messages; which, when you think about it, didn't really make much sense --- to me, anyway. But, aside from the lukewarm conclusion, the thrills and the chills were spot on for what makes me still interested in seeing what Lindsay Currie brings forth next. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
January 22, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC.
A little bit more unsettling than I thought it would be, but that is a compliment rather than a critique toward this book. Lindsay Currie did a very good job balancing the high stakes for the three protagonists (who displayed the warm and endearing friendship that tends to hold in middle grade novels) alongside some good spooky moments mixed in with cozy vibes. The story is an indulging read for any time of the year, but will be absolutely perfect for Fall readers.
A little bit more unsettling than I thought it would be, but that is a compliment rather than a critique toward this book. Lindsay Currie did a very good job balancing the high stakes for the three protagonists (who displayed the warm and endearing friendship that tends to hold in middle grade novels) alongside some good spooky moments mixed in with cozy vibes. The story is an indulging read for any time of the year, but will be absolutely perfect for Fall readers.
August 20, 2025
I have always wanted to go to Bachelors Grove, but have never been there. Josie, Alison, and Jackson are much braver then I because they went more then once.
March 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. A solid middle grade mystery that takes place on Halloween. A group of friends stay receiving messages from a spirit and end up sneaking into a notoriously haunted cemetery. There, they find themselves thrust into a mystery dating back to 1919, featuring stolen headstones and dead who have been forgotten. Hand to readers who aren’t ready for super scary, but want something spooky.
February 4, 2025
Be ready to read this book with the lights on. There’s nothing that I love more in middle grade books is a group of friends investigating a ghost story on Halloween. Best friends Josie, Jackson and Alison are very serious about investigating a ghost story for their school newspaper. They decide to head to the cemetery on Halloween night, what happens next will change their lives forever.
After being spooked out of the cemetery, all three receive a cryptic text message that reads “You have 2 days, I’m watching “. Now they’ll have to race against the clock to find out the true story of The Phantom House. I loved the relationship between the trio, even if they argue they help each other and try to come up with ideas together. Of course it’s a huge plus the story takes place on Halloween night. The story had such great jump scare moments. It’s perfect to read on summerween and this up coming spooky season. Lindsay’s books are absolutely amazing and they would be great as movies or tv shows.
After being spooked out of the cemetery, all three receive a cryptic text message that reads “You have 2 days, I’m watching “. Now they’ll have to race against the clock to find out the true story of The Phantom House. I loved the relationship between the trio, even if they argue they help each other and try to come up with ideas together. Of course it’s a huge plus the story takes place on Halloween night. The story had such great jump scare moments. It’s perfect to read on summerween and this up coming spooky season. Lindsay’s books are absolutely amazing and they would be great as movies or tv shows.
October 16, 2025
4.75☆ (read aloud with J & A)
May 22, 2025
One of my most hyped books of 2025, but sadly… it didn’t work out.
😍 The ghost(s) were great and quite spooky as well. Not only affecting weather but also our MC’s home and technology and more.
😍 A good countdown. I always love a horror with a countdown.
😍 The cemetery was a spooky place (but also sad).
😍 I loved getting a bit more history on thing and the place they live in.
😍 The epilogue was fab and I was so happy with what they were planning.
😒 But the kids I didn’t like (lying to their parents, holding a sleepover when the parents think that the kids are somewhere else), making dumb decisions, and more.
😒 Instead of searching all over they just stuck to one or two things and just focussed fully on that which is just dumb and made me question a lot of things. Like for instance they hear a song (or Jackson does) and they immediately think that 2 people = married. Whut??? I mean if this was me I would have gone to the library and searched for old documents (not sure if we have such an extensive collection like what the US libraries always seem to do) or go to a historical society or other things.
😒 Some weird things that didn’t make sense like our MC saying she almost wanted to call her uncle to get away from the house while she knows the ghost is STUCK TO HER and her friends.
😒 I didn’t understand why she was reacting to the sayings her friends made, those are just normal sayings (and no I am not an old grandma, I am still young).
😒 How someone 12 years old didn’t think for herself that love is love but remembers it as something that her parents have said many times, with how many books there are out now with LGBT+ kids this stood out.
😒 These kids ORDERED Ubers like water, not to mention how did these drivers even accept the kids? They are 12, if I was an uber driver I would definitely first want to see an adult before allowing them in the car.
😒 Also, I found it hilarious that Alisson was all teary-eyed because she checked the countdown that Josie kept from her, do these kids not know to count anymore? You have until midnight at a certain date, you can count right? I was just laughing at this point.
😒 Janessa was a good character, but I did think it was a bit weird she would just storm into someone’s home. Especially in a home with three kids.
😒 And sorry, but I did laugh a bit at the one girl who was a horror fanatic and probably never wants to watch horror again.
😒 Because they were being so dumb with their research I just couldn’t enjoy it that much because I just love researching and puzzling along with the characters in these kind of books, but in this book it was just focussed on one thing that there were zero moments that things clicked together, instead I was just getting frustrated and annoyed.
Such a shame. Lindsay Currie is normally THE person to go to for spooky MG horror and this is her very first book (been reading her books since The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street) that I didn’t like at all. I hope her next spooky book is better!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
😍 The ghost(s) were great and quite spooky as well. Not only affecting weather but also our MC’s home and technology and more.
😍 A good countdown. I always love a horror with a countdown.
😍 The cemetery was a spooky place (but also sad).
😍 I loved getting a bit more history on thing and the place they live in.
😍 The epilogue was fab and I was so happy with what they were planning.
😒 But the kids I didn’t like (lying to their parents, holding a sleepover when the parents think that the kids are somewhere else), making dumb decisions, and more.
😒 Instead of searching all over they just stuck to one or two things and just focussed fully on that which is just dumb and made me question a lot of things. Like for instance they hear a song (or Jackson does) and they immediately think that 2 people = married. Whut??? I mean if this was me I would have gone to the library and searched for old documents (not sure if we have such an extensive collection like what the US libraries always seem to do) or go to a historical society or other things.
😒 Some weird things that didn’t make sense like our MC saying she almost wanted to call her uncle to get away from the house while she knows the ghost is STUCK TO HER and her friends.
😒 I didn’t understand why she was reacting to the sayings her friends made, those are just normal sayings (and no I am not an old grandma, I am still young).
😒 How someone 12 years old didn’t think for herself that love is love but remembers it as something that her parents have said many times, with how many books there are out now with LGBT+ kids this stood out.
😒 These kids ORDERED Ubers like water, not to mention how did these drivers even accept the kids? They are 12, if I was an uber driver I would definitely first want to see an adult before allowing them in the car.
😒 Also, I found it hilarious that Alisson was all teary-eyed because she checked the countdown that Josie kept from her, do these kids not know to count anymore? You have until midnight at a certain date, you can count right? I was just laughing at this point.
😒 Janessa was a good character, but I did think it was a bit weird she would just storm into someone’s home. Especially in a home with three kids.
😒 And sorry, but I did laugh a bit at the one girl who was a horror fanatic and probably never wants to watch horror again.
😒 Because they were being so dumb with their research I just couldn’t enjoy it that much because I just love researching and puzzling along with the characters in these kind of books, but in this book it was just focussed on one thing that there were zero moments that things clicked together, instead I was just getting frustrated and annoyed.
Such a shame. Lindsay Currie is normally THE person to go to for spooky MG horror and this is her very first book (been reading her books since The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street) that I didn’t like at all. I hope her next spooky book is better!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Want to read
September 23, 2024can't wait for this!
September 13, 2024
ARC provided by NetGalley.
Josie and her friends, Allison and Jackson, decide to spend Halloween night sneaking into the infamous Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery to gather material for an article on the legendary Lady in White. After a muddy chase through the cemetery, the trio heads back to the parking lot to wait for their ride. But their night takes a spooky turn when they receive the first of several memes from an unknown number, reading, "I'm watching."
Middle school readers will enjoy piecing together the mystery as the group unravels the secrets of a spirit—or maybe multiple spirits—that seems to have followed them to Josie’s funky, musty-smelling home. Clues begin to appear through powerless computers, TVs, and more. The blend of fact and fiction will leave young readers intrigued, potentially sparking their own curiosity about the real Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.
Josie and her friends, Allison and Jackson, decide to spend Halloween night sneaking into the infamous Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery to gather material for an article on the legendary Lady in White. After a muddy chase through the cemetery, the trio heads back to the parking lot to wait for their ride. But their night takes a spooky turn when they receive the first of several memes from an unknown number, reading, "I'm watching."
Middle school readers will enjoy piecing together the mystery as the group unravels the secrets of a spirit—or maybe multiple spirits—that seems to have followed them to Josie’s funky, musty-smelling home. Clues begin to appear through powerless computers, TVs, and more. The blend of fact and fiction will leave young readers intrigued, potentially sparking their own curiosity about the real Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.
February 11, 2025
Wow, this book was way spookier than I expected, and I love that! We're following three friends who are trying to come up with a great story for their school newspaper. They decide they are going to try to prove that the local legends of a famous ghost are true. The plan is to sneak into the haunted cemetery on Halloween night and try to get pictures of said ghost. They aren't in the cemetery long before they are scared off by a security guard. Soon after, they all get a strange meme of a farmhouse that also has an unsettling, haunted story behind it. Then the countdown begins. They start experiencing supernatural things like lights flickering, house alarms going off, muddy boot prints, computers turning on by themselves and much more! The friends immediately get to work to try to figure out what's going on and figure out that a ghost has followed them home from the cemetery and wants something from them. Being the little reporters that they are, they start doing their research and they have a deadline they have to meet.
The setting of this story is all around so spooky and atmospheric. There were plenty of thrill moments that kept me turning the pages. The relationship between the friends is so heartwarming and supportive. Though they all had different levels of scaredness and anxiety, they came together to help each other work through their emotions. I enjoyed going along with the friends as they researched the history behind the people buried in the cemetery and learning about their lives. Really enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley, Random House, & Lindsay Currie for an eARC of this book. #NetGalley #ItsWatching
The setting of this story is all around so spooky and atmospheric. There were plenty of thrill moments that kept me turning the pages. The relationship between the friends is so heartwarming and supportive. Though they all had different levels of scaredness and anxiety, they came together to help each other work through their emotions. I enjoyed going along with the friends as they researched the history behind the people buried in the cemetery and learning about their lives. Really enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley, Random House, & Lindsay Currie for an eARC of this book. #NetGalley #ItsWatching
July 3, 2024
Spooky stories are not normally my chosen genre, but my students love Lindsay Currie books, and I enjoyed The Mystery of Locked Rooms, so I was excited to get an ARC of her newest release.
It did not disappoint! I appreciated so much the themes of unwavering friendship, honesty in journalism, and respect for those who have gone before us.
It’s probably a little too unsettling for some of my 5th-6th grade class, but my 7th and 8th graders will enjoy the suspense just as much as I did.
Such fun!
It did not disappoint! I appreciated so much the themes of unwavering friendship, honesty in journalism, and respect for those who have gone before us.
It’s probably a little too unsettling for some of my 5th-6th grade class, but my 7th and 8th graders will enjoy the suspense just as much as I did.
Such fun!
July 23, 2024
It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie follows a trio of friends (Josie, Jackson and Alison), who happen to be writers/reports for their school paper, and are wanting desperately to get THE STORY to ensure they get the competitive editorial spots they want on the paper for next year in eighth grade. What is THE STORY they think will do the trick? Well, it involves investigating by diving right in to the legends and folklore surrounding the hauntings and mysterious happenings at Bachelor’s Grove cemetery in Illinois. But after their first visit to the cemetery, something has followed them home, and given them TWO DAYS. Two days to what? They will have to figure that out, and quickly!
There’s nothing like a “TWO DAYS” (Insert The Ring movie voice here) countdown to build a sense of urgency and fear that the characters will not be able to figure out what "it" wants in time. Currie builds suspense and elevates the stakes for our characters with the skill that will keep readers on their toes. Additionally, the message in the words of Josie that “we’ll find a way. We always do” is a message that carries throughout all of Currie’s spooky and mystery books. Despite the situations being convincingly terrifying and seemingly impossible or doomed, the characters persevere in ways that readers pick up on and hopefully, carry into their own lives. We want our middle grade readers taking inspiration from this and building themselves up in such ways. And that’s why Currie’s books are never “just” spooky books. They are bravery builders that show kids how to think critically, how to research and analyze clues, how to seek out help in the form of experts, how to rely on and support your friends, and how to remain hopeful without giving up even in the most challenging and intense circumstances. Additionally, the characters are easy to connect with as their dialogue, actions and reactions to things are realistic and engaging. Plus the spooky, mysterious bits are just downright fun to read!
Books by Lindsay Currie are an auto-buy for me, and I recommend they are the same for you! There’s so much value in the stories she tells.
There’s nothing like a “TWO DAYS” (Insert The Ring movie voice here) countdown to build a sense of urgency and fear that the characters will not be able to figure out what "it" wants in time. Currie builds suspense and elevates the stakes for our characters with the skill that will keep readers on their toes. Additionally, the message in the words of Josie that “we’ll find a way. We always do” is a message that carries throughout all of Currie’s spooky and mystery books. Despite the situations being convincingly terrifying and seemingly impossible or doomed, the characters persevere in ways that readers pick up on and hopefully, carry into their own lives. We want our middle grade readers taking inspiration from this and building themselves up in such ways. And that’s why Currie’s books are never “just” spooky books. They are bravery builders that show kids how to think critically, how to research and analyze clues, how to seek out help in the form of experts, how to rely on and support your friends, and how to remain hopeful without giving up even in the most challenging and intense circumstances. Additionally, the characters are easy to connect with as their dialogue, actions and reactions to things are realistic and engaging. Plus the spooky, mysterious bits are just downright fun to read!
Books by Lindsay Currie are an auto-buy for me, and I recommend they are the same for you! There’s so much value in the stories she tells.
February 4, 2025
It’s Halloween night and all kids want to do is get dressed up and go out to trick or treat. All kids except Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison. They want to make a splash with the school newspaper and write the exclusive about the haunted Bachelor’s Grove cemetery. So they sneak into the cemetery after dark to experience the drama first hand. The three of them get more ‘experience’ than they bargained for. When they get home, terrified of the cemetery, they begin to think twice about the story. However, it may be too late to get out. Josie’s house is suddenly unsafe - strange things are happening and suddenly the kids are fearing for their lives. Can they figure out how to make it all stop before the time runs out?
Lindsay Currie has written another page turner. Three very relatable characters - Josie, Alison, and Jackson - narrate the book and keep the emotions high and suspense intense. The three characters are different enough that any reader could connect to at least one of them. I loved the slow evolution of the hauntings which created the need to keep turning the page. The supernatural happenings throughout the story could really convince the reader that ghosts ARE real and perhaps even have you looking behind your door and under your bed before going to sleep. I loved the fact that the entire book is based off of a real location and the author encourages continued support of the local lore. I believe any reader who enjoys spooky and scary stories should jump on this one - before it disappears (just kidding - it’s not going anywhere).
Lindsay Currie has written another page turner. Three very relatable characters - Josie, Alison, and Jackson - narrate the book and keep the emotions high and suspense intense. The three characters are different enough that any reader could connect to at least one of them. I loved the slow evolution of the hauntings which created the need to keep turning the page. The supernatural happenings throughout the story could really convince the reader that ghosts ARE real and perhaps even have you looking behind your door and under your bed before going to sleep. I loved the fact that the entire book is based off of a real location and the author encourages continued support of the local lore. I believe any reader who enjoys spooky and scary stories should jump on this one - before it disappears (just kidding - it’s not going anywhere).
March 11, 2025
I love the real life ghosts in these books! Is this graveyard a real place? Yes ma’am! Is the picture of the girl in white a real thing? You betcha! Can I visit some of these towns and history museums? Abso-fruitly!
Lindsey Currie is excellent at misdirection, and this is no exception! I liked the accelerated time line of this book and it made it feel more fast paced, while it did drag a little in the middle, I think the whole thing was worth it. I like the tie back to journalism and finding/sticking to the facts. The author being an adult who listens is excellent, and I like there were some trusted adults in this story.
A bit on the scary side with the personal haunting, the creepy computer trick, the morphing painting/halloween scene and the literal mold/slime/mildew that took over her house…and they still SLEPT in that house!!! Those kids are hard core…respect.
For kids who like a good scare with a touch of “oh my gosh that place is real and that ghost story quite possibly isn’t made up”! If you liked scritch scratch and It found us, this is right up there with excellent suburban Illinois urban legends and short stories based on real places and events. Ugh! So good!
For anyone who likes a good scare with a good ol’ middle school happy ending. No one dies in this book. Strong themes of friendship and doing the right thing.
Books to recommend next: Small spaces by Katherine Arden- so freaking creepy, but no real life angle…
Lindsey Currie is excellent at misdirection, and this is no exception! I liked the accelerated time line of this book and it made it feel more fast paced, while it did drag a little in the middle, I think the whole thing was worth it. I like the tie back to journalism and finding/sticking to the facts. The author being an adult who listens is excellent, and I like there were some trusted adults in this story.
A bit on the scary side with the personal haunting, the creepy computer trick, the morphing painting/halloween scene and the literal mold/slime/mildew that took over her house…and they still SLEPT in that house!!! Those kids are hard core…respect.
For kids who like a good scare with a touch of “oh my gosh that place is real and that ghost story quite possibly isn’t made up”! If you liked scritch scratch and It found us, this is right up there with excellent suburban Illinois urban legends and short stories based on real places and events. Ugh! So good!
For anyone who likes a good scare with a good ol’ middle school happy ending. No one dies in this book. Strong themes of friendship and doing the right thing.
Books to recommend next: Small spaces by Katherine Arden- so freaking creepy, but no real life angle…
April 30, 2025
“Something followed us home from that cemetery. Something evil.”
“We never should have come here.”
This book absolutely terrified me! I read this book on a rainy night and let me tell you the setting was perfect. I had to stop reading until it was morning I was so spooked! I enjoyed the main characters and how they went about solving the mystery. It was also very amusing seeing how they adamant they were about not making typical horror movie mistakes.
The subject of grief from a child’s perspective was also touched and I thought it was very well done. This book filled with strong messages to kids and adults alike. I also enjoy seeing authors use books to shed light on history and that is exactly what “It’s Watching” did. It was a good reminder to respect and take care of historical locations and appreciate the stories they tell.
I highly recommend this book for spooky middle grade story lovers. I’m starting to really enjoy and look forward to the books Lindsay Currie writes. Just enough spooks to satisfy a scaredy cat like me!!
Happy reading!! 👻🪦🖤
“We never should have come here.”
This book absolutely terrified me! I read this book on a rainy night and let me tell you the setting was perfect. I had to stop reading until it was morning I was so spooked! I enjoyed the main characters and how they went about solving the mystery. It was also very amusing seeing how they adamant they were about not making typical horror movie mistakes.
The subject of grief from a child’s perspective was also touched and I thought it was very well done. This book filled with strong messages to kids and adults alike. I also enjoy seeing authors use books to shed light on history and that is exactly what “It’s Watching” did. It was a good reminder to respect and take care of historical locations and appreciate the stories they tell.
I highly recommend this book for spooky middle grade story lovers. I’m starting to really enjoy and look forward to the books Lindsay Currie writes. Just enough spooks to satisfy a scaredy cat like me!!
Happy reading!! 👻🪦🖤
February 20, 2025
“Something followed is home from that cemetery. Something evil.”
I’ve decided middle grade horror is about the only horror I can handle. From an erie cemetery, moving dolls, mummy’s faces that change, haunted cottages, this book is full of surprises and twists and has some intense action.
With all of those things, this book adds more examples to what I love about middle grade. Josie, Jackson, and Alison are kids that work together, aren’t perfect, and see the good in each other. Even when being haunted by ghosts, as are trying to figure out why.
There are many exciting twists and I enjoyed trying to figuring out the craziness with the trio. As the story develops, their motivations change as they realize the danger involved. I like how they kept trying, but remembered they’re only human (and kids) too.
This is my first book from this author and I’m exited to read more!
Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval.
I’ve decided middle grade horror is about the only horror I can handle. From an erie cemetery, moving dolls, mummy’s faces that change, haunted cottages, this book is full of surprises and twists and has some intense action.
With all of those things, this book adds more examples to what I love about middle grade. Josie, Jackson, and Alison are kids that work together, aren’t perfect, and see the good in each other. Even when being haunted by ghosts, as are trying to figure out why.
There are many exciting twists and I enjoyed trying to figuring out the craziness with the trio. As the story develops, their motivations change as they realize the danger involved. I like how they kept trying, but remembered they’re only human (and kids) too.
This is my first book from this author and I’m exited to read more!
Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval.
August 25, 2024
Lindsay does it again! This was the perfect mix of middle grade creep and increasing awareness of local Chicago History.
In this story, three students visit a local cemetary on Halloween night in hopes of capturing sight of "Lady in White," a local ghost. Although they do not get a glimpse of her, they unknowingly bring a ghost home with them. In a race against the clock, the students must solve the problem of the ghost before time runs out and they are lost to the living forever.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the unraveling of the real life history of a gravesite in Tinley Park, IL. The website and museum her characters use to help ride themselves of the ghost, are real. She masterfully weaves awareness for historical people and places with well written stories. I will be preordering this book for my school library.
In this story, three students visit a local cemetary on Halloween night in hopes of capturing sight of "Lady in White," a local ghost. Although they do not get a glimpse of her, they unknowingly bring a ghost home with them. In a race against the clock, the students must solve the problem of the ghost before time runs out and they are lost to the living forever.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the unraveling of the real life history of a gravesite in Tinley Park, IL. The website and museum her characters use to help ride themselves of the ghost, are real. She masterfully weaves awareness for historical people and places with well written stories. I will be preordering this book for my school library.
September 12, 2025
I was a bit disappointed with this one since I really enjoyed Currie's The Girl in White. Mainly because, as an adult, I found the kids pretty annoying. Ignoring information they literally just learned, or jumping to conclusions as facts so fast, as examples. I understand, they're 12 years old, but I feel like books like this could present the characters less realistically and teach kids how to think things through, show good critical thinking, without lessening the story/plot.
But anyway, the plot was good, if a tad predictable (for adults, perhaps not for kids).It is a pretty good little spooky story for spooky season. As a Chicago suburb resident, I learned a few things about Bachelor's Grove Cemetery that I did not know, so that was very cool.
But anyway, the plot was good, if a tad predictable (for adults, perhaps not for kids).It is a pretty good little spooky story for spooky season. As a Chicago suburb resident, I learned a few things about Bachelor's Grove Cemetery that I did not know, so that was very cool.
May 2, 2025
Josie and her two friends, Alison and Jackson, decide to sneak into the local graveyard, Bachelor's Grove, to obtain information for a killer news article that will clinch their position as school paper editors for the next year. Instead, they inadvertently run across an unmarked grave and draw the attention of a ghost who gives them a deadline to solve the mystery of what the ghost wants...or else, the else not really being specified. This tale becomes increasingly creepy and the need to solve the mystery more and more urgent. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading it and only thought afterward about a couple of points that were not answered satisfactorily.
February 15, 2025
I had a lot of fun with this! The writing is fast paced and the characters are entertaining and well-written. If you have kids or teens who enjoy spooky stories or if you're looking for a light horror book, I would recommend this! It's a fun read! Special Thank You to Lindsay Currie,Random House Children's and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
4.5 - this book was a great creepy ghost story (gave me one little nightmare - I did read right before bed - so I would not give this to unseasoned scary book readers) I also love all the Chicagoland touches throughout the book and have Bachelors Grove on my list of places to check out the next time we ride our bikes through that forest preserve!
March 16, 2025
I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the haunted cemetery, the vanishing farmhouse, and the Lady in White. The clues unfold at a steady pace, keeping the story exciting and engaging. I also loved the local Chicago vibe—it’s always a treat to read about familiar places. This is the perfect spooky story for 4th to 7th graders and a cozy horror read for adults as well.
October 10, 2025
I like reading Lindsay Currie's middle grade horrors, and this was a cute, spooky little read! Everything was tied up a little too neatly at the end with no consequences, but it's middle grade, so I'll give it a pass.
October 24, 2025
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I grew up in the Chicago land area and am very familiar with Bachelor’s Grove cemetery as I have been there a couple times myself during Halloween time.
This was a fun story that follows three friends-Josie, Alison, and Jackson-who are trying to write an article for their school’s newspaper about The Lady in White, but ends up in a spooky diabolical with having to investigate the sudden horrors that placed upon them.
This was a fun story that follows three friends-Josie, Alison, and Jackson-who are trying to write an article for their school’s newspaper about The Lady in White, but ends up in a spooky diabolical with having to investigate the sudden horrors that placed upon them.
November 6, 2025
I was so excited for this book; it's set in my hometown and I've been to Bachelor's Grove. I just did not like the writing style. I wouldn't let myself DNF it bc of the nostalgia.
February 23, 2025
Thank you to Delacorte Press for providing me with an eARC of It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie!
I’m a sucker for a good Middle Grade horror & Lindsay Currie never disappoints! 🖤
It’s Watching centers around three friends that must discover who — or what — is terrorizing them after receiving an ominous meme on Halloween night.
This MG novel contains so much heart; the friendship trio balances each other out so well & it’s so clearly obvious how much these three would do for each other. & they all deal with their own personal/inner conflict making each of them feel very real & unique from each other.
& the horror? SO SOLID. How does MG horror hit THIS good & THIS creepy? I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again, MG has some of the best creepy scenes & It’s Watching is no different.
This is one I definitely recommend picking up for you and/or your young ones!
I’m a sucker for a good Middle Grade horror & Lindsay Currie never disappoints! 🖤
It’s Watching centers around three friends that must discover who — or what — is terrorizing them after receiving an ominous meme on Halloween night.
This MG novel contains so much heart; the friendship trio balances each other out so well & it’s so clearly obvious how much these three would do for each other. & they all deal with their own personal/inner conflict making each of them feel very real & unique from each other.
& the horror? SO SOLID. How does MG horror hit THIS good & THIS creepy? I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again, MG has some of the best creepy scenes & It’s Watching is no different.
This is one I definitely recommend picking up for you and/or your young ones!
February 20, 2025
Children's author Lindsay Curie has written another compelling story that will keep kids on the edge of their seats. In this middle grade horror story, three friends sneak into an abandoned grave yard to try and prove or disprove an urban legend. They don't find any evidence of that ghost, but a different one may have followed them home. Currie is a master of suspense who uses just enough horror to keep young fans engrossed without being scary enough to cause nightmares. I read The Mystery of Locked Rooms and couldn't wait to read this book. I loved them both and can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
October 20, 2025
I did not enjoy listening to this book. It was way too long and repetitive.
SPOILERS!
The kids visit a cemetery and something follows them home so they set out to solve the mystery of what's haunting them. They determine that a missing gravestone is the issue and make one out of cardboard. How they thought that was a gravestone that would satisfy any ghost is beyond me. They put the cardboard marker on the stone but the hauntings continue. Then it's just endless questions and questions and questions that are very irritating to listen to and it all turns out they just got the wrong marker on the wrong gravesite. So this book could have been half as long as it ended up if maybe they had made mini-markers for all the missing sites with the promise of getting the town council to do better with the cemetery maintenance or something like that.
The epilogue killed the book for me though. It was nonsense. What principal is going to halt class and allow an assembly because three students asked him to just so they could make an announcement? That's a complete waste of classroom time. And then their announcement was just sanctimonious nothing that did not deserve an assembly. They get up there and talk about how Ouija boards are bad and visiting cemeteries to see ghosts is bad and act like anyone who does that is a terrible person. It's like people who stop eating sugar and then act like those that enjoy a slice of cake are going to get diabetes immediately. Going to a cemetery to try to spy a ghost is harmless as long as you do it respectfully and these kids acting like they're better than everyone else because they'll never do that again is ridiculous. And then they also announce that they're changing the name of their newspaper column. Who cares?! That was not worth an assembly of the entire school!!
But then to top off the nonsense, their presentation is given a fucking eighties-movie slow clap. Oh my gah you've got to be kidding me give me a freaking break with that bullshit.
SPOILERS!
The kids visit a cemetery and something follows them home so they set out to solve the mystery of what's haunting them. They determine that a missing gravestone is the issue and make one out of cardboard. How they thought that was a gravestone that would satisfy any ghost is beyond me. They put the cardboard marker on the stone but the hauntings continue. Then it's just endless questions and questions and questions that are very irritating to listen to and it all turns out they just got the wrong marker on the wrong gravesite. So this book could have been half as long as it ended up if maybe they had made mini-markers for all the missing sites with the promise of getting the town council to do better with the cemetery maintenance or something like that.
The epilogue killed the book for me though. It was nonsense. What principal is going to halt class and allow an assembly because three students asked him to just so they could make an announcement? That's a complete waste of classroom time. And then their announcement was just sanctimonious nothing that did not deserve an assembly. They get up there and talk about how Ouija boards are bad and visiting cemeteries to see ghosts is bad and act like anyone who does that is a terrible person. It's like people who stop eating sugar and then act like those that enjoy a slice of cake are going to get diabetes immediately. Going to a cemetery to try to spy a ghost is harmless as long as you do it respectfully and these kids acting like they're better than everyone else because they'll never do that again is ridiculous. And then they also announce that they're changing the name of their newspaper column. Who cares?! That was not worth an assembly of the entire school!!
But then to top off the nonsense, their presentation is given a fucking eighties-movie slow clap. Oh my gah you've got to be kidding me give me a freaking break with that bullshit.
February 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
This book was such a fun read. There is something about Lindsay Currie’s writing that allows me to connect with my inner child. Horror never used to be something I could tolerate as a kid, and now I read horror because it brings me so much joy. Her books were the first kind of horror I ever tried and have ultimately guided me into many 5 star horror reads. Middle grade horror will always have a special place in my heart, for that little girl that would have loved these books. Lindsay Currie always gets me, with fascinating stories about ghosts, friendship, and the deeper issues of life that we all deal with, whether child or adult. This book mainly focuses on grief and bravery and the deep bond of friendship. I feel lucky to have been able to read it early. I would suggest any of Lindsay Currie’s books and this one is no different!
This book was such a fun read. There is something about Lindsay Currie’s writing that allows me to connect with my inner child. Horror never used to be something I could tolerate as a kid, and now I read horror because it brings me so much joy. Her books were the first kind of horror I ever tried and have ultimately guided me into many 5 star horror reads. Middle grade horror will always have a special place in my heart, for that little girl that would have loved these books. Lindsay Currie always gets me, with fascinating stories about ghosts, friendship, and the deeper issues of life that we all deal with, whether child or adult. This book mainly focuses on grief and bravery and the deep bond of friendship. I feel lucky to have been able to read it early. I would suggest any of Lindsay Currie’s books and this one is no different!
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