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I Bought a Haunted School
A Haunted School is No Place to Live… Especially if You’re a Little Girl.
Ava’s family has just moved into an abandoned school.
The empty hallways are as lonely as Ava feared. When she finds a raggedy stuffed rabbit, she feels like she’s finally made a friend.
But there are others within the eerie classrooms. They also want to be Ava’s friends. They’ve been in this old school a long time, and they have their own wicked ideas for Ava and her family…
"A creepy, fun ride through the echoing halls of a haunted school-turned-home. With every creak and whisper, the scare factor ramps up—I dare you to read this after dark!" - Ben Farthing, Author of I Found Puppets Living in My Apartment Walls.
Ava’s family has just moved into an abandoned school.
The empty hallways are as lonely as Ava feared. When she finds a raggedy stuffed rabbit, she feels like she’s finally made a friend.
But there are others within the eerie classrooms. They also want to be Ava’s friends. They’ve been in this old school a long time, and they have their own wicked ideas for Ava and her family…
"A creepy, fun ride through the echoing halls of a haunted school-turned-home. With every creak and whisper, the scare factor ramps up—I dare you to read this after dark!" - Ben Farthing, Author of I Found Puppets Living in My Apartment Walls.
- GenresHorror
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
103 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 17, 2025
Family buys an closed down schoolhouse and concerts it into their new home. a local "crazy" women's warning, weird feelings of being watched, and objects disappearing and knocked over objects, and horrible dreams, are raised the red flags of the school being haunted.
Events in this book take place over the course of a couple weeks. Staring with the day the family moves in and concludes on the night, " all hell breaks loose". Events are seen thru the eyes of the family's 6 y/o daughter,( who honestly acts very immature even for a 6 y/o)
Tension in the house builds quickly, thanks to what appears to be a slightly manic mother's efforts to have what she hopes is a perfect diner party, the little girls inability to sleep due to nightmares and seeing shadow people in her room, and the daughters obsession with a old, dirty stuffed bunny she finds in one of the old classrooms....This book is definitely creepy. I just wish there was more back story on the ghosts that haunt the school.
Events in this book take place over the course of a couple weeks. Staring with the day the family moves in and concludes on the night, " all hell breaks loose". Events are seen thru the eyes of the family's 6 y/o daughter,( who honestly acts very immature even for a 6 y/o)
Tension in the house builds quickly, thanks to what appears to be a slightly manic mother's efforts to have what she hopes is a perfect diner party, the little girls inability to sleep due to nightmares and seeing shadow people in her room, and the daughters obsession with a old, dirty stuffed bunny she finds in one of the old classrooms....This book is definitely creepy. I just wish there was more back story on the ghosts that haunt the school.
January 20, 2025
Let’s start with what I really enjoyed about this book. It wasn’t overly long, making it an easy and quick read, and the plot kept a nice pace throughout. It also had some genuinely spooky moments and an intriguing backstory that kept me interested. I especially appreciated that the story was told from the perspective of a 6-year-old without feeling like it was aimed at middle school readers—a tricky balance that the author pulled off well. Oh, and I have to mention the cover—I absolutely loved it!
Now, onto the areas that I felt needed more work. Some of the dialogue didn’t quite hit the mark for me. For example, there’s a conversation between our 6-year-old FMC and an 8-year-old ghost boy, but his vocabulary and word choices sounded way too polished, more like an educated adult than a child. It just felt unrealistic and pulled me out of the story. I also noticed multiple spelling mistakes, which, while minor, made the book feel like it could’ve used a bit more proofreading.
Now, onto the areas that I felt needed more work. Some of the dialogue didn’t quite hit the mark for me. For example, there’s a conversation between our 6-year-old FMC and an 8-year-old ghost boy, but his vocabulary and word choices sounded way too polished, more like an educated adult than a child. It just felt unrealistic and pulled me out of the story. I also noticed multiple spelling mistakes, which, while minor, made the book feel like it could’ve used a bit more proofreading.
August 10, 2025
What an absolutely terrifying story! I would never think that using an abandoned school would be possible let alone advisable. Because children are so innocent it was really easy to believe that Ava could sense something was off about the school. When she found the ratty, stained rabbit her mom should have stuck with her gut and took the thing. But of course, parents love their children so mom just let her keep the rabbit. I was taken by surprise how quickly the terror began. When it started with little things: like the stuffed rabbit sitting on boxes instead of with Ava, the parents should have paid some attention to what little Ava told them. The parents would soon find out that ignoring warning signs would lead to disaster. The author did a great job of filling the pages with fear causing situations that remind the reader why abandoned places should remain abandoned.
October 20, 2024
I'm not entirely sure I enjoyed this, though I'd not dissuade anyone from giving it a go. It's seemingly written in a young adult spirit, but the last third of the book (the ending included) is far more cruel, pessimistic, graphic, and impactful than anything I'd suggest a young teenager should read. The title is also a tiny bit misleading: it's a family of three buying a haunted school, and the story isn't even told in first-person. That's fortunate, because following a horror story with this kind of ending through the eyes of a six-year old girl directly, would have made for a tale of very limited vision. The aspect I liked most was how the implications of the ending are never really drawn out; you have to read between the lines, and freak out when realization strikes.
December 1, 2025
Thanksgiving hits different with this book 😬
April 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐ This was fun, but I think I expected a bit more creepiness and more plot in general.
I was immediately invested in the story and kept waiting for the increase in the creepy factor. Whilst I did feel eerie and I genuinely liked the child main protagonist Ava, I think I was expecting a bit more.
On the other hand, I liked how the twist was handled and how the reader really has to work it out by themselves, as it’s never plainly explained. The reader is left with that indecisive feeling of knowing what happened but never fully. I liked that!
As always, this is my personal opinion, and I encourage you to read/listen to this as some elements were really fun! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Christine LaChance.
Thanks to the author for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.
I was immediately invested in the story and kept waiting for the increase in the creepy factor. Whilst I did feel eerie and I genuinely liked the child main protagonist Ava, I think I was expecting a bit more.
On the other hand, I liked how the twist was handled and how the reader really has to work it out by themselves, as it’s never plainly explained. The reader is left with that indecisive feeling of knowing what happened but never fully. I liked that!
As always, this is my personal opinion, and I encourage you to read/listen to this as some elements were really fun! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Christine LaChance.
Thanks to the author for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.
April 26, 2025
I stumbled across this book while I was wandering around Powell Books during a visit to Portland, OR and the premise hooked me so I had to grab it!
That being said, I hate to do this, especially for a fellow indie author, but it would be a disservice to not leave my honest thoughts after reading.
This book had a lot of potential but sadly fell flat for me. On the surface, it could have benefited greatly from another round of two of editing. There were typos, awkward sentences, and inconsistencies with the spelling of one character's name everywhere. The concept was really cool, but I wanted more detail. I hoped for at least a little description on how the school was renovated before the family moved in. For example, were the bedrooms renovated to look more like typical bedrooms, or were they just putting bedroom furniture in old classrooms? Details like that would have really helped with my immersion in the setting.
The characters themselves all felt one-dimensional and wooden. There was a lot of head-hopping going on. A character who was meant to be around 8 years old spoke like a grown adult. The chapter where all was (allegedly) revealed was about 90% pure dialogue and was a slog to get through. It would have really served much better as a flashback. It also didn't feel like there was enough buildup to the big ending.
The twist at the end was really interesting, but I do feel like it could have been executed better.
All that being said, I didn't hate the book. I think there is tons of potential here, but this read more like a first draft than a completed work. The author clearly has good ideas and knows how to come up with a compelling story. My disappointment with this book in particular wouldn't deter from checking out more of his work in the future. I don't regret reading, I just think it could have been a much stronger book with a bit more editing and work.
That being said, I hate to do this, especially for a fellow indie author, but it would be a disservice to not leave my honest thoughts after reading.
This book had a lot of potential but sadly fell flat for me. On the surface, it could have benefited greatly from another round of two of editing. There were typos, awkward sentences, and inconsistencies with the spelling of one character's name everywhere. The concept was really cool, but I wanted more detail. I hoped for at least a little description on how the school was renovated before the family moved in. For example, were the bedrooms renovated to look more like typical bedrooms, or were they just putting bedroom furniture in old classrooms? Details like that would have really helped with my immersion in the setting.
The characters themselves all felt one-dimensional and wooden. There was a lot of head-hopping going on. A character who was meant to be around 8 years old spoke like a grown adult. The chapter where all was (allegedly) revealed was about 90% pure dialogue and was a slog to get through. It would have really served much better as a flashback. It also didn't feel like there was enough buildup to the big ending.
The twist at the end was really interesting, but I do feel like it could have been executed better.
All that being said, I didn't hate the book. I think there is tons of potential here, but this read more like a first draft than a completed work. The author clearly has good ideas and knows how to come up with a compelling story. My disappointment with this book in particular wouldn't deter from checking out more of his work in the future. I don't regret reading, I just think it could have been a much stronger book with a bit more editing and work.
October 22, 2024
This is a horror tale, told in two separate, shall we say, subgenres.
The first 2/3 of this book delivers the creepy factor to spare, right from the opening scene. Chilling, that sense of dread that you look for in a "haunted novel"
The last 1/3 of the book is more of a slasher story, with a bit of a twist. Blood and gore galore, and if that's not your thing, you may be in for a surprise when it hits.
Stay with it.
Ava, and her mom and dad, move into a new house that once was a school with a dark past. It's not long before the fun begins, and the reader is taken for quite an enjoyable ride, right through to the brutal ending.
The payoff comes from who is orchestrating the mayhem.
I personally liked the way the book deviated into something I didn't expect.
I look forward to more from this author.
The first 2/3 of this book delivers the creepy factor to spare, right from the opening scene. Chilling, that sense of dread that you look for in a "haunted novel"
The last 1/3 of the book is more of a slasher story, with a bit of a twist. Blood and gore galore, and if that's not your thing, you may be in for a surprise when it hits.
Stay with it.
Ava, and her mom and dad, move into a new house that once was a school with a dark past. It's not long before the fun begins, and the reader is taken for quite an enjoyable ride, right through to the brutal ending.
The payoff comes from who is orchestrating the mayhem.
I personally liked the way the book deviated into something I didn't expect.
I look forward to more from this author.
April 11, 2025
I Bought A Haunted School by Sam Whittaker
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this creepy & twisty horror story!
Ava a 6 year old little girl, is moving into an old school building with her parents. It’s an odd place to make a home, and Ava quickly feels that things aren’t right in the old building. This school has some dark and scary history! Is the school haunted? Is Ava seeing ghosts? Will her parents believe her worries?
This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more! It’s a fast read and I like the way the author tells a story.
Thank you to Sam Whittaker for an audio copy of this great book!! The narrator did an excellent job!
*The book is out now and I recommend reading this spooky story!!* 👻🔔🐰
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this creepy & twisty horror story!
Ava a 6 year old little girl, is moving into an old school building with her parents. It’s an odd place to make a home, and Ava quickly feels that things aren’t right in the old building. This school has some dark and scary history! Is the school haunted? Is Ava seeing ghosts? Will her parents believe her worries?
This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more! It’s a fast read and I like the way the author tells a story.
Thank you to Sam Whittaker for an audio copy of this great book!! The narrator did an excellent job!
*The book is out now and I recommend reading this spooky story!!* 👻🔔🐰
April 9, 2025
I don’t know if it was just because I was a nerdy kid who loved horror books, but I always fantasized about how scary and cool it would be to live in an old school when I was younger. Very glad that didn’t happen after reading this book!! I also really enjoyed the dynamics of the parents and thought they were very realistic.
February 19, 2025
I thought this book was corny. I liked the length but I struggled to get through it. It was like Five Nights At Freddy’s with a twist. A killer bunny rabbit…really? The only part I enjoyed was hearing about how Patrick was murdered. And the ending? I’m assuming the mom was the sister? Idk…This one just didn’t do it for me.8
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
Ava and her parents have just moved into an abandoned school. As soon as they get settled into their home, strange things start to happen. Ava finds a filthy stuffed rabbit that she names Floppy and then "meets" a young boy who turns out to be a ghost! Although a local woman tries to warn them that they shouldn't live in the school, she doesn't elaborate about the past history of it.
The story moved a fairly fast pace, but I did have a few issues with it. First of all, I didn't care for the story being told from the POV of a six year old. When Ava finally encounters the ghost boy, he tells her (in gruesome detail) all about his murder, along with the subsequent murder of another boy. Ava doesn't react in a way that seemed normal to me for a six year old when being told about the violence surrounding the school.
Also, I was expecting a haunted house-type story, but it turned into more of a slasher ala Child's Play. The ending was pretty predictable, especially since the book starts out with the end result, then goes back to fill in the events leading to this end. I also had a problem with Ava's mother, Candace, who was one of the most insufferable women I have read recently!
The narrator did a pretty good job and kept my interest. All in all, it was a quick read and fairly entertaining, but it could have been much better IMO.
The story moved a fairly fast pace, but I did have a few issues with it. First of all, I didn't care for the story being told from the POV of a six year old. When Ava finally encounters the ghost boy, he tells her (in gruesome detail) all about his murder, along with the subsequent murder of another boy. Ava doesn't react in a way that seemed normal to me for a six year old when being told about the violence surrounding the school.
Also, I was expecting a haunted house-type story, but it turned into more of a slasher ala Child's Play. The ending was pretty predictable, especially since the book starts out with the end result, then goes back to fill in the events leading to this end. I also had a problem with Ava's mother, Candace, who was one of the most insufferable women I have read recently!
The narrator did a pretty good job and kept my interest. All in all, it was a quick read and fairly entertaining, but it could have been much better IMO.
October 3, 2024
Six year old Ava and her parents have moved into a school. The ground floor is for them to live on, the next floor is for her mums music studio. Before they're fully moved in, a woman warns them it isn't safe, but naturally they think she's a kook. Soon, Ava starts feeling like she's being watched, she finds herself frightened often and suddenly has a new friend that only she can see. But how long before they find out whether the rumours about the school are true or not?
This was soooo good. It took a little while for the real action to take place, but it was eery from the very beginning. The first chapter absolutely pulled me in, and I read this in just over 2 hours. It was creepy, and I had to put my sons plushies in another room so I could finish reading. And I loved the way it ended, but I truly hope there's going to be a second book. I don't want a second book, I need it.
This book is due out at the end of this month, so go and get your pre-orders in or keep an eye on it for release day.
This was soooo good. It took a little while for the real action to take place, but it was eery from the very beginning. The first chapter absolutely pulled me in, and I read this in just over 2 hours. It was creepy, and I had to put my sons plushies in another room so I could finish reading. And I loved the way it ended, but I truly hope there's going to be a second book. I don't want a second book, I need it.
This book is due out at the end of this month, so go and get your pre-orders in or keep an eye on it for release day.
March 23, 2025
I got this book because I enjoy reading about haunted places. It's one of my favorite tropes in horror. This was a fun read. However, it seemed the book went in a different direction. So the first half or 2/3 of the story is a creepy horror, which is what I expect from a book like this. The last third of the book turns into a gore/slasher fest. I mean it was fun, but it felt off. It's hard to explain and I don't want to sound like I'm negative, but the shift in tone did throw me off a bit.
I felt the story might have been told in a first-person tone in Ava's mind, but I'm aware that it would have given us a limited scope.
Despite the shift in tone, I think everyone should read this solid haunted house/school book. Ava was a well-developed main character, which kept me engaged and cheering for her. I must warn you, the ending is a bit dark/down.
Still this is a solid 4/5 star read that you should get.
I felt the story might have been told in a first-person tone in Ava's mind, but I'm aware that it would have given us a limited scope.
Despite the shift in tone, I think everyone should read this solid haunted house/school book. Ava was a well-developed main character, which kept me engaged and cheering for her. I must warn you, the ending is a bit dark/down.
Still this is a solid 4/5 star read that you should get.
October 8, 2024
I received an arc copy (i think) for kindle, and I was thoroughly invested during the first part of the story. There was a couple of spelling and grammatical issues I found but it didn’t really bother me that much.
What kinda bothered me was how “immediate” the ending was. It felt it was kinda rushed. It had potential to be a longer story but because it was a short one, the ending was fully packed making it looked like it was rushed.
There were explanations for the characters and why it happened the way it was, but it felt like it could need more. Like the lore of the haunted school could be delved more. It would have been nice if there was more to the background story of the school.
I enjoyed the short read, personally I wouldn’t have mind if it was longer if it meant I could have a detailed background as to why the school is a no-go zone.
What kinda bothered me was how “immediate” the ending was. It felt it was kinda rushed. It had potential to be a longer story but because it was a short one, the ending was fully packed making it looked like it was rushed.
There were explanations for the characters and why it happened the way it was, but it felt like it could need more. Like the lore of the haunted school could be delved more. It would have been nice if there was more to the background story of the school.
I enjoyed the short read, personally I wouldn’t have mind if it was longer if it meant I could have a detailed background as to why the school is a no-go zone.
January 1, 2025
I liked this story. I read a story years ago, called The School, by TM Wright, and I found the location of a school, very cool and memorable. After reading this, I still think a school is a great place for a creepy story.
The characters were okay, we didn't get much history about them so I really didn't care what happened to them. The mom was not exactly a sympathetic character, and I didn't have much love for her. I would have loved a few more incidents, particularily some involving the parents, near the beginning of the story, so they were unsettled, I think it would have added to the atmosphere. The last part of the story gets much more exciting and gruesome and I really liked the ending. 3.8 rounded up.
The characters were okay, we didn't get much history about them so I really didn't care what happened to them. The mom was not exactly a sympathetic character, and I didn't have much love for her. I would have loved a few more incidents, particularily some involving the parents, near the beginning of the story, so they were unsettled, I think it would have added to the atmosphere. The last part of the story gets much more exciting and gruesome and I really liked the ending. 3.8 rounded up.
May 19, 2025
Holy crap! What a fast paced, creepy ride that was! It was amazing. It’s told from the POV of 6 yr old AVA which makes it better, because at that age she’s automatically considered an unreliable narrator.
AVAs parents made me so mad, because they just kept writing off AVAs fears, instead of soothing her more. Mom was definitely unstable and AVA seems to have a little of moms unstableness herself. I did not expect this story to go where it did at all. I didn’t even suspect that something was off until the last 10% of the book. Man, was that a shocker! I def recommend this book!
AVAs parents made me so mad, because they just kept writing off AVAs fears, instead of soothing her more. Mom was definitely unstable and AVA seems to have a little of moms unstableness herself. I did not expect this story to go where it did at all. I didn’t even suspect that something was off until the last 10% of the book. Man, was that a shocker! I def recommend this book!
December 9, 2024
First of all...this was creepy as hell, secondly I hate the mother... And third I don't want my stuffed rabbit anymore. 🫢
A couple and their daughter Ava move into an old school that they have made their home and music studio.
But what could go wrong? Why is a school up for sale? What happened here all those years ago? And why don't people listen to the warnings of others?
Absolutely brilliant, creepy and spine tingling. And I'm throwing away my stuffed rabbit 😅.
A couple and their daughter Ava move into an old school that they have made their home and music studio.
But what could go wrong? Why is a school up for sale? What happened here all those years ago? And why don't people listen to the warnings of others?
Absolutely brilliant, creepy and spine tingling. And I'm throwing away my stuffed rabbit 😅.
January 3, 2025
This was a decent read I found while scrolling Facebook.
Its on KU so if you have that sub, absolutely give this a read, but it felt a little YA for me, which I dont mind , but I wanted more background information and more, horror ?
This was a decent haunted house read, and if you like that, absolutely check it out/
Its on KU so if you have that sub, absolutely give this a read, but it felt a little YA for me, which I dont mind , but I wanted more background information and more, horror ?
This was a decent haunted house read, and if you like that, absolutely check it out/
April 7, 2025
I flew through this book. it was super readable and very creepy. The last bit of the book was pretty gruesome. I'm not sure that I like the view of the child for a whole book but it was a first. My one complaint would be the number of spelling errors.
I'd recommend for anyone wanting to read something quick and creepy.
I'd recommend for anyone wanting to read something quick and creepy.
April 15, 2025
This is The Others, meets Chucky, meets Beetlejuice.
The editing was sloppy. There were several spelling and grammatical errors throughout the book.
The beginning was okay, it seemed a good pace, there was good build up, character forming was solid.
Why the crash and burn towards the end? It was like two different people wrote this book.
The editing was sloppy. There were several spelling and grammatical errors throughout the book.
The beginning was okay, it seemed a good pace, there was good build up, character forming was solid.
Why the crash and burn towards the end? It was like two different people wrote this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 24, 2025An old school seems like an odd place to make a home in my opinion. I felt bad for Ava. She was just a little girl in a big weird place. Things only got worse with all the weird things that started happening. It was super creepy for most of the book. Just a warning that it gets pretty gory near the end. I enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to checking out more by Sam Whittaker.
October 22, 2024
School
Ava's parents purchase an old school for their new home and studio. It has been closed a long time. No one stays there long. Ava begins to see things. What is haunting the old school? Are they safe? Chilling read.
Ava's parents purchase an old school for their new home and studio. It has been closed a long time. No one stays there long. Ava begins to see things. What is haunting the old school? Are they safe? Chilling read.
February 18, 2025
Start to finish I could not put this book down! Had to keep reading to see what was hiding around the next doorway. This was actually the first book from Sam Whitaker I have read at the urging of James Kaine and I will definitely be reading more!
March 21, 2025
This was pretty good. I thought that the ending was a bit rushed with everything happening in the last couple of chapters and the events of the book did not really build up that well to the conclusion. There were also some minor spelling errors. But this was an okay quick read.
March 30, 2025
It struck me as a slow burn. Nothing much happened until near the end, but once things pick up, it's a bloodbath all the way to the end. I recommend this book. It's a short, quick story for anyone looking for a quick read.
August 29, 2025
Easy read
This book was good. I love that it had some interesting twists, and turns. It is a good "ghostly" story that is an easy read. I found it interesting enough that I would read some of the authors other writings.
This book was good. I love that it had some interesting twists, and turns. It is a good "ghostly" story that is an easy read. I found it interesting enough that I would read some of the authors other writings.
December 7, 2025
I don't want to ruin this for anyone.
Just know that it delivers on the haunting aspect and the horror aspect.
I had fun, it was a quick, refreshing read, and I am going to read Book #2 in the series.
Just know that it delivers on the haunting aspect and the horror aspect.
I had fun, it was a quick, refreshing read, and I am going to read Book #2 in the series.
December 12, 2025
Creepy
While there are several stories of haunted schools, this is one of the more horrific ones. The story includes lots of spooky activity, gore, and a very strange twist at the end.
While there are several stories of haunted schools, this is one of the more horrific ones. The story includes lots of spooky activity, gore, and a very strange twist at the end.
December 19, 2025
This is a quick read for sure. Short chapters. Ava is the 6 year old main character. The concept is a good one. This story is meant for teenagers and young adults. Floppy is the cute adorable bunny rabbit. As I read this, it felt as if I was re-reading the script of Beetlejuice the movie. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews