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Cemetery Ridge
Centered around an old, eerie graveyard, this novel pulls the reader into the suspense of a twisted thriller and the spiral of internal turmoil experienced by twelve-year-old Lacey Tracey as she journeys through middle school drama. Enduring her family's move from the metropolis of Pittsburgh, PA to the small, middle-of-nowhere town Cemetery Ridge, OH, Lacey tries to fit in with peers at her new school, while at the same time, being on the receiving end of student dislike for the principal, her (adoptive) father. Believing Cemetery Ridge is a strange, hick town where nothing exciting could possibly happen, Lacey finds herself plunged into intrigue, piecing together clues to the disappearance of a young girl named Brooke who tries desperate measures to reunite with her family. Developing confidence in herself, Lacey turns foes into friends as circumstances collide and relentless determination must get them through a dangerous encounter with an unexpected stranger to solve a mystery with far-reaching tentacles to the past.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 21, 2025
Ah, to be young again.
Yeah, right. I wouldn’t go back to twelve-year-old me for a million bucks. EVERYTHING is so dramatic and earth-shattering. Hormones are raging, parents override your each and every decision, and other kids can make daily life H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. Especially if you’re the new kid in town—AND the daughter of the school’s super-strict new principal. Could it get any worse? Well—with a rhymey name like Lacey Tracey, it most certainly can!
When Lacey and her twin brother, Logan, are uprooted from their comfortable Pennsylvania existence only to plopped down in a small town in Ohio that just so happens to be named after the cemetery that seems to be the town’s central attraction. Creepy.
But that isn’t all that’s creepy.
Somewhere in the vicinity lurks another little girl named Brooke. She’s being temporarily cared for by a couple of family friends while her cancer-stricken mother seeks treatment, but as time passes, she’s begun to suspect these family friends may not be as friendly as she first thought. Trapped in a trailer in the middle of nowhere, she isn’t allowed to go to school with the other children her own age, and she’s getting desperate to speak to her ailing mother but is afraid to violate the house rules of her new benefactors—especially slovenly ogre, Tucker. He’s always angry about something, and she doesn’t want to draw his wrath by disobeying him. She must find a way to leave clues that might somehow lead others to find her. But how?
Barbara Eckholdt Johnstone is uniquely qualified to relay this compelling, middle grade tale as she was an educator for many years before she retired. Her time spent surrounded by children of this age gives her an authentic voice of narration for the story’s lead, Lacey, and an understanding of the way kids that age are quick to judge (and misjudge) their peers, frequently creating trouble that otherwise would never have existed. Her supporting cast of characters covers all the familiar cliques without being stereotypical, and Johnstone carefully adds layers to each individual, underscoring the importance of patience and understanding, and it isn’t just a lesson for middle school children. It’s something we should all be wise enough to remember. After all, no one should be judged at face value alone.
As Lacey and her new schoolmates begin to work through their differences, a chance encounter between Lacey and Brooke changes everything, bringing the kids together to solve a mystery that’s been haunting one family in Cemetery Ridge for a little over a year. Can Lacey get to the bottom of things and rescue a little girl who’s been missing for more than a year?
Exciting and unpredictable, the story throws its readers more than a few surprises near the end they probably won’t see coming.
Impressive debut! I look forward to whatever Barbara decides to do next.
Yeah, right. I wouldn’t go back to twelve-year-old me for a million bucks. EVERYTHING is so dramatic and earth-shattering. Hormones are raging, parents override your each and every decision, and other kids can make daily life H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. Especially if you’re the new kid in town—AND the daughter of the school’s super-strict new principal. Could it get any worse? Well—with a rhymey name like Lacey Tracey, it most certainly can!
When Lacey and her twin brother, Logan, are uprooted from their comfortable Pennsylvania existence only to plopped down in a small town in Ohio that just so happens to be named after the cemetery that seems to be the town’s central attraction. Creepy.
But that isn’t all that’s creepy.
Somewhere in the vicinity lurks another little girl named Brooke. She’s being temporarily cared for by a couple of family friends while her cancer-stricken mother seeks treatment, but as time passes, she’s begun to suspect these family friends may not be as friendly as she first thought. Trapped in a trailer in the middle of nowhere, she isn’t allowed to go to school with the other children her own age, and she’s getting desperate to speak to her ailing mother but is afraid to violate the house rules of her new benefactors—especially slovenly ogre, Tucker. He’s always angry about something, and she doesn’t want to draw his wrath by disobeying him. She must find a way to leave clues that might somehow lead others to find her. But how?
Barbara Eckholdt Johnstone is uniquely qualified to relay this compelling, middle grade tale as she was an educator for many years before she retired. Her time spent surrounded by children of this age gives her an authentic voice of narration for the story’s lead, Lacey, and an understanding of the way kids that age are quick to judge (and misjudge) their peers, frequently creating trouble that otherwise would never have existed. Her supporting cast of characters covers all the familiar cliques without being stereotypical, and Johnstone carefully adds layers to each individual, underscoring the importance of patience and understanding, and it isn’t just a lesson for middle school children. It’s something we should all be wise enough to remember. After all, no one should be judged at face value alone.
As Lacey and her new schoolmates begin to work through their differences, a chance encounter between Lacey and Brooke changes everything, bringing the kids together to solve a mystery that’s been haunting one family in Cemetery Ridge for a little over a year. Can Lacey get to the bottom of things and rescue a little girl who’s been missing for more than a year?
Exciting and unpredictable, the story throws its readers more than a few surprises near the end they probably won’t see coming.
Impressive debut! I look forward to whatever Barbara decides to do next.
September 5, 2026
**A suspenseful story with a heartwarming message about finding your place**
I thoroughly enjoyed *Cemetery Ridge*! Although it is written for young adults, I found myself completely drawn into Lacey’s story and the challenges she faced after moving from Pittsburgh to a small Ohio town and starting over at a new school.
Having moved several times myself growing up, I could really relate to how difficult it can be to leave behind everything familiar and try to find your place in a new school and a new community. Lacey’s struggles with fitting in, making friends, and gaining confidence felt very real to me. I especially appreciated the way her experiences showed that even during an emotionally difficult time in life, we can grow, find our courage, and discover friendships in unexpected places.
And then there’s the mystery! The eerie cemetery setting and the disappearance of Brooke added just the right amount of creepiness and suspense. I enjoyed piecing together the clues alongside Lacey as the story unfolded, and there were definitely moments when I wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next.
I think this would be a wonderful book for a young reader who may be going through the challenges of moving, starting a new school, or simply trying to figure out where they fit in. But I also think adults will enjoy it. I certainly did!
A suspenseful mystery, a wonderfully relatable main character, and an encouraging message about friendship, courage, and finding your place make *Cemetery Ridge* a very enjoyable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed *Cemetery Ridge*! Although it is written for young adults, I found myself completely drawn into Lacey’s story and the challenges she faced after moving from Pittsburgh to a small Ohio town and starting over at a new school.
Having moved several times myself growing up, I could really relate to how difficult it can be to leave behind everything familiar and try to find your place in a new school and a new community. Lacey’s struggles with fitting in, making friends, and gaining confidence felt very real to me. I especially appreciated the way her experiences showed that even during an emotionally difficult time in life, we can grow, find our courage, and discover friendships in unexpected places.
And then there’s the mystery! The eerie cemetery setting and the disappearance of Brooke added just the right amount of creepiness and suspense. I enjoyed piecing together the clues alongside Lacey as the story unfolded, and there were definitely moments when I wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next.
I think this would be a wonderful book for a young reader who may be going through the challenges of moving, starting a new school, or simply trying to figure out where they fit in. But I also think adults will enjoy it. I certainly did!
A suspenseful mystery, a wonderfully relatable main character, and an encouraging message about friendship, courage, and finding your place make *Cemetery Ridge* a very enjoyable read.
December 7, 2025
Very well written about a subject that is important to many young adults..acceptance.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews