What do you think?
Rate this book
Ghost in the Night
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26From mega-bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson comes this highly anticipated follow-up to her middle grade debut Blood in the Water.The Only Black Girl on the Ghost Tour is another spine-tingling, can't-put-it-down mystery, this time set in America's Most Haunted City.Savannah, Georgia is a city on edge when twelve-year-old Harmony arrives with her blues musician father for a summer gig. The recent disappearance of a local boy remains unsolved and the trail has gone cold, leaving the simmering community without answers or closure.Savannah, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is also a place rich in history...and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony's interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories...but isn't sure what's real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?As Harmony and her new friends look into the truth behind the ghost picture, they stumble into a dangerously tangled web of ambition, lies...and murder.Can Harmony unravel the mystery in time...or will she have to give up the ghost?New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers thrills and chills once more with this layered, evocative mystery that is sure to give readers goosebumps.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
5 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany D. Jackson
24 books10.7k followersTiffany D. Jackson is the New York Times Bestselling author of YA novels including the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, the NAACP Image Award-nominated Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and her 2020 title GROWN. She received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decade in TV/Film experience. The Brooklyn native is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves, most likely multitasking.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Want to read
October 17, 2025AS ALWAYS!
IF TIFFANY WRITES IT...
I AM READING IT!
Sooooo Buzzed!
🤎🤎🤎
IF TIFFANY WRITES IT...
I AM READING IT!
Sooooo Buzzed!
🤎🤎🤎
Want to read
November 20, 2025Tiffany can do no wrong! I loved Blood in the Water (and basically everything else she’s written) and am excited for her next middle grade thriller/mystery! I am seated! 🪑
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of Scholastic Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson is a heartfelt and amazingly written middle grade novel that I truly enjoyed. For this age group, I was impressed by how thoughtful and engaging the story was. I especially appreciated that there was no profanity, which makes it even more suitable for younger readers.
The writing felt natural and believable. The dialogue, structure, and character relationships were realistic, which is something I always appreciate in her books. Tiffany D. Jackson has a talent for exploring grief, family dynamics, and difficult life circumstances in a way that feels relatable without overwhelming young readers or even adult readers.
Robby was one of my favorite characters. He was intelligent, curious, and more emotionally mature than his mother expected. His character development felt authentic and meaningful. On the other hand, I struggled with the way Harmony’s father kept secrets from her. His lack of openness made her feel isolated and distant, which added emotional distance within their relationship.
The novel explores themes of grief, childhood curiosity, emotional growth, and family relationships in a way that is clear and digestible for middle grade readers. It captures that stage of development where children begin seeking independence while still needing guidance.
The only part that felt unrealistic was the children exploring the city of Savannah on their own. A 12 and 10 year-old catching buses and rides from people they barely knew stretched believability for me, though it did add to the adventurous tone of the story.
Overall, I loved this book. It balances real emotions with an engaging storyline, and it’s definitely something I would want my son to read when it’s published.
Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson is a heartfelt and amazingly written middle grade novel that I truly enjoyed. For this age group, I was impressed by how thoughtful and engaging the story was. I especially appreciated that there was no profanity, which makes it even more suitable for younger readers.
The writing felt natural and believable. The dialogue, structure, and character relationships were realistic, which is something I always appreciate in her books. Tiffany D. Jackson has a talent for exploring grief, family dynamics, and difficult life circumstances in a way that feels relatable without overwhelming young readers or even adult readers.
Robby was one of my favorite characters. He was intelligent, curious, and more emotionally mature than his mother expected. His character development felt authentic and meaningful. On the other hand, I struggled with the way Harmony’s father kept secrets from her. His lack of openness made her feel isolated and distant, which added emotional distance within their relationship.
The novel explores themes of grief, childhood curiosity, emotional growth, and family relationships in a way that is clear and digestible for middle grade readers. It captures that stage of development where children begin seeking independence while still needing guidance.
The only part that felt unrealistic was the children exploring the city of Savannah on their own. A 12 and 10 year-old catching buses and rides from people they barely knew stretched believability for me, though it did add to the adventurous tone of the story.
Overall, I loved this book. It balances real emotions with an engaging storyline, and it’s definitely something I would want my son to read when it’s published.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Rounded to 4 stars for Goodreads)
I had a good time reading Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harmony is on the road with her dad, a Jazz musician touring the country, and in every city where he has a gig she signs up for ghost tours, determined to prove whether ghosts are real. The paranormal angle was genuinely fun and a little eerie, but what really landed for me was the grief underneath it all. As someone who has lost a well loved grandparent, I understood why this question of what happens after we die felt so urgent to our young character.
Harmony has grit. She is smart, observant, and has a really kind heart. She carries a lot emotionally, and while I personally felt she might have read slightly older at times, I still rooted for her the whole way through.
The shift from her home in NYC to her new surroundings in Savannah adds a layer of uncertainty for Harmony, and honestly for the reader too. The relationship between her dad and his friend felt a little loosely defined, which gave parts of that storyline a slightly unfinished feel. Ultimately, she faces many-many changes in her future that she’ll have to acclimate and adjust to.
My only real critique is that the three kids (Harmony, Robby, and Myah) sometimes felt just a touch young for the roles they were playing, and the narrative voice occasionally slipped out of its colloquial tone. Minor things in the grand scheme.
Overall, this is a really strong middle grade mystery with heart, atmosphere, and emotional depth. I would absolutely recommend it to the target age group and to adults like me who still love a good YA ghost story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I had a good time reading Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harmony is on the road with her dad, a Jazz musician touring the country, and in every city where he has a gig she signs up for ghost tours, determined to prove whether ghosts are real. The paranormal angle was genuinely fun and a little eerie, but what really landed for me was the grief underneath it all. As someone who has lost a well loved grandparent, I understood why this question of what happens after we die felt so urgent to our young character.
Harmony has grit. She is smart, observant, and has a really kind heart. She carries a lot emotionally, and while I personally felt she might have read slightly older at times, I still rooted for her the whole way through.
The shift from her home in NYC to her new surroundings in Savannah adds a layer of uncertainty for Harmony, and honestly for the reader too. The relationship between her dad and his friend felt a little loosely defined, which gave parts of that storyline a slightly unfinished feel. Ultimately, she faces many-many changes in her future that she’ll have to acclimate and adjust to.
My only real critique is that the three kids (Harmony, Robby, and Myah) sometimes felt just a touch young for the roles they were playing, and the narrative voice occasionally slipped out of its colloquial tone. Minor things in the grand scheme.
Overall, this is a really strong middle grade mystery with heart, atmosphere, and emotional depth. I would absolutely recommend it to the target age group and to adults like me who still love a good YA ghost story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read
February 28, 2026Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another gripping and atmospheric mystery in Ghost in the Night, a middle-grade thriller that blends Southern folklore, friendship, and long-buried secrets.
Set against the haunting backdrop of Savannah, Georgia, the story follows Harmony as she spends the summer with her father and stumbles into a mystery tied to a missing boy and a ghostly photograph. What begins as curiosity quickly turns into something much deeper — and darker — than she expects.
Jackson does an excellent job capturing the emotional landscape of a twelve-year-old navigating independence, fear, and loyalty.
The friendships feel authentic, and Harmony’s voice is relatable without losing the suspenseful edge that makes Jackson’s writing so compelling. The Savannah setting adds richness and atmosphere; the ghost-tour elements especially create a strong sense of tension and mood.
While this is written for a younger audience, the stakes feel real. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming. Themes of truth, community secrets, and courage are woven in thoughtfully, making this both an entertaining and meaningful read.
Readers who enjoy eerie mysteries with heart — and just the right touch of danger — will find this one hard to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set against the haunting backdrop of Savannah, Georgia, the story follows Harmony as she spends the summer with her father and stumbles into a mystery tied to a missing boy and a ghostly photograph. What begins as curiosity quickly turns into something much deeper — and darker — than she expects.
Jackson does an excellent job capturing the emotional landscape of a twelve-year-old navigating independence, fear, and loyalty.
The friendships feel authentic, and Harmony’s voice is relatable without losing the suspenseful edge that makes Jackson’s writing so compelling. The Savannah setting adds richness and atmosphere; the ghost-tour elements especially create a strong sense of tension and mood.
While this is written for a younger audience, the stakes feel real. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming. Themes of truth, community secrets, and courage are woven in thoughtfully, making this both an entertaining and meaningful read.
Readers who enjoy eerie mysteries with heart — and just the right touch of danger — will find this one hard to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Didn't love this one as much as Blood in the Water, but Tiffany D. Jackson has proven twice in a row that she's a force to be reckoned with in the MG space. Her YA novels are hit or miss with me, but I adore the summer vibes she's brought to these last two releases. Also she has incredible talent for making her settings feel like actual characters. She really captured the beauty of Savannah and those tight bonds that only come from communities where people look out for each other.
Like her other works, this book addresses the Black experience in America, this time incorporating what is now known as Taylor Square in Savannah, GA. I love that she chose to set a ghost inspired murder mystery here given its history. Her biggest strength has always been the racial and social commentary she weaves into her books, and this one is no different.
The mystery kind of falls flat for me here. I'm afraid the "villain" wasn't fleshed out enough for me to care about the big reveal. Still, the friendship between Harmony, Robby, and Myah kept things enjoyable enough. And Harmony's final conversation with her father at the end of the book was done beautifully and is perfect for that MG audience first discovering their independence.
Didn't love this one as much as Blood in the Water, but Tiffany D. Jackson has proven twice in a row that she's a force to be reckoned with in the MG space. Her YA novels are hit or miss with me, but I adore the summer vibes she's brought to these last two releases. Also she has incredible talent for making her settings feel like actual characters. She really captured the beauty of Savannah and those tight bonds that only come from communities where people look out for each other.
Like her other works, this book addresses the Black experience in America, this time incorporating what is now known as Taylor Square in Savannah, GA. I love that she chose to set a ghost inspired murder mystery here given its history. Her biggest strength has always been the racial and social commentary she weaves into her books, and this one is no different.
The mystery kind of falls flat for me here. I'm afraid the "villain" wasn't fleshed out enough for me to care about the big reveal. Still, the friendship between Harmony, Robby, and Myah kept things enjoyable enough. And Harmony's final conversation with her father at the end of the book was done beautifully and is perfect for that MG audience first discovering their independence.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tiffany D. Jackson is an auto-buy/auto-read author for me, so I already knew I was reading this. After loving Blood in the Water, there was no way I was skipping this one.
Harmony Roundtree, originally from Harlem, spends the summer in Savannah while her dad plays with his band. She’s into ghosts, and Savannah is basically the capital of ghosts, murders, and missing people, so the vibes were already set. The atmosphere? Chef’s kiss.
I really liked Harmony. She reminded me of myself as a kid watching Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, and Celebrity Ghost Stories, fully convinced I was about to discover something supernatural in my own house. That nostalgia made her so easy to connect with.
This wasn’t scary-scary to me. It felt more psychological, layered with grief and race and the kinds of ghosts that aren’t always paranormal. The pacing worked, and I stayed locked in.
Now listen… I won’t lie. I thought the reveal was going to be a little more mature. The reasoning behind what happened felt immature to me, and I was low-key convinced it had something to do with Tim’s work. That said, it didn’t ruin the experience. I was still invested.
Compared to Blood in the Water, this one wasn’t as dark or deep, but Tiffany still did what she does best. She blends real issues with suspense in a way that just works.
And honestly? Tiffany D. Jackson never misses.
4.5/5
Harmony Roundtree, originally from Harlem, spends the summer in Savannah while her dad plays with his band. She’s into ghosts, and Savannah is basically the capital of ghosts, murders, and missing people, so the vibes were already set. The atmosphere? Chef’s kiss.
I really liked Harmony. She reminded me of myself as a kid watching Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, and Celebrity Ghost Stories, fully convinced I was about to discover something supernatural in my own house. That nostalgia made her so easy to connect with.
This wasn’t scary-scary to me. It felt more psychological, layered with grief and race and the kinds of ghosts that aren’t always paranormal. The pacing worked, and I stayed locked in.
Now listen… I won’t lie. I thought the reveal was going to be a little more mature. The reasoning behind what happened felt immature to me, and I was low-key convinced it had something to do with Tim’s work. That said, it didn’t ruin the experience. I was still invested.
Compared to Blood in the Water, this one wasn’t as dark or deep, but Tiffany still did what she does best. She blends real issues with suspense in a way that just works.
And honestly? Tiffany D. Jackson never misses.
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A perfect read for kiddos who like mysteries and maybe getting just a little bit scared. Adept storyteller Tiffany D. Jackson returns to middle grade with another spine-tingling tale.
Harmony and her dad have been spending the summer on the road as Harmony rides along on tour with her dad and his band. She's been taking pictures and listening to stories on ghost tours in each city they visit, partly to contribute to the photography portfolio she's submitting to get into the Studio Museum program back home in NY. The other reason is that she's secretly trying to figure out if she really experienced a haunting herself, after her grandma passed away earlier in the year. Now, in Savannah, not only are there stories of ghosts everywhere she turns, but just before she arrived a man was murdered nearby and his son is still missing. Harmony teams up with Robby, the 10 year-old, old for his years, tech genius son of the family she's staying with and a new friend Myah who claims she can speak to ghosts. However, when they get to the haunted house, will they meet a ghost, or a demon...or something else equally dangerous?
Harmony and her dad have been spending the summer on the road as Harmony rides along on tour with her dad and his band. She's been taking pictures and listening to stories on ghost tours in each city they visit, partly to contribute to the photography portfolio she's submitting to get into the Studio Museum program back home in NY. The other reason is that she's secretly trying to figure out if she really experienced a haunting herself, after her grandma passed away earlier in the year. Now, in Savannah, not only are there stories of ghosts everywhere she turns, but just before she arrived a man was murdered nearby and his son is still missing. Harmony teams up with Robby, the 10 year-old, old for his years, tech genius son of the family she's staying with and a new friend Myah who claims she can speak to ghosts. However, when they get to the haunted house, will they meet a ghost, or a demon...or something else equally dangerous?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Harmony and her dad end up in Savannah the same day as a beloved community member was found dead, with his grandchild vanished. They're staying with some family friends that Harmony hadn't known about, and the woman and Harmony's dad seem to be keeping secrets.
Harmony has loved ghost tours, especially since her beloved grandma, one of her best friends, died. When she goes on a tour in Savannah, she takes a picture of something unusual in an empty house.
What did she find? What is going on with her dad? Can she help solve the mysteries all around her?
Secrets and clues mount as Harmony navigates this unusual summer in Savannah. Her life will never be the same.
This is an unputdownable book, like all of Tiffany Jackson's books. It's well-written, eerie, and filled with heart, hope, and the complexity of humanity. I highly recommend this for all upper elementary, middle school, and public libraries.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for an ARC!
Harmony has loved ghost tours, especially since her beloved grandma, one of her best friends, died. When she goes on a tour in Savannah, she takes a picture of something unusual in an empty house.
What did she find? What is going on with her dad? Can she help solve the mysteries all around her?
Secrets and clues mount as Harmony navigates this unusual summer in Savannah. Her life will never be the same.
This is an unputdownable book, like all of Tiffany Jackson's books. It's well-written, eerie, and filled with heart, hope, and the complexity of humanity. I highly recommend this for all upper elementary, middle school, and public libraries.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for an ARC!
March 7, 2026
I would like to thank Tiffany D. Jackson, Scholastic Press, and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to preview Ghost in the Night in exchange for my sincere review.
This is my second TDJ book and I am hooked. I am so glad she has started to branch out into the middle school genre! Grief can be so hard to navigate, especially as a child. Reading about Harmony and her grandmother brought up memories about my own grandparents who have passed away. I think the decision to draw on her memories and experiences will help others relate to her character’s story.
What started as an innocent ghost tour ended up becoming a race to solve the mystery of a dead man and a missing boy! The story was well-developed and I believe that readers will enjoy meeting Harmony as she searches for answers in “haunted” Savannah Georgia. Nail-biting, goosebumps all over my arms, and needing to devour every single page of this book, it did not disappoint!
I would recommend this book and will definitely be including this in my middle school library collection!
This is my second TDJ book and I am hooked. I am so glad she has started to branch out into the middle school genre! Grief can be so hard to navigate, especially as a child. Reading about Harmony and her grandmother brought up memories about my own grandparents who have passed away. I think the decision to draw on her memories and experiences will help others relate to her character’s story.
What started as an innocent ghost tour ended up becoming a race to solve the mystery of a dead man and a missing boy! The story was well-developed and I believe that readers will enjoy meeting Harmony as she searches for answers in “haunted” Savannah Georgia. Nail-biting, goosebumps all over my arms, and needing to devour every single page of this book, it did not disappoint!
I would recommend this book and will definitely be including this in my middle school library collection!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If Tiffany D. Jackson writes it, I’m reading it—no questions asked. Ghost in the Night completely pulled me in and kept me hooked from beginning to end. The pacing, the tension, and the storytelling were all spot on. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves gripping, can’t-put-it-down stories.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves gripping, can’t-put-it-down stories.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Actual rating 4.5
I always enjoy Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing! She does a phenomenal job of tying real world issues into engaging stories in a way that her audience, in this case middle grade readers, can understand. I think it is vital that books like this one make their way onto library shelves.
I always enjoy Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing! She does a phenomenal job of tying real world issues into engaging stories in a way that her audience, in this case middle grade readers, can understand. I think it is vital that books like this one make their way onto library shelves.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was so good and so creepy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you netgalley for the gifted copy. If Tiffany Jackson writes it; I'm reading it. Ghost in the night kept me engaged from beginning to end . I highly recommend this read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews