The Legend of Blackshore

by Tamara Rector

Some ghost stories wait for the right summer to come alive.

Blackshore, Nova Scotia, is known for its pirate history and urban legends. Children vanish. And every spring + summer, legend says a pirate rises from the caves to collect his due.

Autumn Quinn never believed in the towns folklore—until the spring of 1997, when she was taken.

She came back alive. But she came back marked. Something crawled out of the dark with her.

Now Autumn and her friends are trapped in Blackshore’s oldest nightmare, hunted by a presence that wears a pirate’s face and burrows into their minds.

And for Jesse Ryder, Autumn's boyfriend, the voice is merciless . . . kill her friends, or watch her die.

Set in the summer of 1997, The Legend of Blackshore is a coming-of-age romantic thriller filled with haunted coastlines, cursed caves, and the kind of first love that leaves a scar.

Genres: Pirates

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

I’m Tamara Rector, a self-published author from Canada who loves writing about complicated people and the type of stories that keep you up at night. My books include the Skyeholm series, House on a Hill, and my newest, The Legend of Blackshore. When I’m not writing, I’m usually chasing after my two daughters, curled up with coffee, or daydreaming into different worlds.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe in Urban Legends? The people in Blackshore certainly do! This eerie story pulled me straight into its dark mysterious world. Missing kids, myths, years of wondering what is truly going on! I loved Autumn’s character from the beginning to the absolute end. I also enjoyed the dual POVs it was good to see the story’s told from different views, especially Jessie’s as it was very intriguing! The characters are compelling, each carrying their own shadows and motives. This story was perfect for this spooky season, I loved it and looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Hayleigh Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to say thank you to the amazing author of this book! I was able to receive an advanced copy and I’m so grateful for that

This book has my heart still clutched in its palm. My tears have dried and yet the ache still remains.
We follow multiple different kids from a small town in nova Scotia Canada. Following a local legend. A myth. Nothing but lore. Or so they thought.

A heavy weight lies in a prophecy that comes back, not to play, but to drown its victims.

Missing children, whispering waves, and long forgotten legends twist and weave this story into a true coming of age thriller.

I highly recommend this book for everything. It’s a must read and a great twist involving Canadian small towns. The sweet start and the abrupt changes, it all had me on the edges of my seat.

Till next time, and remember:

“If you hear the waves whisper your name—don’t answer back.”

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It has two of my favorite things to read romance and thriller.

The characters in the book were so fun to learn each of their characteristics. Not only the friendships that were made, to fighting off the pirates to save others.

In 1997 in Nova Scotia a couple of kids were trying to find out what happened to Autumn. As she got taken and went missing for 3 days in a cave. But prior to the summer of 1997 a bunch of kids were taken. No one knew what took the kids. Could it be a pirate, children, or Axel? I guess you’ll have to read to find out!(;

Each of the characters have had their own childhood hit them in this book. For example, siblings being taken, abuse, child neglect.

I enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I would have finished it sooner if I had energy and wasn’t sick. It had two of my favorite genres put together which was fun to read. Highly recommend if you want a pirate thriller.

[Ghosty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.76/5✨

Where do I even begin? 😮‍💨 (check the triggers!)

🖤Pirate ghost demons
🖤Possession
🖤Mystery/thriller with some romance
🖤TRAUMA omg
🖤Multi POV
🖤Summer “coming of age” nostalgia 💀
🖤Goonies x Stand By Me vibes
🖤Magic turtle 👀

Autumn moves back to her hometown after being gone since she was 5 only to fall straight into the lore of Blackshore, it’s ghosts, disappearances, and scary stories before she realizes it’s not just stories to scare the kids.. the story follows through the POVs of Autumn, Jesse and Jamie as the mystery of Blackshore unfolds for our high school teens as their friend group is tied up in each other deeper than the surface level. The tide is waiting for you to jump in and find out for yourself 👀

Could not put this one down! I loved the premise and plot of this novel 🫶🏻 I’m excited for more to come!

🫵 My baby boy Jamie deserved so much better.. my heart aches for him.

Also I personally could not stand Jesse for 98% of this 💀

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This was spooky and haunting. 👻

Set in the good ol 90's, it's really gives me The Goonies vibes!
Teenagers in high school, trying to figure out the town legend that turns into a ghost hunt. In a town with a dark history, pirates, ghost stories, drama, horror and more.

A must read if you want a book that's a cross between Stephen Kings 'IT' and The Goonies, with a splash of Pirates of the Caribbean. ☠️🏴‍☠️

[BAMF_Book_Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legend of Blackshore by Tamara Rector was a fantastic read. It included tropes such as 1990s nostalgia and supernatural horror/suspense, and reminded me of The Goonies. I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

[Melanie Peverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say I loved this book so much. once I got into it, I couldn't stop. The romance, the friendships, the legend of the pirate. especially loved the magical turtle lol. will definitely be reading more of this author x

[Sondra Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Goonies meets Raider of the Lost Ark meets Harry Potter. This book I felt was more for YA however some of the subjects(incest) was definitely for adults. This is not the type of book I typically like. Having said that, it was a great book and would make an amazing movie!

[Natasha Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has done it AGAIN. WOW! If you like a story that gives you goosebumps, creepy feelings but also makes you smile and laugh and cry a few times too…check this out.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Legend of Blackshore” by Tamara Rector is a chilling mix of small-town secrets, folklore, and supernatural horror. Tamara Rector pulls you into the cursed seaside town where every wave whispers danger and the legend of a ghostly pirate feels all too real. It’s a supernatural horror, coming-of-age story, blending ghost pirates, cursed seas, and very real trauma into one chilling tale. Dark, emotional, and utterly haunting—this story lingers long after the last page.

[Kendall Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so thrilled to be given the chance to read an advanced copy of this novel! As someone who has also grown up in a small town in Nova Scotia, I will keep this book forever close to my heart.

Right from the beginning this book caught my interest and has kept me at the edge of my seat throughout! Tamara has a way of setting a detailed scene and allowing my mind to conjure up the beautifully spooky town that is Blackshore. The Legend of Blackshore combines my favourite literary genres and I have already recommended it as a next read to my coworkers, family and friends!

This was my first read from this author and I am so excited to read another of her works!

[Victoria Znajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legend of Blackshore is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays with you. From the very first chapter, the atmosphere is thick with mystery, a small coastal town in Nova Scotia where every family seems to carry secrets, where kids whisper about haunted caves, and where the ocean itself feels alive with stories.

Autumn Quinn is such a beautifully layered protagonist. I loved experiencing Blackshore through her eyes, her mix of nerves, resilience, and vulnerability made her easy to root for. Her reconnection with Jesse Ryder was one of my favorite parts of the story; their chemistry is subtle, slow-burn, and incredibly sweet, offering a bright spark against the darker backdrop of the legend. The friend group (Jamie, Noah, Tanner, and Felix) added humor and heart, and their banter gave me moments to breathe in between the tension and horror.

The supernatural elements are haunting and original. The caves, the eerie lights, the whispers of a cursed pirate, all of it felt chillingly real. But what impressed me most is how the horror blends with very human themes; grief, trauma, friendship, and finding light in the darkest places. Some scenes made me laugh out loud, others broke my heart, and a few genuinely made me want to sleep with the lights on.

Tamara Rector has a gift for creating characters that feel alive and a setting that lingers like salt air long after you finish. This book is emotional, unsettling, and deeply moving; a perfect mix of horror, romance, and coming-of-age.

I absolutely loved it, and I’ll be thinking about Autumn, Jesse, and the shadows of Blackshore for a long time. Highly recommend if you enjoy character driven stories with just the right blend of tenderness and terror.

Another amazing novel by Tamara Rector!!

[BookboundandBlushed · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Darkness Meets Young Love in Blackshore (ARC)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There were so many surprises and outcomes I wasn’t expecting, which kept me hooked right through to the end. Even though this is a haunting, horror type story, I found myself reminiscing about my own first love and the intensity of that time period. The relationship between Autumn and Jesse was woven seamlessly into the darker, nightmare-driven parts of the story, making their bond feel both fragile and powerful.

The haunted atmosphere of Blackshore was the perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery. From the janitor to Jamie’s mom, every storyline had a purpose and came together neatly in the end, which I really appreciated. I also enjoyed the different viewpoints throughout the book, they were clearly identified at the start of each chapter and easy to follow. The shifts in time between the 1990s and the 1950s worked well overall, though at times I wished they were just a little more clear.

All in all, this was a solid read with a great blend of eerie coastal horror, cursed legends, and emotional depth. A haunting story with heart, I would definitely recommend it!

BookBound and Blushed
Sonya

[Waseema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with Tamara Rector after I found Skyeholm a few years ago.
Her writing style is so diverse, and her storytelling is amazing.
The Legend of Blackshore is full of legends, mystery and the unbelievable coming alive.
When I started the book we meet Autumn and Jesse, and as someone with a nervous disposition, this provided me with the ahhh phew! However!!!! I should have know Tamara was going to take me on a journey I cannot ever imagine! This makes her writing so exciting for me, its never predictable.
Autumn is the main female character whose family have moved back after many many years and she reconnects with old bestie Jesse. We get to see some of her high school journey!
Jesse instantly is attracted to her! However, he has a part of him missing, which turns out to be his missing brother.
We learn early on through a class the legends and mystery of the missing children, and I got drawn into this the time flew as I was reading.
The pace is amazing and the mix of mystery and normal life really provided me an enjoyable balance I really needed!

[Teressa Oliverio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legend of Blackshore is everything I want in a haunting summer read—dark, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. The author brings Blackshore, Nova Scotia, to life with a perfect blend of seaside charm and bone-deep dread. The pirate folklore feels like it’s been whispered through generations, and by the time Autumn is pulled into the town’s nightmare, you can’t help but believe every word of it.

What really sets this apart is the balance of heart-pounding horror with the tenderness of first love. Autumn and Jesse’s relationship is raw, messy, and achingly real, which makes the supernatural stakes hit that much harder. The pacing keeps you hooked, the twists are sharp, and the imagery lingers long after the last page.

It’s eerie, nostalgic, and full of that creeping summer-night terror you can almost smell in the salt air. If you love ghost stories with teeth, small-town secrets, and characters you can’t stop rooting for, The Legend of Blackshore is an absolute must-read.

[Jocylena Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara Rector’s The Legend of Blackshore is a masterful blend of supernatural suspense, heartfelt romance, and nostalgic 1990s charm. Rector crafts a richly atmospheric world where the line between legend and reality blurs. The haunted caves, cursed tides, and the ghostly pirate presence create a palpable tension that keeps readers on edge. The setting itself becomes a character, its dark secrets and chilling history woven seamlessly into the narrative.

Rector’s writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the essence of a summer that changes everything. Her ability to blend coming-of-age themes with supernatural horror is reminiscent of classics like It and Stranger Things, yet she brings a unique voice and perspective that sets this novel apart.

The Legend of Blackshore is a must-read for fans of atmospheric thrillers, supernatural mysteries, and poignant coming-of-age tales. It’s a story that lingers in the mind, much like the legends it brings to life.

[Tamara Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started dreaming up Blackshore, I wasn’t doing it with the intention of writing a book. I was grieving the loss of my best friend, all while trying to find my footing in a brand-new province, hours away from the hometown I’d always known. I didn’t have friends here yet, and the loneliness had a way of getting louder than I could handle.

So, I coped the only way I knew how. I created a world in my head. A haunted little town on the edge of the ocean. Characters who carried their own ghosts, who could speak the things I couldn’t. The daydreams grew bigger and bigger, until they started taking a toll on my own wellbeing. That’s when I finally sat down and wrote them out.

At first, it was just to escape Blackshore myself. But now, it’s something I get to share with you. A piece of my grief, my healing, and my heart disguised as a ghost story.

Welcome to Blackshore.

[SueLin Kalisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superbly written novel from the point of view of 3 teens dealing with some pretty grown up shit.
I was completely invested in the character's relationships with each other, and everything they were dealing with. As I eagerly turned the pages and worked my way through the layers of the story, I felt all the emotions in real time - my heart ached, I laughed, I cried, I held my breath, I yelled at the pages of the book as if they could hear me.
The author does a fantastic job of taking some potentially dark and triggering themes, and explores them in a gentle, but realistic and respectful way. Despite this being a supernatural coming of age story, it's not at all cheesy, and the way it's written allows the adult reader to experience the events as if they were a young adult or teen again.

[Tanya Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one surprised me! I'm not a big fan of pirate stories, but this one grabbed me, and I didn't want to stop. This book is very well written. It's a story of small-town legend and the power of young love and friendship.

The author has a way of putting you on the edge of your seat. I kept saying "one more page"! I HAD to know what happened next! The chapters are just the right length to give you a stopping point, but you still can't stop!

You care about these characters. You want them to survive. I found myself cheering them on and yelling at them. It's so easy to get engulfed in Blackshore and find yourself on this adventure with them!

I want to thank the author and the publisher for the honor of the advanced copy of this book. It is my pleasure to leave my honest review.

[Red Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this free digital ARC read in exchange for my honest review of The Legend of Blackshore.
The cover grabbed my attention then had me captivated from the first page. I could not stop turning the pages. This makes the perfect Halloween read! The author was new to me and I am looking forward to reading more books from this author. This one takes place in a small town and has secrets, pirate curses and more in this errie read. The author wrote this so well and I loved every character in this one. I enjoyed the 90's nostalgia in this read and the book made me think of The Goonies and IT. This is one that I loved and would recommend it to any reader, especially to those who love thriller or ghost stories.

[Angel Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dynamic kinda reminded me of stephen kings it when it came to the teens (which is high praise i loved that movie) and the goonies!

Classic mix i never knew i needed!

The start of the book it hooks you in and it will sink its claws into you refusing to release you.

Its about 5 males and one female

There's a time rip where everything changes just for a moment and boom back to normal!

Theres lost children, lost teens. They constantly go missing 2x a year in blackshore.

No one really bats at eye at the missing children.

Theres a wicked pirate whos Legend is hit and miss as well as unknown

I love the way this story is written it makes me feel part of its world.

You get multiple points of view.

[Anna Kratowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy pirate adventures and urban legends and wish those were mixed with Stephen King's IT, this is the book for you.

This book was extremely captivating, creepy, and consuming. I was desperate to keep reading. The story moved at a perfect pace and the suspense was top notch! If I had to describe this to someone I would say it is as if an author took a Davvy Jones spin on the classic "IT". We see children disappear and the town doesn't really seem to pay that close attention, like it's just normal.

The town is also full of urban legend, ghost lore, and deep rooted secrets. Seeing that is currently spooky season, I would highly recommend you pick this up and give yourself a ghostly adventure.

[Country · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you hear the waves whisper your name, don’t answer back.”

This book grabs your attention and will not let go till you finish and long after! The book follows 6 teens that goes on a journey through learning that the town's myth has more truth to it then they thought. I loved the characters and the writing make it feel like you have known them your whole life! It is a great read with pirates, town legends and a whole lot of emotions and love for the characters! The whole book is a great read and I highly reccomend giving it a read and find that no matter what they go through they are always bonded together through the unspeakable truth of the town legend!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The legend of Blackshore is a book about pirates and the folklore stories that have followed through generations. There are 6 friends who go through so much together, yet their friendship never wavers. Autumn and Jessie have a love That weathers the storm of Blackshore. The pace and intrigue you from page 1 it's a novel one just can't put down and needs to know more about these 6 friends. The town knows the secrets of the sea but they don't really protect their children. So when children go missing they just carry on with life. This is a fast pace novel with twists and turns. If you enjoy fantasy then this is the novel for you. You won't be disappointed.

[Penny Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It has an amazing visual imagery as you read. You literally read and become apart of the storyline. The characters are so well developed with each chapter.
There are a lot of difficult lives for some of the characters but it is a gritty truth that makes the storyline
If you are a fan of legends,curses,adventure and loved characters growing into themselves you will want to devour this amazing book. I started and didn’t want to stop reading.
I am so excited to see more of her writing.
Adventure abounds!
Thank you so much for letting me be able to read this incredible adventure for you.

[Jenna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶.5
I just finished The Ledgend of Blackshore and omg guys this book is SOOO GOOD it is a thriller/ mystery.
It is set in a town in the 90sthere is a
Urban legend that is passed down for generations. There are 6 main teenagers in the story.
Kids go missing every year and no one seems to care much or know why
The urban legend has a lot to do with it. Until when one teen goes missing. Their group of friends makes it their mission to find the answers that lies deep in Blackshores History.
I ate it up so fast🥰🥰🥰
I highly recommend it if you love thriller mystery vibes !🥰 if you loved "it" "stand by me " and "stranger things " you will LOVE this book !

[Kei-Lei Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨ To begin with, HUGE thank you to Tamara Rector for adding me to her ARC team, especially for such an amazing book! To put it simply, I’m obsessed with all of it. A spooky seaside town, legends that may not be legends, a team of incredible and memorable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with? What’s not to love? Everything about this book from start to finish was absolutely astounding. It’s one of those books that sinks its teeth into you and holds onto you in the absolute best way. A must read for sure!

[Marianne Antonichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this book a 5 and more as she has all the emotions in there you learn so much about the characters and she keeps you guessing what’s coming I was like the turtle the turtle does stuff you would not expect the pirate and black leather jacket like you wonder why is this happened and some of it is the jacket and you learn the why of it this book had me so involved wanting to k ow what happens next and what all of them do when they go back to the cave they have to do something the stuff they go through will have you wanting and needing to keep reading

[Gail Clouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The first bit of the book introduces 6 teenagers and how they connect, we learn about the legend, children and teens disappear every summer. Parents warn their children from an early age, to stay away from the caves, and if you hear the waves whisper your name, don't answer back. Autumn follows, Tiff, a girl from her class who was reported missing into the forbidden caves and becomes trapped. Her 4 friends and boyfriend search endlessly for her. Little do they know, the legend of Blackshore is more than a legend. It's real, it's evil and it's coming for all of them.

[Beckreadz25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. Mystery novels are not generally my cup of tea, but I enjoy pirate stories. Boy am I glad I dove into this book. From the start I was hooked. I found myself drawn into the characters lives and laughing or crying with them. I loved the different points of view and the stories from different eyes. The twists and turns kept coming, and I was buckled in for the ride. This book delivers with action, suspense, thrills and chills.

The tide called my name, and I answered.