I Wake the Dead in Westerlin Park

by Ayden Lockwood

I Wake the Dead in Westerlin Park
A Paranormal Mystery with Heart, Humor, and a Hint of Haunting

They can wake the dead. Now they have to stop the living.

Nick Sheridan and Holly Singer aren’t your average couple. He’s a former hockey bruiser with a soft heart and a sharp sense of justice. She’s a sweet-natured people pleaser with a rebellious streak and a radar for trouble. Together, they’re about to uncover a gift neither of them saw the uncanny ability to wake the dead.

Set in and around Fort Lauderdale, this sharp-witted paranormal mystery follows Nick and Holly as they navigate a series of unexplained events tied to a deadly batch of tainted edibles circulating through their South Florida community. What begins as a string of odd occurrences quickly escalates into a full-blown investigation—one that draws them into the shadows of a crime with consequences far beyond anything they could have imagined.

With help from their unruly, intergenerational household—including Holly’s wisecracking mother and Nick’s chaos-prone mom—they dive headfirst into amateur sleuthing and a whole lot of trouble, guided by spectral allies and driven by a fierce sense of justice.

With a dash of cosmic mystery and a whole lot of heart, I Wake the Dead in Westerlin Park kicks off a genre-blending series full of wit, warmth, and paranormal intrigue. This haunting yet charming mystery is perfect for fans of Charlaine Harris, Alice Hoffman, Janet Evanovich, and anyone who loves cozy mysteries, ghost stories, and quirky character-driven fiction.

284 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

From the moment Ayden could string sentences together, storytelling became second nature—spinning wild mysteries and daring adventures for anyone who would listen. What began as childhood fun evolved into a powerful tool for self-expression through high school and college, eventually shaping a career rooted in communication and creativity.

Ayden’s writing is driven by a deep curiosity about the human experience and a hopeful vision of what the world could be. Whether exploring themes of friendship, courage, justice, or the unknown, Ayden invites readers to imagine, reflect, and feel.

Today, Ayden continues to craft stories that blend thought experiments, anthropology, and emotional insight. A proud South Florida native, Ayden finds inspiration in the splendor of the ocean, the magic of film and theater, and the joy of lifelong learning. When not writing or spending time with family, you’ll likely find Ayden volunteering, camping under the stars, or cheering on a hockey game.

Reviews

[Jeff Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too many things are better than well done paranormal fiction, and I Wake the Dead in Westerlin Park delivers. It’s sharp and well-paced. There are no lags in the pace of the story. The added atmosphere of the old south (think Fried Green Tomatoes) is rich with a South Florida flavor. It’s spooky without needing a bloody hand reaching out of a cabinet. I think that the subtle humor adds a nice balance. The main characters, Holly and Nick, feel like old friends, and have a believable chemistry. As they are cleaning the tombstones of Holly’s family graveyard in Florida, they are noticed and come under the protection of two of Holly’s family ghosts. Ayden inserts his love for the splendor of the ocean, the magic of film and theater, and the joy of lifelong learning into his stories. I mean anybody that likes Hockey can’t be all bad. Five full stars.

[Barry White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Wake the Dead in Westerlin Park surprised me in the best way. It’s witty and fast-paced, but also layered with themes of justice, family, and healing. The paranormal elements are woven in seamlessly, and the intergenerational household adds warmth and complexity. Holly and Nick’s dynamic is compelling, and the mystery surrounding the tainted edibles is both timely and chilling. A strong start to a series I’ll definitely continue.