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Don't Let Them Leave
A compelling and spooky thriller in the best classic ghost story tradition. Inspired by Stephen King, Mike Lucas is a modern master of suspense.
One island.
One house.
One curse.
Ghosts aren’t real and houses can’t come to life.
Charlotte knows these facts to be true.
Yet when Charlotte and her siblings are orphaned and sent to live with their grandmother on remote Black Island, she begins to realise that only one thing is certain: they shouldn’t be there.
But will they ever be able to leave?
One island.
One house.
One curse.
Ghosts aren’t real and houses can’t come to life.
Charlotte knows these facts to be true.
Yet when Charlotte and her siblings are orphaned and sent to live with their grandmother on remote Black Island, she begins to realise that only one thing is certain: they shouldn’t be there.
But will they ever be able to leave?
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
About the author
Mike Lucas
14 books19 followersMike Lucas is an author of picture books and young adult novels. His YA fiction has been shortlisted for the Readings Book Prize, CBCA Book of the Year Awards and the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. His picture book Where is Cheeky Monster? won the 2025 Speech Pathology Award for children from birth to 3 years. Mike presents writing and poetry workshops at schools, owns a bookshop in Blackwood, South Australia, and works as a full-time engineer. He has very little time to sleep, but often thinks up a poem or two while he does.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 11, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC.
Further review to come after publication so as to not give a spoiler, but reader’s advisory should know:
GENUINELY horrifying. Possibly ‘A series of unfortunate events’ if written by Stephen King and Bram Stoker (which I hope Mike takes as a compliment).
Ages 14+, NOT 12+ as the publisher would have you think (there would be exceptions - read the book and know the psychological fortitude of the individual child before disseminating to under 14s). Few children/young teens would be able to read this before bed and not struggle to sleep or sleep without it affecting their dreams. I couldn’t (which is, of course, a mark of great horror writing. After the first two chapters, I couldn’t do that to myself, and read the rest of it in one go on a sunny day outside in the hammock).
Further review to come after publication so as to not give a spoiler, but reader’s advisory should know:
GENUINELY horrifying. Possibly ‘A series of unfortunate events’ if written by Stephen King and Bram Stoker (which I hope Mike takes as a compliment).
Ages 14+, NOT 12+ as the publisher would have you think (there would be exceptions - read the book and know the psychological fortitude of the individual child before disseminating to under 14s). Few children/young teens would be able to read this before bed and not struggle to sleep or sleep without it affecting their dreams. I couldn’t (which is, of course, a mark of great horror writing. After the first two chapters, I couldn’t do that to myself, and read the rest of it in one go on a sunny day outside in the hammock).
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March 15, 2026Bloody spooky! Very good!
July 10, 2026
loved - this was like a series of unfortunate events by way of Stephen king & Hayao Miyazaki
June 1, 2026
I am so sorry Mike. But I did not find this overly spooky or creepy, although to be fair, grandma coming down the stairs did put me on edge a little because, you know, she's dead. I have loved Mike's previous books but this one just did not hit right for me. My first thoughts about Mr Frankelweiss is that he was a scoundrel who has swindled their father out of his money. And it took too long to get to Black Island. We are about 100 pages in before they get there, most of these 100 pages is them travelling. I wanted to DNF this so many times but I had to know they why and I didn't love the why, I had the same reaction as Charlotte which was "get over it". The ravens killing themselves was upsetting and the only moment that really touched my heart was when the house was being destroyed and Jasper (the cat) gave one final look out the door. I will say that their escape on the stormy night was well done with the darkness showing the clean house and the lightning flashes showing the run down house. I will still read your next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
Mike Lucas is a British-Australian author of picture books and young adult suspense.
His latest young adult novel, Don’t Let Them Leave, starts with a compelling prologue in a mine shaft in North Cornwall, 1855. In a few pages, a spooky scene is set. It involves knocking noises, made by the Knockers, who superstition said could lead people to treasure, or to their doom. Lucas builds atmospheric tension to a degree that would make a perfect campfire story. The reader is left wondering who are the monsters, the Knockers? Or the older miners, who force an eight year old boy into the rock crevices?
Then the scene changes to London, 1930. Thirteen year old narrator, Charlotte, and her siblings, Jack and Emily, are left orphaned after their parents die in a car accident. The family solicitor, Mr Frankelweiss, advises they are to be sent to live with a grandmother they did not know existed. In an exciting start to their journey, they nearly miss the train, and are helped by a young apprentice groundskeeper called Barnaby.
Over the course of the first quarter of the book, the already tragic fate of the children begins to take on an even more ominous feel. There are strange happenings that make Charlotte’s neck prickle, but that she cannot quite explain. There are also funny parts, such as when Jack is provoked into being rude to an unhelpful adult. He says, “Up yours, mister!” And you can’t help cheering for him.
The sense of foreboding grows as the children get closer to their destination. And by the time they get to the black house on Black Island, you realise you are not reading historical fiction after all, but a ghost story. A haunted house story, to be specific.
As haunted house stories go, it is quite satisfying. Suspense is maintained by delaying the reveal of the significance of the prologue. I was itching to know how the miners and child miner fit in with the house. It all ties together quite nicely in the end, although there is an ambiguous ending. The character of Charlotte is consistently loving and resilient, while also realistic in her desire to have the caring role taken from her.
Themes of class are explored in a complex way that avoids cliché, but could also stimulate debate and further analysis. Similarly for themes of revenge, atonement and redemption. This would therefore be a good set text for classroom use, or an independent study unit for advanced readers in Years 7-9.
Older readers could pair it with other classics of the haunted house genre, such as The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, or contemporary books, such as How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. The Cornwall setting of Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier would also be a good comparison text.
This review was originally published in Storylinks, from a review copy provided by the publisher.
His latest young adult novel, Don’t Let Them Leave, starts with a compelling prologue in a mine shaft in North Cornwall, 1855. In a few pages, a spooky scene is set. It involves knocking noises, made by the Knockers, who superstition said could lead people to treasure, or to their doom. Lucas builds atmospheric tension to a degree that would make a perfect campfire story. The reader is left wondering who are the monsters, the Knockers? Or the older miners, who force an eight year old boy into the rock crevices?
Then the scene changes to London, 1930. Thirteen year old narrator, Charlotte, and her siblings, Jack and Emily, are left orphaned after their parents die in a car accident. The family solicitor, Mr Frankelweiss, advises they are to be sent to live with a grandmother they did not know existed. In an exciting start to their journey, they nearly miss the train, and are helped by a young apprentice groundskeeper called Barnaby.
Over the course of the first quarter of the book, the already tragic fate of the children begins to take on an even more ominous feel. There are strange happenings that make Charlotte’s neck prickle, but that she cannot quite explain. There are also funny parts, such as when Jack is provoked into being rude to an unhelpful adult. He says, “Up yours, mister!” And you can’t help cheering for him.
The sense of foreboding grows as the children get closer to their destination. And by the time they get to the black house on Black Island, you realise you are not reading historical fiction after all, but a ghost story. A haunted house story, to be specific.
As haunted house stories go, it is quite satisfying. Suspense is maintained by delaying the reveal of the significance of the prologue. I was itching to know how the miners and child miner fit in with the house. It all ties together quite nicely in the end, although there is an ambiguous ending. The character of Charlotte is consistently loving and resilient, while also realistic in her desire to have the caring role taken from her.
Themes of class are explored in a complex way that avoids cliché, but could also stimulate debate and further analysis. Similarly for themes of revenge, atonement and redemption. This would therefore be a good set text for classroom use, or an independent study unit for advanced readers in Years 7-9.
Older readers could pair it with other classics of the haunted house genre, such as The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, or contemporary books, such as How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. The Cornwall setting of Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier would also be a good comparison text.
This review was originally published in Storylinks, from a review copy provided by the publisher.
July 6, 2026
Rating Reasons
Story - 3/5
Characters - 2.5/5
Ending - 3/5
Setting - 2.5/5
Writing - 4/5
Overall Rating -> 3⭐-> B Tier
General Thoughts
This was a fine book, however that's all it really is... For the most part, this story is inoffensive and an enjoyable read, but lacks that bit of 'umph' needed to really grip me. The pacing is a bit off with the first 100 or so pages being about traveling, where not much happens which makes it a bit of a slog to get through. I feel as though the element of horror could have been explored a bit more here, but instead the the theme is played safe and leans more into a mystery thriller than a spooky tale. This is fine, but not enough for my tastes to bump it up higher than a mid tier read. To sum up, its good, but not amazing.
Detailed Rating
Story - B Tier
A very slow start that follows three children who have lost their parents and must move to the countryside to live with their grandmother whom they know little about. The cast must learn to fend for themselves and survive in this new and uncertain predicament they find themselves in. Overall the premise was good, but just didn't have enough drive to keep me engaged the whole way through.
Characters - C Tier
The characters are fine, but a bit unbelievable. We follow three main characters aged 6, 9 and 13 (from what I can remember) and for their ages they seem a bit too mature and okay with the situation they find themselves in.
Ending - B Tier
Plays it safe and kind of can be summed up with a classic, 'and they all l lived happily ever after'. Not bad, but not as creative as I thought it could have ended up with. (Specifically talking about the spirits that haven't passed on) This could have been explored more, but instead is kind of left off with little to no explanation of what happens to them.
Setting - C Tier
While I can apricate the amount of research and thought went into the setting of this book, I just found it to lack evocative elements that made me want to care more about what else there was to this place.
Writing - A Tier
The writing is really good and flows quite well. I don't have much to comment on besides saying that it is good however it took me a while to get used to the lack of commas and 'stop starty' nature. Not bad at all, just different.
Final Note
I'm writing this review while being sick, so it might not be the most comprehensive analysis on this book. Overall this was an enjoyable read with some cool moments; a solid B Tier, just kinda wished it leaned a bit more into the horror elements.
Story - 3/5
Characters - 2.5/5
Ending - 3/5
Setting - 2.5/5
Writing - 4/5
Overall Rating -> 3⭐-> B Tier
General Thoughts
This was a fine book, however that's all it really is... For the most part, this story is inoffensive and an enjoyable read, but lacks that bit of 'umph' needed to really grip me. The pacing is a bit off with the first 100 or so pages being about traveling, where not much happens which makes it a bit of a slog to get through. I feel as though the element of horror could have been explored a bit more here, but instead the the theme is played safe and leans more into a mystery thriller than a spooky tale. This is fine, but not enough for my tastes to bump it up higher than a mid tier read. To sum up, its good, but not amazing.
Detailed Rating
Story - B Tier
A very slow start that follows three children who have lost their parents and must move to the countryside to live with their grandmother whom they know little about. The cast must learn to fend for themselves and survive in this new and uncertain predicament they find themselves in. Overall the premise was good, but just didn't have enough drive to keep me engaged the whole way through.
Characters - C Tier
The characters are fine, but a bit unbelievable. We follow three main characters aged 6, 9 and 13 (from what I can remember) and for their ages they seem a bit too mature and okay with the situation they find themselves in.
Ending - B Tier
Plays it safe and kind of can be summed up with a classic, 'and they all l lived happily ever after'. Not bad, but not as creative as I thought it could have ended up with. (Specifically talking about the spirits that haven't passed on) This could have been explored more, but instead is kind of left off with little to no explanation of what happens to them.
Setting - C Tier
While I can apricate the amount of research and thought went into the setting of this book, I just found it to lack evocative elements that made me want to care more about what else there was to this place.
Writing - A Tier
The writing is really good and flows quite well. I don't have much to comment on besides saying that it is good however it took me a while to get used to the lack of commas and 'stop starty' nature. Not bad at all, just different.
Final Note
I'm writing this review while being sick, so it might not be the most comprehensive analysis on this book. Overall this was an enjoyable read with some cool moments; a solid B Tier, just kinda wished it leaned a bit more into the horror elements.
June 10, 2026
I thirsted for a book like this when I was a teen. That isn’t to say I didn’t absolutely love it now, I did, but it’s the perfect YA horror book in my opinion. It’s terrifying for one thing and carries some serious and scary themes. Charlotte and her siblings have just lost their parents and are sent on the journey from hell to meet their grandma on an abandoned island. These things are real and they are scary but somehow Lucas manages to keep the adult world at bay. This really is Stephen King for teenagers because you’re not going to accidentally run into the most inappropriate scene (*cough It IYKYK). The atmosphere is stifling, the supernatural elements are nail biting and the overall message is hopeful in the end. I loved it. If you are looking for something to bridge the gap between kid horror and adult horror- this is perfect. Let me be clear, I read adult horror and there were moments in this book I found genuinely creepy.
I received this book to review from the publisher.
I received this book to review from the publisher.
May 7, 2026
Don't Let Them Leave is a spooky young adult thriller that has the right blend of eeriness, suspense and intrigue to make it impossible to put down.
This is one of those books that gives you chills. The historical, gothic setting and spookiness woven into the narrative is so good. It's short chapters keep the pacing fast and the way it's written doesn't make it feel like it's from the perspective of someone so young.
Charlotte was brave, smart and fiercely protective of Jack and Emily. I was really drawn to all three of the children's characters. The overall revenge arc and folklore/ curse was woven throughout to make it a compelling story.
Overall a fantastic YA read. It's targeted for 12 years + but may be a little scary/spooky for some!
Thank you to @penguinbooksaus and @penguinteenaus teen for a copy to read.
This is one of those books that gives you chills. The historical, gothic setting and spookiness woven into the narrative is so good. It's short chapters keep the pacing fast and the way it's written doesn't make it feel like it's from the perspective of someone so young.
Charlotte was brave, smart and fiercely protective of Jack and Emily. I was really drawn to all three of the children's characters. The overall revenge arc and folklore/ curse was woven throughout to make it a compelling story.
Overall a fantastic YA read. It's targeted for 12 years + but may be a little scary/spooky for some!
Thank you to @penguinbooksaus and @penguinteenaus teen for a copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Did somebody say spooky?! 😬
Traumatic historical events, grief and loss, and a creepy dilapidated house on an island named 'Black Island'? 🧐 This was DELICIOUS. There was hauntings, twists and turns around every corner AND major plot twist towards the end of the book which threw me for six 🤯
Loved the gothic vibes, loved the role each character played, and LOVED the plotline! Keen to read more of Mike's books in the future
Traumatic historical events, grief and loss, and a creepy dilapidated house on an island named 'Black Island'? 🧐 This was DELICIOUS. There was hauntings, twists and turns around every corner AND major plot twist towards the end of the book which threw me for six 🤯
Loved the gothic vibes, loved the role each character played, and LOVED the plotline! Keen to read more of Mike's books in the future
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an intense gothic horror story that had me reluctant to sleep with the lights off.
This is a story of revenge, courage, and forgiveness, but every page will have you questioning what is real, and who can you trust, right up until the very last page.
A perfect book for older teens who like to be just that bit terrified.
Thanks to Penguin Australia for the advance reading copy of this book
This is a story of revenge, courage, and forgiveness, but every page will have you questioning what is real, and who can you trust, right up until the very last page.
A perfect book for older teens who like to be just that bit terrified.
Thanks to Penguin Australia for the advance reading copy of this book
May 18, 2026
Love a spooky thriller with twists!
June 20, 2026
A genuinely spooky Gothic novel.
June 29, 2026
what the hell
July 21, 2026
"A storm raged around us, on an island where there was no easy way to escape.
But I felt safe right then."
I never felt safe, only terrified
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews