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Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone
Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie are powerful -- and dangerous. But they don't want people to fear them. They've spent their lives trying to understand and control their supernatural gifts, trying to help people instead of hurt them.
That's why they offer paranormal investigative services to anyone who needs them. But when the case of a missing young woman brings them to an old (and potentially haunted) Victorian mansion, soon it's the four teens who are in the greatest danger. The secrets they uncover about the paranormal forces inhabiting the house may shed light on the darkness that exists at the edge of their powers and finally help them gain control -- if they can make it out alive.
That's why they offer paranormal investigative services to anyone who needs them. But when the case of a missing young woman brings them to an old (and potentially haunted) Victorian mansion, soon it's the four teens who are in the greatest danger. The secrets they uncover about the paranormal forces inhabiting the house may shed light on the darkness that exists at the edge of their powers and finally help them gain control -- if they can make it out alive.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 22, 2026
Kalynn — I will follow you in to whatever genre you decide to write.
This book got creeeepy at times. Like ‘I need to turn my light on’ kind of creepy. The descriptions of some of these ghosts really, really got to me!!
But you know what, I loved it. I loved this book.
I loved our gang of characters and their variety of powers. I loved the found family bond. I loved how they would literally be ride or die.
The plot was twisty, intriguing and intense. The stakes were high and punches weren’t pulled. Brilliant.
I would definitely like a sequel, considering all those things that happened at the end.
Moll, Redd, Ossie, Agnes (!!) you have my entire heart. You’re all very dear to me.
Not quite five stars as I found some bits a little rushed/confusing and I wish there were a bit more time taken on fleshing out some other bits of the story, but overall I loved it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Bloomsbury Children's Books for the e-arc via NetGalley
This book got creeeepy at times. Like ‘I need to turn my light on’ kind of creepy. The descriptions of some of these ghosts really, really got to me!!
But you know what, I loved it. I loved this book.
I loved our gang of characters and their variety of powers. I loved the found family bond. I loved how they would literally be ride or die.
The plot was twisty, intriguing and intense. The stakes were high and punches weren’t pulled. Brilliant.
I would definitely like a sequel, considering all those things that happened at the end.
Moll, Redd, Ossie, Agnes (!!) you have my entire heart. You’re all very dear to me.
Not quite five stars as I found some bits a little rushed/confusing and I wish there were a bit more time taken on fleshing out some other bits of the story, but overall I loved it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Bloomsbury Children's Books for the e-arc via NetGalley
September 2, 2026
I wanted to like this one so much, but unfortunately, I struggled throughout. This can 100% be a “me thing” and not indicative of other readers’ potential enjoyment.
I liked the characters, especially the representation. My biggest challenge was that there was so much “tell” and not enough “show.” I felt like I was simply being told what was happening instead of watching the story unfold in front of me. It also felt a bit repetitive at times, and I struggled with the FMC’s ability to function as normally as she did despite the interference of her gift. It just didn’t quite ring true for me.
I am thankful to have received the complimentary eARC from Bloomsbury via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to read it ahead of publication. Unfortunately, because I found it difficult to stay engaged with the story, it took me until publication day to finish it.
This paranormal mystery has some light horror elements that I think some readers will really love and connect with. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the book for me this time.
I liked the characters, especially the representation. My biggest challenge was that there was so much “tell” and not enough “show.” I felt like I was simply being told what was happening instead of watching the story unfold in front of me. It also felt a bit repetitive at times, and I struggled with the FMC’s ability to function as normally as she did despite the interference of her gift. It just didn’t quite ring true for me.
I am thankful to have received the complimentary eARC from Bloomsbury via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to read it ahead of publication. Unfortunately, because I found it difficult to stay engaged with the story, it took me until publication day to finish it.
This paranormal mystery has some light horror elements that I think some readers will really love and connect with. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the book for me this time.
August 8, 2026
I was really into the family dynamic of the main cast - orphans with supernatural abilities being gathered up and raised/loved/protected by a witch. I really wanted a bit more about what the characters had forgotten or repressed about their pasts (maybe it’s a little voyeuristic of me but honestly, I wanted a bit more backstory to really dig into why they were the way they were).
The bad guys were definitely too cardboard-cutout. I wanted something more, especially from Malcom. He was just… raging? For no real reason? Like he doesn’t give any kind of justification for what he wants. He’s just vaguely threatening.
Also these kids have a lot of freedom. There was one (1) mention of an online school assignment for one character. Like, were the rest of them in virtual school? Did they actually have homework to be doing? They’re just roaming around the city with none of the normal teenager concerns, even in the backs of their minds. Surely having paranormal powers doesn’t excuse you from deadlines - especially if said powers are secret.
{Thank you Bloomsbury for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
The bad guys were definitely too cardboard-cutout. I wanted something more, especially from Malcom. He was just… raging? For no real reason? Like he doesn’t give any kind of justification for what he wants. He’s just vaguely threatening.
Also these kids have a lot of freedom. There was one (1) mention of an online school assignment for one character. Like, were the rest of them in virtual school? Did they actually have homework to be doing? They’re just roaming around the city with none of the normal teenager concerns, even in the backs of their minds. Surely having paranormal powers doesn’t excuse you from deadlines - especially if said powers are secret.
{Thank you Bloomsbury for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
September 1, 2026
Tell The Ghosts I'm Gone is a supernatural YA thriller with horrorish elements. It held my attention and the concept was really fun. There are many things for me that just didn't work unfortunately. We were thrown right into the characters and their abilities, but were never shown a backstory as to why they are the way they were, I just needed more development there. I thought the found family elements were absolutely impeccable and I just loved their relationship.
The pacing at times was uneven. Sometimes pulling me in and being super exciting and then noticing oh what is happening as I was completely zoning out due to the pacing. The overall concept and idea of the book was good, but the plot for me fell flat. The mystery the kids were solving, honestly I didn't really care for it. Sometimes it completely lost my interest. It wasn't grabbing me as I thought it would. Don't get me wrong the book is well written and the concept fun, it is most probably a me problem!
Overall, this was a fun read as a whole, I think it's perfect for upcoming spooky season. I think it will appeal to a lot ! Give it a shot if it seems like your style.
✨ Thank you to @bloomsbury & Kalynn Bayron for my gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own. #BloomsburyCreatorCircle
The pacing at times was uneven. Sometimes pulling me in and being super exciting and then noticing oh what is happening as I was completely zoning out due to the pacing. The overall concept and idea of the book was good, but the plot for me fell flat. The mystery the kids were solving, honestly I didn't really care for it. Sometimes it completely lost my interest. It wasn't grabbing me as I thought it would. Don't get me wrong the book is well written and the concept fun, it is most probably a me problem!
Overall, this was a fun read as a whole, I think it's perfect for upcoming spooky season. I think it will appeal to a lot ! Give it a shot if it seems like your style.
✨ Thank you to @bloomsbury & Kalynn Bayron for my gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own. #BloomsburyCreatorCircle
September 20, 2026
this was probably the first kalynn bayron book i genuinely really liked. i can clearly see the way she improved as an author over the years!
also the audiobook is really amazing guys i definitely recommend picking it up in this format!
thank you libro.fm for the alc!
also the audiobook is really amazing guys i definitely recommend picking it up in this format!
thank you libro.fm for the alc!
September 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I’d love more from this crew of paranormal investigating teens 🙂
I’d love more from this crew of paranormal investigating teens 🙂
September 2, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review..
Gotta start with the basics. I'm a huge fan of Kalynn Bayron. Love her and her work down. I don't always resonate with everything she writes but I always respect it and the work and thought that goes into its creation. I have been stoked about this book since it was announced. Foster siblings with supernatural powers getting their Ghost Hunters on? Yeah that's my ting!
All in all, I liked this book. It was clear a lot of research went into the story that was told regarding Sarah Winthrup and the Warren Society. However, I cannot help feeling like this took us away from the promised concept: paranormal investigations! That was a bummer because that's what I was here for. I was never particularly interested in the rest. The interspersed blog posts sort of tried to keep the spirit of the concept but they were not totally successful for me.
I liked the characters enough, especially in the early portions of the book. Funny, clever, traumatized, affectionate. Great. Yet, as events progressed, it felt less and less like the characters were developing so much as they were reiterating their archetypes. I enjoyed the familial relationships between the characters, but they also felt thinner than I wanted. There was no real confrontation around Hannigan's treatment of their powers. There was no confrontation around the lies. It feels to me like the story built us up to an unearned reveal and then left us with nothing to chew over about it. There's no resentment? No hard feelings? I wanted more complexity from a book that certainly dealt in complexity in its main characters. How much death or harm must a person cause before they qualify as a monster? Who gets to decide? How monstrous must a person be before their bodily autonomy becomes a courtesy and not a right? How much control do you owe the person who feeds and houses you? The actual narrative is chock-full of interesting stuff but it doesn't have any room to breathe.
I rarely say this, but I think book needed to be longer so that I could feel more emotionally invested. The stakes felt...muted. "I just have to" isn't a motive. Predictable events occurred, which is fine, but because they were both predictable and not necessarily well-justified, for want of a better term, the payoff to anticipating these events was nonexistent. This is not me saying the book is bad by any means. This is me seeing places where I think the book could have been better. Purely subjective, and I won't pretend otherwise. I wanted more creepiness, more chills and thrills. This doesn't deliver on that, in my opinion. Hence it taking me weeks to read a book I otherwise could have finished in a day. [As a side note, the romance was a firm and emphatic no. Did none of y'all watch the Fosters?!]
If you enjoy banter, old-school teen detective stories, the found family trope, and paranormal investigations shows, you just might like this!
Three Stars
Gotta start with the basics. I'm a huge fan of Kalynn Bayron. Love her and her work down. I don't always resonate with everything she writes but I always respect it and the work and thought that goes into its creation. I have been stoked about this book since it was announced. Foster siblings with supernatural powers getting their Ghost Hunters on? Yeah that's my ting!
All in all, I liked this book. It was clear a lot of research went into the story that was told regarding Sarah Winthrup and the Warren Society. However, I cannot help feeling like this took us away from the promised concept: paranormal investigations! That was a bummer because that's what I was here for. I was never particularly interested in the rest. The interspersed blog posts sort of tried to keep the spirit of the concept but they were not totally successful for me.
I liked the characters enough, especially in the early portions of the book. Funny, clever, traumatized, affectionate. Great. Yet, as events progressed, it felt less and less like the characters were developing so much as they were reiterating their archetypes. I enjoyed the familial relationships between the characters, but they also felt thinner than I wanted. There was no real confrontation around Hannigan's treatment of their powers. There was no confrontation around the lies. It feels to me like the story built us up to an unearned reveal and then left us with nothing to chew over about it. There's no resentment? No hard feelings? I wanted more complexity from a book that certainly dealt in complexity in its main characters. How much death or harm must a person cause before they qualify as a monster? Who gets to decide? How monstrous must a person be before their bodily autonomy becomes a courtesy and not a right? How much control do you owe the person who feeds and houses you? The actual narrative is chock-full of interesting stuff but it doesn't have any room to breathe.
I rarely say this, but I think book needed to be longer so that I could feel more emotionally invested. The stakes felt...muted. "I just have to" isn't a motive. Predictable events occurred, which is fine, but because they were both predictable and not necessarily well-justified, for want of a better term, the payoff to anticipating these events was nonexistent. This is not me saying the book is bad by any means. This is me seeing places where I think the book could have been better. Purely subjective, and I won't pretend otherwise. I wanted more creepiness, more chills and thrills. This doesn't deliver on that, in my opinion. Hence it taking me weeks to read a book I otherwise could have finished in a day. [As a side note, the romance was a firm and emphatic no. Did none of y'all watch the Fosters?!]
If you enjoy banter, old-school teen detective stories, the found family trope, and paranormal investigations shows, you just might like this!
Three Stars
September 3, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
Woah what a perfect start to Autumn! This book was eerie and I wasn’t sure at first how dark and deep it would get as our main characters are young, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
The main characters are paranormal investigators and find themselves unravelling quite the mystery. With gifts, family lore and grief tangled up at the centre of the plot we get a story with depth and layers that kept me locked in. Now I will say the gifts are interesting and some are more likeable than others, ok maybe likeable isn’t the right word as each “gift” seems to have its consequences. We also have some internal mysteries unfolding amongst the characters that unlocks parts of them that you may question if they really should’ve been revealed.
Turned out to be quite the read for sure!
Woah what a perfect start to Autumn! This book was eerie and I wasn’t sure at first how dark and deep it would get as our main characters are young, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
The main characters are paranormal investigators and find themselves unravelling quite the mystery. With gifts, family lore and grief tangled up at the centre of the plot we get a story with depth and layers that kept me locked in. Now I will say the gifts are interesting and some are more likeable than others, ok maybe likeable isn’t the right word as each “gift” seems to have its consequences. We also have some internal mysteries unfolding amongst the characters that unlocks parts of them that you may question if they really should’ve been revealed.
Turned out to be quite the read for sure!
September 3, 2026
Kaylynn Bayron has been an autobuy author for me since I read This Poison Heart and she still is. She knows how to write YA so well.
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone was so entertaining and I love a mystery that keeps you guessing. There were definitely some creepy moments and twists that kept me interested, and I liked trying to figure out what was actually going on. Overall, I’d say this was a really fun read, especially if you like ghost stories, supernatural mysteries, and a little bit of horror. 👻🖤 I also love the friends and found family vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for this ARC.
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone was so entertaining and I love a mystery that keeps you guessing. There were definitely some creepy moments and twists that kept me interested, and I liked trying to figure out what was actually going on. Overall, I’d say this was a really fun read, especially if you like ghost stories, supernatural mysteries, and a little bit of horror. 👻🖤 I also love the friends and found family vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for this ARC.
September 26, 2026
3/5
I wanted to love this but a lot of it fell short for me. The story seemed so interesting but it was not unfolding as I read it the way I wanted it to. I want to be shown what is happening, not told about what happened.
The horror and paranormal elements were GREAT but a lot of it was so unrealistic (yes I know, its paranormal lol, but the everyday things should be more realistic). The kids were school age but school seemed to be barely a thing. I also wasn't big into the villains because they did not have good reasons to be the villains imo.
I wanted to love this but a lot of it fell short for me. The story seemed so interesting but it was not unfolding as I read it the way I wanted it to. I want to be shown what is happening, not told about what happened.
The horror and paranormal elements were GREAT but a lot of it was so unrealistic (yes I know, its paranormal lol, but the everyday things should be more realistic). The kids were school age but school seemed to be barely a thing. I also wasn't big into the villains because they did not have good reasons to be the villains imo.
September 3, 2026
i’ll read anything kalynn gives us at this point. this was a fantastic spooky read that was the perfect mix of her writing that i love so much with the vibes of ghost-hunting shows (like my fav buzzfeed unsolved with ryan and shane rip)
September 18, 2026
I almost immediately said…Annie?? Haha. Really enjoyed this book. Kalynn Bayron is a master with the pen. There was a few details that I was left with questions on, such as what the mom does for work if she works and the kids school schedule. Ossie also actsd a little younger than I would imagine children his age would, but it did not take me out of the story. 4.5 starts rounded to 5!
September 1, 2026
If you're looking for a YA paranormal horror read for the spooky season then please pick this one up!
This book takes place in Oregon with a group of paranormal gifted kids. The gifts range from emotions, persuasion, mind reading, and controlling pests. They decide they want to use their gifts to investigate the paranormal and help people. This leads them down a road of ghosts, a secret society, and secrets.
This book was the perfect spooky read. Between the gifted kids, investigating, and ghosts I was hooked. I was able to do an immersive read which was great. The narrator did a wonderful job! I'll def pick up this author again!
Thank you Bloomsbury for the gifted physical book and Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
This book takes place in Oregon with a group of paranormal gifted kids. The gifts range from emotions, persuasion, mind reading, and controlling pests. They decide they want to use their gifts to investigate the paranormal and help people. This leads them down a road of ghosts, a secret society, and secrets.
This book was the perfect spooky read. Between the gifted kids, investigating, and ghosts I was hooked. I was able to do an immersive read which was great. The narrator did a wonderful job! I'll def pick up this author again!
Thank you Bloomsbury for the gifted physical book and Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for a copy of this ARC!
In Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone we follow Moll and her group of friends (Agnes, Ossie, and Redd) that have all been brought together because of their unique supernatural abilities. They decide that the best use of their abilities is paranormal investigation. After their first job goes from bad to worse, the group finds themselves in the middle of a decades long mystery. Together they must unravel the secrets and lies of this mystery.
This is one of those books where every single tiny detail matters and isn't something that you can just read passively. I feel like I could read it over and over again and still pick out tiny details I missed on the first read. This really went from supernatural/paranormal to cult to almost like a backrooms/labyrinth situation and I loved every single second of it.
Not only was Moll an incredible character full of so much heart, but the bonds she made with those around her really spoke volumes about her. She managed to make friends and almost form a found family with the people who helped her throughout her journey.
If you are a fan of paranormal thrillers, this is definitely the book for you!
In Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone we follow Moll and her group of friends (Agnes, Ossie, and Redd) that have all been brought together because of their unique supernatural abilities. They decide that the best use of their abilities is paranormal investigation. After their first job goes from bad to worse, the group finds themselves in the middle of a decades long mystery. Together they must unravel the secrets and lies of this mystery.
This is one of those books where every single tiny detail matters and isn't something that you can just read passively. I feel like I could read it over and over again and still pick out tiny details I missed on the first read. This really went from supernatural/paranormal to cult to almost like a backrooms/labyrinth situation and I loved every single second of it.
Not only was Moll an incredible character full of so much heart, but the bonds she made with those around her really spoke volumes about her. She managed to make friends and almost form a found family with the people who helped her throughout her journey.
If you are a fan of paranormal thrillers, this is definitely the book for you!
September 20, 2026
I normally do not write lengthy reviews for the books that I've read (though I'd like to change that!), but I just HAD to write out my thoughts after reading this book.
(SPOILER-FREE!)
Kaylynn's books are an auto buy for me, so when I saw "Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone" was coming out, I had already prepared to purchase it, regardless of the subject matter, and I was NOT disappointed. Her storytelling ability is out of this world... she takes real-world figures, mythology, folklore, etc and gives them a fantasy-spin that I absolutely adore. She draws from historical traditions and figures and takes them to another level. I have found myself down so many rabbit holes during my reading (and after I'm done) in which I learn so much more than I would reading other fiction books, and it enriches each book that much more. I enjoy the little easter eggs she throws in, how she pulls character traits from these legendary figures and put them in a more modern setting. Her dialogue is so real, so relatable, that I find myself laughing along with her characters, making out-loud reactions in certain parts, and I shed tears in every single book in one way or another. The familial relationships feel so REAL, and with an emphasis on motherly and matronly relations that are complex and just pure beautiful for me to read. In all honesty, the way she handles families in general, and mother-daughter/found family specifically, have helped to heal parts of me that needed healing. Her writing is just beautiful to me; simple, yet somehow still complex, and emotional while still being accessible to middle grade readers.
She explores subjects such as spirituality, gender expression and queerness, black culture, dysfunctional families, and mental health all in a gentle, lecture-free way. These topics in her novels are not used as a teaching point, a focal point, or a a lecture on equality. They are treated as just another natural characteristic description-- like a favorite sweater, worn-in and well-loved. They aren't plot points or made to be the center of the narrative, and I truly appreciate that. As a member of the lgbtq+, I value the representation she does make, and her ability to downplay it into just a normal part of the character instead of their only character trait means everything. As a white person, I also value being able to live in the minds of black characters and understand their struggles in a real, meaningful way. I feel like just another member of the family, sitting down at the table and being enveloped into the warmth that surrounds these characters and their families. There is no way I can adequately express how much her books have helped me connect, understand, and cherish what I have learned and felt along the way with all of her characters in all of her books. I am just so appreciative of her and her ability to let all of these emotions flow out in her writing of fairytale retellings, ghost stories, and spiritual mythology.
Her mother-daughter-esque tropes are on another level. I have found myself longing for mother figures she has in a few of her books ("This Poison Heart" duology OMGGG). The care, empathy, respect, and just overall love that is expressed makes my heart ache. It just... hits different, and is one of my biggest reasons Kaylnn is among my all-time favorite authors.
Please... if you haven't picked up any of her books yet, do it. You will not be disappointed. If you have a beating heart in your chest, it WILL feel something while you read her works, I promise you.
Mrs. Bayron, if you ever read this, thank you. Thank you for your words, Thank you for your novels, And thank you for helping me feel again after being numb for so long. Your words have an impact and I have been trying my best to let everyone else know about your writing so that they too can enjoy these gifts you have shared with the world. I appreciate you and the work you have put into these wonderful novels.
(SPOILER-FREE!)
Kaylynn's books are an auto buy for me, so when I saw "Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone" was coming out, I had already prepared to purchase it, regardless of the subject matter, and I was NOT disappointed. Her storytelling ability is out of this world... she takes real-world figures, mythology, folklore, etc and gives them a fantasy-spin that I absolutely adore. She draws from historical traditions and figures and takes them to another level. I have found myself down so many rabbit holes during my reading (and after I'm done) in which I learn so much more than I would reading other fiction books, and it enriches each book that much more. I enjoy the little easter eggs she throws in, how she pulls character traits from these legendary figures and put them in a more modern setting. Her dialogue is so real, so relatable, that I find myself laughing along with her characters, making out-loud reactions in certain parts, and I shed tears in every single book in one way or another. The familial relationships feel so REAL, and with an emphasis on motherly and matronly relations that are complex and just pure beautiful for me to read. In all honesty, the way she handles families in general, and mother-daughter/found family specifically, have helped to heal parts of me that needed healing. Her writing is just beautiful to me; simple, yet somehow still complex, and emotional while still being accessible to middle grade readers.
She explores subjects such as spirituality, gender expression and queerness, black culture, dysfunctional families, and mental health all in a gentle, lecture-free way. These topics in her novels are not used as a teaching point, a focal point, or a a lecture on equality. They are treated as just another natural characteristic description-- like a favorite sweater, worn-in and well-loved. They aren't plot points or made to be the center of the narrative, and I truly appreciate that. As a member of the lgbtq+, I value the representation she does make, and her ability to downplay it into just a normal part of the character instead of their only character trait means everything. As a white person, I also value being able to live in the minds of black characters and understand their struggles in a real, meaningful way. I feel like just another member of the family, sitting down at the table and being enveloped into the warmth that surrounds these characters and their families. There is no way I can adequately express how much her books have helped me connect, understand, and cherish what I have learned and felt along the way with all of her characters in all of her books. I am just so appreciative of her and her ability to let all of these emotions flow out in her writing of fairytale retellings, ghost stories, and spiritual mythology.
Her mother-daughter-esque tropes are on another level. I have found myself longing for mother figures she has in a few of her books ("This Poison Heart" duology OMGGG). The care, empathy, respect, and just overall love that is expressed makes my heart ache. It just... hits different, and is one of my biggest reasons Kaylnn is among my all-time favorite authors.
Please... if you haven't picked up any of her books yet, do it. You will not be disappointed. If you have a beating heart in your chest, it WILL feel something while you read her works, I promise you.
Mrs. Bayron, if you ever read this, thank you. Thank you for your words, Thank you for your novels, And thank you for helping me feel again after being numb for so long. Your words have an impact and I have been trying my best to let everyone else know about your writing so that they too can enjoy these gifts you have shared with the world. I appreciate you and the work you have put into these wonderful novels.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone by Kalyan Bayron
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
If you like ghost stories, creepy mysteries, and found-family vibes, “Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone” by Kalynn Bayron is a really fun (and sometimes genuinely spooky) YA paranormal read.
The story follows Moll and her group of friends (Redd, Agnes, and Ossie) who all have strange supernatural abilities. Moll can manipulate people’s emotions and even drain their life energy if she isn’t careful, while the others have powers like mind reading, memory manipulation, or controlling animals. Their abilities are powerful and honestly a little dangerous. Because of that, Moll’s mom has raised them to keep their gifts hidden from the world.
Instead of hiding completely, though, the group decides to use their powers for good by starting a paranormal investigation service. Things start off simple enough with ghost sightings, hauntings, that kind of thing, but when they investigate a case involving a missing girl and a creepy old house in Portland, the mystery quickly turns into something way bigger than they expected.
One of the best parts of the book is definitely the atmosphere. Some of the haunting scenes are actually pretty creepy, with vivid descriptions that make you feel the tension right along with the characters. The ghostly encounters and paranormal investigation parts were easily the most entertaining parts of the story.
I also loved the found-family dynamic between the characters. They’re a mix of ages (from 13 to 18), which creates an interesting group dynamic, and they clearly care about each other a lot. Their relationships feel really natural and heartfelt. There’s also some LGBTQ+ representation, including a trans character, and it’s handled in a really casual, normalized way that fits smoothly into the story.
Another cool element is the setting. The story takes place in Portland and even brings in bits of history (both real and fictionalized) about the spiritualism movement and paranormal research in Oregon, which adds a unique layer to the worldbuilding. There are also little informational pieces about the occult and paranormal history scattered throughout that make the story feel richer.
That said, the plot can get pretty complicated as it goes on. What starts as a ghost investigation slowly expands into secret societies, occult history, liminal spaces, and even connections to Moll’s own past. There’s a lot going on, so it’s not really a book you can just breeze through without paying attention.
Overall, “Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone” is a spooky, intriguing YA mystery with lovable characters, creepy hauntings, and a strong found-family core. It gets a little complex at times, but the eerie atmosphere, emotional moments, and paranormal twists make it a really engaging read, especially if you love ghost hunting stories. The ending wraps up the main mystery but leaves just enough open that I’d definitely be interested in a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
If you like ghost stories, creepy mysteries, and found-family vibes, “Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone” by Kalynn Bayron is a really fun (and sometimes genuinely spooky) YA paranormal read.
The story follows Moll and her group of friends (Redd, Agnes, and Ossie) who all have strange supernatural abilities. Moll can manipulate people’s emotions and even drain their life energy if she isn’t careful, while the others have powers like mind reading, memory manipulation, or controlling animals. Their abilities are powerful and honestly a little dangerous. Because of that, Moll’s mom has raised them to keep their gifts hidden from the world.
Instead of hiding completely, though, the group decides to use their powers for good by starting a paranormal investigation service. Things start off simple enough with ghost sightings, hauntings, that kind of thing, but when they investigate a case involving a missing girl and a creepy old house in Portland, the mystery quickly turns into something way bigger than they expected.
One of the best parts of the book is definitely the atmosphere. Some of the haunting scenes are actually pretty creepy, with vivid descriptions that make you feel the tension right along with the characters. The ghostly encounters and paranormal investigation parts were easily the most entertaining parts of the story.
I also loved the found-family dynamic between the characters. They’re a mix of ages (from 13 to 18), which creates an interesting group dynamic, and they clearly care about each other a lot. Their relationships feel really natural and heartfelt. There’s also some LGBTQ+ representation, including a trans character, and it’s handled in a really casual, normalized way that fits smoothly into the story.
Another cool element is the setting. The story takes place in Portland and even brings in bits of history (both real and fictionalized) about the spiritualism movement and paranormal research in Oregon, which adds a unique layer to the worldbuilding. There are also little informational pieces about the occult and paranormal history scattered throughout that make the story feel richer.
That said, the plot can get pretty complicated as it goes on. What starts as a ghost investigation slowly expands into secret societies, occult history, liminal spaces, and even connections to Moll’s own past. There’s a lot going on, so it’s not really a book you can just breeze through without paying attention.
Overall, “Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone” is a spooky, intriguing YA mystery with lovable characters, creepy hauntings, and a strong found-family core. It gets a little complex at times, but the eerie atmosphere, emotional moments, and paranormal twists make it a really engaging read, especially if you love ghost hunting stories. The ending wraps up the main mystery but leaves just enough open that I’d definitely be interested in a sequel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone by Kalynn Bayron is an incredible read that combines supernatural mystery, emotional depth, and a powerful sense of community. The story follows Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie—four teens with extraordinary and potentially dangerous paranormal gifts who have formed a close-knit, almost family-like bond. Feeling like outcasts, they channel their powers into helping others through their paranormal investigation services, eager to use their abilities for good rather than fear.
Hannigan, Moll’s mother, is a complex character—she’s had powers of her own but chooses to hide them, periodically binding her daughter and friends’ abilities in an effort to give them a normal life. But their curiosity about their true potential and the mysteries lurking in their world push them to investigate deeper. When a missing woman leads them to an old Victorian mansion haunted by secrets of the past, the stakes skyrocket. What begins as an adventure to uncover the truth soon becomes a fight for survival, revealing long-buried darkness that threatens to consume them.
Bayron masterfully keeps the tension high, blending chilling atmosphere with genuine emotional moments. The story explores themes of trust, identity, and belonging—especially in the context of a queer, diverse cast forging their own path amid supernatural chaos. Each character’s powers are vividly depicted, and their relationships grow authentically as they confront fears and uncover dangerous truths.
As the crew unravels the mystery, they also come into their true strength. Secrets about Moll’s father, Agnes’ hidden power, and Redd and Ossie’s forgotten past are gradually revealed, reshaping their understanding of themselves and their potential. These revelations unlock new levels of strength and courage, enabling them to face an ancient evil that threatens everything they hold dear. Their journey not only solves the mystery but pushes them to embrace their full capabilities—proving that sometimes, you must confront the darkness to truly understand your light.
The pacing is just right—intense enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, yet balanced with moments of reflection and camaraderie. The mystery surrounding the haunted mansion and its century-old secrets kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved how Bayron layered in lore and suspense to make the story feel both thrilling and meaningful.
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone is a compelling mix of supernatural horror and heartfelt storytelling. It’s a reminder that some secrets are better left buried, and some ghosts are better left undisturbed. I truly hope this is just the beginning, because I’d love to see these characters continue their journey. If you enjoy stories about haunted places, supernatural powers, and finding family in unexpected places, this book is a must-read. It’s a five-star journey I couldn’t put down.
Hannigan, Moll’s mother, is a complex character—she’s had powers of her own but chooses to hide them, periodically binding her daughter and friends’ abilities in an effort to give them a normal life. But their curiosity about their true potential and the mysteries lurking in their world push them to investigate deeper. When a missing woman leads them to an old Victorian mansion haunted by secrets of the past, the stakes skyrocket. What begins as an adventure to uncover the truth soon becomes a fight for survival, revealing long-buried darkness that threatens to consume them.
Bayron masterfully keeps the tension high, blending chilling atmosphere with genuine emotional moments. The story explores themes of trust, identity, and belonging—especially in the context of a queer, diverse cast forging their own path amid supernatural chaos. Each character’s powers are vividly depicted, and their relationships grow authentically as they confront fears and uncover dangerous truths.
As the crew unravels the mystery, they also come into their true strength. Secrets about Moll’s father, Agnes’ hidden power, and Redd and Ossie’s forgotten past are gradually revealed, reshaping their understanding of themselves and their potential. These revelations unlock new levels of strength and courage, enabling them to face an ancient evil that threatens everything they hold dear. Their journey not only solves the mystery but pushes them to embrace their full capabilities—proving that sometimes, you must confront the darkness to truly understand your light.
The pacing is just right—intense enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, yet balanced with moments of reflection and camaraderie. The mystery surrounding the haunted mansion and its century-old secrets kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved how Bayron layered in lore and suspense to make the story feel both thrilling and meaningful.
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone is a compelling mix of supernatural horror and heartfelt storytelling. It’s a reminder that some secrets are better left buried, and some ghosts are better left undisturbed. I truly hope this is just the beginning, because I’d love to see these characters continue their journey. If you enjoy stories about haunted places, supernatural powers, and finding family in unexpected places, this book is a must-read. It’s a five-star journey I couldn’t put down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I added Tell The Ghosts I’m Gone to my Netgalley wishlist as soon as I saw it. I love ghost hunting stories, and this novel infuses some other elements I like into a compelling tale. It’s got everything you could want in a paranormal/ghost story - a haunted theater, a haunted building, ghosts, cryptic messages, and teenagers with supernatural abilities. However, these aren’t just any supernatural abilities. For some of the teens, their abilities are mixed blessings, at best, because if they can’t control them, they could kill people.
I was absolutely hooked to this ARC from page 1. The teen focus in this book added some extra layers of tension to it, because you got to see how strong Moll’s relationship with her mom is, and the internal struggle that arises when Moll’s breaking rules and going behind her mom’s back. As the story progresses, you understand more of Mom’s position, too, and the fears that are motivating her actions.
The story moves at a brisk pace. It’s the kind of writing I like: lean and snappy. Bayron focuses on the core plot and character arcs without getting bogged down in descriptions and extraneous details. There’s enough for us to feel the connection between Moll and Redd and there’s enough to make you wonder what secrets Mom’s keeping, and there are plenty of revelations along the way that kept me guessing.
What stood out for me in this story was the strength of the character connections and how Bayron built tension between people who genuinely loved or liked each other without making someone a villain. I felt for the teens, and I felt for Mom. Yes, there are some complications that arise because Mom hasn’t shared some truths with Moll, but it’s believable. It’s the kind of stuff you aren’t likely to share until your child’s an adult, and then, once they reach the point where you could tell them, you don’t know where to begin.
I wasn’t simply captivated by the pace of the story; I was invested in the characters and their journey and terrified for them as the story progressed.
The proof? I cried.
I don’t know if this is meant to be a series or not. It provides resolution while leaving the door open to the potential of more. All I know is, if Moll et al are back for more adventures, I’m here for it.
Notes For The Audience:
This story is ideal for anyone who loves ghost hunting shows and stories. It’s got paranormal and supernatural elements infused in a real-world setting.
Source:
I received an e-arc of Tell The Ghosts I’m Gone from Bloomsbury YA. This review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I was absolutely hooked to this ARC from page 1. The teen focus in this book added some extra layers of tension to it, because you got to see how strong Moll’s relationship with her mom is, and the internal struggle that arises when Moll’s breaking rules and going behind her mom’s back. As the story progresses, you understand more of Mom’s position, too, and the fears that are motivating her actions.
The story moves at a brisk pace. It’s the kind of writing I like: lean and snappy. Bayron focuses on the core plot and character arcs without getting bogged down in descriptions and extraneous details. There’s enough for us to feel the connection between Moll and Redd and there’s enough to make you wonder what secrets Mom’s keeping, and there are plenty of revelations along the way that kept me guessing.
What stood out for me in this story was the strength of the character connections and how Bayron built tension between people who genuinely loved or liked each other without making someone a villain. I felt for the teens, and I felt for Mom. Yes, there are some complications that arise because Mom hasn’t shared some truths with Moll, but it’s believable. It’s the kind of stuff you aren’t likely to share until your child’s an adult, and then, once they reach the point where you could tell them, you don’t know where to begin.
I wasn’t simply captivated by the pace of the story; I was invested in the characters and their journey and terrified for them as the story progressed.
The proof? I cried.
I don’t know if this is meant to be a series or not. It provides resolution while leaving the door open to the potential of more. All I know is, if Moll et al are back for more adventures, I’m here for it.
Notes For The Audience:
This story is ideal for anyone who loves ghost hunting shows and stories. It’s got paranormal and supernatural elements infused in a real-world setting.
Source:
I received an e-arc of Tell The Ghosts I’m Gone from Bloomsbury YA. This review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Love this one, the settings, the paranormal activity, make the creep factor like a ten! Moll, Redd, Ossie, and Agnes are paranormal investigators, well they’re trying to be. They’re just getting started but they hope to help people see that the paranormal world exists. One difficulty they have is Hannigan, Moll’s mother and the rest of them’s guardian. She’s big on protecting their secrets, because all four of them have paranormal powers of their own. But that’s exactly what makes them so good at investigating because they have more in depth knowledge of the world. For one of their first cases they are asked to check out a coffee shop that’s run in an old Victorian house. Strange occurrences have been happening and there is a missing girl who was seen visiting the coffee shop a few times, including the day she disappeared. They can quickly tell there is something off about the house and the owner, the house is strange. Opening some doors will lead you to completely different places in the house, sometimes not in the house at all. As they investigate the house and its strange happenings. They soon learn that its connected to a famous spiritualist and she had a cult following called the Order of Warren. It also seems that someone is watching them, someone who doesn’t want them to go into the house. But they feel a pull to it, and also the house seems to unlock and strengthen their powers. Can they solve the mystery of the house? Can they find the missing girl? Or will looking just lead them into danger? This was a twisty mystery that kept me so intrigued! I love the blend of paranormal mystery with teenagers who are still trying to figure themselves out as well as their powers. Their constant struggle to maintain control along with the hardships of when they lost control was completely relatable, just without the powers! I also loved the creep factor, Kalynn Bayron does a perfect job of putting the reader in the setting so you feel all the terror and anxiety with the characters as they investigate paranormal activities! I was on the edge of my seat and I consumed the book need to solve all its mysteries! It’s also got its heartbreaking and heartwarming moments! Their love for one another had me in all my feels!
September 3, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ebook!
Summary
Four teens with supernatural abilities investigate paranormal cases while learning to control their own powers. When a missing girl leads them to a potentially haunted Victorian mansion, they uncover something far more dangerous than they expected.
My Review
YA has really been surprising me lately, and this was another one I actually really enjoyed! I loved the whole idea of these four characters having different supernatural abilities and working together investigating paranormal cases. Their personalities blended together really well, and I enjoyed watching their friendships and relationships develop while they were also trying to understand and control their own powers.
There were definitely some creepy parts, which of course I loved. 😂 The Victorian mansion was such a good setting for this story because you already know putting a group of supernatural teenagers inside a possibly haunted old house is going to get interesting. I liked the mystery surrounding the missing girl and the secrets of the house. Some parts did feel a little hurried to me, especially when there was so much happening at once, and I would have liked certain moments to have a little more time to develop. But it never stopped me from enjoying the story.
I especially liked the main character. Her awkwardness and shyness were actually really refreshing because she didn't feel like another perfectly confident main character who always knew exactly what to say or do. She was cute, awkward, unsure of herself sometimes, and that made her feel more real to me. I became attached to these characters and genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen to them. Between the paranormal abilities, creepy moments, mystery, friendships, and the haunted house atmosphere, there was a lot here that worked for me. I went into this expecting a fun YA paranormal horror story and ended up enjoying it even more than I thought I would.
Would I Recommend?
Yes! If you enjoy YA horror, paranormal investigations, supernatural abilities, haunted houses, creepy mysteries, and a group of characters learning how to work together, I think this is definitely worth picking up. It had a few places that felt hurried to me, but overall I had a really good time reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ebook!
Summary
Four teens with supernatural abilities investigate paranormal cases while learning to control their own powers. When a missing girl leads them to a potentially haunted Victorian mansion, they uncover something far more dangerous than they expected.
My Review
YA has really been surprising me lately, and this was another one I actually really enjoyed! I loved the whole idea of these four characters having different supernatural abilities and working together investigating paranormal cases. Their personalities blended together really well, and I enjoyed watching their friendships and relationships develop while they were also trying to understand and control their own powers.
There were definitely some creepy parts, which of course I loved. 😂 The Victorian mansion was such a good setting for this story because you already know putting a group of supernatural teenagers inside a possibly haunted old house is going to get interesting. I liked the mystery surrounding the missing girl and the secrets of the house. Some parts did feel a little hurried to me, especially when there was so much happening at once, and I would have liked certain moments to have a little more time to develop. But it never stopped me from enjoying the story.
I especially liked the main character. Her awkwardness and shyness were actually really refreshing because she didn't feel like another perfectly confident main character who always knew exactly what to say or do. She was cute, awkward, unsure of herself sometimes, and that made her feel more real to me. I became attached to these characters and genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen to them. Between the paranormal abilities, creepy moments, mystery, friendships, and the haunted house atmosphere, there was a lot here that worked for me. I went into this expecting a fun YA paranormal horror story and ended up enjoying it even more than I thought I would.
Would I Recommend?
Yes! If you enjoy YA horror, paranormal investigations, supernatural abilities, haunted houses, creepy mysteries, and a group of characters learning how to work together, I think this is definitely worth picking up. It had a few places that felt hurried to me, but overall I had a really good time reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight, which I had some issues with, I was still interested to see what Kalynn Bayron would do next, and Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone has won me over.
This was such a fun combination of paranormal mystery, supernatural horror and YA adventure. The premise immediately grabbed me: four friends running a paranormal investigation agency, each with their own unusual abilities, soon find themselves dealing with something far more complicated—and dangerous—than a straightforward ghost hunt.
But it’s the characters who really make this work. Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie are such a brilliant little found family, and their friendship feels like the beating heart of the story. I loved discovering how their individual powers worked, watching them learn to control them, and seeing just how fiercely protective they were of one another.
And then there are the ghosts. Some of the descriptions genuinely got under my skin. Bayron creates a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, with some genuinely unsettling moments and enough creepy imagery to make the supernatural elements feel surprisingly vivid.
The mystery itself kept me turning the pages, with secrets, twists and escalating danger pulling the characters deeper into a much bigger supernatural world. There are some genuinely emotional moments alongside the action, and the stakes become surprisingly high as the story progresses.
I did find a few parts towards the latter half a little rushed, and there were moments when I wanted more explanation or a little more time spent developing certain aspects of the story. That stopped this being a five-star read for me, but it didn't diminish how much I enjoyed the overall experience.
Spooky, entertaining, heartfelt and packed with characters I grew ridiculously attached to. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie, because after that ending, I definitely need more.
If you like ghosts, witches, supernatural mysteries and found-family friendships - with a healthy dose of creepiness thrown in - this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Children's Books and the author for an advance copy.
This was such a fun combination of paranormal mystery, supernatural horror and YA adventure. The premise immediately grabbed me: four friends running a paranormal investigation agency, each with their own unusual abilities, soon find themselves dealing with something far more complicated—and dangerous—than a straightforward ghost hunt.
But it’s the characters who really make this work. Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie are such a brilliant little found family, and their friendship feels like the beating heart of the story. I loved discovering how their individual powers worked, watching them learn to control them, and seeing just how fiercely protective they were of one another.
And then there are the ghosts. Some of the descriptions genuinely got under my skin. Bayron creates a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, with some genuinely unsettling moments and enough creepy imagery to make the supernatural elements feel surprisingly vivid.
The mystery itself kept me turning the pages, with secrets, twists and escalating danger pulling the characters deeper into a much bigger supernatural world. There are some genuinely emotional moments alongside the action, and the stakes become surprisingly high as the story progresses.
I did find a few parts towards the latter half a little rushed, and there were moments when I wanted more explanation or a little more time spent developing certain aspects of the story. That stopped this being a five-star read for me, but it didn't diminish how much I enjoyed the overall experience.
Spooky, entertaining, heartfelt and packed with characters I grew ridiculously attached to. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie, because after that ending, I definitely need more.
If you like ghosts, witches, supernatural mysteries and found-family friendships - with a healthy dose of creepiness thrown in - this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Children's Books and the author for an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So we're just not going to talk about Moll's mom and that one thing?? Ok, choices.
I did really enjoy the found family aspect of this book. In Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone we follow Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie, who are kid paranormal investigators. Cute! And they're all supernaturally gifted to boot! I love anything even remotely Scooby Doo flavored and these kids were all so gosh darn adorable! I think what really shines in the book is the kids themselves and their relationships with one another. These are kids that are tight and they all clearly care a lot for one another. You love to see it! Also, sue me, but yeah the fart humor really made me laugh. I'm sorry but any time you call a fart a poot, I'm going to laugh. I don't make the rules.
However I did find a few things kind of frustrating in this book. Mainly Moll's mom. This involves a plot point that I personally can't stand which is Parent Knows A Secret Child Does Not Know And Keeps Secret Hidden From Child To Child's Detriment. When I tell y'all the things in this book that could have been solved by ONE (1) honest conversation! Now ok I understand it's an important plot point for character growth, I get it, but it's annoying nonetheless. It's right up there with the miscommunication trope for me.
Also, I'm sorry, but I'll be brave and admit the mystery itself didn't really work for me. Like I thought it was very well written, very twisty, very turny, very mysterious. But the actual MYSTERY the kids were solving? Did not care one thing about it. Like I liked how everything fit together in the end but the stakes to me felt, idk, nonexistent? Not saying there weren't stakes, there were, I was just laying in bed reading like "Dang ok". I didn't feel invested I guess is what I'm trying to say. Not the author's fault, of course, I just thing the subject of the mystery was something I personally cared very little about.
It feels like this might be a series (possibly????) so if so, I'd love to see what the next book is about, I love these kids!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance DRC and provide a review, all opinions are my own.
I did really enjoy the found family aspect of this book. In Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone we follow Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie, who are kid paranormal investigators. Cute! And they're all supernaturally gifted to boot! I love anything even remotely Scooby Doo flavored and these kids were all so gosh darn adorable! I think what really shines in the book is the kids themselves and their relationships with one another. These are kids that are tight and they all clearly care a lot for one another. You love to see it! Also, sue me, but yeah the fart humor really made me laugh. I'm sorry but any time you call a fart a poot, I'm going to laugh. I don't make the rules.
However I did find a few things kind of frustrating in this book. Mainly Moll's mom. This involves a plot point that I personally can't stand which is Parent Knows A Secret Child Does Not Know And Keeps Secret Hidden From Child To Child's Detriment. When I tell y'all the things in this book that could have been solved by ONE (1) honest conversation! Now ok I understand it's an important plot point for character growth, I get it, but it's annoying nonetheless. It's right up there with the miscommunication trope for me.
Also, I'm sorry, but I'll be brave and admit the mystery itself didn't really work for me. Like I thought it was very well written, very twisty, very turny, very mysterious. But the actual MYSTERY the kids were solving? Did not care one thing about it. Like I liked how everything fit together in the end but the stakes to me felt, idk, nonexistent? Not saying there weren't stakes, there were, I was just laying in bed reading like "Dang ok". I didn't feel invested I guess is what I'm trying to say. Not the author's fault, of course, I just thing the subject of the mystery was something I personally cared very little about.
It feels like this might be a series (possibly????) so if so, I'd love to see what the next book is about, I love these kids!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance DRC and provide a review, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone is not just a well‑written book, not just a strong YA paranormal, but a story about found family, identity, and mystery that completely entranced me. Genre labels help books reach the right readers, but this is one of those rare YA novels that feels bigger than its category — one that Older YA, NA readers, and even adults may miss if they assume it’s “just” a teen ghost story. It’s far more than that. It’s a book about connection, legacy, and the power of choosing who we become.
As Spooky Season approaches, this is exactly the kind of story that makes you look twice at the shadows and jump when someone upstairs walks a little too heavily. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and unexpectedly grounded — the supernatural elements feel real because the emotional stakes are real.
The characters are beautifully developed, and their abilities feel organic to the world. Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie each bring something powerful and dangerous to the story, and their ages (13–18) give the book a wide emotional range. Their gifts — emotional manipulation, mind‑influence, animal control, memory manipulation — are not cute or harmless. They’re risky, secretive, and deeply tied to who these teens are and how they’ve been taught to hide themselves.
Their found‑family bond is one of the strongest parts of the novel. This group becomes a paranormal investigative force not because it’s fun, but because it’s necessary — and the case they choose pulls you in immediately. Diversity and acceptance aren’t themes here; they’re simply the way life is lived. Trans and LGBTQIA+ identities appear with the same natural ease as asking someone what state they were born in. It’s organic, respectful, and beautifully done.
The worldbuilding blends Portland’s real‑world texture with occult history and secret‑society shadows, creating a paranormal mystery that feels both fresh and satisfyingly developed. The adult reader in me wanted a little more depth from the villains’ motivations, but teen‑me wouldn’t have needed it — and this is a YA novel.
My only lingering question: will there be a sequel? Because I am absolutely ready to join The Oculus: Paranormal Education and Investigation for their next adventure.
As Spooky Season approaches, this is exactly the kind of story that makes you look twice at the shadows and jump when someone upstairs walks a little too heavily. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and unexpectedly grounded — the supernatural elements feel real because the emotional stakes are real.
The characters are beautifully developed, and their abilities feel organic to the world. Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie each bring something powerful and dangerous to the story, and their ages (13–18) give the book a wide emotional range. Their gifts — emotional manipulation, mind‑influence, animal control, memory manipulation — are not cute or harmless. They’re risky, secretive, and deeply tied to who these teens are and how they’ve been taught to hide themselves.
Their found‑family bond is one of the strongest parts of the novel. This group becomes a paranormal investigative force not because it’s fun, but because it’s necessary — and the case they choose pulls you in immediately. Diversity and acceptance aren’t themes here; they’re simply the way life is lived. Trans and LGBTQIA+ identities appear with the same natural ease as asking someone what state they were born in. It’s organic, respectful, and beautifully done.
The worldbuilding blends Portland’s real‑world texture with occult history and secret‑society shadows, creating a paranormal mystery that feels both fresh and satisfyingly developed. The adult reader in me wanted a little more depth from the villains’ motivations, but teen‑me wouldn’t have needed it — and this is a YA novel.
My only lingering question: will there be a sequel? Because I am absolutely ready to join The Oculus: Paranormal Education and Investigation for their next adventure.
September 14, 2026
I went into this knowing it was YA, and I think that made the teenage chaos a lot easier to appreciate. Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie have supernatural abilities they’re still learning to understand and control, so naturally they decide investigating paranormal situations is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. What could possibly go wrong?
I really enjoyed the weirdness of this story. There are secrets everywhere, strange things happening, questionable decisions being made, and enough mystery surrounding the house and the teens themselves to keep me curious. I especially liked that their abilities weren’t just there to make them powerful. There are consequences to what they can do, and some of the more interesting parts of the story came from watching them struggle with that.
Now, these kids are HARDHEADED. There were several times when I wanted to shake somebody and yell, “Why would you do that?!” But this is also a group of teenagers, and honestly, some of their choices made perfect sense when I looked at them from that perspective. They’re curious, impulsive, convinced they can handle things, and still figuring themselves out. I may not have agreed with their decisions, but I understood where they were coming from.
The old Victorian house was a great setting because it gave the story that creepy feeling without making everything nonstop horror. The deeper the group gets into the mystery, the stranger things become, and I enjoyed watching the secrets slowly come together.
As an adult reading YA, I thought this was a fun supernatural mystery with a good amount of creepiness and character development. Some moments definitely reminded me that I am NOT the target age anymore because my response was less “let’s investigate” and more “baby, get out of that house.” But that was part of the fun. It was weird, creepy, entertaining, and had a group of imperfect teenagers who frustrated me just enough to actually feel like teenagers.
Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
I really enjoyed the weirdness of this story. There are secrets everywhere, strange things happening, questionable decisions being made, and enough mystery surrounding the house and the teens themselves to keep me curious. I especially liked that their abilities weren’t just there to make them powerful. There are consequences to what they can do, and some of the more interesting parts of the story came from watching them struggle with that.
Now, these kids are HARDHEADED. There were several times when I wanted to shake somebody and yell, “Why would you do that?!” But this is also a group of teenagers, and honestly, some of their choices made perfect sense when I looked at them from that perspective. They’re curious, impulsive, convinced they can handle things, and still figuring themselves out. I may not have agreed with their decisions, but I understood where they were coming from.
The old Victorian house was a great setting because it gave the story that creepy feeling without making everything nonstop horror. The deeper the group gets into the mystery, the stranger things become, and I enjoyed watching the secrets slowly come together.
As an adult reading YA, I thought this was a fun supernatural mystery with a good amount of creepiness and character development. Some moments definitely reminded me that I am NOT the target age anymore because my response was less “let’s investigate” and more “baby, get out of that house.” But that was part of the fun. It was weird, creepy, entertaining, and had a group of imperfect teenagers who frustrated me just enough to actually feel like teenagers.
Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
September 15, 2026
PSYCHIC EXCELLENCE!!
If you've been looking for the type of psychic adventure to fill the void that came from LJ Smith's Dark Visions series, then let Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone fill that position. Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone by Kalynn Bayron is exactly the kind of supernatural horror adventure I've been craving. The story follows Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie, four teens born with dangerous supernatural abilities they've spent their lives trying to understand and control. Instead of hiding from their powers, they've turned them into something useful by running their own paranormal investigation service. When they take on the case of a missing young woman, their search leads them to a haunted Victorian mansion packed with secrets, restless spirits, and forces that seem strangely connected to the darkness lurking at the edges of their own abilities. What starts as a ghost hunt quickly spirals into an addictive adventure with mysteries to solve around every corner. There is an amazingly colorful cast of characters and a Portland setting with some familiar landmarks that you might recognize. And as this crew discovers more about themselves, the danger gets all real, along with some terrifying chapters that you don't want to read after dark.
Bayron blends ghost-hunting, spiritualist lore, secret societies, found family, and queer representation into a story that feels like the perfect spooky-season binge. The friendships at the center of the novel are what really make it work. These characters care about each other deeply, and that emotional foundation makes every haunting, every revelation, and every terrifying encounter hit even harder. There are cryptic messages, haunted locations, supernatural mysteries, and enough tension to keep the pages flying, but it's the connection between these characters that gives the story its heart. I absolutely devoured this one. It's spooky, heartfelt, adventurous, and exactly the kind of ghost story that reminds me why I love YA horror so much.
If you've been looking for the type of psychic adventure to fill the void that came from LJ Smith's Dark Visions series, then let Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone fill that position. Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone by Kalynn Bayron is exactly the kind of supernatural horror adventure I've been craving. The story follows Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie, four teens born with dangerous supernatural abilities they've spent their lives trying to understand and control. Instead of hiding from their powers, they've turned them into something useful by running their own paranormal investigation service. When they take on the case of a missing young woman, their search leads them to a haunted Victorian mansion packed with secrets, restless spirits, and forces that seem strangely connected to the darkness lurking at the edges of their own abilities. What starts as a ghost hunt quickly spirals into an addictive adventure with mysteries to solve around every corner. There is an amazingly colorful cast of characters and a Portland setting with some familiar landmarks that you might recognize. And as this crew discovers more about themselves, the danger gets all real, along with some terrifying chapters that you don't want to read after dark.
Bayron blends ghost-hunting, spiritualist lore, secret societies, found family, and queer representation into a story that feels like the perfect spooky-season binge. The friendships at the center of the novel are what really make it work. These characters care about each other deeply, and that emotional foundation makes every haunting, every revelation, and every terrifying encounter hit even harder. There are cryptic messages, haunted locations, supernatural mysteries, and enough tension to keep the pages flying, but it's the connection between these characters that gives the story its heart. I absolutely devoured this one. It's spooky, heartfelt, adventurous, and exactly the kind of ghost story that reminds me why I love YA horror so much.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Bloomsbury books for the complementary advanced reader copy!
This is my first novel by the author, and the concept had me immediately hooked. We're tossed into the storyline and character dynamics pretty fast, as a group of Black teens with paranormal abilities work on finding their place in their world, and what that looks like with their own talents. I absolutely adored the found family elements, with Moll and her mom taking in Agnes, Ossie and Redd into the fold, and meeting them at a time when they're already an established family unit.
I loved the start with paranormal investigations, and how everything started to twist and turn with the main ghost staying with them and leading them towards the mystery they slowly unraveled. It had moments of being fast paced and entertaining, then at times it slunk towards secretive, overly convenient, and bordering on far-fetched in how the characters interacted with outside sources as their story unfolded.
I also really wished we had more of a deep dive into each of the characters back stories as well. There seemed to be so much there that could have added depth and tension to the story, but it's overly brushed over in a race to the finish. I did love the inclusion of a transgender lead, and how naturally they were accepted and brought in as a love interest into the fold, as it kept a good balance to the eerie main storyline progression, although I wish we had more development from them as well as at times they felt two-dimensional.
All in all, it was an interesting story, albeit the rushed ending and layers of truths felt too convenient, sometimes confusing and overly fanciful for me to really stay invested in the conclusion of the story, (also WHAT ON EARTH, HANNIGAN?!) but it was still a fun and entertaining read if you brush past the issues.
This is my first novel by the author, and the concept had me immediately hooked. We're tossed into the storyline and character dynamics pretty fast, as a group of Black teens with paranormal abilities work on finding their place in their world, and what that looks like with their own talents. I absolutely adored the found family elements, with Moll and her mom taking in Agnes, Ossie and Redd into the fold, and meeting them at a time when they're already an established family unit.
I loved the start with paranormal investigations, and how everything started to twist and turn with the main ghost staying with them and leading them towards the mystery they slowly unraveled. It had moments of being fast paced and entertaining, then at times it slunk towards secretive, overly convenient, and bordering on far-fetched in how the characters interacted with outside sources as their story unfolded.
I also really wished we had more of a deep dive into each of the characters back stories as well. There seemed to be so much there that could have added depth and tension to the story, but it's overly brushed over in a race to the finish. I did love the inclusion of a transgender lead, and how naturally they were accepted and brought in as a love interest into the fold, as it kept a good balance to the eerie main storyline progression, although I wish we had more development from them as well as at times they felt two-dimensional.
All in all, it was an interesting story, albeit the rushed ending and layers of truths felt too convenient, sometimes confusing and overly fanciful for me to really stay invested in the conclusion of the story, (also WHAT ON EARTH, HANNIGAN?!) but it was still a fun and entertaining read if you brush past the issues.
August 27, 2026
This book is fun, campy, and a little bit unbelievable - just like your typical ghost hunting show.
The tone for most of the book, plus the young ages of the characters, really made this feel a little too lighthearted for a book labeled as a horror. I would definitely recommend this one for someone looking to dip their toes into the genre.
I love a found family. It’s my bread and butter. I usually prefer that they are found along the way, but starting off with a beautifully close-knit found family in place is a pretty close second. This misfit group is magical.
That said, I found the youth of the Oculus crew to be a bit weird. Ossie is obviously the baby, and he acts like it - but often he feels even YOUNGER than he’s described to be. Moll feels like a younger teen, while Redd and Agnes read like adults. Also Moll driving just gave me the mental picture of a kid who can’t see over the steering wheel… I can’t tell if I love it or hate it, but it did make me laugh.
I found Moll’s motivation for investigating Alister’s to be lacking - she’s primarily focused on solving her own personal mystery, not A WHOLE MISSING PERSON?
There’s a LOT of suspension of disbelief here. These kids get into all sorts of chaos, Hannigan is constantly worried, but also locks herself in her room and doesn’t supervise them at all? Do they have school (besides the mention of one online class)? Honestly, just don’t worry about it and you’ll have a great time reading. Personally, that doesn’t work for me, so it hampered a bit of my enjoyment.
The pacing is a bit uneven, but once you get into the last 30% of the book, it’s a freight train through to the end.
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for an eARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
The tone for most of the book, plus the young ages of the characters, really made this feel a little too lighthearted for a book labeled as a horror. I would definitely recommend this one for someone looking to dip their toes into the genre.
I love a found family. It’s my bread and butter. I usually prefer that they are found along the way, but starting off with a beautifully close-knit found family in place is a pretty close second. This misfit group is magical.
That said, I found the youth of the Oculus crew to be a bit weird. Ossie is obviously the baby, and he acts like it - but often he feels even YOUNGER than he’s described to be. Moll feels like a younger teen, while Redd and Agnes read like adults. Also Moll driving just gave me the mental picture of a kid who can’t see over the steering wheel… I can’t tell if I love it or hate it, but it did make me laugh.
I found Moll’s motivation for investigating Alister’s to be lacking - she’s primarily focused on solving her own personal mystery, not A WHOLE MISSING PERSON?
There’s a LOT of suspension of disbelief here. These kids get into all sorts of chaos, Hannigan is constantly worried, but also locks herself in her room and doesn’t supervise them at all? Do they have school (besides the mention of one online class)? Honestly, just don’t worry about it and you’ll have a great time reading. Personally, that doesn’t work for me, so it hampered a bit of my enjoyment.
The pacing is a bit uneven, but once you get into the last 30% of the book, it’s a freight train through to the end.
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for an eARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
September 4, 2026
An advance copy of this book was provided to me for free by the publisher.
Eerie, suspenseful, and full of captivating characters, Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone should be at the top of your fall reading list! Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie have powerful and dangerous supernatural gifts that they have to work to keep under control. Their love for the paranormal leads them to investigate a missing woman's case at a haunted Victorian mansion, where they uncover secrets that threaten their lives.
Bayron has a gift for balancing complex emotions, humor, and supernatural activities, and Tell The Ghosts I’m Gone showcases her talent effortlessly. Amidst the hijinks and tension of an underlying paranormal mystery, the themes of belonging, grief, and being unashamed of who you are are so well done. Moll and her friends turned family are forced to reckon with their power and what that means for their perception of who they are, what they can do, and their place in the world. I love how their journey forces us to question if we are an embodiment of the worst thing we’ve ever done or if there is room for growth and understanding our full selves. They each grapple with grief and the thought that who we are might be more than others can bear, and that resonated deeply with me and readers who dive into their story
The pacing and cinematic prose keep you fully immersed in this story and may force you to check under your doors as the tension increases the closer they get to answers. The ending was surprising, and it is still lingering with me after finishing their story.
✨ If you are looking for a suspenseful story filled with ghost hunting and coming into your own, Tell The Ghosts I'm Gone should be on your reading list!
Eerie, suspenseful, and full of captivating characters, Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone should be at the top of your fall reading list! Moll, Redd, Agnes, and Ossie have powerful and dangerous supernatural gifts that they have to work to keep under control. Their love for the paranormal leads them to investigate a missing woman's case at a haunted Victorian mansion, where they uncover secrets that threaten their lives.
Bayron has a gift for balancing complex emotions, humor, and supernatural activities, and Tell The Ghosts I’m Gone showcases her talent effortlessly. Amidst the hijinks and tension of an underlying paranormal mystery, the themes of belonging, grief, and being unashamed of who you are are so well done. Moll and her friends turned family are forced to reckon with their power and what that means for their perception of who they are, what they can do, and their place in the world. I love how their journey forces us to question if we are an embodiment of the worst thing we’ve ever done or if there is room for growth and understanding our full selves. They each grapple with grief and the thought that who we are might be more than others can bear, and that resonated deeply with me and readers who dive into their story
The pacing and cinematic prose keep you fully immersed in this story and may force you to check under your doors as the tension increases the closer they get to answers. The ending was surprising, and it is still lingering with me after finishing their story.
✨ If you are looking for a suspenseful story filled with ghost hunting and coming into your own, Tell The Ghosts I'm Gone should be on your reading list!
September 17, 2026
Are you looking for a creepy backrooms-esque House of Leaves novel but for Young Adults? Then this book is definitely one that should pique your interest!
I went into Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone by Kalynn Bayron with just the knowledge that it would be about teenage paranormal investigators. And it is, but it is so much more than that too!
Family secrets, missing people, and ghostly apparitions all make an appearance in this wild ride of a novel! Never before has a book made my heart race in fear like this one! Kalynn Bayron sure knows how to build suspense, bringing to mind those horror movies like The Conjuring that leave you unsettled and wanting to sleep with the light on! 😱
The found family in this book was just so heart-warming. The main character and her mom take in wayward children with paranormal abilities who have no one else to understand them, making their loyalty to each other thicker than blood. ❤️
That's right, the characters each have paranormal abilities, kind of like X-men. Molly, the main character, can see people's emotions via colors and manipulate them, much like the main character's power in Life is Strange: True Colors. I won't spoil the others’ abilities for you… I'll let you find out for yourself. 😉
While I still have plenty of questions, I found that I couldn't put this book down! I would be ecstatic to have a sequel or series about these characters. 🥰 It was just such a fun journey as these characters grow into their powers and learn about the secrets lurking in their past. 👀
After this, I think I definitely need to read some more of Kalynn Bayron's works!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour and Bloomsbury for the gifted physical ARC and for having me on this book tour!
I went into Tell the Ghosts I'm Gone by Kalynn Bayron with just the knowledge that it would be about teenage paranormal investigators. And it is, but it is so much more than that too!
Family secrets, missing people, and ghostly apparitions all make an appearance in this wild ride of a novel! Never before has a book made my heart race in fear like this one! Kalynn Bayron sure knows how to build suspense, bringing to mind those horror movies like The Conjuring that leave you unsettled and wanting to sleep with the light on! 😱
The found family in this book was just so heart-warming. The main character and her mom take in wayward children with paranormal abilities who have no one else to understand them, making their loyalty to each other thicker than blood. ❤️
That's right, the characters each have paranormal abilities, kind of like X-men. Molly, the main character, can see people's emotions via colors and manipulate them, much like the main character's power in Life is Strange: True Colors. I won't spoil the others’ abilities for you… I'll let you find out for yourself. 😉
While I still have plenty of questions, I found that I couldn't put this book down! I would be ecstatic to have a sequel or series about these characters. 🥰 It was just such a fun journey as these characters grow into their powers and learn about the secrets lurking in their past. 👀
After this, I think I definitely need to read some more of Kalynn Bayron's works!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour and Bloomsbury for the gifted physical ARC and for having me on this book tour!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute YA paranormal horror novel about four teens with supernatural gifts investigating a missing woman in a haunted house in Portland, Oregon.
Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie operate a paranormal blog - the Oculus. Each has supernatural gifts that are powerful (Moll: emotional manipulation; Redd: distraction: Agnes, psychic; Ossie, pest control) but they don’t want people to fear them, hence why they offer paranormal services. When they are contacted by Professor Louis Price of the Theater Department at Portland State University, the group is excited to get their first paranormal investigation. While investigating, things spiral to another mystery sending the team into finding a missing woman.
The book is told by Moll whose mother also has powers, and she features in the story. While the story is linear and well paced, there are chapters with details like haunted places in Portland, paranormal equipment used in investigating, the black spiritual community. These are especially interesting and except for certain characters and a setting in the novel, these are accurate (I did some checking as I read).
I liked the teens. I thought the author did a nice job in plot as well. The horror arises more from the spooky paranormal sightings than body horror, for instance. This is not a gruesome horror read. Rather the paranormal aspects provide enough tension to keep you on point in the read.
This is great YA book - I think most teens with an interest in paranormal things would like it - as would adults with the same reading interest.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish and giving me access to this ARC.
Moll, Redd, Agnes and Ossie operate a paranormal blog - the Oculus. Each has supernatural gifts that are powerful (Moll: emotional manipulation; Redd: distraction: Agnes, psychic; Ossie, pest control) but they don’t want people to fear them, hence why they offer paranormal services. When they are contacted by Professor Louis Price of the Theater Department at Portland State University, the group is excited to get their first paranormal investigation. While investigating, things spiral to another mystery sending the team into finding a missing woman.
The book is told by Moll whose mother also has powers, and she features in the story. While the story is linear and well paced, there are chapters with details like haunted places in Portland, paranormal equipment used in investigating, the black spiritual community. These are especially interesting and except for certain characters and a setting in the novel, these are accurate (I did some checking as I read).
I liked the teens. I thought the author did a nice job in plot as well. The horror arises more from the spooky paranormal sightings than body horror, for instance. This is not a gruesome horror read. Rather the paranormal aspects provide enough tension to keep you on point in the read.
This is great YA book - I think most teens with an interest in paranormal things would like it - as would adults with the same reading interest.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish and giving me access to this ARC.
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