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Spooky Lucas #2
Creeping Charlie
In the town of Lucas, Texas, a legend has been passed down for generations of an evil spirit named Creeping Charlie who takes the unwary and hides them away forever... As Lucas prepares for its annual Halloween festivities, Mike Corcorran and some of his friends discover that there may be more truth to the legend than anyone knew. After an encounter with the spirit in the cemetery late one night, Mike is determined to find out all he can about the man who was the subject of the legend. But, in the end, it may be Mike himself who is taken away forever.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2015
3 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Lori Allison
6 books88 followersI am married and I'm the mother of 3 grown children. I love to read, and I gravitate toward books that fall into my three S's category: scary, suspenseful or supernatural. I do read some romance or the occasional cozy mystery to cleanse the palate, but where my reading material is concerned, I'm a bit blood-thirsty!
I'm an animal lover and I used to work in dog rescue. I have four undisciplined, naughty dogs who fight for space under my desk while I work.
I'm an animal lover and I used to work in dog rescue. I have four undisciplined, naughty dogs who fight for space under my desk while I work.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 16, 2018
Loved this one even more than the first! It surprised me that it was from the viewpoint of one of the other young "detective" team--Mike Corcorran. Made me look at the next one where I discovered that one to be from yet another of their gang. I'm truly getting to know and love these kids and this town in general. Oh yeah, the story itself was really great and totally surprised me at the end! Finished this in two sittings. Can hardly wait to dig into the third book.
May 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this deliciously scary ghost story. Mike has had encounters with the deceased before, but this second book is a really good novel on its own, with no need to have read the previous story. In this story, he encounters Creeping Charlie, a ghost who, during his life, was accused of murder. But was he really guilty? After Mike is saved mysteriously when his truck is pushed out of the way of an oncoming eighteen wheeler by unseen hands, he starts to wonder. But why is the mayor mad at him, and why does someone try to break into Mrs. Castleberry's house while Mike is staying there to avoid his dysfunctional dad? Is Mike in over his head?
This story was an amazingly enjoyable read, and I really liked Nina, his dog, too! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, spooky (but not too spooky) mystery!
This story was an amazingly enjoyable read, and I really liked Nina, his dog, too! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, spooky (but not too spooky) mystery!
June 16, 2019
3.5 stars to be exact.
Creeping Charlie: Book 2 in the Spooky Lucas series is a contemporary American horror story. The novel focuses on Mike Corcorran as he investigates the legendary Texas ghost, Creeping Charlie.
The blurb and cover didn’t leave me to believe this was also a YA book, but once you get to know the school-aged main character it becomes apparent.
The writing was solid and easy to read, if a little too much telling over showing at times. The start was also slow going but the story did pick up as it went on and there were some interesting side characters that Mike met along the way.
Creeping Charlie: Book 2 in the Spooky Lucas series is a contemporary American horror story. The novel focuses on Mike Corcorran as he investigates the legendary Texas ghost, Creeping Charlie.
The blurb and cover didn’t leave me to believe this was also a YA book, but once you get to know the school-aged main character it becomes apparent.
The writing was solid and easy to read, if a little too much telling over showing at times. The start was also slow going but the story did pick up as it went on and there were some interesting side characters that Mike met along the way.
December 16, 2015
Another great story
I was soon glad to get reacquainted with the characters from the first book, "Toys In The Attic." This book contained humor, mystery and 'thrills n chills' . I could hardly put it down. I hope there will be a Book 3 . I want to find out what happens to everyone I've met in Lucas, TX.
I was soon glad to get reacquainted with the characters from the first book, "Toys In The Attic." This book contained humor, mystery and 'thrills n chills' . I could hardly put it down. I hope there will be a Book 3 . I want to find out what happens to everyone I've met in Lucas, TX.
August 7, 2019
3 1/2
I absolutely loved the small-town setting of this book. I’ve often wondered what it might have been like to grow up in a close-knit town -- one of those places where everybody knows your name. Well, I don’t have to wonder anymore. The author truly captured the essence of that experience for me! Creeping Charlie is well-written, and the author’s descriptions made me feel as if I was right there, on location.
I did have a few reactions as a reader though that kept me from enjoying the story as much as I would have liked. The “voice” of Michael sometimes seemed flat to me, as if he were merely cataloging events and not recalling the story of his lifetime. And although Michael’s relationship with Mrs. Castleberry was precious and pivotal, sometimes she seemed like more of a background character: Michael’s nurse, chauffeur or cook. To the writer’s credit, I found myself nearly drooling over Mrs. Castleberry’s prize lemon cake. I even began wondering if I had the ingredients in the house to make one myself. But I wouldn’t have minded occasionally trading off the details of the food Mrs. Castleberry was preparing for more insights into the character herself.
Oddly enough too, I just “knew” things about this story -- long before they happened -- including the ending. I’m not sure if the author telegraphed future incidents too strongly or if I had just seen or read similar plots and sub-plots numerous times before. Could be I’m just looking at this through my adult mind, and this would not be an issue for children who read the book.
Even with finding myself wanting more from the story, I still enjoyed it very much. Especially with incidents like the “window” scene. I never saw that coming and felt that the “visual” of Mrs. Castleberry blasting into the room was priceless. Not only was the incident itself riveting, but through that scene and its aftermath, I got to see another side of Mrs. Castleberry. And I loved her bravado! Goodbye cook/nurse/chauffeur! I also enjoyed the incident with werewolf man. Though I had already guessed the basics of the ending, that scene came out of left field, and I found it suspenseful and gripping.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a mystery/ghost tale no doubt, but (in this reader’s mind at least) the town itself is the shining star! Did I mention the townspeople? I loved them too! Every one of them.
I absolutely loved the small-town setting of this book. I’ve often wondered what it might have been like to grow up in a close-knit town -- one of those places where everybody knows your name. Well, I don’t have to wonder anymore. The author truly captured the essence of that experience for me! Creeping Charlie is well-written, and the author’s descriptions made me feel as if I was right there, on location.
I did have a few reactions as a reader though that kept me from enjoying the story as much as I would have liked. The “voice” of Michael sometimes seemed flat to me, as if he were merely cataloging events and not recalling the story of his lifetime. And although Michael’s relationship with Mrs. Castleberry was precious and pivotal, sometimes she seemed like more of a background character: Michael’s nurse, chauffeur or cook. To the writer’s credit, I found myself nearly drooling over Mrs. Castleberry’s prize lemon cake. I even began wondering if I had the ingredients in the house to make one myself. But I wouldn’t have minded occasionally trading off the details of the food Mrs. Castleberry was preparing for more insights into the character herself.
Oddly enough too, I just “knew” things about this story -- long before they happened -- including the ending. I’m not sure if the author telegraphed future incidents too strongly or if I had just seen or read similar plots and sub-plots numerous times before. Could be I’m just looking at this through my adult mind, and this would not be an issue for children who read the book.
Even with finding myself wanting more from the story, I still enjoyed it very much. Especially with incidents like the “window” scene. I never saw that coming and felt that the “visual” of Mrs. Castleberry blasting into the room was priceless. Not only was the incident itself riveting, but through that scene and its aftermath, I got to see another side of Mrs. Castleberry. And I loved her bravado! Goodbye cook/nurse/chauffeur! I also enjoyed the incident with werewolf man. Though I had already guessed the basics of the ending, that scene came out of left field, and I found it suspenseful and gripping.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a mystery/ghost tale no doubt, but (in this reader’s mind at least) the town itself is the shining star! Did I mention the townspeople? I loved them too! Every one of them.
July 31, 2019
Ghost story appropriate for all ages! I love a good ghost story and enjoyed reading this one. Set in a small Texas town, there is a lot of good manners and simple living.
The story reads fast with a lot of description and less time spent on plot, but that seems OK for a children's book. I'm not sure what age this is geared toward but the main characters are sixteen years old. Having said that, I don't think a high school student would be very interested in this story. I think it would have made more sense for the main characters to be about thirteen as this seems to be written for ten or eleven year olds based on plot, dialogue, and length of book.
Everything about the story feels like fifty years ago. From liver and onions for lunch to classrooms with only a handful of students. I'm guessing the author is familiar with towns like these that still exist in the South, which is where the story is set. I happen to like the small town setting and everybody knowing everybody else. I was able to imagine each of the characters and small shops very clearly. I think for a children's book, it really hits the mark.
The story reads fast with a lot of description and less time spent on plot, but that seems OK for a children's book. I'm not sure what age this is geared toward but the main characters are sixteen years old. Having said that, I don't think a high school student would be very interested in this story. I think it would have made more sense for the main characters to be about thirteen as this seems to be written for ten or eleven year olds based on plot, dialogue, and length of book.
Everything about the story feels like fifty years ago. From liver and onions for lunch to classrooms with only a handful of students. I'm guessing the author is familiar with towns like these that still exist in the South, which is where the story is set. I happen to like the small town setting and everybody knowing everybody else. I was able to imagine each of the characters and small shops very clearly. I think for a children's book, it really hits the mark.
August 1, 2019
This is such an enjoyable, well-written book. Creeping Charlie follows fifteen-year-old Micheal as he unravels a local ghost story while also navigating a complex relationship with his father. I thought Micheal's narrative voice was spot on for a teenage boy and thoughtfully written. I was also delighted by the way Lori Allison described Lucas, Texas and all the lively characters who live there. As someone who lives in Texas, I feel like I know that exact type of little town, and I loved that there was even a nod to the Marfa ghost lights when the spirit first appears. Creeping Charlie is well written, just the right amount of scary, and with its gang of young friends trying to get to the bottom of a supernatural mystery, it has a sort of cozy Stranger Things vibe. If I could give this book six or seven stars, I would!
July 25, 2019
This enjoyable ghost story, set in a small American town, is an intriguing read that somehow reminds me of Stranger Things. Mike, our protagonist, together with his faithful dog Nina and a lovely group of school friends, is trying to solve the mystery of Creeping Charlie—the ghost of a man hanged for murder. What at first seems like innocent research on the local legend soon turns into a dangerous investigation that puts Mike’s life at stake.
Creeping Charlie is an intriguing story that keeps you turning pages. The writing is exceptional, the characters--fun, and let me not even start on Nina. What a lovely pup! I would recommend this novel to every YA detective story lover.
Creeping Charlie is an intriguing story that keeps you turning pages. The writing is exceptional, the characters--fun, and let me not even start on Nina. What a lovely pup! I would recommend this novel to every YA detective story lover.
June 2, 2019
Although aimed at young adults, I found this to be a reasonably interesting mystery / ghost tale, with enough going on to keep you reading. The characters and locations are well-developed and the prose is fluid. Could do with perhaps a few more twists and turns, and more information on the supernatural part of the tale, to make it a great mystery, but overall a satisfying story.
July 27, 2018
Book Two is Awesome!
I loved getting to know another member of the Lucas community. After getting to know Drew in book One, I was pleasantly surprised to find book two focusing on Mike. This was a really fun mystery and ghost story for all ages. I especially loved the ending!
I loved getting to know another member of the Lucas community. After getting to know Drew in book One, I was pleasantly surprised to find book two focusing on Mike. This was a really fun mystery and ghost story for all ages. I especially loved the ending!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews