On the edges of Springville, known to its younger population as Spooksville, Cindy and her little brother, Neil, are walking on the jetty near the old lighthouse when a howling, ghostly hand snatches Neil away. Everyone in town is convinced that Cindy witnessed something tragic, but no one believes that a ghost actually took him–no one except Adam, Sally, and Watch, who are all too familiar with Spooksville’s strangeness. If there’s any chance that Neil might still be alive, they have to act fast, before the ghost comes for them too. Trigger warnings: death, child death, body horror, drowning, suffocation, blood.
The Howling Ghost isn’t quite as strong as The Secret Path, but it’s still a fun ride. The science fiction elements have mostly receded here, leaving more straightforward horror. I think I didn’t enjoy it quite as much because most of that horror is not in the supernatural but in the realism and some pretty on-point actual science. I was getting serious Bury Me Deep flashbacks with all the scuba diving, and while it’s nowhere near as graphic, I’m pretty sure I would have been just as terrified had I read it when I was a kid. Pike seems to have a morbid fascination with water pressure and exploding lungs, and Watch and Adam don’t seem to realize how much danger they put themselves in until it’s almost too late. It’s a bit of a weird detour from the rest of the plot, but I guess it’s effective, if (cue Lemony Snicket voice) effective here is a word that means scary as all get out–perhaps even more so for adults than children, who simply trust that things will work out.
The overarching story is pretty well-plotted and, as usual, Pike puts an interesting twist on his ghostly mythology. Unlike many books in a series, the plots are almost completely stand-alone; it wouldn’t be hard to read The Howling Ghost without any familiarity with the first book. I didn’t so much enjoy all the jealousy and girl-hate between Sally and Cindy, and I’m hoping that’s not a trend that will continue in the series. The ending takes an unexpected turn, and it’s quick-thinking more than daring that saves the day in this book, which means Watch is in his element, Sally is claiming the credit, and Adam is taking most of the fall for their bad ideas. I suspect that trend will continue, and I’ll admit, it’s often hilarious. It’s not his best work, but it’s a solid addition to the series.
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