What do you think?
Rate this book
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool: Whispers in Black Willow
To hear the truth, she must listen to the silence.
Dylan Klaypool’s dark history has her searching for answers that can only be found down a single path: paranormal investigation. Battling demons from her past, the high school junior’s obsession with proving the existence of ghosts has become the only consistent aspect of her troubled life. Now living with her estranged grandmother in a new town and attending a new school, Dylan’s focus has not wavered. And the boarded up, abandoned house she discovered on Cemetery Road might hold the key that can unlock the secrets that have long haunted her.
Dylan Klaypool’s dark history has her searching for answers that can only be found down a single path: paranormal investigation. Battling demons from her past, the high school junior’s obsession with proving the existence of ghosts has become the only consistent aspect of her troubled life. Now living with her estranged grandmother in a new town and attending a new school, Dylan’s focus has not wavered. And the boarded up, abandoned house she discovered on Cemetery Road might hold the key that can unlock the secrets that have long haunted her.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2018
12 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2019
I first want to thank James Alan Ross and suzyapprovedbooktours for providing me with wonderful book to review! Dylan Klaypool has just moved in with her grandmother in the town of Black Willow. Dylan has a little bit of a dark past and it seems like the key to her past is in her ghost hunting and her paranormal investigations. She hasn’t made any friends at her new school until she meets Mitch who seems very interested in her and her investigation into the abandoned house on cemetery road. While visiting the abandoned house she discovers she picked up a voice saying innocent and heartbroken on her recorder and she feels a presence near her, she was the only one the house at that time. So Dylan and Mitch decide to investigate the house and it’s history and they stumble onto a much bigger story than they thought they would. Whose the ghost telling them their innocent and what’s in Dylan’s past that she’s to scared to confront? What secrets is the house hiding. I loved this book the author did an amazing job with giving each character their own personality. I felt like I was right there with Dylan while she was dealing with her everyday stuff and then when she was investigating the abandoned house. This book had so many layers I cannot wait until the next book to come out! This was definitely a paranormal thriller and I loved it!
October 5, 2018
Lindas Book Obsession Review of “The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow” by James Alan Ross
James Alan Ross, Author of “The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow” has written an intense, scary, intriguing, riveting, page-turning, suspenseful, dramatic, paranormal mystery. The author vividly describes his quirky, unique characters and the ghostlike feel landscape. Names such as Cemetery Road add to the eerie feel of the story.
Dylan Klaypool is a teenager and junior in high school. She has a very dark past and has no friends. Currently she is living with her grandmother. The keys to her past seem to be in her obsessive search for dark answers through paranormal investigation.
Dylan frequents a boarded house on Cemetery Road, where she is picking up interference , strange sounds and feelings. She hears someone try to tell her they are innocent. (not someone alive)
Often on her way home, she sees a grave digger. Dylan does make the acquaintance of a fellow student who is interested in many of the disturbances that she is.
I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy a good paranormal mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. This will be on Lindas Book Obsession blog, through Suzy Approved Book Tours in February. 2019.. Happy Reading!
James Alan Ross, Author of “The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow” has written an intense, scary, intriguing, riveting, page-turning, suspenseful, dramatic, paranormal mystery. The author vividly describes his quirky, unique characters and the ghostlike feel landscape. Names such as Cemetery Road add to the eerie feel of the story.
Dylan Klaypool is a teenager and junior in high school. She has a very dark past and has no friends. Currently she is living with her grandmother. The keys to her past seem to be in her obsessive search for dark answers through paranormal investigation.
Dylan frequents a boarded house on Cemetery Road, where she is picking up interference , strange sounds and feelings. She hears someone try to tell her they are innocent. (not someone alive)
Often on her way home, she sees a grave digger. Dylan does make the acquaintance of a fellow student who is interested in many of the disturbances that she is.
I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy a good paranormal mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. This will be on Lindas Book Obsession blog, through Suzy Approved Book Tours in February. 2019.. Happy Reading!
January 14, 2019
I love me a good paranormal book. It helps that I believe in most things creepy, and yes, I do freak myself out at times, but hey. It's fun.
This is my first book by Ross and enjoyed the complex characters and suspense he creates. I became attached to Dylan in a way, as a mother would. I wanted to help her, give her advice, and although concerned to the very end, I was happy how some of the things in her life turned out. We'll just have to see what book 2 brings.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
This is my first book by Ross and enjoyed the complex characters and suspense he creates. I became attached to Dylan in a way, as a mother would. I wanted to help her, give her advice, and although concerned to the very end, I was happy how some of the things in her life turned out. We'll just have to see what book 2 brings.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
August 2, 2018
First, I want to thank James Alan Ross for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow by James Alan Ross was one of the best paranormal books I have ever read. Now, let me just clarify that I am not into paranormal books usually. However, this one had a lot of mystery and suspense involved in it. Plus, I am a fan of this author and his past book Forevergreen was amazing. So, I took a chance on this book. I am really glad I did.
I really liked the cover of the book so kudos to the graphic designer. Now I wonder if that is Dylan or if it is Sarah on the cover. If I had to guess I would think it was Dylan the main character.
One key aspect I felt a connection with was the mystery set around a ghost and the pictures Dylan and Mitch found were from when Sarah graduated high school in 1994. I too graduated in 1994. I loved the whole mystery aspect of finding out whom was haunting the house and why. The history behind the why was fascinating to me. My heart ached for Sarah when we found out what really happened to Raymond. I was not a fan of Sarah’s father when I found out.
Catherine the Grandmother was one of my favorite characters in the book. She was very loving and protective over Dylan. Unlike her parents were. It was cute how she had a little crush on Dylan’s friend Mitch. I laughed so hard when Catherine had the uncomfortable talk with Dlyan about lesbians! It was too funny!!
Dylan’s character was unlike any character in the book I have ever read before. She was very guarded at first but then she opened up to Mitch. You could tell and then read that she was hurt in the past by her father. That is why she is staying with Catherine.
James is very good at writing detail and suspense writing. There were twists and turns at every corner of this book. If you thought you knew how it was going to end you thought wrong. This is an very intense book.
In this book there are so many stories within this story that makes it so interesting.
I was happy to read at the end of this story that there will be a sequel to this book! What adventures will Dylan and Mitch go on together.
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow by James Alan Ross was one of the best paranormal books I have ever read. Now, let me just clarify that I am not into paranormal books usually. However, this one had a lot of mystery and suspense involved in it. Plus, I am a fan of this author and his past book Forevergreen was amazing. So, I took a chance on this book. I am really glad I did.
I really liked the cover of the book so kudos to the graphic designer. Now I wonder if that is Dylan or if it is Sarah on the cover. If I had to guess I would think it was Dylan the main character.
One key aspect I felt a connection with was the mystery set around a ghost and the pictures Dylan and Mitch found were from when Sarah graduated high school in 1994. I too graduated in 1994. I loved the whole mystery aspect of finding out whom was haunting the house and why. The history behind the why was fascinating to me. My heart ached for Sarah when we found out what really happened to Raymond. I was not a fan of Sarah’s father when I found out.
Catherine the Grandmother was one of my favorite characters in the book. She was very loving and protective over Dylan. Unlike her parents were. It was cute how she had a little crush on Dylan’s friend Mitch. I laughed so hard when Catherine had the uncomfortable talk with Dlyan about lesbians! It was too funny!!
Dylan’s character was unlike any character in the book I have ever read before. She was very guarded at first but then she opened up to Mitch. You could tell and then read that she was hurt in the past by her father. That is why she is staying with Catherine.
James is very good at writing detail and suspense writing. There were twists and turns at every corner of this book. If you thought you knew how it was going to end you thought wrong. This is an very intense book.
In this book there are so many stories within this story that makes it so interesting.
I was happy to read at the end of this story that there will be a sequel to this book! What adventures will Dylan and Mitch go on together.
March 8, 2019
* I was given a free copy by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
"To hear the truth, she must listen to the silence."
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool is a great coming of age, suspense novel, with a foot firmly in the supernatural. This was my first read by James Alan Ross, and though this book is a bit young for me as a reader, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was quite the page-turner, and am looking forward to the sequel!
Dylan, a teen with a a dark past, goes to live with her estranged Grandmother in a new town and attend a new school. Dylan feels the answers to her past lie in the paranormal, and her attention is turned to an old, boarded up, abandoned house. The mysterious house is calling to Dylan, and she has made up her mind that the key to unlocking the secrets that haunt her, will be found in the house on Cemetery Road.
I'll be upfront. I'm a hardcore Horror reader, reviewer, and writer. The way this book started out, as good as it was, I did not think that it was going to deliver the adrenaline, pulse pounding rush I seek in books geared more towards adults and avid, seasoned horror fans. But this surprised me! A few times I found myself holding my breath or my heart began to race a little. This teen paranormal/suspense packs a little punch!
The author did a great job at character building! He created likable and relatable characters- all of whom were well developed. This is a big one for me when reviewing. I feel that the characters need depth. If you are writing a heroine, in this case-Dylan, I want to like her, I want to empathize with her, I want to root for her. Ross did a fantastic job at this with Dylan and the supporting cast. I also loved the Grandmother! She reminded me of my own!
The book is not just a coming of age story, or just a thriller, or just a scary story. This book is multi-layered. The main character is dealing with her past and her present in a new town. She is at a new school, with no friends and has to deal with a bully. And then on top of that, there is a creepy abandoned house that is literally calling her to it. This was not a superficial read by any means, and Ross, again carried out great world building. It was like a story in a story.
In conclusion, The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool is a fast paced tale about a teen battling her demons from the past and the present. The story has a solid, creepy atmosphere, filled with a few twists to keep the reader on their toes. For anyone who is thinking of jumping into the Horror genre, I'd read this book as your first step- sort of dipping your toe into the Horror genre, and go from there.
"To hear the truth, she must listen to the silence."
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool is a great coming of age, suspense novel, with a foot firmly in the supernatural. This was my first read by James Alan Ross, and though this book is a bit young for me as a reader, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was quite the page-turner, and am looking forward to the sequel!
Dylan, a teen with a a dark past, goes to live with her estranged Grandmother in a new town and attend a new school. Dylan feels the answers to her past lie in the paranormal, and her attention is turned to an old, boarded up, abandoned house. The mysterious house is calling to Dylan, and she has made up her mind that the key to unlocking the secrets that haunt her, will be found in the house on Cemetery Road.
I'll be upfront. I'm a hardcore Horror reader, reviewer, and writer. The way this book started out, as good as it was, I did not think that it was going to deliver the adrenaline, pulse pounding rush I seek in books geared more towards adults and avid, seasoned horror fans. But this surprised me! A few times I found myself holding my breath or my heart began to race a little. This teen paranormal/suspense packs a little punch!
The author did a great job at character building! He created likable and relatable characters- all of whom were well developed. This is a big one for me when reviewing. I feel that the characters need depth. If you are writing a heroine, in this case-Dylan, I want to like her, I want to empathize with her, I want to root for her. Ross did a fantastic job at this with Dylan and the supporting cast. I also loved the Grandmother! She reminded me of my own!
The book is not just a coming of age story, or just a thriller, or just a scary story. This book is multi-layered. The main character is dealing with her past and her present in a new town. She is at a new school, with no friends and has to deal with a bully. And then on top of that, there is a creepy abandoned house that is literally calling her to it. This was not a superficial read by any means, and Ross, again carried out great world building. It was like a story in a story.
In conclusion, The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool is a fast paced tale about a teen battling her demons from the past and the present. The story has a solid, creepy atmosphere, filled with a few twists to keep the reader on their toes. For anyone who is thinking of jumping into the Horror genre, I'd read this book as your first step- sort of dipping your toe into the Horror genre, and go from there.
January 30, 2019
This was my first paranormal read and let me tell you...... the stories of Dylan and Mitch are wonderful. I needed to know what was happening and what was going to happen. I read this in 5 days and cannot wait for book #2!!
February 1, 2019
Coming of age and ghost story. Great combo. Loved this story and character and looking forward to the next installment
February 27, 2019
The cover is alluring and sparked my interest initially, and the writing did the rest. James Alan Ross captivated me as a reader wanting to know about Dylan Klaypool’s dark history and I adored the dark elements written into the story itself. The characters were well developed, and each had a memorable personality and I felt like I was right along with the adventure. I deeply enjoyed the intense paranormal mystery that was written, and I would recommend it to other readers.
Thank you, James Alan Ross and Suzy Approved Book Tours, for the opportunity to be on board with this book. I greatly appreciated the gifted copy of this book and the opportunity to read such a dark and deep book.
Goodreads Blurb:
“Dylan Klaypool’s dark history has her searching for answers that can only be found down a single path: paranormal investigation. Battling demons from her past, the high school junior’s obsession with proving the existence of ghosts has become the only consistent aspect of her troubled life. Now living with her estranged grandmother in a new town and attending a new school, Dylan’s focus has not wavered. And the boarded up, abandoned house she discovered on Cemetery Road might hold the key that can unlock the secrets that have long haunted her”
Thank you, James Alan Ross and Suzy Approved Book Tours, for the opportunity to be on board with this book. I greatly appreciated the gifted copy of this book and the opportunity to read such a dark and deep book.
Goodreads Blurb:
“Dylan Klaypool’s dark history has her searching for answers that can only be found down a single path: paranormal investigation. Battling demons from her past, the high school junior’s obsession with proving the existence of ghosts has become the only consistent aspect of her troubled life. Now living with her estranged grandmother in a new town and attending a new school, Dylan’s focus has not wavered. And the boarded up, abandoned house she discovered on Cemetery Road might hold the key that can unlock the secrets that have long haunted her”
February 18, 2019
The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool- Whispers in Black Willow is a book that takes you by surprise and doesn't let go. It all begins with Dylan, a junior in high school. She is going through some rough times and is living with her grandmother in a new town. She has some baggage from her past but being in a new town with no friends, and a bully you would think you know how this story is going to go. Wrong!
Dylan is intrigued by a house down the road. She starts to investigate the story of the house and is contacted by a ghost. She does have some help from Mitch, a guy from school. The rest of the story is full of twists and turns as they uncover the what happened at the house. Dylan also faces some of her past.
This is just the first book in the series. I am excited for the Dylan's next trip into the paranormal. Thank you to Suzy from Suzy Approved Book Tours for the complimentary copy of the book.
Dylan is intrigued by a house down the road. She starts to investigate the story of the house and is contacted by a ghost. She does have some help from Mitch, a guy from school. The rest of the story is full of twists and turns as they uncover the what happened at the house. Dylan also faces some of her past.
This is just the first book in the series. I am excited for the Dylan's next trip into the paranormal. Thank you to Suzy from Suzy Approved Book Tours for the complimentary copy of the book.
February 24, 2019
Dylan Klaypool has just moved to the town of Black Willow to live with her grandmother Catherine; Dylan has a dark past and seems to think the key to her past lies in paranormal investigations and ghost hunting. Dylan is a junior in high school and is having a hard time making friends; until she meets Mitch.
Mitch seems to have the same interests as Dylan in the paranormal. Dylan discovers this a boarded up house, she feels drawn to it; she picks up feelings and sounds when she is near it. While searching the house Dylan is contacted by a ghost, which leaves her wanting to know what happened in the house; she and Mitch then begin to uncover just what took place there.
This was my first experience reading a book of this genre and I was not disappointed. Jame’s writing is done very well and detailed. You are down completely into the storyline and characters. This is the first book in the series; The Haunting Of Dylan Klaypool~ Shadow Summoner is the second book that will be released. I was honored to be gifted a copy of the book for my honest opinion.
Mitch seems to have the same interests as Dylan in the paranormal. Dylan discovers this a boarded up house, she feels drawn to it; she picks up feelings and sounds when she is near it. While searching the house Dylan is contacted by a ghost, which leaves her wanting to know what happened in the house; she and Mitch then begin to uncover just what took place there.
This was my first experience reading a book of this genre and I was not disappointed. Jame’s writing is done very well and detailed. You are down completely into the storyline and characters. This is the first book in the series; The Haunting Of Dylan Klaypool~ Shadow Summoner is the second book that will be released. I was honored to be gifted a copy of the book for my honest opinion.
February 25, 2019
“The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool: Whispers in Black Willow” (Book One) written by James Alan Ross is a very well written book that is an awesome paranormal. This book kept me turning the pages well into the night. It grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the last word! I really enjoy James’s writing it is very scary and intense and with vivid detail. The characters are very well developed that you feel like you are right there with them all the time. There are so many twists and turns that keep you totally engrossed in this book. If you think you have it figured out you probably don’t. I am so excited for the second book in this series. I highly recommend this to any paranormal fan and even if you are not into paranormal give this a try it might change your mind it is that good. Thank you to James Alan Ross and suzyapprovedbooktours for providing me with this wonderful book to review!
December 5, 2018
Uncaged Review: A new adult book with elements of paranormal activity. I really enjoyed reading about Dylan and her activity into the paranormal world. Even with this only being the first book in this adventure. I am already a fan of the kooky Dylan. I also liked the side story in this book. Really hoping there’s more to come in this series. Highly recommended by me.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Reviewed by Jennifer
October 21, 2020
Excellent read! Full of suspense and twists! I loved Dylan and can’t wait to see what she gets into next!
August 9, 2025
looking forward to the series
So glad I came across paranobodies or else I wouldn’t have found this book
I enjoyed reading this, fell in love with Dylan and Mitch
So glad I came across paranobodies or else I wouldn’t have found this book
I enjoyed reading this, fell in love with Dylan and Mitch
December 3, 2025
Absolutely loved this teenage horror romance!! Looking forward to the sequel, and the tv show!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews