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Ghost Cave
Nominated for an Edgar Award: When Marc and his friends discover an Indian grave in a long-abandoned cavern, they begin to wonder if it's haunted
It's the summer of 1954, and Marc Schaller expects to spend his days playing baseball, swimming in the river, and reading comic books. But when he hears about a fifty-dollar reward for the discovery of any local Indian graves, his summer plans suddenly get a lot more exciting. Marc gathers his best friends, Eddie and Hermie, and they decide to search for the artifacts together. The three boys soon stumble across a grave in a large abandoned grotto, and they know they've struck gold. That reward will soon be theirs!
But something about the find is unsettling to Marc, and they decide to hold off on telling anyone about it for a few days. However, as the boys explore the cave further, Marc starts to suspect that they might not be the only ones in there.
It's the summer of 1954, and Marc Schaller expects to spend his days playing baseball, swimming in the river, and reading comic books. But when he hears about a fifty-dollar reward for the discovery of any local Indian graves, his summer plans suddenly get a lot more exciting. Marc gathers his best friends, Eddie and Hermie, and they decide to search for the artifacts together. The three boys soon stumble across a grave in a large abandoned grotto, and they know they've struck gold. That reward will soon be theirs!
But something about the find is unsettling to Marc, and they decide to hold off on telling anyone about it for a few days. However, as the boys explore the cave further, Marc starts to suspect that they might not be the only ones in there.
- GenresHorror
138 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 1990
5 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 6, 2023
Barbara Steiner is a new discovery. She lived from 1934 to 2014, between Arkansas and Colorado, USA. From her introduction to her closing afterwards page, I respect her tremendously. She was immeasurably sensitive to the feelings of children, struggling adults, ailing seniors, loyal pets, and cultural conservation.
This story of “spelunking”, caving with friends and their sweet Bluedog, is exceptionally vibrant with tableaux of life, passion, heartening growth, and suspense. I immediately enjoyed this story far more thoroughly than Ruth Chew “The Witch At The Window” and Kathy Kennedy Tapp “The Ghostmobile”, which I read the day before, in October 2022. I would rightfully call it a saga. When authors focus on the adventures and mysteries, skirting stereotypical child or family conflict details, they enthral everyone of every age. The setting is 1954 Arkansas, published in 1990. I would have loved a cave story if I had seen this adventure, which came out when I was a teenager.
Marc Schaller misses his Mom, who is recuperating from illness but tragic themes often added by authors are skipped. Marc & Hermie skilfully keep nosy boys from knowing there are sacred Aboriginal caves but Barbara’s tale lugs no baggage of superfluous drama. Marc goes spelunking with Hermie and Bluedog instead of his Dad, feeling sure he would decline to join or allow him to explore without an adult but he follows the well established safety rules wisely.
I do not wonder how “Ghost Cave” came to be so richly, unforgettably well crafted in 136 pages. Barbara was well varied in many genres, including subtle mystical elements that I naturally found touching. This novel is abundant in natural beauty, family, friendship, and survival intelligence while keeping the thrilling pace of an eerie atmosphere. Readers are cautioned to never remove artifacts from any land.
This story of “spelunking”, caving with friends and their sweet Bluedog, is exceptionally vibrant with tableaux of life, passion, heartening growth, and suspense. I immediately enjoyed this story far more thoroughly than Ruth Chew “The Witch At The Window” and Kathy Kennedy Tapp “The Ghostmobile”, which I read the day before, in October 2022. I would rightfully call it a saga. When authors focus on the adventures and mysteries, skirting stereotypical child or family conflict details, they enthral everyone of every age. The setting is 1954 Arkansas, published in 1990. I would have loved a cave story if I had seen this adventure, which came out when I was a teenager.
Marc Schaller misses his Mom, who is recuperating from illness but tragic themes often added by authors are skipped. Marc & Hermie skilfully keep nosy boys from knowing there are sacred Aboriginal caves but Barbara’s tale lugs no baggage of superfluous drama. Marc goes spelunking with Hermie and Bluedog instead of his Dad, feeling sure he would decline to join or allow him to explore without an adult but he follows the well established safety rules wisely.
I do not wonder how “Ghost Cave” came to be so richly, unforgettably well crafted in 136 pages. Barbara was well varied in many genres, including subtle mystical elements that I naturally found touching. This novel is abundant in natural beauty, family, friendship, and survival intelligence while keeping the thrilling pace of an eerie atmosphere. Readers are cautioned to never remove artifacts from any land.
August 13, 2023
I remember reading this as a kid, and absolutely loving the adventure. I just reread it, and this book really holds up. You feel like you are in the cave with Marc, Hermie, and Eddie, along with the anxiety as well! So glad I picked this up again!
April 29, 2020
Nice book but I feel I just started to get into it when it abruptly ended leaving me with many questions.
November 15, 2012
While exploring a new cave, Marc and his two best friends discover an ancient Indian grave--and they venture further in search of greater discoveries.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews