What do you think?
Rate this book
Penny Dreadful
This is no ordinary love story. It’s one to die for.
16-year-old Penny Boudreaux does her best to be a normal teenager. But normal teenagers don’t work part-time at funeral homes or hang out in cemeteries, something even her friends mock her for. Between the stresses of school, work and toxic relationships, Penny could use a mentor, an older adult to give her guidance. Like a mother. But Penny’s own mother died years ago, and nobody can return from the dead.
Right?
When Penny meets a handsome but mysterious boy named Stephen, she starts to experience strange things. Whispers in quiet rooms. Grotesque, humanoid figures nobody else can see. And multiple hints that something about Stephen is not quite right. Because Stephen has a connection to the dead Penny never could have imagined.
With Penny and Stephen's combined power, having her mother back seems like a goal that's actually within reach. But with dangerous and powerful forces working against them, Penny must make a crucial decision — one that could cost both she and Stephen their lives.
Inspired by the works of Stephenie Meyer and Stephen King alike, Penny Dreadful explores the themes of death, loss…and what it would really be like to see a deceased loved one one last time.
16-year-old Penny Boudreaux does her best to be a normal teenager. But normal teenagers don’t work part-time at funeral homes or hang out in cemeteries, something even her friends mock her for. Between the stresses of school, work and toxic relationships, Penny could use a mentor, an older adult to give her guidance. Like a mother. But Penny’s own mother died years ago, and nobody can return from the dead.
Right?
When Penny meets a handsome but mysterious boy named Stephen, she starts to experience strange things. Whispers in quiet rooms. Grotesque, humanoid figures nobody else can see. And multiple hints that something about Stephen is not quite right. Because Stephen has a connection to the dead Penny never could have imagined.
With Penny and Stephen's combined power, having her mother back seems like a goal that's actually within reach. But with dangerous and powerful forces working against them, Penny must make a crucial decision — one that could cost both she and Stephen their lives.
Inspired by the works of Stephenie Meyer and Stephen King alike, Penny Dreadful explores the themes of death, loss…and what it would really be like to see a deceased loved one one last time.
- GenresParanormalHorrorEbooks
227 pages, ebook
Published February 11, 2020
104 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hallberg
14 books30 followersMary Hallberg grew up watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon and reading Goosebumps books under the covers. As soon as she was old enough for a Blockbuster card, she graduated to horror classics like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Evil Dead. She lives in Mississippi, where she’s always hard at work looking for the most effective way to scare her readers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 27, 2021
Loved this book. The characters are well rounded and you really care about Penny. And the ending was a shock. I will definitely read more from Mary Hallburg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2023
Books like these are the reason I love reading. Especially thriller type books.
Penny doesn’t even know she as a gift, but others do. Stephen, his secret is huge and I kind of guessed it ahead of time. But the rest was a surprise to me. I love the chemistry between Stephen and Penny, even though it was kinda quick. The “I love yous” were way too fast as well.
The ending has a cliff hanger. So, of course, I was mad. It left me begging for me and having so many questions I needed answered. I almost cried. Still mad about it. 😂
But the story and the characters were amazing. I can’t wait to read the next book. :)
Penny doesn’t even know she as a gift, but others do. Stephen, his secret is huge and I kind of guessed it ahead of time. But the rest was a surprise to me. I love the chemistry between Stephen and Penny, even though it was kinda quick. The “I love yous” were way too fast as well.
The ending has a cliff hanger. So, of course, I was mad. It left me begging for me and having so many questions I needed answered. I almost cried. Still mad about it. 😂
But the story and the characters were amazing. I can’t wait to read the next book. :)
April 20, 2023
Good thriller
Penny Dreadful is a story that seems to be geared to YA readers. The protagonist is a teen girl with lots of angst and is very headstrong. The tale revolves around paranormal and dark arts which I don’t really care for and there is one heck of a cliffhanger.
Purchased on Amazon but is available on Kindle Unlimited
Penny Dreadful is a story that seems to be geared to YA readers. The protagonist is a teen girl with lots of angst and is very headstrong. The tale revolves around paranormal and dark arts which I don’t really care for and there is one heck of a cliffhanger.
Purchased on Amazon but is available on Kindle Unlimited
February 5, 2023
Penny Dreadful
Brilliant, imaginative, and in a way, an avenue to deal with grief in its own way. Penny has a gift, a secret and what unfolds in the pages to follow is a masterpiece. I loved it!!!!!!
Brilliant, imaginative, and in a way, an avenue to deal with grief in its own way. Penny has a gift, a secret and what unfolds in the pages to follow is a masterpiece. I loved it!!!!!!
February 23, 2023
Surprise ending!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Some of the 'magic' reasons for not giving information or to explain things was ok, but meh. I was, however, surprised by the ending!!! Wow!!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Some of the 'magic' reasons for not giving information or to explain things was ok, but meh. I was, however, surprised by the ending!!! Wow!!
May 24, 2024
Great book
This was different than most paranormal books that I read. It's definitely YA. I mean it has the teen feel where some feel more mature. I wish it had been around when I was a teen.
This was different than most paranormal books that I read. It's definitely YA. I mean it has the teen feel where some feel more mature. I wish it had been around when I was a teen.
April 26, 2025
I’m honestly surprised I finished this. It reads like a rough draft that the author was going to flesh out at some point but never got around to doing so. Very juvenile even for YA. I don’t want to completely drag this book so I’m leaving my review at this.
October 7, 2021
Back from the dead
Great book so easy to read and story flowed so well. I never got bored. The end was surprising I really enjoyed it!
Great book so easy to read and story flowed so well. I never got bored. The end was surprising I really enjoyed it!
Read
August 6, 2023reads like a ya, and I hated the ending.
March 29, 2025
It was a good story but both books could have been together.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews