1421 Maple: A Starlite Supernatural Mystery

by Ray Fraser, Michele Fraser

For ten years, Jimmy Michaels enjoyed living next to the empty lot at 1421 Maple. It was a great playfield for him and his friends. All was well until the day the surveyors arrived with their sticks and orange tape. Where would Jimmy play now?

Little did they know the new house being built would be inhabited by evil or was Mr. Crow just a grumpy old man? Jimmy and his mysterious friend would have to set the record straight. If they failed, the neighborhood would never be the same again.

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2022

About the author

Ray and his wife, Michele, are a full-time writing team with a serious passion for storytelling. They combine their love of writing, vivid imagination, and years of experience with the supernatural to guide their readers into uncharted territories.

As a spirit medium and life coach, Ray infuses their stories with mystery, intrigue, tales of the afterlife, and other worldly phenomena to create a fascinating and adventurous journey for readers.

Ray’s extensive background and keen storytelling abilities combined with Michele’s love of screenwriting and editing has made them a powerhouse duo.

For more info - linktr.ee/RayandMicheleFraser

Ray learned a great deal about people working at IBM and 3M. Co-workers would frequently ask for insights into coming events and his lunchtime chats took on new meaning. His natural intuitions and strong spiritual connections, fostered by Cherokee and Scottish ancestry, led him to open Mystiques-West Metaphysical Center in Westland, Michigan.

During the years of operation, from 1994 -2017, Ray served an array of clients and his expertise helped many to find peace. Ray hosted a #1 radio talk show and TV show, called “The Mystical Connection.” He held weekly public seances for 23 years, connecting clients to their departed loved ones on the other side.

Ray also facilitated the last 4 National Houdini Seances sponsored by Historian Sid Radner.

He has written for local publications, taught classes in mediumship and psychic development, conducted ghost hunts, performed home cleansing, and lectured throughout the country. Ray was supportive of Michigan MUFON and worked with law enforcement and Parents of Murdered Children. You may have even seen him in a kilt, reading for the Queen at the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Furthermore, as an ordained minister, Ray has performed pre-marital counseling, weddings, relationship counseling, funerals, and grief counseling.

Reviews

[Hayley (hayleysbookishera) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read. Even though it was only 52 pages long I was invested! I needed to know what was happening, and what Jimmy had to do to stop all the weird things going on!! Very well written.

10 year old Jimmy lives next door to a vacant lot, 1421 Maple. He would play with his friends there. Until one day the lot was bought and a house was being built. That was the day he lost his friends and his playground.

Jimmy meets a new friend while out fishing with his dad, but this friend is also peculiar… only Jimmy can see her! She gives him a helping hand with advice on the new neighbours and clear instructions on what to do.

The new neighbours move in and strange things start happening in the neighbourhood, things going missing and no one is happy! Then things got worse and Jimmy had to use the advice from his new friend!! Will Jimmy save the day?!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short story read. It is fast paced and enjoyable. I didn’t see the ending coming, and honestly it’s probably because I don’t read these types of books normally. I absolutely loved the relationship between Jimmy and his dad; it was a nice to see a strong father son relationship. I also really enjoyed how genuine the author’s were in writing about Jimmy’s reaction to the lot being built upon. If you like paranormal reads, then you’ll definitely like this short story – and you’ll be able to read it in under an hour!

[The_neurospicy_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story from the authors. This series is well worth the read if you love supernatural, magic or mysteries.
It was intriguing from start to finish and left you wanting to know what happens next for the main character.
I do wish that towards the end had been expanded on a little as the story seemed to wrap up quite quickly but I still loved the story all the same and cannot wait to read the other 2 that I haven't read yet.

[Amber C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reminded me of when I was little and my mom used to tell me, my brother, and sisters scary stories before bed. Stories or legends like The Llorona, The Chupacabra, or even The Boogeyman. Im sure most of us have heard of these. Especially if you are latino, hispanic, or mexican.

Jimmy's story begins when the lot he and his friends use for playing is being taken from them because a new house will be constructed. They will no longer have a place to play in, and the new neighbors who will be living there are a super grumpy old man who is married to a beautiful young woman. However, weird and horrible things begin to happen.

This is a very short story that can be read in a quick sitting. It it a quite an insteresting plot that grips your attenting from begginning to end, and an ending you will not see coming. These are the kinds of shorts stories I like to read when I feel that im falling into a reading slump, or when I think I need a break from all that smut I have been reading. I had not read a horror/thriller short story like this in a while.

[Erika_thebookbearie · Rating 5 out of 5]

1421 Maple is a short story about 10-year-old Jimmy who lived across the 1421 Maple. It was a vacant lot until the grumpy Mr. and Mrs. Crow bought the field and build their house. Jimmy got so sad as he not only lose his playfield but also his friends.
One day while fishing with his father Roy, he met a mysterious girl named Sonara, who told him that she can help to get rid of the Crows. She also mentioned that they are dangerous people.
Because it is a short story it ends so fast and made me yearn for more actions and adventure. The plot is interesting and would like to see this as a novel. I’d like to see more or Jimmy and Sonara’s fight against evil.
I hope the authors will write a full novel of 1421 Maple and Jimmy’s adventure on fulfilling his destiny. Recommending this to my 9-year old son.

[Melynda DiSessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella style story! I love paranormal reads! I wish it was a full length book, because I really enjoyed the storyline and would have loved to see more! I loved the relationship with Jimmy and his father, a strong loving relationship is few and far between in books! I felt Jimmy's feelings with the lot build, I've been there so it was very relatable. It had a great storyline from beginning to end, I loved the depiction of the new neighbors and the mystery of it all.

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

1421 Maple kept me guessing at what was going on in the best way. Jimmy's life is turned upside down when someone buys their lot next door, the one he and his friends have played in for as long as they can remember. Things are not as they seem, and the new neighbors are just mean and rotten. I loved the way that Ray and Michele structured the reveal of information, and I loved Sanora's character the best.

Another great short story from this pair!

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story had an ending that I did not see coming. Just for the record this is not my normal genre of books. Jimmy - a young boy in what seems to be the perfect neighborhood is getting a new neighbor. The empty lot next to his house had an angry man building a house and things are not quite as they seem. Greater things are destined for Jimmy. Things he doesn’t understand now and maybe not quite for some time. I have soooo many questions. Will he have another adventure ????

[Brenna Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story! It's one of those thrillers that you can finish on a lunch break and feel like you spent 45 minutes in an alternate universe. I was intrigued from the beginning, but a plot twist came around and I had to keep reading to see what was going on. Perfect for those just getting into a thriller genre!

[Brooke Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! The authors captured my attention right away. Anyone who remembers being disappointed and afraid of a neighbor will identify with Jimmy as he tries to accept the changes in his neighborhood. A mean mysterious neighbor, a mysterious new friend, and a slip of paper make this a must read short story. I can't wait to read more from these authors.

[Shana Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the quickest reads I’ve had in a long time. I was drawn in from the beginning and then found myself loathing Mr. Crow and how rude he was to Jimmie. I enjoyed the story and was happy it ended the way it did. I know it was a short story, however I felt like a lot was missing. It seemed like it got to the climax very quickly. It’s leaving me wanting more.

[Snapdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little fantasy

This story was enjoyable with the kind of happenings that I had wished for in my childhood. We all dream of being something special, and that was the case for the main character. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars because the story had a bit of a slow start. It was worth reading to the end. I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

[Mike Harnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it stated this was a short story, I couldn't fathom it would be THIS short. And after finishing it, I couldn't believe that the story was so complete. Usually, something this short does not have the time to develop into such a good story. I have written one pagers for English class and it is not all that easy to do.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really nice story. Kept its plot throughout. Gives off spooky stories to tell around the bonfire vibes, which is awesome because I loved Spooky Stories To Tell In The Dark growing up. I'd tell people about this book if they were looking for a supernatural suspense mystery book.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was so good. The amount of detail and gripping storyline was incredible. Full of magic and wonder. I can't wait to see what else this author duo writes!

[danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, great quick read!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little short story. It was just enough to keep you interested and leaves you wanting more. I would love a follow up story to it
Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway

[Jolynn Kuhlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

The book was so well written, about disappointments a child has and how adults don't quite get it. And wow what an ending, didn't expect it . Great book

[Lynn]

A quick little read that I enjoyed very much. If you were like me, you will find yourself calling for the in my opinion hero, Jimmy. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Madeline Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I had figured out how this story would end. From the beginning the story grabbed my attention. The characters were well developed and I could visualize the area that the story was taking place. I was pleasantly surprised with the ending. If you enjoy supernatural elements with a little mystery, this is a great short story to read!