He helps her find what she is looking for, and that is a collection of ghost stories taking place in this and the nearby towns – making them even more spooky! But then, when Aveline reaches the back of the book and the last story about a ghostly lady, she can’t read it – all the text has been blackened out! Aveline is infuriated. Aveline loves ghost stories, and so naturally, she looks for spooky books there, too! The owner of the bookshop is super kind and also very interesting as a character. A lot of it she spends at a nearby bookshop. Since her aunt is a teacher and the students come to her house, Aveline has a lot of free time to roam the streets and have a look around town. I loved that their relationship undergoes ups and downs, but in the end it was right where I wanted it to be. Her aunt is very strict, always right on time – and expects Aveline to be the same. When Aveline arrives, she and her aunt don’t hit it off very well from the start. Dark, wavy, splashy sea, dark and stormy weather, creepy pumpkin decorations everywhere, old houses and abandoned streets – the perfect setting for a spooky story!

It’s is the build-up to Halloween, and the coastal town offers the perfect spooky atmosphere right from the start. But now, as an adult – so totally not the target audience – I really, really enjoy these books! The Haunting of Aveline Jones was no different.Īveline has to stay at her aunt’s for a few weeks while her mother drives up to Scotland to look after Aveline’s ill grandmother.

Spooky isn’t usually my thing, but ever since I discovered spooky middle grade, my opinion seems to be changing! I have to say if had read this as a child, I probably never would have slept again (and I never really got a good sleep anyway!). Turn on your torches, and join Aveline Jones in her first charmingly spooky mystery, from debut author Phil Hickes. Intrigued, Aveline decides to investigate Primrose’s disappearance. Not only are the stories spine-tingling, but it once belonged to Primrose Penberthy, who vanished mysteriously, never to be seen again. Might that be why I’m choosing my spooky reads to be middle grade? Well, let me tell you though, this book really managed to raise the little hairs on the back of my neck – it hits that level of spooky that would be too much to read at night if it were labeled adult, and even so I’d say proceed at your own risk!Īveline Jones loves reading ghost stories, so a dreary half-term becomes much more exciting when she discovers a spooky old book.

Spooky, I say? Yes, you heard that right! And I have no idea what is happening either lol! But don’t worry, I still am a scaredy cat. Lately I have been feeling drawn to some more spooky books.

The haunting of aveline jones blurb