Lindsay Currie is the GOAT of middle grade horror/suspense. Well, maybe she ties with Mary Downing Hahn. But either way, The Girl in White is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Mallory and her family have recently moved to the most haunted town of Eastport. She expects this to be a tall tale, only to discover the hauntings may be the real thing. The town gears up for the fall season and the legend of Sweet Molly. Her parents own a restaurant which benefits immensely from the huge crowds coming into town for the haunted events. Mallory finds herself not sleeping well, and having some very unpleasant visions. Her middle school friends think she is taking this whole thing way too seriously. A couple of potentially serious things occur, and the friends are beginning to wonder if Sweet Molly is really real. And what could she possibly want with Mallory, a newcomer to the town.

This is a great middle school read, strong female protagonist, and supporting characters, and a heart-stopping mystery for middle schoolers to solve.

I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an h0nest review.

The Girl in White is a creepy story taking place at Halloween time. A great book to read for the Halloween season. It was a fun read that fans of Goosebumps will definitely enjoy. I look forward to reading more books by this author. It is a great story with interesting characters.

This was a fun seasonal adventure perfect for perhaps the older range of the 8-12s, as there are some spooky elements.

I really enjoyed the small town setting, I always think it adds hugely to the atmosphere when written well.

I think this was a well balanced story, it had spooky for the Halloween season, cosy vibes as well as some trials and tribulations of young adolescent friendship and family relationships.

Growing up I love R.L. Stine and Goosebumps. This book gave me that vibe. I loved it. The character was well thought out and the story was good. I plan to definitely read more by Lindsay.

I am a fan of this author so I was fairly sure this book would not disappoint and I was correct! This book has a perfect blind of spooky and atmospheric elements to be a fun spooky middle grade!

Mallory is not a fan of the town of Eastport her parents moved her too. She hates that it's pretty much Halloween all the time. The town lives on it's curses and lore as that is how it makes it's money. Mallory's friend Emmie who has lived there all her life is probably the only one there who tries to prove the stories aren't true and that is pretty much why they make good friends.

Mallory has been having really creepy dreams since she has been in town but things start ramping up the closer they get to the towns big celibration. Something spooky happens and she ends up finding out that someone else is having bad dreams too, her neighbor Joshua.

So Mallory and her friends have to work to figure out why her and Joshua are having bad dreams of an old lady and why she keeps coming after them in some frightening not dream ways.

This was a lot of fun, super creepy and atmostpheric. I really had some fun spooky ghost moments and I really liked the characters in the story and how they worked to try and figure things out.

I think this book could creepy out some adults who don't do spooky well, so do make sure than your young readers can handle getting really creepy out at times. (Like a scary ghost lady coming out of the shower spooky)

Highly recommend this to young readers who love to be scared!

Hi all!

Today I am back to review another new release – The Girl in White by Lindsay Currie – which was just released last month. I was permitted to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) thanks to NetGalley. I’ve read one of her other books in the past and rated it very highly. She’s an excellent writer!

Mallory hasn’t quite adapted to life in her new town of Eastport yet. Maybe it’s because everyone is obsessed with keeping the town’s reputation as one of the most haunted places to visit. And thanks to the nightmares she’s had since arriving, Mallory is having a hard time sleeping. When she has a terrifying encounter with the same old woman from her dreams, she’s not sure what to do. With Eastport gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of their first recorded legend, Mallory is forced to investigate the one legend she’s always been secretly afraid of…Sweet Molly.

As always, I am going to provide my honest thoughts and let you know whether I think this middle-grade horror novel is worth checking out or not. Without further ado, let’s get into it!



WHAT I ENJOYED
Lindsay’s stories are always so wholesome. For an author who writes middle-grade horror, she is surprisingly adept at raising the hairs on the back of my neck. This book felt like an episode of Scooby Doo but in the best way. It was full of mystery, spooky vibes and a bunch of friends working together to undo a curse. The town of Eastport sounded like a fun place to visit. I enjoyed the vivid imagery of the food, stores and lighthouse. Mallory was a very sweet and insightful narrator. She knew when she had made mistakes and was self-aware enough to address them. My favourite part of the story was the ending. It wrapped up really nicely. I like when true positive change is enforced. Furthermore, the pacing was excellent, and it was an easy read.

WHAT I DIDN’T ENJOY
My main issue with the book lay in the editing. I found lots of typos, characters names being switched around and in the Kindle version, Chapter 43 popped up twice. As a writer myself, I understand these things happen. I don’t feel it affected the value of the story, but it did take me out of the plot at times. I also wish there was more show and less tell. The character’s explained themselves a lot. I have faith the middle-grade audience could comprehend what is going on.

OVERALL STAR RATING
I gave this a 3.5/5 stars. I had a great time reading it.

If you are interested, you can order a copy here.

I hope you enjoyed this honest review. Let me know your thoughts down below. I appreciate all feedback. Thanks for reading!

Peace & Love xoxo

Disclaimer: This post contains a link to my Book Depository Affiliate. I am not being paid or sponsored for this post/product – all my thoughts/opinions are my own

A delightfully creepy ghost story with fun relatable characters. Cleverly dressed up in a scary paranormal tale, Mallory, Joshua, and Emmie's quest to redeem Sweet Molly is about friendship, values, community, and finding inner strength.

'The Girl in White,' by Lindsay Currie is an eerie Middle Grade ghost story. It hits all the right notes without moving in to the more disturbing aspects found in older horror/ paranormal. The writing builds a strong world with great characters. The plot is well paced with a great ending.

Another creepy tale from the Queen of Middle Grade Horror! Currie keeps the tension at the perfect level throughout the story, crafting charming characters and believable scenarios, even for those who don't believe in ghosts. You may want to read this with the lights on.

**4.5-stars**

Mallory has felt out of place ever since her family moved from the bustling city of Chicago to the small seaside town of Eastport in New England. Certain aspects of the town's local culture drive Mallory a bit crazy if she's being honest, like the fact that it feels like Halloween 365-days a year.

While this may sound absolutely fantastic to some of us, Mallory feels very differently. The constant reminders of local ghost stories and lore weighs on her last nerve. Her parents, who own and run a cozy restaurant known as The Hill, have bought into it hook, line and sinker. Her mother even regales visiting guests with spooky tales during meals at the restaurant. It's like dinner and a show.

As time goes by, instead of getting better, Mallory feels like things are getting worse. She's having a difficult time sleeping and feels like she is being watched. The nights are the worst. She's losing time and waking up dirty and wet; that's how Mallory initially starts to figure out that she's actually been sleepwalking. That paired with the nightmares, make Mallory's nights something to fear.

When a neighbor boy, Joshua, confesses to Mallory that he has been sleepwalking as well, the two begin to share stories. It seems they are even plagued by the same dreams. What is going on? The more they compare notes, the more they begin to fear that what is happening to them may be connected to one of the town's most infamous legends, that of Sweet Molly.

Together with Mallory's other friends, Emmie and Brianne, the kids begin a deep dive into the real story of Sweet Molly. They feel like she's connecting with them for a reason. Even though it's scary, maybe she just needs their help. They hope that with enough information they'll be able to help Molly achieve peace, so that she can move on and they can finally sleep through the night.

The Girl in White was my most anticipated Spooky Middle Grade release of the year and it did not disappoint. Currie knows how to deliver that perfect, cozy, spooky small town atmosphere, all while pairing it beautifully with likable, strong-willed, curious and determined characters.

This was such a fun story and definitely had some top-notch creepy moments. I liked the investigation the kids undertook, following clues and trying to get to the truth behind the legend of Sweet Molly. I also enjoyed the message at the heart of this story. Without giving too much away, let's just say that it shined a light on doing the right thing, even though it might be difficult.

I did feel the ending to be a little abrupt, but that's most likely because I didn't want it to end. I definitely recommend this one to all Spooky Middle Grade Readers. You know who you are...

Thank you so much to the publisher, Sourcebooks Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm obsessed with Lindsay Currie's stories. They are so cozy, spooky and fun. All the the things I love in my Middle Grade. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

This is the perfect seasonal book to read this Fall. The setting takes place in a quirky, coastal village that celebrates its spooky legends all year round. All of the local businesses play up the abnormal occurrences that have supposedly happened in the past creating almost a Halloween themed town that thrives off of tourists looking for a good scare. However, sometimes these tales have quite a bit of truth to them.

Mallory is hesitantly adjusting after relocating to Eastport. She’s not a fan of the town’s curse obsession, but slowly starts to become a believer when she begins experiencing some rather odd and realistic nightmares. She finds herself investigating the legend of Sweet Molly. This includes several eerie encounters and the help of good friends who bravely uncover a way to help this troubled spirit find peace.

This book reads like a movie that easily came alive through its descriptions. It was full of great characters with plenty of suspenseful action. I loved Mallory’s parents and their over the top restaurant. They provided some great comic relief right when things got a touch intense. There was a wonderful theme that explores the idea of exploiting the sadness that centers around legends all for the entertainment of others.

Lindsay Currie has done it again! This is the fourth MG ghost story of hers that I’ve read and absolutely loved. I completed this story in a few hours and will be purchasing my own physical copy to add to our shelves.

Hauntingly sweet tale of three friends and a soul haunting them, all for one long-dead boy’s honor and respect. Lindsay Currie mixes in the perfect blend of fright, mystery, family, and friendship to gain readers’ attention and keep them reading until the end. Can Mallory and her friends figure out what Sweet Mollie wants and honor her brother Liam?

Lindsay Currie's books hold you on the edge of your seat. Great for middle school kids. Scary but not overly so.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this book! This was an amazing book. This book was described to me as Gilmore Girls meets Halloweentown. I can totally see that. I would have loved a little more Halloweentown and little less Gilmore Girls. This book was packed with adventure, mystery, and suspense but not too suspenseful. It was much fun to read. I really loved the autumnal feel this book had too.

Lindsay Currie writes the spooky books that ten year old me would have gobbled up!

There's something about a middle grade ghost story that just makes my heart happy. I think it's because when I was a kid I absolutely loved a good story that would creep me out and deliver the perfect spooky vibes. Now as an adult, they bring me the nostalgia of my favourite spooky seasons growing up.

Mallory is an aspiring photographer who isn't very fond of the legend-obsessed town her parents have moved her to. Ghosts, old legends, and all things creepy, 365 days a year? No thank you. But when Mary, the legendary ghost that the town devotes an entire parade to every month, starts interrupting her life and causing her to do weird things she doesn't remember, she can no longer ignore her. Along with her friends, both old and new, Mallory must figure out what Mary wants before she makes the whole town pay.

If you or any of the children in your life like October, old legends, ghost stories, or tales of revenge, this is a great book to pick up. This is the second year I have enjoyed a Lindsay Currie book during autumn and I think it will be a tradition that I continue.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Kids, and Lindsay Currie for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A trio of skeptical middle schoolers encounters a series of strange events in their spooky town, which leave them wondering if ghosts are real. As the friends start investigating the incidents, they realize they may be up against something even more challenging: the unwavering belief of adults that kids don’t know anything. Author Lindsay Currie gives readers a delightfully spooky novel with protagonists that, at times, feel older than their stated ages in her newest release The Girl in White.

Mallory Denton still can’t get over the fact that she and her parents have moved to Eastport, Massachusetts. The seaside town is small compared to her home of Chicago, although Eastport has something Chicago does not: the reputation for being the most haunted town in America. Long-time residents do what they can to attract ghost-hunting tourists, including a monthly Halloween parade and promoting the story of local ghost Sweet Molly, also known as the Girl in White.

It's bad enough that everyone else buys into the cursed-town shtick, but Mallory’s parents are right there with them. They left their busy corporate jobs in Chicago to run a restaurant in Eastport where Mallory’s dad is constantly inventing new dishes with Halloween-themed names and her mom plays hostess by telling ghost stories. It’s all a little silly and over the top, and even after a year Mallory wants to go back to the Windy City.

Having good friends in her new school helps. Mallory doesn’t know what she’d do without Bri and Emmie, even if Bri’s acting skills make her more melodramatic than necessary and Emmie gets into trouble a lot. It’s only because Emmie is bound and determined to disprove all of the ridiculous legends around Eastport. Even though she got into major trouble with her parents the last time she did it, Emmie isn’t going to quit.

Maybe, if Mallory could get a good night’s sleep, things would seem better. Lately she’s been having nightmares about an old lady, and she’s also started sleepwalking. That really scares her, until she meets next-door neighbor and classmate Joshua who says he’s been experiencing the same things. Mallory is still weirded out, but she feels better knowing she’s not alone.

With Emmie and Joshua by her side, Mallory decides she needs to figure out just why she’s having these nightmares. Soon enough, it becomes clear that the nightmares are related to Sweet Molly and the upcoming anniversary of her brother’s death. It’s October, and Eastport is planning an especially big deal for the monthly parade and the anniversary. Mallory and her friends don’t think that’s such a good idea, especially because it seems like Molly’s goal is to stop all of these Halloween-based shenanigans or else.

Author Lindsay Currie settles with ease into the plot and the friendships between Mallory, Emmie, and Joshua. The relationship between Mallory and Emmie feels natural and organic; readers will have no trouble seeing how they’ve been friends for so long, which provides a wonderful contrast to the new friendship with Joshua. A subplot about how to treat friendships with care is also thoughtfully executed.

Currie dials up the mystery and paranormal elements at a steady pace, and target readers will be eager to find out what happens to Mallory and her friends. The climax builds in a way that feels earned, although the final scenes of the book during the resolution do feel rushed. Readers might find themselves scratching their heads at how smoothly everything comes together once Mallory and company solve the mystery.

Also, despite repeated assertions that the kids are 12 years, they look, talk, and act at least 14. The naivete that comes with kids in the earlier portion of middle school is missing. As the book progresses and the kids in the novel start to figure out the elements behind Sweet Molly’s haunting, this sense that they’re older than 12 becomes more solidified.

For the most part, the book delivers on the premise it offers: a spooky tale about a spooky town and the kids who try to solve a mystery, even if it means retracting their own skepticism. Those who enjoy Halloween-themed stories will definitely enjoy this one.

Mallory is disgruntled with her families move from Chicago to Eastport, Massachusetts. It's hard to adjust to her new town when everything seems to reek of Halloween, including the restaurant that her parents now run. Eastport is known for its legendary curses, supposedly their restaurant is even famous for a casket from Old Shadows Hill Cemetery that burst through one of their walls. But the most famous curse is the legend of Sweet Molly, who cursed the town after her brother Liam died during a storm at sea. Each year, Eastport celebrates the anniversary of Liam's death with costumes, a parade and this year the town is even planning a reenactment of Liam's voyage. Just as the date of the festivities nears, Mallory begins to have strange dreams and even more frightening is the encounter she has with an old woman at the harbor. When Mallory awakens one morning to her room filled with sand and no way to explain this unusual occurrence, she begins to suspect foul play. Can it be Molly's ghost haunting her dreams and causing her to sleepwalk? But what is she trying to tell her? When Mallory's neighbor, Joshua has a similar experience to hers, she enlists the help of her friends, Emmie and Brie to help them unravel the mystery of Molly's curse and hopefully set things right.

Lindsay Currie does spooky well. I've read and also enjoyed Scritch Scratch, The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street and What Lives in the Woods. I must say they all are equally well written, not only for their fabulous settings, but also for the way that she develops the creepiness of the story. There's a constant feeling of being watched. She's a master at using environmental elements like lightning strikes or even the flickering of lights like in The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street to illicit some chills, as if the town wasn't enough with all its legends and curses, we also now have a ghost that appears to be bent on revenge. The Girl in White is delightfully spooky and atmospheric, I'd pair this with Malamander by Thomas Taylor for some seaside creepy Halloween reads. Also bonus that this book had me thinking about why we celebrate certain events in town? Who does it serve? **A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the E-ARC via NetGalley**

Mallory moved from busy Chicago to the small town of Eastport, Massachusetts where it is Halloween all the time, as it is billed as the most haunted city in the U.S. Since arriving Mallory has problems sleeping, and quickly finds out her neighbor, also a transplant to Eastport, can't sleep either. Mallory and friends have to find a way to appease the ghost of Sweet Mary before the town's celebration of Molly's brother's tragic seafaring death.

Currie has a way with ghost stories! Definitely creepy and very appealing to middle school students. I think this is probably my favorite of hers so far. Great readers advisory recommendation for middle grade students who are Mary Downing Hahn fans.

This was such an entertaining mystery that kept me hooked all the way! I really enjoyed the whole town spooky atmoshphere and how they were all obsessed with legends and curses and the main character and her friends squad were great. I really liked their dynamics and how they were working together to try to figure out what's going on! The family business Mal's parents had with the restaurant was a nice touch too and I liked seeing her actually having a part time job there. It's something I haven't seen explored too much in MG. All in all, this was a solid fun spooky middle grade story perfect for fall . I adored the author's writing style and I'm running to read her backlist now!