The Ghosts of Lone Jack

Released July 2008

www.ghostsoflonejack.com

Reviewed by Tracy

Ready for a spooky story that blends fiction with a bit of history? THE GHOSTS OF LONE JACK delivers a fun, slightly creepy read, that 'tweens will enjoy.

Jared Millhouse is not your typical ten year old. After the death of his mother, Jared's father retreated into himself and has developed a bit of a drinking problem. Every summer, Jared heads to his ailing grandfather's farm in Lone Jack, Missouri.

Now, Jared's grandfather may have emphysema, but he's wise enough to realize that Jared needs the chance to act like a child. In Lone Jack, Jared soon forms friendships with many area kids and they all find themselves wrapped up in a frightening mystery.

Ghosts of Rebel and Confederate soldiers are haunting the town. With every passing day, the ghosts become more and more like zombies rather than ghosts. No one knows why the ghosts are taking on a new form and demanding "the key," but it's obvious that someone needs to solve the puzzle! When the ghosts gain the ability to injure people with their ghostly bayonets, it's clear that Jared, his friends and a few of the older residents are running out of time.

Though details of the Civil War are included in this page-turner, kids will not feel like the book is a history lesson. The author skillfully blends fiction with scattered facts drawing you into the story.

I did notice a few spelling errors in my final copy of the book, but quickly discovered many were intentional. Parents may want to remind their younger readers that the characters' dialects are behind the oddly spelled words. There are a few other typoes like like 'till instead of till and girgling instead of gurgling. Hopefully in additional printings, those errors will be fixed.

Otherwise, if you have a child who loves ghost stories, they will get a kick out of THE GHOSTS OF LONE JACK.