After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie who only finds solace in books discovers a chilling ghost story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who loved her, and a peculiar deal made with “the smiling man”–a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price.

Captivated by the tale, Ollie begins to wonder if the smiling man might be real when she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she’s been reading about on a school trip to a nearby farm. Then, later, when her school bus breaks down on the ride home, the strange bus driver tells Ollie and her classmates: “Best get moving. At nightfall, they’ll come for the rest of you.” Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie’s previously broken digital wristwatch begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN.

Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed these warnings. As the trio head out into the woods–bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them–the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: “Avoid large places. Keep to small.”

And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.

Another really creepy and spooky middle grade story that I absolutely loved reading. I read Field of Screams before this one, so it did remind me of that book while I was reading it, another spooky story among the cornfields. 

This was another case where I started reading the physical paperback first, but then moved to the audiobook, and I’m not sure if the audio improved the story or not. Honestly, it just helped me get through it quicker. But I don’t think it matters which format you choose for this book. They were both done very well. 

This book leans more on fantasy elements than horror, ghostly, or paranormal elements. It is a bit eerie and creepy, probably more so for kids or tweens than adults, but the fantastical scenes overshadowed any creepiness that I was feeling because it was so unbelievable and obviously fantastical. The ending got a little bizarre for me, and listening to the audio, it was hard for me to visualize. Maybe the book would’ve been better to read, but there is quite a twist that I didn’t see coming. I feel like the resolution could’ve been a little stronger, but it was still a satisfying conclusion.  

I enjoyed all of the characters, especially Ollie. She is a young girl who is grappling with the pain of losing a parent at such a young, tender age, and then dealing with the challenges of growing up without a mother. I found her very relatable. Once she stumbles upon the mysterious woman attempting to throw a book into the river, things start to pick up in pacing, and Ollie’s life takes an unexpected turn. Soon, she finds herself at the center of a mystery that demands her bravery, intelligence, and wit. We find out that dark secrets and malevolent forces are at work.

Once the trio gets off the bus and heads into the woods, the pacing picks up and the story really starts to get interesting. There are some good action scenes, suspense scenes, and some spooky scenes. 

Overall, this was a fun story of magic, friendship, and courage that will enchant readers of all ages. Arden weaves a spellbinding narrative that effortlessly blends elements of mystery, fantasy, and adventure, creating a truly captivating reading experience.

This is the first book in a series, which I will continue. I have books two and three; I still need to get book four. Highly recommend! Especially during Spooky Season or Halloween. If you wanna get scared by some creepy scarecrows, then pick this book up!