A town full of legends, an unforgettable curse and a ghost determined to change their fate.
I love a good ghost story and Halloween is one of my favourite times of year, so cue ridiculous excitement when I saw that The Girl in White was available on Netgalley and realised that I could get an early #spookyseason fix.
If like me, you adore the Haunting of Aveline Jones and Small Spaces you will absolutely adore this! It’s deliciously dark and I inhaled it in a matter of hours. Reader beware, you’re in for a scare the old R L Stine Goosebumps books warned and this is certainly true in this case. There’s flickering lights, messages on bathroom mirrors and ghostly apparitions a-plenty to send shivers down your spine and have you looking over your shoulder.
For me, the scene-setting was just perfect. A creepy coastal town, complete with a harbour shrouded in mist and beyond, the lighthouse where the spirit roams the rocks late at night. The weather is satisfyingly blustery throughout and as the paranormal activity becomes stronger, the storms rage. Halloween decorations swathe the streets and mummies, ghosts, gravestones and Jack ‘O Lanterns adorn every front porch.
Twelve year old Mallory has moved from her beloved Chicago to the spooky seaside town of Eastport. Steeped in legends and curses, Eastport is renowned as one of the most haunted places to visit and the townsfolk rely on the trade and tourism generated from it’s sinister reputation.
Sweet Molly once lived in Eastport
Sweet Molly once loved the sea
Sweet Molly lost Liam to the shadows
Now Sweet Molly is coming for ye …
Possibly the town’s most famous legend is that of tragic Sweet Molly. Her brother Liam died at sea in a terrible storm on The Merriweather, Eastport’s largest fishing boat. The tale goes that angry and grieving, Molly one day walked down the the lighthouse in her best white nightgown and vanished into the mist. Legend has it that with her final breath, Molly cursed the town for choosing their precious fishing trade over her brother’s life. There are many different versions of the story, but everyone in the town agrees that if you are down near the lighthouse late at night and you dare to cross paths with her spirit, she’ll drag you beneath the waves and into a watery grave…
Since arriving in Eastport, strange dreams have troubled Mallory and they’re becoming more and more vivid – almost like visions. Until one day, she’s drawn to the harbour where she has a terrifying encounter with the old woman from her nightmares.
The town is gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of the legend of Sweet Molly and as the excitement builds around the festivities, so does the tension and terror for Mallory. A series of chilling events make her believe that Molly is after her – but why? With the help of friends Brianne and Emmie and unlikely new friend Joshua, Mallory must try to solve the mystery of Sweet Molly before this restless, malevolent spirit wreaks havoc…
The story reaches a stormy, spine-tingling climax on the day of the Eastport parade that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! This is an absolute must read this autumn, perfect for when the nights are drawing in.
I am totally treating myself to Lindsay’s other titles. This is my absolute favourite genre and her storytelling is right up my street! I have a feeling she may become one of my favourite ‘go to’ middle grade ghost story authors.
With thanks to Source Books and Netgalley for approving me to read a copy of the book in advance of publication.
The Girl in White will be published on the 2nd September.
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