Ahoy there me mateys! Ever since I read the bear and the nightingale, I have been in love with this author’s writing. So of course I have been reading her middle-grade novels because I don’t put age limits on reading. And this was a fun second book. Aye, this is a review of a book two where I will try to post no spoilers but continue at yer own peril . . .

This story follows Ollie and her friends Brian and Coco on what is supposed to be a fun ski trip. Ollie’s dad has won a ski vacation for the week before the resort’s grand opening. Coco’s mom goes too. The trip seems to run into troubles from the beginning of the drive. A snow storm is brewing and the drive is trickier than expected. Coco thinks she spots a man in the road and is concerned though the others claim not to see him. When they get to the resort, the group finds they are the only people there besides the caretakers. They are snowed in and the power is not running. The night is long and the kids are not comfortable. The group is surprised at breakfast the next morning when a reporter shows up to discuss the ghosts of the resort. What is going on?

And ghosts there be mateys! I actually loved this ghost story and found it to be deliciously spine-tingling. It would have been even more creepy had I read it when I was younger. I loved how everything in the ski lodge kept failing. I adored how the story was set-up. I loved how the three kids have such strong friendships and look out for each other. It was nice to get both Ollie and Coco’s point of view in this story. I continue to love watching the characters grow and change.

There were only a couple of minor criticisms. Brian doesn’t play a major role in this book and I kinda missed him. The ending was a tad too rushed and I was surprised how quickly the book ended. I expected the climax and ending to be a little more complex. I do think that the first book was better in terms of complexity and that this ghost story was a little too simple and straight-forward. Seriously though, such tiny issues because I really did love this one.

This was an excellent book for the beginning of the Halloween season. I am so glad that there be two more planned books in the series. Book one deals with autumn and book two with winter. Can’t wait to hear what happens in the spring and summer. Arrrr!

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