I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Students at a Canadian school must discover the haunting secrets of the Grudstone school that resided where their school is now, and face the terrifying evil threatening to let loose on the world in author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts”, part of the author’s Canadian Chills series.

The Synopsis

Terror stalks the halls of St. Wolcott School . . .

When Daphne’s sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw.

Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren’t the same–she’s spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all anymore.

Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn’t done yet–he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.

The Review

This was such a fun and exhilarating read. The author does a remarkable job of combining paranormal mystery and school-age adventure in a way that feels somehow natural and relatable to young readers who have always felt that close-knit relationship amongst their friends as they seek out new adventures. The imagery and fast-paced narrative instantly draw the reader in as the mystery unravels.

The history and local culture in Canada was a unique aspect of the story, as it drew readers to the history of this area of Canada and the era in which gangsters hid contraband in hidden tunnels, harkening back to the early 20th century and the era of Prohibition in America as well. The heartfelt connection that the reader makes with the protagonists as they discover new clues and hidden pasts within the school grounds will keep them invested.

The Verdict

Adventurous, entertaining, and thrilling, author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts” is a must-read paranormal YA thriller. The narrative’s twists and turns, the relatability of the protagonists, and the spooky yet heartfelt nature will keep readers returning to this series time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Arthur Slade was raised on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. He is the author of twenty five novels for young readers including The Hunchback Assignments, which won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and Dust, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. His lifetime of work has also received the prestigious Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence.  All of these awards mean that when he drinks tea he has to raise his pinky. It’s very fancy. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada. 

P.S. He does all of his writing on a treadmill desk. And he listens to heavy metal. At the same time.

https://www.arthurslade.com/bio