The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge #MiddleGradeMystery

The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge

by Linda Covella

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GENRE:  Middle grade mystery

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BLURB:

In the rainy forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the small town of Brookdale, in the long-uninhabited Pebble Brook Lodge...exist four ghosts who stand in the way of Pepper’s search for the truth.
In this sequel to the award-winning book The Castle Blues Quake, Pepper Connelly’s chef parents have taken Pepper and her little sister Sage on another restaurant venture to renovate the Pebble Brook Lodge.

One of the unique features of the lodge is a creek running through the large dining room. Pepper learns that, in 1966, a thirteen-year-old girl, Karen, drowned in the creek. Her ten-year-old brother, Willie Hullett, was accused of causing her death. , and his mother and townspeople still believe he was responsible. Willie, now middle-aged, lives with his mother in a cabin in the woods. Mrs. Hullett has never forgiven Willie for her beloved daughter’s death.

As Pepper secretly becomes acquainted with Willie and sees his gentle nature and his beautiful life-like carvings, she’s convinced he was not responsible for his sister’s death.

With the help of her friend Ally Cressman, Pepper sets out to prove Willie’s innocence. With Ouija board sessions, hauntings by four different ghosts, and time travel to 1939 and 1966, Pepper discovers there’s more to Karen’s death than she—or anyone in Brookdale—would have ever guessed.

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EXCERPT:

Inside, a chair scraped against the floor. Steps shuffled toward the door, and then the door creaked opened. The head of an old lady poked out.

“Karen?” The lady swung the door open, grabbed my arm, and pulled me inside. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!”

“Um, my name’s Pepper.” I tried to pull away, but her bony fingers stayed clamped to my arm. “I’m sort of lost.”

“Oh.” Her face had smoothed out with happiness when she thought I was Karen, and now it shriveled, deep with wrinkles like a shelled walnut. She released my arm and clutched her sweater around her neck. She looked as if she were made of strings: the cords in her neck, the ropey veins in her hands, her gray hair that hung like pieces of twine around her bony face. “Look at you, you’re wet and cold. Come stand by the fire.”

I hesitated. There was no welcome in her voice or on her face. Something about her didn’t feel right. Her eyes, still full of worry, darted over my shoulder, looking for Karen, I supposed. But I was wet and cold. A few minutes wouldn’t hurt, and maybe she could tell me how to get back to the lodge.

My Review:

I truly enjoyed this book even though it's a YA book. The way it's written I think many adults would like it as well. The plot is great and the ending satisfying. The young heroine is sweet, mature, and smart. The author set the stage beautifully. If ever you were going to see a ghost, this would be the place to do it. 

This review is short, but you can read the blurb up above. It's a wonderful story that I'd give 5+ stars.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Linda Covella’s varied background and education (an AA degree in art, an AS degree in mechanical drafting & design, and a BS degree in Manufacturing Management) have led her down many paths and enriched her life experiences. But one thing she never strayed from is her love of writing.

Her first official publication was a restaurant review column for a local newspaper. But when she published articles for various children’s magazines, she realized she’d found her niche: writing for children. She hopes to bring to children the feelings books gave her when she was a child: the worlds they opened, the things they taught, the feelings they expressed.

She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Charlie, and dog, Ginger.

No matter what new paths Linda may travel down, she sees her writing as a lifelong joy and commitment.

Learn more about Linda and her writing at http://lindacovella.com/

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Linda Covella will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Use the link below to enter.

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