I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of a good ghost story.
And The Folcroft Ghosts by Darcy Coates was exactly what I was looking for!
This was such a fun, creepy, suspenseful little book. It was a relatively short read, but it packed in plenty of mystery, an unsettling old house, family secrets, and, best of all, actual ghosts!
If you’ve read some of my other book reviews, you probably already know how much I love supernatural stories. And October is just about the perfect time to read them.
I also have a confession. I still watch all those ghost-hunting shows. Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Kindred Spirits. I don’t care if I’ve seen the episodes before. I’ll happily watch the reruns.
I’m just fascinated by the whole thing.
So give me an old house with a mysterious history, unexplained noises, and the possibility that someone who died long ago might still be hanging around?
I’m in!
And that’s exactly what I got with The Folcroft Ghosts.
What’s The Folcroft Ghosts About?
From the Amazon book description:
When their mother is hospitalized, Tara and Kyle are sent to stay with their only remaining relatives. Their elderly grandparents seem friendly at first, and the rambling house is full of fun nooks and crannies to explore. But strange things keep happening. A bedroom remains locked at all times. Doors slam and curtains shift when no one is inside. And there are whispers of a sister who drowned in the lake long ago.
Something is being hidden away, kept safely out of sight…and the children can’t shake the feeling that it’s watching them.
When a violent storm cuts off their only contact with the outside world, stranding them in the haunted manor, Tara and Kyle must find a way to protect themselves from their increasingly erratic grandparents… and from the ghosts that haunt the Folcrofts’ house. All at once, they’re forced to confront the secrets of the manor. But can they ever hope to escape the unforgivable secret that has ensnared their family for generations?
A Creepy Supernatural Mystery
I wouldn’t necessarily call The Folcroft Ghosts terrifying.
For me, it was more of a creepy supernatural mystery, and I mean that in the best possible way.
There was always something happening that made me wonder what was going on.
Tara and Kyle arrive at their grandparents’ house under difficult circumstances. Their mother is in the hospital, and they’re suddenly staying with relatives they barely know.
At first, their grandmother, May, seems determined to make them feel welcome.
And I could tell she was trying. Really trying.
But there was always something a little off about her.
And Peter, their grandfather?
Something definitely wasn’t right there, either.
I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what was happening, but I knew they were hiding something.
I just had absolutely no idea what it was.
That’s what made this book so much fun. I knew there were secrets, and I wanted to uncover them just as badly as Tara did.
I Loved Tara and Kyle
One of my favorite things about this book was how well Tara and Kyle were written.
They’re two kids who suddenly find themselves in a frightening situation, far from their mother, surrounded by people they don’t really know, and dealing with things they can’t explain.
But I loved that neither of them was written as perfect.
They each had their own strengths and weaknesses, and they reacted to things differently.
What I especially loved was Tara’s determination to protect her younger brother.
Even when she was frightened herself, she was constantly thinking about Kyle, trying to keep him safe, and making sure he was okay.
That relationship really made me care about what happened to them.
And as the story became more dangerous, I found myself rooting for both of them even more.
The Ghosts Were One of My Favorite Parts
Of course, I can’t talk about this book without talking about the ghosts!
I loved them.
And I particularly loved that the supernatural activity wasn’t just there to scare the reader. There were reasons these spirits were still connected to the house and its history.
As the story progressed, we began learning why they weren’t at rest.
And some of those reasons were heartbreaking.
That’s something I’ve always enjoyed about ghost stories. Sometimes the ghosts aren’t necessarily the things we should be most afraid of.
Sometimes they’re victims, too.
And sometimes understanding what happened to them is the most important part of the mystery.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: The following sections contain major spoilers. If you haven’t read the book yet, skip ahead to “My Final Thoughts” to avoid ruining the surprises!
Anna and Eileen
I felt so sad for Anna.
The thought of her being trapped in the lake, lonely and calling out to Kyle, was heartbreaking.
She wasn’t simply some frightening presence lurking around the property. There was a reason she was there, and learning about her made me feel terrible for her.
And then there was Eileen.
I loved that Eileen helped Tara escape!
That’s exactly the kind of supernatural twist I enjoy. We spend so much time wondering whether the ghosts are dangerous, only to discover that they may actually be trying to help.
It also made the mystery surrounding the Folcroft family that much more interesting.
The Truth About May and Peter
I knew May and Peter were hiding something.
I really did.
But I never suspected what the truth would be.
Looking back, there were signs that something wasn’t right. May was almost too eager to make Tara and Kyle feel comfortable, while Peter’s behavior was unsettling from the beginning.
But I didn’t know why.
And when everything finally came together, I loved how the pieces fit.
The truth also explained so much about the ghosts and why they were still connected to the house.
I love a mystery that gives me enough clues to know something is wrong without making the answer obvious.
And this one absolutely did that.
Is The Folcroft Ghosts a Young Adult Book?
I remember reading somewhere that The Folcroft Ghosts was a good book for young adults.
And I can absolutely see that.
In fact, I think I would have loved this book when I was younger.
Two kids exploring a creepy old house, discovering family secrets, dealing with strange grandparents, and trying to figure out whether the place is haunted?
That would have been right up my alley!
But I don’t think you need to be a young adult to enjoy it.
I’m certainly not one anymore, and I enjoyed it immensely.
It’s a great choice for anyone who likes supernatural mysteries, especially if you’re looking for something that isn’t overly long or terrifying.
There’s enough suspense to keep things interesting, but the story also has heart, particularly when it comes to Tara and Kyle.
And if you’re someone who grew up loving ghost stories and never really stopped?
I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this one.
I Was Happy with the Ending
I was really satisfied with how everything turned out.
After everything Tara and Kyle went through, I was so glad they were going to be okay.
And not just physically.
Those two experienced some pretty frightening things, but I loved knowing they had each other and would get through everything together.
Their mother was also on the mend, even though she didn’t yet know everything that had happened while she was in the hospital.
That was important to me.
I didn’t need every single thing wrapped up in a perfect little bow, but I did want to know that Tara and Kyle had a chance to move forward.
And I felt like they did.
My Final Thoughts on The Folcroft Ghosts by Darcy Coates
I really enjoyed this book!
It was short, exciting, creepy, and full of the kind of supernatural mystery I love.
I enjoyed trying to figure out what May and Peter were hiding, learning about the ghosts, and watching Tara and Kyle work together to survive everything happening around them.
And I especially appreciated that the ghosts had stories of their own.
I think The Folcroft Ghosts would be a fantastic choice for young adult readers who love supernatural stories. But I would absolutely recommend it to adults, too.
If you’re looking for a quick October read with a haunted house, family secrets, actual ghosts, and a satisfying ending, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Sometimes I just want a good, old-fashioned ghost story. And this one delivered!
And if you love supernatural mysteries as much as I do, you might also enjoy my review of The Witch by Freida McFadden. It’s another creepy, twist-filled story I absolutely loved, and a perfect read for this time of year!