Ghosts of Gastown - by Jessica Renwick (Paperback)

About the Book

"Twelve-year-old Hope Graves can see the dead. But nobody believes her. Not even her best friend. When Hope and her mom move to the Gastown area of Vancouver, their new home isn't exactly as she imagined. The ancient apartment sits over a weird crystal shop, she misses her dad, and ghosts lurk around every corner. The worst part? The strange boy whose parents own the shop can see spirits too, and he won't stop bugging her about it. Hope tries to avoid Oliver, but when a ghost appears in her bedroom with a haunting plea, he's the only person she can turn to for help. Trying to banish the spirit only leads them down a twisted path far more dangerous than any ghost. Something is hunting the souls of Gastown, and it's closing in on its next victim"--

Book Synopsis

"This eerie novel will attract readers who love tales of horror. The short chapters, fast-paced adventure, and likeable male and female characters will make Ghosts of Gastown a good choice for readers." -- Recommended, CM Review

"Ghosts of Gastown gives a different twist on how a young person may navigate grief and the big feelings that come with major life changes."-- Meagan Richards, CCBN

"A piling on of villains and threats may add additional drama to the climactic face-off... with a whiplash-inducing reveal."--

Twelve-year-old Hope Graves can see the dead. But nobody believes her. Not even her best friend. When Hope and her mom move to the Gastown area of Vancouver, their new home isn't exactly as she imagined. The ancient apartment sits over a weird crystal shop, she misses her dad, and ghosts lurk around every corner. The worst part? The strange boy whose parents own the shop can see spirits too, and he won't stop bugging her about it.

Hope tries to avoid Oliver, but when a ghost appears in her bedroom with a haunting plea, he's the only person she can turn to for help. Trying to banish the spirit only leads them down a twisted path far more dangerous than any ghost. Something is hunting the souls of Gastown, and it's closing in on its next victim.

Review Quotes

"Ghosts of Gastown gives a different twist on how a young person may navigate grief and the big feelings that come with major life changes." -- Meagan Richards, CCBN

"A piling on of villains and threats may add additional drama to the climactic face-off... with a whiplash-inducing reveal."-- Kirkus Reviews

"A riveting paranormal novel about ghosts, grief, and the power of family and friends to pull us out of the darkest of places. I couldn't get enough!" -- Jonathan Pongratz, author of the Reaper series

"Charming, creepy, and full of heart. A fast-paced paranormal horror set amongst the history of Vancouver, Ghosts of Gastown will leave you smiling and give you goosebumps on the next page." -- Alyssa Braun, @catsandbookstacks

"Ghosts of Gastown grips readers with its eerie atmosphere and spine-tingling suspense. The journey into a haunted dimension is a thrilling ride, packed with supernatural encounters and heart-pounding moments. With its captivating storyline, this middle-grade paranormal horror delivers a perfect blend of chills and adventure, making it a must-read for young fans of the genre." -- Kim Wilch, One More Exclamation

"In Ghosts of Gastown, twelve-year-old Hope Graves is dealing with a lot -- grieving her dad, navigating friendships new and old, and avoiding the spooky ghosts that keep following her everywhere. With characters you can root for and a truly Canadian setting, Ghosts of Gastown is equal parts bone-chilling and heartwarming. It's a boo-tiful mystery!" -- Helen Power, award-winning author of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place

"An engaging and spooky tale, Ghosts of Gastown is a fantastic story about grief and friendship, and is an excellent reminder that even in death our loved ones never really leave us. Sweet and engaging, and the perfect novel for those who like a fast paced and spooky plotline. Hope is a relatable and endearing main character, and you can't help but root for her to find peace and the friendships she deserves." -- Meg Hall, @get.outside.and.read

"Ghosts of Gastown beautifully balances emotion with suspense, leaving middle-grade readers everywhere eagerly awaiting Hope's and her friends' next ghostly adventure!" -- Kelly Port, reviewer

About the Author

Jessica Renwick dove into the world of writing fiction as a preteen and never looked back. Naturally, this led to a career as a library assistant, and her first middle-grade book, The Book of Chaos, was published in 2018. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and a flock of backyard chickens in Red Deer, Alberta. You can find her online at www.jessicarenwickauthor.com