e-Audio, 06:03:07
Narrated by: Khaya Fraites
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: August 28-30, 2026
Mystery James, #2
Source: PRH Audio App (I also received an ARC of this from the author. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Animal Death
For Readers of: Audio, Family Diversity, Sparkly Cover, Middle Grade, Most Anticipated, Paranormal, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black, Latinx/ Puerto Rican)The second book in a creepy duology about Mystery James, who was found as a baby in a cemetery, lives in a funeral home, and can smell ghosts. This time, spring break takes a terrifying turn when Mystery suspects a ghost has entered her home…and refuses to leave.
“A new middle grade heroine you’re going to love.”—BookRiot
Spring break was supposed to be a time for relaxation, but for Mystery James, it quickly turns into a series of spine-chilling adventures. After a burial at Garcia Graves & Funeral Home, Mystery begins to suspect the ghost of one of Ellis Town’s most eccentric residents may be lingering in her home…or worse, haunting it.
With her trusty arachnid companion, Coffin by her side, Mystery must contend with creepy mortuary salesmen, a sinister presence creeping through her Tia Lucy’s home, and changing friendship dynamics, all while uncovering clues that lead her deeper into an increasingly complex—and personal—mystery.
Soon, the Olde Ellis Town Cemetery becomes the backdrop for a showdown between the past and the present, where Mystery must confront her deepest fears and uncover the truth behind the supernatural events that have plagued her since childhood.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This had to be one of my most anticipated middle grade reads of 2026! If y’all don’t know, I’m an Ally Russell stan! We share our love of all things spooky, and I love her for all she does with kids horror! The little deserve to be scared too! lol
Ok so the thing I loved most about this was the spooky factor. This one was more spooky to me because y’all know I don’t like bugs or things with two many legs. And this one didn’t actually have legs, but it still creeped me out lol I was all good until the full size human thing. Yeah Ally you are never beating the allegations that you made me make an extra visit to therapy LOL
I also liked all the extra info we got about Mystery and her family. And the relationship she had with her bestie. There was so much family in this book. I had been wanting to know more, and this book gave me what I wanted and then some. After the way Mystery got to where she is now with her aunt, her lore was always, “mysterious” so it was really cool to see everything be answered right then.
The only thing I was like WHAAAAA about were the guys? I still have so many questions lol Who are they? What were they doing there? WHY were they there? Who told them to go there? I have so many questions! I heard this was a duology tho, so I might have to wing it and go with Plan B…. Which is just begging for another or a novella lmao She’ll listen to me. Maybe? Kinda? I think? LOL Ok maybe not, but I can still ask LOL
This was a lot of fun. The family dynamic and scariness of this book was an easy sell for me. So was the villain, but I won’t say anything about that for spoilers lol I can’t wait for y’all to read this so I can talk about it more. For now, I hope this reaches you and you go out and pick this up so you can see what I mean too. We think we all deserve some of the whimsy that these characters can bring up!
Overall, I give this
