When a boy moves into his late grandfather’s mansion, he discovers eerie spell books, creepy dolls, and strange noises. But one doll feels especially off—maybe it’s nothing, or maybe it’s…watching. This creepy middle grade read is perfect for fans of the Goosebumps series.Garrett never met his grandfather, Burke, but he’s heard the stories from his mother. Burke was an enormously successful writer, but he was also notoriously cruel, especially to his family. After he passes away suddenly, Garrett and his mother are told that his enormous fortune is hers…if they agree to spend a week at his estate.
The house is a monument to Burke’s obsession with puppet-like dolls, and the attic is packed with cryptic notes and ancient books. It’s clear that his grandfather was up to something, but Garrett can only guess what, and his fear only deepens when he finds a creepily detailed doll with 'Marion' written on the foot.
As the week progresses, Garrett realizes that the house isn’t what it seems. An old typewriter clicks away on its own. There are sounds in the night that come from the basement. And strangest of all is Marion, who always seems to be watching...
On sale: July 28, 2026
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 3-7
Page count: 288 Pages
ISBN: 9780593814925
Reading level: Lexile: 800L
Born and raised in Middle Tennessee,
D.W. Gillespie wrote his first short story in second grade. It involved (unsurprisingly) monsters wreaking havoc on some unsuspecting victim. Some things never change. He began writing seriously after taking a creative writing class in college, and he’s written steadily ever since. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and two kids, and on dark nights, you might find them huddled around a campfire sharing spooky tales.
"A
gripping,
thrilling, and
bone-chilling read; perfect for fans of “Goosebumps” and other middle grade horror stories."—
School Library Journal"
Plunges right into the heart of the
action. Lots of
fun."—
Kirkus Reviews
"
A spooky fun ride that never lets up chapter by chapter, which also, at the heart of it, is a story about family and what it means to tell the truth, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."—Ally Malinenko, author of
Broken Dolls"
Fun,
frightening, and
downright fantastic, Gillespie will keep readers turning pages (and away from dolls) with this wonderfully creepy read."—Justine Pucella Winans, award-winning author of
The Otherwoods
"Gillespie spins a
terrifying tale full of
nightmarish descriptions,
intriguing characters, and
hair-raising suspense. I was hooked from page one!"—Wendy Parris, author of
Field of Screams
