Twelve-year-old Rory and his mom have trouble making ends meet even though she has two jobs. So when he gets the chance to work at a mansion for the reclusive Lord Foxglove he takes it. But there’s something strange going on in Foxglove Manor, something sinister that Rory will need to discover before it endangers everyone in his seaside village.

Gloom Town by Ronald L. Smith is a mystery with a delightful touch of creepiness. Despite his fears, Rory braves through strange happenings along with the help of his friend, Isabella, a girl who tells fortunes and has special powers she’s only just figuring out. As the two get deeper into solving the mystery, they elude danger, fight off unusual creatures, and make a discovery that changes Rory’s life forever.

I recommend Gloom Town for readers aged 9 to 13.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.