Ghosts of Greenglass House

During winter break at Greenglass House, thirteen-year-old Milo Pine hopes for a quiet holiday at his family's inn. Instead, mysterious guests arrive with connections to the smuggling history of Nagspeake. Milo and his friend Meddy return to their role-playing characters from a fantasy game to investigate odd occurrences at the inn. They must uncover the truth behind missing objects, cryptic maps, and the guests' hidden motives. A blizzard traps everyone inside the creaky old inn, where secret passages and frost-covered windows create an atmosphere of both coziness and uncertainty. The story combines elements of mystery, ghost tales, and holiday adventures. Through themes of family bonds and self-discovery, this sequel builds on the first book's exploration of identity and belonging while celebrating the power of storytelling and imagination.

Readers say this sequel captures the cozy mystery atmosphere of the first book while building on the established world and characters. They note it keeps the same format - strange guests arriving at an inn during winter break with puzzles to solve. Likes: - Complex puzzle-solving that rewards attentive readers - Character development, especially Milo and Meddy's friendship - Holiday setting and descriptions create immersive atmosphere - References to folklore and ghost stories - Handles themes of adoption and identity Dislikes: - Slower pacing than the first book, especially early chapters - More complicated plot that some found hard to follow - Less focus on the inn itself and original side characters - Several readers wanted more resolution to certain storylines Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "The mystery unfolds like a gentle snowfall," writes one Goodreads reviewer, while others note it requires more concentration than typical middle-grade books.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Four gifted children infiltrate a suspicious boarding school while solving riddles and uncovering a plot through teamwork and clever problem-solving.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Sixteen heirs compete in a puzzle-filled game set in an apartment building to win an inheritance from an eccentric businessman.

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson A young girl discovers codes, mysteries, and magic at a grand hotel filled with puzzles during winter break.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett Two students work to solve an art theft through patterns, codes, and connections in their historic Chicago neighborhood.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald A girl untangles the mystery of her grandfather's painting while exploring art history and World War II secrets in New York City.

🏰 The book is set in the same magical smugglers' inn as its predecessor, Greenglass House, but takes place during the following Christmas season, featuring new mysteries and ghostly encounters. 🎲 The story incorporates elements of role-playing games, particularly "Odd Trails," a fictional RPG that becomes central to the plot and helps characters solve mysteries. 🎨 The intricate cover art and interior illustrations by Jaime Zollars were specifically designed to capture the book's blend of mystery, folklore, and winter atmosphere. 📚 Author Kate Milford extensively researched historical smuggling routes and customs to create the fictional city of Nagspeake, where the story takes place. 🏆 The book won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery in 2018, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, which was also critically acclaimed.