The Dead and Buried

Jade Kelley moves to a new home in Massachusetts with her father, stepmother, and five-year-old brother. She soon learns their house was the site of a recent tragedy - the death of Kayla Sloane, the most popular girl at Jade's new high school. Strange events begin occurring in the house, and Jade's brother starts communicating with what appears to be Kayla's ghost. As Jade investigates Kayla's death, she becomes entangled in the complex social dynamics at school, where Kayla's former friends and boyfriend still grapple with their loss. The search for truth behind Kayla's death forces Jade to navigate both supernatural encounters and very real dangers. She must determine whom to trust while protecting her family and discovering the dark secrets hidden within her new community. This young adult mystery combines elements of ghost stories with an examination of high school social hierarchies, demonstrating how past actions continue to influence the present. The novel explores themes of truth, justice, and the weight of secrets in both life and death.

Readers describe this as a quick, engaging ghost story that blends mystery elements with high school drama. Many note they finished it in 1-2 sittings. Readers appreciated: - The ghost's diary entries providing clues - Natural dialogue between characters - Clear resolution of the mystery - No excessive gore or violence - Strong family dynamics between Jade and her stepbrother Common criticisms: - Romance felt forced and underdeveloped - Predictable plot twists - Main character's decisions sometimes frustrate readers - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (8,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (140+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (30+ ratings) "Perfect for fans of lighter YA mysteries," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another states: "The ghost story elements were creepy without being terrifying - good for younger YA readers." Several readers mentioned they would have preferred more development of the supernatural elements rather than focusing on high school relationships.

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The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee A girl moves into a house where a teen died years ago and becomes entangled in uncovering the truth about the death while experiencing supernatural occurrences.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender A sister must save her younger sibling from a vengeful spirit who has possessed her and uncover the dark history behind their home.

🌟 Kim Harrington wrote The Dead and Buried after being inspired by watching ghost-hunting television shows, particularly the ones featuring teenage investigators. 📚 The fictional town of Rothston, Massachusetts, where the story takes place, is based on several real New England towns where the author grew up. 👻 The character Jade's gem and crystal knowledge comes from Harrington's own collection and research into crystal healing and properties. 🏠 The Victorian house described in the novel was modeled after a real historic home in Massachusetts that was rumored to be haunted. 📖 Before becoming The Dead and Buried, the novel went through several different titles during development, including "The Popular Ghost" and "Ghost Girl."