Put this under the category of “things I’ve meant to do for a long time”: I finally published (under my Endless Sky Books imprint) a new edition of The Haunted Horn, a modern-day middle-grade ghost story with a Civil War theme.
Set in Arkansas (where I went to university–Harding University, to be exact, B.A. in journalism, ’79, and yes, the town in The Haunted Horn is loosely based on Searcy, where Harding is located–well, at least, Searcy as it was in the 1970s), it’s the story of Alex Mitchell, who buys a beat-up bugle at an estate sale his antique-dealer mom drags him to, only to find out it’s a lot more than just a piece of history–you might say, it’s trying to bring history back to life.
The Haunted Horn was an early experiment of mine in self-publishing; I put it out in 2012, but it hasn’t been available for years. I hope you’ll check it out! Here are some purchase links:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Shadowpaw Press
Here’s the blurb:
Perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and John Bellairs: a spine-tingling mix of schoolyard showdowns, family drama, and Civil War ghosts that will keep you up past lights-out!
On a disastrous Friday in Oak Bluff, Arkansas, brainy eighth-grader Alex Mitchell buys a battered old Civil War bugle at a dusty auction—and his luck goes from bad to worse. School bully Sammy Findlater wants it for his “trophy” collection, and standing up to Sammy (and his hulking gang) means bruises, dead animals in lockers, and a garbage-splattered chase through town.
But when Alex blows the tarnished horn, something even more frightening stirs. Chilling midnight marches echo down his alley, ghostly Confederate soldiers trample the town square, and a wide-eyed boy in a ragged gray uniform stares up at his window, whispering, “I’m going home.”
As the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Oak Bluff nears, the spirits grow dangerously solid: campfires scorch grass, cannons uproot from concrete, and downtown teeters on fiery ruin.
With bullies on his tail and a supernatural showdown brewing, Alex must team up with tough-as-nails Annie Parker to unravel the mystery. Can he summon the courage to sound the bugle at the right moment and lay the ghosts to rest—or will history repeat itself in a terrifying clash that destroys everything?
A couple of nice review from the first release:
“The Haunted Horn is surely a novel that will appeal to younger readers and likely make history (perhaps for the first time in their lives!) interesting. By coupling it with mystery, paranormal, and historical events, Willett constructs a story that is anything but boring . . . Any age reader will find it enjoyable . . . Fans of shows like The Haunted Collector and Warehouse 13 will likely love this book. When the past collides with the present, what strange things can occur!” – Charlie Courtland, author of Dandelions in the Garden
“An entertaining, sharp ghost story with a setting and characters that many kids will easily relate to. I would recommend it to any middle school reader who enjoys modern adventure with a bit of spookiness mixed in.” – Will Weisser, author of The Reintegrators
