Heather’s Bookshelf: The Secret of Spirit Lake
Author: Jane Haltmaier
Released: 08/19/25
Genre: YA Supernatural Mystery
“The night had gotten cloudy, blocking the moonlight, and neither the lake nor the trees were visible in the gloom. She raised her hand to the window latch and bit her lip, hesitating. Amy knew her parents wouldn’t want her to let in the warm humid air with the air conditioning on. The moaning sound reached her ears again. Goosebumps raced up her arms. She suddenly had to know if it was windy out. Unlocking the windows in one fluid motion, she flung them open.”
“The Secret of Spirit Lake” follows two girls, Amy from 2023 and Penny from 1938, as their paths cross through time.
Amy’s family moves from the city to an old Victorian house on a lake in North Carolina. Reluctant to leave her best friends behind, Amy is not about to admit the beauty of the lake or the potential of the tower bedroom to her concerned parents. Amy soon makes friends amid ghost stories about her house- but are any of them true?
Penny is devastated after both of her parents are killed in a fire, leaving her and her big sister, Beth, alone. Beth is 18, off to college, and not granted guardianship of her sister. Instead, Penny is sent to live with an estranged Aunt. Soon after her arrival at the house on Spirit Lake, Penny is faced with the reality of the situation. Reluctant to leave behind the two children in the house, Millie and Hal, Penny tries to make the best out of the situation. But will her tenacity be enough? And what about the secrets in the tower bedroom?
Trigger Warning: violence, child abuse
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It is written in an easily readable style that switches between the two main POVs/times. Both of the main protagonists are likable, though in different ways. Amy starts the tale as a moody, self-consumed and self-doubting teenager who is more annoyed by the inconveniences proposed by her twin siblings and parents than by what is best for the family and the love and support they provide her. However, Amy slowly recognizes her self limitations, developing into an endearing and reflective teenager. Penny is brave, empathetic and determined. Though she has just met the children Hal and Millie, she’s instantly drawn to them in a protective and caring way. She also has a knack for self-preservation. The author has a knack for incorporating aspects of the characters lives while not drawing out the story too long. For example, there’s a connection between the setting at the lake and the swimming competitions that link many of the ancillary characters, the lovely setting, and help develop Amy’s character. In Penny’s timeline, there is a villain that epitomizes the term. The dichotomy between the likable protagonists and cruel villain enhanced the emotional connections to each. The mystery aspects of the story are so enjoyable that it truly propels the reader forward in the story. Everything including the mystery feels complete by the end of the tale- resolved in an absolutely satisfying way.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A YA supernatural mystery with strong dual timeline protagonists with overlapping storylines. The structure of the tale and the character development highlight this tale.
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