Gloom Town

A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in.
When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he's not even human?and he's trying to steal the townspeople's shadows.
Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?

About the author

Ronald L. Smith is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award–winning author of several novels for young readers, including Hoodoo, The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away, Gloom Town, Project Mercury, and the Black Panther: The Young Prince series. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland. To learn more, visit strangeblackflowers.com.

Summary

A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in.
When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he’s not even human—and he’s trying to steal the townspeople’s shadows.
Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?

Additional text

"This atmospheric tale by Smith (The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away) conjures up a seaside setting full of secrets and long-lost legends....the intriguing characters, eerie moments, and lurking peril prove a winning combination."—Publishers Weekly 

 

"Anchoring this well-paced story is a solid cast of characters whose central relationships feel authentic and grounded."—Kirkus 

 

"Once the well-drawn characters and distinctive setting are established, the story becomes increasingly involving, fast-paced, and imaginative."—Booklist 

 

"Smith is a deft hand at creating unforgettable villains."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Product details

Authors	Ronald L. Smith
Publisher	Houghton Mifflin Company
Languages	English
Age Recommendation	ages 8 to 12
Product format	Paperback / Softback
Released	03.01.2023
EAN	9780358569770
ISBN	978-0-358-56977-0
No. of pages	304
Weight	454 g
Subjects	Children's and young people's books; JUVENILE FICTION: Fantasy & Magic, JUVENILE FICTION: Horror, JUVENILE FICTION: Action & Adventure / Pirates, JUVENILE FICTION: Paranormal

Product details

• Authors: Ronald L. Smith
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 8 to 12
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 03.01.2023
• EAN: 9780358569770
• ISBN: 978-0-358-56977-0
• No. of pages: 304
• Weight: 454 g
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books; JUVENILE FICTION: Fantasy & Magic, JUVENILE FICTION: Horror, JUVENILE FICTION: Action & Adventure / Pirates, JUVENILE FICTION: Paranormal