For Halloween, Linda Maria Frank has a mystery for each age group. Kids ages 7–12 can read The Monster Bones on St. Frederick Island or The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island. Teens and adults can read The Madonna Ghost, a Fire Island legend that turns real, or Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys, with its caves and sabotage in Cappadocia. Every one builds suspense without gore.
Ages 7–12: the Buccaneers books
- The Monster Bones on St. Frederick Island: on a family vacation, the Crawford kids meet the island’s original Buccaneers and dig into a puzzle about mysterious bones on a beach. Co-written with JoAnn Vergona Krapp.
- The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island: the first adventure, about a group of curious eighth-grade detectives. Watch the YouTube Short.
Teens and adults: Annie Tillery Mysteries
- The Madonna Ghost: a Fire Island legend becomes a real case. More in our spooky-season guide.
- Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys: threatening notes, a sabotaged dig, and the caves of Cappadocia.
Try before you buy
You can hear Chapter 1 of The Madonna Ghost and Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys free on their book pages. That makes a good Halloween-night read-aloud or a road-trip test listen. Spanish-speaking families can try La Madonna Fantasma on Audible.
FAQ
Are these books too scary for kids?
No. They are mysteries with spooky settings and suspense, not horror. The Buccaneers books are written for ages 7–12.
Which book is best for a teen who likes ghost stories?
The Madonna Ghost, the first Annie Tillery mystery.
Are there discussion questions for classrooms or book clubs?
Yes. See the free discussion guides.
Where can I buy them?
https://lindamariafrank.com/purchase/