From Ashes To Ashes

Name: From Ashes To Ashes
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781489509642

✍️ R L McCallum

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$9.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A candy shop owner investigates ghosts of thirteen children who died in a 1943 fire.

McCallum writes about Becka Sampson, whose new business becomes the site of supernatural activity. The plot hinges on the revelation that thirteen children perished in a fire in 1943, and their spirits now inhabit the candy store. Becka does not flee but instead forms a group with two friends to understand the phenomena. They aim to demonstrate to law enforcement that the entities are mischievous rather than dangerous. The story blends the imagery of confectionery delights with the grim reality of death and haunting. It explores how a place of joy can become a site of fear when history intrudes upon the present.

Key Themes

haunted candy store ghosts of children amateur ghost hunting

Literary Context

This 2013 publication by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform sits within the tradition of American supernatural fiction. It utilizes the trope of a haunted commercial space to explore themes of childhood trauma and unresolved history. The narrative reflects a modern interest in amateur paranormal investigation as a means of uncovering past tragedies.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

L. Frank Baum · R.L. Stine · Daphne du Maurier · Ghost Stories anthology

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2013 📖 122 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781489509642

📝 Description: From Ashes To Ashes

R L McCallum presents a narrative centered on Becka Sampson, who opens her childhood dream, the Sweet Things Candy Emporium, on April first. The sunny morning quickly turns into a dark prospect as strange events plague the store and a police officer meets a grisly death. Becka discovers that the location is haunted by the ghosts of thirteen children who died in a fire in 1943. As an amateur ghost hunter, Becka teams up with two friends to investigate these nightly intruders. Their goal is to prove to the police that the spirits are merely mischievous lost children rather than malevolent forces. The story draws on gothic traditions of haunted locations and supernatural fiction involving spectral encounters. It focuses on the intersection of childhood wonder and sudden horror within a specific commercial setting. This book suits readers who enjoy supernatural mysteries with a focus on ghostly phenomena and amateur investigations. It may not appeal to those seeking complex literary prose or extensive historical detail beyond the provided facts. The narrative remains grounded in the immediate experiences of Becka and her companions as they confront the past.

💎 Our verdict on From Ashes To Ashes

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

McCallum delivers a focused ghost story that effectively contrasts the whimsical setting of a candy emporium with the grim reality of a 1943 fire. The narrative succeeds in establishing a clear premise: an amateur investigation aimed at proving the spirits are mischievous rather than malevolent. While the prose may not appeal to those seeking high literary complexity, it serves its purpose by keeping the focus on the immediate experiences of Becka and her companions. The book suits readers who enjoy supernatural mysteries with tangible stakes and a clear investigative arc. It avoids excessive historical detail, offering instead a grounded confrontation with the past. The tone remains consistent, balancing gothic dread with the innocence of the child spirits, creating a distinctive atmosphere for fans of accessible horror fiction.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate supernatural mysteries grounded in character-driven investigation will find this narrative compelling. It offers a unique blend of confectionery imagery and spectral horror, appealing to those who enjoy the juxtaposition of childhood wonder against grim historical realities. The focus on amateur ghost hunting provides an accessible entry point for fans of paranormal fiction who prefer clear stakes over obscure lore. Those interested in stories where protagonists actively engage with their hauntings rather than fleeing will find satisfaction in Becka’s determined approach to understanding the thirteen children. It is ideal for audiences seeking a straightforward, atmospheric tale that explores how past tragedies intrude upon present-day commercial ventures without relying on complex literary structures.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

McCallum delivers a focused ghost story that effectively contrasts the whimsical setting of a candy emporium with the grim reality of a 1943 fire. The narrative succeeds in establishing a clear premise: an amateur investigation aimed at proving the spirits are mischievous rather than malevolent. While the prose may not appeal to those seeking high literary complexity, it serves its purpose by keeping the focus on the immediate experiences of Becka and her companions. The book suits readers who enjoy supernatural mysteries with tangible stakes and a clear investigative arc. It avoids excessive historical detail, offering instead a grounded confrontation with the past. The tone remains consistent, balancing gothic dread with the innocence of the child spirits, creating a distinctive atmosphere for fans of accessible horror fiction.