Ghost Tide by Jim Cockin

Not for the faint-hearted, the deliciously creepy Ghost Tide by Jim Cockin is perfect for fans of the Aveline Jones series (Phil Hickes).

14-year-old Charlie does not want to spend his Christmas holidays on “the edge of the map” at his uncle’s home on the East Anglian coast. In Dunstrand, the sea is wild and everything is so different from life in London. His artistic Uncle Patrick seems ok, if a bit eccentric, but his cousin, Ariel, is angry and takes it out on everyone around her.

When Charlie explores the deserted beach with a metal detector, he discovers an ancient brass box. Intricately carved with a mysterious design, it’s like nothing he’s ever seen. It feels important, maybe even valuable. Enquiries in the local antiques shop bring about unexpected warnings. What’s in the box? Should Charlie let it out or let it be?

Full of legend and history, Ghost Tide pulls readers into the overpowering swell of angry spirits and the heartbreak of losing someone you love. Charlie and Ariel face a series of terrifying events in their quest to put the past to rest and bring peace to this uneasy town. Readers will feel invested in Charlie’s story right from the start as he faces a holiday away from his friends and everything he knows. The adventure he stumbles upon becomes more perilous with each chapter until readers find themselves looking over their shoulder and listening for strange noises in the night (I had to stop reading before bed!)

Ghost Tide is a fantastic addition to the current collection of middle grade ghost stories and will be a great read in the darker autumn months.

Thank you to Eye Books and Jim Cockin for an early copy. (Publishing 5 September 2024).

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