Some Kind of Haunted: A Novel

A cursed town, mysterious inheritance, handsome diner owner, and supernatural horrors make Halloween downright terrifying. Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck is set to be a spooky read. Lexi Darling has spent her life escaping disturbing nightmares in the bustling streets of New York City. An unexpected inheritance brings her and her twin brother, Logan, to Midas, Iowa, where their late grandmother has left them a house and a yarn shop. Their plans for a quick visit unravel as they discover a centuries old family curse threatening to unleash something monstrous by Halloween. Lexi must confront her family's secrets before the town becomes a supernatural nightmare with the help of a grumpy diner owner and some eccentric locals. The whimsical charm of a small town is held hostage by something sinister lurking beneath its picturesque exterior. The quirky characters, creepy atmosphere, and nostalgic Halloweentown vibes made Midas an entertaining place to visit. There was an interesting contrast between its cozy autumn aesthetic and the unsettling supernatural elements. Unfortunately, the mystery became more frustrating than intriguing as the plot progressed. The excessive red herrings made it difficult to distinguish meaningful clues from deliberate misdirection. The final few chapters were particularly disappointing. Conversations between Lexi, Jack, and Harrison felt less like natural dialogue and more like a checklist of revelations the author felt she needed to deliver. Rather than allowing readers to piece together the mystery, the narrative seemed determined to explain every suspect, motive, and hidden connection in rapid succession. The twists lost much of their impact as a result. Lexi's journey toward self discovery felt disconnected from the supernatural horror driving most of the plot. I appreciate a character finding confidence and belonging, but her personal transformation needed stronger integration with the central conflict. The ending only amplified my disconnect. After spending roughly three quarters of the book immersed in curses, demons, and terrifying secrets, everyone seemed ready to skip hand in hand into a peach colored sunset while whistling love songs. Talk about tonal whiplash! The sudden shift from sinister horror to an almost excessively cheerful happily ever after felt jarring rather than satisfying. Can we please retire the word harbinger? I think it received enough attention to qualify as a supporting character. Pick up Some Kind of Haunted if you enjoy cozy supernatural mysteries, quirky small towns, and lighthearted conclusions.