The Elevator Ghost - Glen Huser

When Carolina Giddle moves into the Blatchford Arms, no one knows what to make of her sequin-sprinkled sneakers and her trinket-crusted car. But the parents are happy there’s a new babysitter around, and Carolina seems to have an uncanny ability to calm the most rambunctious child with her ghostly stories. Armed with unusual snacks, candles to set the mood, and her trusty sidekick — a tarantula named Chiquita — Carolina entertains the children with some good old-fashioned storytelling and, at the end, a great Halloween party. 

Holy terror Angelo Bellini discovers that no one can throw a tantrum like a double-crossed pirate. Timid Hubert and Hetty Croop become inspired by the story of a boy who finds the perfect weapon for overcoming his fear of the dark. And Dwight and Dwayne Fergus, two would-be Freddy Kruegers, finally meet their match in Carolina's story of the footless skeleton. As for Carolina, it turns out she has a timeworn connection to the Blatchford Arms, and to the ghost who still haunts the building — especially its old-fashioned elevator.

I quite enjoyed this novel. It's a unique blend of stories within stories, set in the gothic Blatchford Arms. The darkly amusing aesthetic keeps things interesting, allowing readers to stay immersed in the creepy ghost-filled world of Blatchford Arms. Carolina Giddle is a storyteller who knows her audience. Every situation that she confronts is settled through tales of horror and ghostly presences, which help to bring together the building's residents, making calming them and helping them overcome their own fears.

Huser's novel is brief and easily accessible, but it is intimidating in its simplistic ability to produce chills. The Elevator Ghost will show you the power of stories through Giddle's talent within the larger story arc. Check out this fun and adventurous tale.

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