Peter Elliot feels like everyone else sees him as the most boring, typical, ordinary kid in South Carolina—at least until the last day of 7th grade, when he discovers that his father is secretly part of an ultra-rich family that is practically “American royalty.” Peter had planned to spend his summer playing baseball and enjoying the beach, but instead finds himself whisked away to a mountainous Vermont estate, complete with a mansion, horse stables, and acres of land to explore while Peter’s dad tries to reconnect with his own estranged, terminally ill father. Not everything is as it seems, though: there’s a forbidden East Wing that emits music at night, and no one wants to talk about Peter’s uncle (who has been missing for 25 years). As things get stranger and stranger, tensions, secrets, and mysteries that have been haunting the family for years start bubbling up.

Ann Huchingson’s THE WATCHWOOD INHERITANCE really captures the disappointment of having to completely change your summer plans, as well as the frustration of asking questions that your parents avoid answering—feelings that many young teens might relate to. Peter comes across as a real kid who’s just stumbled into a mystery much bigger than he’d wanted or prepared for. His wry attitude adds humor to the story, like when he first meets his grandfather: “Peter looked up at his grandfather, a complete stranger, and struggled with what to say. ‘Pleased to meet you?’ That seemed ridiculous. ‘Yes, I am Peter.’ That was just stating the obvious.” Hadley, the groundskeeper’s granddaughter and one of the only other kids around, provides a clever counterpoint to the protagonist. She’s constantly drawing out both his silly side and sense of adventure, while having her own life outside of Peter. Hadley also serves as the boy’s introduction to the small town nearby, where we meet a librarian who helps them dig through old books and news that explore Peter’s family legacy and “gifts.”

Although THE WATCHWOOD INHERITANCE takes place today, the rural setting with a lack of WiFi and cell-service gives the story a feeling of timelessness. There’s a sense of uneasy escape into this gorgeous estate, where there’s a layer of dust over all the furniture and everything feels just a little “off.” The cagey way Peter’s dad and grandfather interact only adds to this mood, constantly sniping at each other and hinting at deep-running issues without fully revealing them. Yet there is one time the two are in sync: when they tell Peter the story of a disgraced ancestor who attempted to steal from the Union Army during the Civil War. Although he was caught, no one ever found the priceless jewels he hid during the heist. This mystery and other family lore intertwine with Peter’s investigation into his missing uncle in surprising ways.

Short chapters keep the story moving along at a fast pace that sucks readers in and builds up to a thrilling climax that ties everything together. With such a strong and layered plot, the only disappointment is the abrupt ending, which leaves several loose ends—especially related to the family dynamics. Overall, though, THE WATCHWOOD INHERITANCE is an exciting paranormal adventure anchored by relatable characters that will appeal to many middle-grade readers.

Middle-grade readers who enjoy stories with haunted mansions, small-town summer adventures, first crushes, and mysteries that echo through history are sure to love Ann Huchingson’s THE WATCHWOOD INHERITANCE.

~ Cameron Gillespie for IndieReader