Laura Lavoie writes books for kids of all ages, but her spooky middle grade novels include The Thirteen Doors of Black House (Union Square/Hachette, 2025) and Beware the Jacks (Union Square/Hachette, 2026). Laura grew up in northern New York and still lives there with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her reading, baking, or spending time outside, specifically kayaking in local rivers and hiking in the Adirondack mountains. You can learn more about her by visiting lauralavoieauthor.com.
Maya Murtagh can’t wait to spend a week at Black House, a looming seaside mansion that was once home to her favorite mystery author. Augusta Black. After a falling out with her best friend and journalism partner, she needs ideas for a juicy new story that will repair their friendship and earn them a coveted regular column in the school newspaper. Black House is the perfect place to spark inspiration.
But when Maya and her family arrive at the mansion, the host who greets them is totally creepy. So are the thirteen doors inside Augusta Black’s old office, each one carved with an eerie symbol. Add in the unshakeable feeling that someone or something is watching her, and Maya becomes convinced: there’s a mystery to be solved here, real… or supernatural. Each of the thirteen doors hides a secret but opening them leads to dire consequences. When too many doors are open and Maya and her cousins are unable to close them, not only are they and the mansion at risk, so are their parents who are left stranded in town. Maya receives some help from an unexpected place, but will it be enough to save them?
Told over the course of one thrilling day, The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced mystery that is sure to hook young readers. A little bit spooky, a little but funny, it perfectly pairs the magic of vacationing with your family with the magic of an old, storied house.
Praise for The Thirteen Doors of Black House:
“Crackling dialogue and unsettling apparitions abound in this eerie prose debut, a gripping puzzler full of mystery and ghoulish giggles by Lavoie.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“The Thirteen Doors of Black House is a fast-paced scary mystery that is destined to become a classic haunted house book for kids.” -Fleur Bradley, award-winning author of Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
“This eerie debut novel from prolific picture book writer Lavoie is a fast-paced, soon-to-be classic haunted house story.” -Booklist
“An excellent gateway for young readers who are curious about the world of spooky books.” -Lora Senf, Bram Stoker award winner and author of The Clackity
“A spectacularly spooky mystery.” -Ally Malinenko, author of This Appearing House and Ghost Girl
A lot of things have changed in twelve-year-old Dahlia Reid’s life. Her best friend moved away, her mom got remarried, and now Dahlia has a stepbrother, Levi, who isn’t very nice. The one thing she can count on staying the same is Harvest Festival—the big scary event held every Autumn Equinox in the town of Wilcott Head. But when a new family arrives and grows a massive pumpkin patch, some people in town think it’s bad news, even saying the pumpkin farm is cursed. Dahlia, on the other hand, thinks it’s great. She even befriends the new girl, Penelope. After all, they’re both being bullied by the same boy, Julian, at school.
But on the evening of the equinox, the famous jack-o’-lanterns that line the path to the bonfire begin to disappear, and then people begin to disappear too. Dahlia thinks the pumpkins might be cursed after all . . . especially when they come to life. Dahlia, Penelope, and Levi band together to fight the jacks, undo the curse, and save the town before it’s too late.
An action-packed story full of adventure, thrills, and chills, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Lora Senf.
Praise for Beware the Jacks:
“This novel is lots of shivery fun, comparable to R.L. Stine’s books. . . . A rollicking, spooky tale perfect for young Halloween fans.” —School Library Journal
“Thrilling, chilling, yet weirdly inviting… the story will draw in readers who like to tuck in under covers.” —Booklist
“A delightfully eerie adventure that injects supernatural thrills into a story of belonging.” —Publishers Weekly
“A shivery autumnal treat.” —Kirkus
