Maddie Maverick likes to win. Whether it’s track team races or one-liners she delivers on her parents’ home renovation show, Maddie knows that if she puts in the work, she’ll always come out on top. But things take a turn when her ghost-hunting nana passes away, and Maddie and her twin sister, Nat, discover that Nana left them an unexpected inheritance: They can now see ghosts just like she did.

While Nat is totally on board to try to help some spirits find peace, a ghostly calling is just not Maddie’s speed. So when history comes back to haunt their town, and the story of a decades-old train crash rears its ugly head, Maddie wants nothing to do with the ghosts of days long gone. But one ghost in particular won’t go away, and Maddie might just be the only one with the power to help her—that is, if she can survive the Night Train herself.

In this eerie tale by beloved author Lorelei Savaryn, one girl’s determination to bring long-hidden secrets to light might just change her town—and herself—forever.

The Night Train is a thrilling spooky middle grade novel following twins that can see ghosts after their grandma passes away. Their town has a morbid past that comes back to life, with children disappearing on the night of the anniversary. While I found parts to be predictable as an adult, I think middle graders will love the twists and turns. I loved the spooky aspects and the premise.

I received an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There were so many elements I enjoyed about this excellent spooky middle-grade novel! It's set in a small town right around Halloween, leading up to the anniversary of the town's historical train wreck and its reenactment. Twin sisters Maddie and Nat have just found out that they inherited their grandma's ability to see -- and help--ghosts. It also just so happens that their parent renovate old houses for their show, Wrecked to Decked, and they're starting work at the old Signalman's Cottage near the tracks.

The reenactment, the renovation, the girls' new gifts -- and a horrifying realization that so much more than just helping understand the true history of the train wreck, instead of a warped narrative that's been layered over the truth for so many years-- all come together to create great tension and high stakes.

The mystery of what really happened and why kept me guessing until the book's satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend!

Night Train by Lorelei Savaryn offers an eerie, atmospheric journey into the supernatural with a compelling premise. Maddie Maverick, a determined and competitive protagonist, grapples with her newfound ability to see ghosts following her ghost-hunting nana’s death. Alongside her twin sister Nat, Maddie faces the haunting legacy of a decades-old train crash in their town of Hush.

Savaryn's writing shines when it comes to setting the scene. The town of Hush is vividly depicted, enhancing the spooky undertones of the story. The tension and suspense are palpable, especially as the history of the Night Train begins to unravel. Fans of middle-grade horror, like the Small Spaces quartet, will appreciate the chills and thrills this book provides.

However, the story's pacing occasionally falters, and some plot points feel underdeveloped. Maddie's reluctance to engage with her ghostly abilities and competitive nature are well-established, but her character development sometimes feels rushed and lacks depth. The supporting characters, including Nat, could have been given more complexity to enrich the narrative.

Despite these shortcomings, Night Train delivers a satisfying ghost story with a heartfelt message about facing one's fears and uncovering long-buried truths. It's an engaging read for younger audiences who enjoy a good scare, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of other books in the genre.

Overall, Night Train is a solid three-star read. It offers an enjoyable, if not entirely flawless, supernatural adventure.

Twins about to turn 13 learn they’ve inherited their recently deceased grandmother’s ability to communicate with souls that are unable to rest. Like their grandmother, they consider it their duty to help those souls, even when it requires the girls to defy their parents, who refuse to believe them. As they seek to help the soul of a little girl they encounter in a home their parents are renovating, Maddie (the narrator) and Nat discover that one of them is now in danger. Their friend’s Catholic faith helps him understand and explain how the concept of thin places and an actual Faustian bargain factor into an historic event in their home town. This understanding leads the two to a willingness to risk their own lives in order to help souls from the past (all of which were children) and to protect children in the future. The novel definitely has an eerie aspect, but that’s more from the character who’d sold his soul to the devil than from the souls of the children, and the suspense was off the charts. There’s no violence, but the story is definitely intense. Recommended for middle-school students. (Netgalley review; book releases August 20, 2024).

I was instantly drawn in by Maddie, and her tween struggles (including getting along with twin sister Nat). The scary element was blended so well with the historical mystery, and I quickly forgot that this was a book for kids.

The Night Train is a clever, top-notch scary mystery with absorbing characters, perfect for fans of Small Spaces. Highly recommend it.

Genuinely spooky in all the right ways. Loved the characters and the connection to the grandmother. Fantastic.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Penguin for the arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

This is a middle grade novel about twins who are in a town where there was a train crash. Things quickly get dark and creepy when they start seeing ghosts.

Middle grade horror is one of my favorite genres and I really enjoyed this one! I liked the characters and their relationships. I also felt like the horror was super creepy and just enough for kids to enjoy. The twists were interesting as well.

I would recommend this to people, especially around Halloween!

Middle Grade horror is always top tier and The Night Train is no different! This book moved at a good place and it was genuinely CREEPY. I think this will be a good fit for young readers and will keep them reading well into the night.

This is very spooky. It’s not Ho-hum, kind of mildly creepy. It’s straight up chills and not wanting to read it at night scary. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would say that if your middle schooler is sensitive, it might be a good idea to skip this one. I know for sure it would have freaked me out as a kid!

The mystery is well-done and the pacing is great. I will definitely be checking out Savaryn’s other books.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I am writing this review voluntarily.