Royce's third book for middle graders does not disappoint. Roddie has lost his mother in a tragic accident and will now be living with his Aunt Angie as she and her husband remodel Dogwood House - the house Roddie's mother and aunt grew up in. Strange noises and smells greet Roddie immediately, and then strange things - including dreams begin to plague Roddie. He tries to find answers as he grieves his mother's loss. What is most important is the history of family and the stories that are handing down - Angie has forgotten them, which allows the "big bad" to make his way back, but Roddie and the house fight back - but it will be enough? I would not consider this a gothic story - the closest thing is the architecture of the house, and it is not as spine-tinging scary as Root Magic, but I would recommend this for first time horror readers or fans of Royce's previous works. The only quibble (and it is a personal thing) is I wanted more of the storytelling - in the context of the story it works with Angie not remembering the stories and Roddie's mother died unexpectedly before she could share them with him, but the flashback scene with grandma was a favorite.

It was sad that Roddie lost his mom and wanted to keep her memory alive with his hair. I love how supportive Roddie's aunt and uncle were and that Roddie and his aunt Angie were able to help each other preserve memories and family traditions. I loved learning about the hoodoo practice of hair burning and why it is needed.

I think young readers will thoroughly enjoy this middle-grade horror story.