The Dead Children's Playground cover art

The Dead Children's Playground

American Horrors, Book 1

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The Dead Children's Playground

By: James Kaine
Narrated by: Melinda Melendez
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About this listen

AT THE EDGE OF THE CEMETERY RESTS A PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY.

BUT NOT ALL SOULS THAT PLAY ARE AT REST.

Nine-year-old Kylie Macklin defied the odds in conquering cancer. Now she wants nothing more than a fresh start at her new home in Huntsville. Soon, an enigmatic new friend introduces her to a playground unlike any other. Set next to Maple Hill Cemetery, the park is a sanctuary for the spirits of local children who died in the Spanish Flu and fell victim to a twisted serial killer.

Nineteen-year-old Kayla Macklin resents being uprooted from the only life she knew. Bitter about the years her parents spent focusing on Kylie’s health, she struggles to reforge a bond with her little sister while making new friends of her own. But one reckless decision will threaten her newfound happiness.

And put innocent lives at risk.

Soon, Kylie’s classmates collapse with devastating fevers while a killer thought long dead returns to stalk a community still bearing the scars of his rampage decades earlier.

With the children of Huntsville in grave danger, the sisters must race against time to learn the secrets of Maple Hill Park before they end up permanent residents of The Dead Children’s Playground.

Experience a chilling ghost story inspired by true events in this first terrifying entry in James Kaine’s American Horrors series where fear always finds its way home.

©2024 James Kaine (P)2025 James Kaine
Horror Suspense Thriller & Suspense Haunted Ghost Scary Exciting Paranormal

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Devil of the Pines cover art
Devil of the Pines By: James Kaine
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This was a brilliant ghost story. It had all the usual tropes. Creepy kid ghost, evil spirits etc, however I feel that Kaine added more texture and dimension to the story with the character development.
Thoroughly enjoyed and thought the narrator was great

Creepy kids, creepy ghosts

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Listener received this title free

I honestly loved this story. Not my usual read but the story intrigued me. it was creepy and hardhitting in just the right ways. it'll leave you an emotional mess by the end. I did struggle to gel with the narrator at first but it didn't take long to fall into the story. it'll have you cheering the characters on and feeling the highs and lows with them on the journey. thoroughly enjoyed this read from the author and will absolutely be continuing the series as it releases.

emotional rollercoaster

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This is such a great story, full of ghosts, folklore, demons, and family dynamics all wrapped up and unputdownable. I enjoyed the different points of view throughout the story, and how the stories intertwined before reaching the conclusion. That epilogue though- wow! The narrators voice really suited the story and did an excellent job.

excellent story and narrator

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I really enjoyed this one. It was nice and creepy coming of age horror which also really pulled at the heart strings. the narrator did a great job with all of the characters and made the book easy to listen too.

the relationships between mum and daughters

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Listener received this title free

After surviving cancer, Kylie and her family make a move to a new town, and she’s eager to finally get to live as a normal kid. Imagine her excitement when she sees a playground right outside and even more than that? Friends. But this town has a dark past, and you know what they say about history. It has a way of repeating itself.

Creepy ghost kids and an ancient demon? Count me in!

I loved literally everything about this book. I’m usually not a big fan of ghost/demon stories, but this one blew me away. The way the author all the paranormal elements together I thought was very well done.

I think what really made this story work so well was how carefully he crafted the characters, particularly Kayla and Kylie. They felt like real people and their bond really made the suspenseful parts of the story that much more intense.

That ending was completely unexpected. It isn’t very often that a book makes me weep, but that last chapter? Yep. That did it.

All in all, this was a wonderful book. Very suspenseful and emotional. Dare I say haunting? Looking forward to more books in the series!

Haunting

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