The Ghost Ring 2: Shadows of Caligo Falls by Tom Hoffman is a highly recommended read that has heart, mystery, and plenty of ghosts. Simon and his best friend Clara have become experts at investigating ghostly apparations which are skills they use to track down a ghost police car. They never could have predicted where the car would lead them and how it connected to a shocking secret from 1922. As they investigate, they uncover the startling truth about a series of murders from the past as they work to clear the name of Bobby Finch’s grandfather. The man was a veteran whose tragic end haunts Simon and makes him determined to prove the man's innocence. With a little ghostly assistance, the two best friends set out to solve the case while helping a few ghosts along the way before they embark on their next terrifying adventure: college.

The story wastes no time kicking off with some adventure as the two friends investigate a secret room which sets up their thirst for discovery, passion for adventure, and their motivation to help ghosts and uncover secrets from the past. Tom Hoffman takes a heartfelt approach to the concept of a ghost story with a rich depth that finds these ghosts are people in need of help. Some of the ghosts have tragic backstories that will appeal to your emotions and, at times, warm your heart. Hoffman uses emotion to connect you to the story through the characters. In this instance, Simon’s emotional connection to the ghosts and his willingness to hear their stories helps you sympathize with them. The investigation leads Clara and Simon to dig into events from the past which shows the importance of remembering history, uncovering new facts, and understanding the people that came before us. It also shows that history can be exciting and adventurous by connecting two teenagers to this other world that came well before they were born. Rich themes will resonate with you long after reading as the story has a strong emotional core that explores death, loss, grief, and tragedy through the ghosts. The themes aren’t too heavy and will inspire you to think deeper about these concepts while enjoying the more prominent mystery, adventure, and friendship elements. Shadows of Caligo Falls is a fun story that appeals to all ages as the themes are universal and emotionally impactful.

The Ghost Ring 2: Shadows of Caligo Falls by Tom Hoffman is the next chapter in the ghostly mystery series. Simon and his mother inherited Wilder House and the mystery and secrets it holds. Gifted with a Ghost ring from Edmund, Simon can see and talk to ghosts. He and Clara, his best friend in Caligo Falls, have found that they are good at talking to and helping the souls trapped in this plane. When Simon sees a ghostly police car, he and Clara decide to find out the story behind the car. What they uncover is a string of murders, all linked to Edmund Wilder’s grandfather, Cornelius Wilder, an unscrupulous and vile man. The two friends also discover a skeleton in a tunnel under Wilder House and the LOST (a group of traveling ghosts occupying a room in the basement of Wilder House). In their dedication to solving the mysteries around the ghosts they encounter, they help them cross over. They also help the ghost of a young boy from 1918 find a ghostly family that will keep him company as Wilder House no longer has ghosts living there. This exciting and suspenseful young adult mystery will provide young adults and even older adults with a pleasant read.

The Ghost Ring 2 by Tom Hoffman continues in the good, clean, somewhat suspenseful style as the previous book. Once again, the book contains everything a young adult would love to read such as murder, mystery, and the unexplained. The book is written in good taste and carefully treats some of the more delicate topics. Simon and Clara are great examples of compassionate and caring teenagers and role models for today. The characters are honest and authentic, and the book celebrates the simple pleasures of small-town life. The central theme of this book must be that avarice leads to other actions that steal your joy in life. I appreciated that, in the end, Cornelius realizes that he did not do right by people while he was alive and that he wanted to make amends in the afterlife. As they head off to college, Simon and Clara will surely come across ghostly mysteries that need solving. I look forward to the next chapter in their story.

Shadows of Caligo Falls by Tom Hoffman, the second book in The Ghost Ring series, will appeal to young adult fans of paranormal fiction, mysteries, and adventure novels. Simon Moody lives in a big Victorian mansion with his mother, Kate, in Caligo Falls, New Hampshire. Their house is haunted. Simon can see ghosts thanks to a ring from his great-uncle, Edmund Wilder. Simon and his best friend, Clara Barley, investigate puzzling paranormal cases and help confused souls find their way to another world. According to a rumor, a haunted tunnel connects a basement under Wilder House to a room full of secrets. Is it possible that someone was killed in Wilder House long ago? Simon sees a spectral old-fashioned police car carrying a badly wounded person to an unknown destination. Simon and Clara start a new investigation to unravel the tangle of mysteries and restore the good name of their friend's grandfather.

In Shadows of Caligo Falls, Tom Hoffman offers young adult readers thrilling adventures, chilling otherworldly encounters, unbelievable discoveries, and bewildering mysteries waiting to be solved. The novel teases our curiosity with hidden passageways and rooms locked decades ago. The author skillfully adds an element of mild horror to the action-packed narrative. Hoffman describes scary scenes with a touch of humor, lightening them for sensitive readers. The book has a well-researched historical background that includes a penny-farthing bicycle. Details like this create a unique ambiance and encourage us to learn more about bygone eras. Simon and Clara are profound characters. These young people inspire and motivate us to be responsible and kind. Simon is completely devoid of vanity, despite all his wealth. He is compassionate toward ghosts, even the scariest ones. Clara is bright, funny, and supportive. Simon and Clara complement each other perfectly. Their adventures in this compelling installment of The Ghost Ring series will also not disappoint adult readers.

The Ghost Ring 2: Shadows of Caligo Falls by Tom Hoffman is a fun YA paranormal tale. Simon Moody and Clara Barley are young paranormal investigators, and it’s time for their next adventure. A 1917 police car is racing through Caligo Falls, heading for a forest shack where a horrific murder occurred. But that murder was in 1922, and an innocent WW1 veteran was found guilty, later taking his own life. Clara and Simon must clear his name and they can only do it with help from the other side. Their task? To solve no less than 4 murders, all before they head off to college! Will Simon and Clara succeed in their task?

The Ghost Ring 2: Shadows of Caligo Falls by Tom Hoffman is the sequel to Welcome to Wilder House, and it’s an enjoyable read. This is an easy story to follow, and it’s one of those book you won’t put down once you start reading it. The characters are wonderfully well-developed and incredibly likable right from the start. Mr. Hoffman writes in clear language, describes everything perfectly without being over the top, and makes you feel like you are part of the story. I confess that I did not read the first book, and while I managed this one just fine as a standalone, I would recommend you read the books in chronological order to get a real feel for the characters and story premise. A thoroughly good story, and highly recommended to young adult – and adult – readers the world over.