The Phantom Of Vilano Beach: A Middle Grade Ghost Mystery Set on Florida’s First Coast

About this book

A ghost. A coin. A mystery only kids can solve.When Sophie, Leo, and their dog Arlo arrive at Vilano Beach for a summer escape, they expect sandcastles and sunsets—not shimmering ghosts and vanishing footprints. But when Sophie finds strange tracks near the dunes and a mysterious coin etched with a compass rose, she realizes something is haunting the beach.Clues hidden in driftwood bottles, torn journal pages, and rusted plaques lead the trio to the legend of Captain Hiram Goss, a long-lost ferry operator trapped between tides. As eerie orbs flicker over the waves and a ghostly figure watches from the pier, Sophie and Leo race to uncover the truth before the “whisper tide” claims them too.With courage, teamwork, and a little help from Arlo’s nose, they piece together a decades-old mystery—and learn that even the smallest act of kindness can echo across time.The Phantom of Vilano Beach is the first book in The Marshlight Mysteries, a spooky-but-sweet middle grade series perfect for ages 8–12. With coastal adventure, light scares, and a wholesome message, it’s ideal for fans of Goosebumps, The Boxcar Children, and Nancy Drew.