The Dead Children's Playground

American Horrors, Book 1

By: James Kaine

Narrated by: Melinda Melendez

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

The afterword from the author was an added creepy bonus.

Excactly the kind of spooky/horror that I was craving. Not gory, which I was thankful for. I had heard of the "real" children's playground from ghost tv shows, which is why I picked this book. The storyline did not disappoint. The after word from the author at the end gave me delicious chills!

the story is gripping from page 1 to the end. I found a new favorite writer to add to my list.

I liked everything but the epilog, but that's for my own reasons you will have to make your own choice.

ancient and modern

I don't typically like ghost stories. However the title and the cover art grabbed my attention. with just the title and prolong I was intrigued. he does an amazing job mixing modern folklore with anancient mythology. and the narrator did and amazing job making it feel like your sitting around a campfire listening to a truly edge of your seat ghost story. I'm truly excited to see what he brings us next I will be reading the rest of his books definitely. A GREAT haunting story.

Good Read

I really enjoyed this book and the story telling. A wonderful book with well developed characters

Good, not great.

I tried to like the book but it was a bit of a struggle. I felt that it was a bit YA'ish, rather than one for mature audiences. It felt a big draggy and I didn't quite like the pop-culture references. Please don't get me wrong. It's not a bad book (and I didn't mind the performance) but I felt that the reviews were a bit hyped. I had initially expected more and perhaps that's why I left disappointed. It's got a decent story with some parts which were a bit choppy but I made it through though I had to commit myself to finishing it (vs. other books where I felt upset that the book had ended). Overall, it wasn't too bad but unfortunately, not memorable enough for me though others may disagree.