X Marks the Haunt by Lindsay Currie - Book Review
Release: June 1, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: GoodReads
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms, when a centuries old crypt key is lost—unleashing a dark force—it’s up to the son of the local crypt keeper to end the haunting for good.
"Follow the clues to X Marks the Haunt for a spookily good mystery!"—Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heroes
Thanks to his mother’s job at a local graveyard, twelve-year-old Will Stone has some unique talents. For one, he knows exactly how a burial vault works and why they’re used. For another, he’s great at genealogy and can decode centuries old records. Not your normal every day after school activities, that’s for sure!
But when a centuries old crypt key is lost, his normally peaceful existence at Graceland cemetery is shattered. Trees wither and die. The lake becomes covered with a sinister green slime that threatens to choke out anything living in it. And suddenly, the graveyard’s reputation isn’t the only thing in jeopardy . . . Will and his friends' safety is, too.
Suddenly, Will is forced to consider that the lost key might be an even bigger problem than he originally thought. A dark force has been unleashed within the cemetery gates, and along with his friends Stash, Michelle, and Henry, Will must use his unique skill set to figure out which restless spirit is draining the graveyard of life, and how to end the haunting for good.
Goodreads
Amazon
About the Author Lindsay Currie: Lindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and X Marks the Haunt, She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale. When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220 acre farm in downstate Illinois where she finally gets to see stars every night, and take hikes every day.
An Atmospheric Supernatural Mystery with Heart
Lindsay Currie's X Marks the Haunt is an enjoyable middle-grade supernatural thriller that combines an intriguing mystery with fascinating historical details, a spooky atmosphere, and some genuinely heartwarming relationships.
What Works:
One of the biggest surprises for me was learning about cemeterians and interment records. I wasn't familiar with these aspects of cemetery history before reading the book, and the information was fascinating enough to make me want to research the subject further.
I also had no idea that Graceland Cemetery was a real place. Learning about its history through the stories Will shares with his friends made the setting feel even more intriguing and believable. If I ever get the opportunity, I would love to visit it someday!
Will is a lovable protagonist, and I enjoyed watching him do his best to unravel the mystery. The friendship element is another highlight. While Stash is initially his only friend, the arrival of Henry, Toby, and Michelle leads to some genuinely heartwarming moments as their friendships develop.
The relationships Will shares with his mom, Art, and Addi are also handled nicely. His grief over missing his dad feels particularly realistic, adding emotional depth to a story that could otherwise have focused entirely on its supernatural elements.
What Falls Short:
The initial setup takes a little too long, with the author spending considerable time establishing the characters before the mystery really gathers momentum. The more thrilling aspects of the story only begin to take shape after the first ten chapters, which might test the patience of some readers.
Additionally, once the central mystery is revealed and the story reaches its climax, the pacing loses some steam. Rather than building towards a truly explosive conclusion, the plot feels as though it gradually fizzles out. Compared with Lindsay Currie's previous works, I felt the ending lacked that extra punch.
Verdict:
Despite its pacing issues, X Marks the Haunt is a fun and atmospheric middle-grade supernatural thriller that balances mystery, history, friendship, and grief. While the conclusion could have been stronger, I enjoyed the journey and appreciated the fascinating real-world details woven into the story.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy spooky middle-grade mysteries, cemetery lore, supernatural adventures, and heartwarming stories about friendship and family.
X Marks the Haunt
by Lindsay Currie
Synopsis
"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms, when a centuries old crypt key is lost—unleashing a dark force—it’s up to the son of the local crypt keeper to end the haunting for good.
"Follow the clues to X Marks the Haunt for a spookily good mystery!"—Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heroes
Thanks to his mother’s job at a local graveyard, twelve-year-old Will Stone has some unique talents. For one, he knows exactly how a burial vault works and why they’re used. For another, he’s great at genealogy and can decode centuries old records. Not your normal every day after school activities, that’s for sure!
But when a centuries old crypt key is lost, his normally peaceful existence at Graceland cemetery is shattered. Trees wither and die. The lake becomes covered with a sinister green slime that threatens to choke out anything living in it. And suddenly, the graveyard’s reputation isn’t the only thing in jeopardy . . . Will and his friends' safety is, too.
Suddenly, Will is forced to consider that the lost key might be an even bigger problem than he originally thought. A dark force has been unleashed within the cemetery gates, and along with his friends Stash, Michelle, and Henry, Will must use his unique skill set to figure out which restless spirit is draining the graveyard of life, and how to end the haunting for good."
Release
June 1, 2026
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Delacorte Press
Source
GoodReads
About the Author
Lindsay Currie
Lindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and X Marks the Haunt, She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale. When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220 acre farm in downstate Illinois where she finally gets to see stars every night, and take hikes every day.
My Review
An Atmospheric Supernatural Mystery with Heart
Lindsay Currie’s X Marks the Haunt is an enjoyable middle-grade supernatural thriller that combines an intriguing mystery with fascinating historical details, a spooky atmosphere, and some genuinely heartwarming relationships.
What Works:
One of the biggest surprises for me was learning about cemeterians and interment records. I wasn’t familiar with these aspects of cemetery history before reading the book, and the information was fascinating enough to make me want to research the subject further.
I also had no idea that Graceland Cemetery was a real place. Learning about its history through the stories Will shares with his friends made the setting feel even more intriguing and believable. If I ever get the opportunity, I would love to visit it someday!
Will is a lovable protagonist, and I enjoyed watching him do his best to unravel the mystery. The friendship element is another highlight. While Stash is initially his only friend, the arrival of Henry, Toby, and Michelle leads to some genuinely heartwarming moments as their friendships develop.
The relationships Will shares with his mom, Art, and Addi are also handled nicely. His grief over missing his dad feels particularly realistic, adding emotional depth to a story that could otherwise have focused entirely on its supernatural elements.
What Falls Short:
The initial setup takes a little too long, with the author spending considerable time establishing the characters before the mystery really gathers momentum. The more thrilling aspects of the story only begin to take shape after the first ten chapters, which might test the patience of some readers.
Additionally, once the central mystery is revealed and the story reaches its climax, the pacing loses some steam. Rather than building towards a truly explosive conclusion, the plot feels as though it gradually fizzles out. Compared with Lindsay Currie’s previous works, I felt the ending lacked that extra punch.
Verdict:
Despite its pacing issues, X Marks the Haunt is a fun and atmospheric middle-grade supernatural thriller that balances mystery, history, friendship, and grief. While the conclusion could have been stronger, I enjoyed the journey and appreciated the fascinating real-world details woven into the story.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy spooky middle-grade mysteries, cemetery lore, supernatural adventures, and heartwarming stories about friendship and family.
