Wow. This is proof that you don’t need a lot of pages to sell a story. Daley’s novelette BestGhost entertains, grabs hold, and spooks you out! It’s definitely an homage to classic ghost stories and feels like something you’d tell over a campfire. The story follows two boys, Sean and Devon, who are filming content for their podcast/YouTube channel titled BestGhost. In their little town with its eerie cemetery, they decide to visit the haunted mayor’s mansion—known all throughout town as the place where the mayor, his wife, and their six children all died one tragic evening. There are rumors that the mayor was responsible, but no one really knows for sure.

As Sean (the believer) and Devon (the skeptic) hunt for the paranormal, they start to gather more and more evidence that makes them question everything. From flickering lights, weird noises, and strange audio, the tension slowly builds, and we feel the presence of something darker over the course of the two nights they spend in the mansion. Because this is a short read, I don’t want to spoil anything, but the balance between comedy and creep was perfect here.

What also stood out to me was how relatable the two boys felt. In such a short time, we’re able to easily get a sense of their friendship and see ourselves in both Sean and Devon. I really enjoyed the brevity of this read—it felt concise, with conversations that were to the point and contributed directly to the story’s end. Just know that BestGhost doesn’t end here. Do they live on to share their story, or do their experiences now become part of the haunted tale?

If you’re looking for a quick and spooky read, this is it. I’m glad I picked it up to kick off my spooky season. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more.

Thanks to Netgalley & the author for this digital arc.