I love horror. I mean really love it.

You’re talking to one of those kids who was begging his mom to let him watch scary movies when he was five, devouring Scary Stories and Fear Street by second and third grade, and reading Stephen King by the end of grade school, with Clive Barker and others soon following.

So when I tell you that I love seeing all the spooky middle-grade books that pop up everywhere around this time of year, understand that it’s a deep-seated love.

That being said, certain kinds of books are still difficult to find. Like, say, a story that delivers genuine, spine-tingling Gothic atmosphere without alienating younger readers or boring adults.

So when an IG group I belong to (Middle Grade Groupies) picked The Night Gardener for our monthly read, I was hopeful. Could it capture the quiet, haunting weight of classic Victorian ghost stories like The Turn of the Screw or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?

I’m thrilled to report that Jonathan Auxier not only delivers on the creepy atmosphere, he crafts a rich, beautifully written moral fable that easily earns its place as this month’s KidLit Adults Will Actually Like selection.

Before I go any further:

Synopsis

Set in 1800s England, the story follows two possibly-orphaned Irish siblings, Molly and Kip, who are desperate to find work and a place to belong. So desperate that Molly has them take jobs as servants at a decaying English manor hidden deep in the “Sour Woods.” True to form, the house is far from welcoming, and the family inside is sickly, pale… and obsessed with a terrifying, colossal tree that grows right through the center of the house. Could something eerily supernatural be going on? Obviously, the answer is yes.

Why Adults Will Actually Like It

Masterclass Gothic Atmosphere. Auxier creates an environment that feels suffocatingly real. Creaking floorboards, the smell of damp earth, unnatural mist, and — of course — the looming presence of the ancient tree. A slow-burn tension hangs over every chapter. It’s rare to find a middle-grade book that commits this deeply to aesthetic mood and eerie texture.

Lies vs. Storytelling. At its core, the book tackles the delicate boundary between a comforting story and a destructive lie. Molly uses tall tales to comfort her brother and shield herself from painful truths, and the narrative subtly unpacks how lies allow us to hide from reality, while honest stories give us the strength to face it. Something that should land with incredible resonance for adult readers.

Complicated Characters. The Windsor family aren’t villains or typical fairytale victims. They’re deeply broken people driven by greed, fear, and grief. The tree preys on this, giving them what they think they want, making their downfall tragic rather than deserved. Watching kids navigate adult dysfunction and greed adds a grounded layer of emotional complexity to the supernatural horror.

Heartful Siblings. The relationship between Molly and Kip is the emotional anchor that keeps the book from becoming overly grim. Kip brings a steady moral compass that balances Molly’s impulsive, protective nature, and their loyalty to one another feels raw, authentic, and charming.

What Auxier ultimately creates is a masterclass in child-friendly horror, reminding us that a spooky story can be genuinely creepy, deeply thoughtful, and full of heart all at once.

Looking for a Victorian ghost story that combines bone-chilling Gothic atmosphere, unforgettable character dynamics, and a profound lesson about greed and truth? This one is a strong recommend.

Buy The Night Gardener here.

Have you read The Night Gardener? What did you think? Did it give you the chills, too?