Monsters in the Mist

by Juliana Brandt, Rudy Sanda (Read by)

Overview

When thirteen-year-old Glennon McCue, his mom, and his fragile sister are left with their uncle at his lighthouse on Isle Philippeaux, Glennon desperately wants leave the desolate isle and return home. But his father is away, so Glennon is forced to spend his break surrounded by fog, rats, and chilling myths. Nothing seems quite right . . . with the island or with his family.

A storm rocks the island and a ship crashes near the lighthouse, leaving behind a group of sailors. Something is off about the survivors, who seem more monster than human. Soon it becomes clear that there won't be boats to take anyone home, and Glennon and his family are trapped.

It will take all Glennon's courage to save his family from the curse of the isle and the real monster in his life.

Pick up Monsters in the Mist if you are looking for:

● A book for middle school students, fifth grade to nineth grade

● Mystery books for kids 9-12

● Chilling ghost stories and ghost books for kids (perfect for Halloween!)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798228663596
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	03/10/2026
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Juliana Brandt is an author and kindergarten teacher with a passion for storytelling that guides her in both of her jobs. She lives in her childhood home of Minnesota, and her writing is heavily influenced by travels around the country and decade living in the South. When not working, she is usually exploring the great outdoors. She is the author of The Wolf of Cape Fen and A Wilder Magic.

Rudy Sanda is a versatile actor, singer, voice-over artist, and fight choreographer. He has acted all over the United States and England on the stage and screen, including Laguna Playhouse, Ivoryton Playhouse, the Colonial Theatre, and Ocean State Theatre. Rudy holds a BFA in acting from the University of Rhode Island and received further training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse in Los Angeles and RATA in London. He has been described as a powerful, deeply connected presence bursting with charm and enthusiasm.

Editorial Reviews

"A lot of creepy vibes... complete with monsters and ghosts" — School Library Connection

"Stranger Things meets The Goonies... this adventure tale has serious themes but also plenty of heart and just the right amount of chills" — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Zombie rats and ghastly ghosts galore—but the haunting comes from more than the spectral cast" — Kirkus

"This haunting story wrecked me in the very best way, and took me on an emotional adventure I didn't want to end. Juliana has masterfully written a spooky story, with wonderfully crafted characters you can't help but to root for, while also subtly introducing a difficult topic that resonates in so many ways. From page one, I quickly became lost in the beauty of the storytelling and riveted to the mystery and horror that was so brilliantly unfolding chapter by chapter. This heartfelt and creepy story will stay with you long after you finish the novel!" — Daka Hermon, author of Hide and Seeker

"The supernatural and interpersonal story lines offer a hard-won tale of freeing oneself from both internal and external limitations. Brandt’s (A Wilder Magic) writing is lyrical—the gale force wind almost feels like its own character—and the narrative atmosphere proves harrowing" — Publishers Weekly

"Brandt, a kindergarten teacher who lives in Minnesota, should be read by all middle-schoolers. She writes beautifully while conveying the feelings of young teens and she brings Lake Superior alive in all its moods. Like her previous novels, “The Wolf of Cape Fen” and “A Wilder Magic,” this one is very creepy but ultimately shows characters who have grown emotionally and mentally" — Pioneer Press

From the Publisher

2022-04-13
Glennon discovers the sinister reason why the Lake Superior island he’s visiting isn’t found on any map.

Writing in a distinctly metaphorical vein, Brandt tells a tale that is chilling on more than one level. Accepting an invitation she claims she received, 13-year-old Glennon McCue’s mother has brought him and his emotionally fragile sister, Leeunah, to stay with their Uncle Job, a lighthouse keeper, on remote Isle Philippeaux while their father is away for a fall semester fellowship. Readers will quickly cotton to the fact that all is not right—either on the island or in the McCue family—as, along with fogs, oddly localized gales, feelings of formless dread, frequent encounters with staring rats, and like atmospheric portents, both Glennon and Lee exhibit clear signs of PTSD. Brandt piles on further clues to what’s going on: On the one hand, there are sightings of gruesomely disfigured specters and the ominous news that the island is completely cut off from the mainland, and on the other, there are Glennon’s memories of years of his mercurial father’s patronizing put-downs and sudden rages. In the wildly stormy climax, Glennon confronts multiple terrors as, to prevent him escaping with his family, the malign island attempts to sabotage his newfound determination through psychological means. The main cast defaults to White.

Zombie rats and ghastly ghosts galore—but the haunting comes from more than the spectral cast. (map, author's note) (Paranormal. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews