This is not just a ghost story. The Headless Boy by Kelli Owen is an incredibly evocative supernatural psychological horror novel. This is an amazing story with horrifying tragedy, psychological torment, and compelling suspense and flow.

You know from the synopsis that Maggie and Jake lose a child, so it is not a spoiler to say the psychological trauma from that plays a big part in how the rest of the story unfolds. I say “the rest of the story” because the loss of the child takes place during the beginning of the novel. So brace yourself. It’s wrenching. The characters’ decisions and actions come from a place of trauma and grief after that, and Owen’s presentation of it is hauntingly true to life.

Then comes the supernatural element. In classic style, the ghost story itself is initially more creepy and suspenseful than scary, but don’t be fooled. Kellie’s use of classic formula is part ruse. Nothing is quite what it seems, and things don’t go as you expect. Especially the ending.

And as far as it being evocative … okay, yeah, I cried in a few spots. Throughout the course of the story, I felt sorrow, anger, confusion, and creeped out. Kelli’s vivid and all-too-realistic characters get to me; I both feel for them and get angry at them. And the story itself, the combination of traumatic grief and creepy supernatural, is very immersive.

The Headless Boy is a good story, a well-written novel, and a shelf-worthy book. Highly recommended for discerning readers who enjoy a deep and evocative read. ( )