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Description
AT THE EDGE OF THE CEMETERY RESTS A PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY. BUT NOT ALL SOULS THAT PLAY ARE AT REST.Nine-year-old Kylie Macklin defied the odds in conquering cancer. Now she wants nothing more than a fresh start at her new home in Huntsville. Soon, an enigmatic new friend introduces her to a playground unlike any other. Set next to Maple Hill Cemetery, the park is a sanctuary for the spirits of local children who died in the Spanish Flu and fell victim to a twisted serial killer. Nineteen-year-old Kayla Macklin resents being uprooted from the only life she knew. Bitter about the years her parents spent focusing on Kylie’s health, she struggles to reforge a bond with her little sister while making new friends of her own. But one reckless decision will threaten her newfound happiness. And put innocent lives at risk. Soon, Kylie’s classmates collapse with devastating fevers while a killer thought long dead returns to stalk a community still bearing the scars of his rampage decades earlier. With the children of Huntsville in grave danger, the sisters must race against time to learn the secrets of Maple Hill Park before they end up permanent residents of The Dead Children’s Playground. Experience a chilling ghost story inspired by true events in this first terrifying entry in James Kaine’s American Horrors series where fear always finds its way home. Read more
Publisher : Horror House Publishing
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : August 20, 2024
Language : English
File size : 5.9 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Kindle
Quite a different book than the other two books I’ve recently read by James Kaine, The Dead Children’s Playground is a story of a family in turmoil that recently moved to Huntsville, Alabama to start a new life. Their nine-year-old daughter, Kylie, now in remission from cancer, is befriended by another young girl who asks Kylie to join her in a playground located next to an old cemetery, one with a tragic history. Then things go from bad to worse – terrifying visions, children falling ill, learning that friends are perhaps not really friends at all. As things turn deadly, realization strikes that something sinister is at play. Will Kylie’s sister Kayla and her newfound friends be able to stop it in time, saving the town’s children? Unlike the author’s previous two books I’ve read, My Pet Werewolf and Gunther, this one is a bit tamer as far as violence goes, but the story is strong regardless. And although I found it to be slow in a few spots, the story and action throughout the rest of it made up for that. It’s a scary, emotional, touching journey that I couldn’t stop reading, one I think would also make an excellent film. I really appreciated the Afterword, where the author gives us some of the background that helped him develop this story. I found it to be quite interesting, not only for the real history he mentioned, but for his process for writing this story as well. All in all, I found The Dead Children’s Playground, a 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl contender, to be a fantastic read, one sure to be loved by any fan or horror, especially those of hauntings. And so, I give this book a 5 out of 5.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2025 by Mark F
Format: Kindle
This story is about sisters Kayla, 19 and Kylie, 9. They move to Alabama with their parents, and quickly discover a nearby playground, that happens to be in a cemetery. Kylie soon meets the mysterious Emily, and things are not what they seem. Can Kayla save his sister from this haunted jungle gym? I love the tense family dynamic in this. I won't give the spoiler, but the parents drama, and the overprotective behavior over Kylie really give this some good drama. Kayla is very 19, but once she realizes there is an ISSUE that the adultier adults don't notice, she is a fierce tiger in defence of her sister. I also love the character of Desiree, and how she just, believes the girls. No denial, no pushback, just okay, what are we going to do about it. So good. There were only 2 things I disliked in this book. They done did Aunty Ethel dirty, she deserves better. I know it was a plot pusher, but still. And the other was that epilogue. The author is dead to me because of it. He knows what he did.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2025 by Jen R
Format: Paperback
If you have never been scared AND cried in the same horror novel.....get ready for the first time! SCARY and heartwrenching. Newly relocated from Florida to Alabama, 9 year old Kylie, her older sister Kayla and their parents know that something is wrong with the house they live in, but have NO idea what to expect living next to the Dead Childrens Playground. Kylie is in remission from her cancer, and her Mother is over protective when it comes to her going out side, or even to the store with her, so when Kylie asks if she can play with a new found play friend, she says no. As Kylie gets to see and hear her little 'friend' more often, she decides to go out of the house one night. And when Kayla notices that she is no longer in her room, fear kicks in. When news breaks that a local serial killer is loose and still not caught, Kayla warns Kylie that it is not safe for her escape into the night to play with her friends in this 'playground for dead kids'. When the sisters find out that the playground is rumored to be haunted by children who had died from the Spanish Flu in the early 1900's they are both intrigued but yet highly afraid to go near. Kayla becomes close with her new high school friends, and the stories and suspicions that they warn her of, make her realize that this could possibly be true, but should she halt Kylie from playing with the ghosts or let her 'just pretend they are real'? With this being the first book by Kaine I have read, I was so impressed with his writing that I started to find everything by him I could find! I do not want to go into too much of the story because I want you to be as surprised as I was......but believe me, the story will scare the hell out of you, and rip your heart out when you finish it......and if it does not affect you in some way; something is wrong with you. I very HIGHLY recommend this horror filled, ghost and demon filled story from a writer that could easily become a new favorite of mine! 5 Ghosts
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2025 by Nightmares, Anyone?
Format: Kindle
I absolutely LOVED this book! I love paranormal books. My love in reading started when I was in middle school and I was reading Fear Street novels by R.L. Stine. Now this is nothing like R.L. Stine's Fear Street novels but it brought back the nostalgia in my love of reading. I wanted to savor every chapter and as I was sad for the ending I understood why the author had to end it that way. The storyline grasp my attention from start to finish and my interest never wavered. I would absolutely recommend this book to anybody that wants to try paranormal books for the first time or to your veteran lovers of paranormal books. I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024 by Nancy
Format: Kindle
This novel was fast paced, interesting, unique, which is rare for ghost stories. I loved every aspect of it. I love the idea of incorporating different story ideas or explanations for things that really happened in history. It makes it so much more immersive even if it’s just fiction. If you don’t think that’s true, look at how many millions of people were more interested in the titanic after the movie came out despite it being completely fiction. I would very much recommend this story to any horror fan. Great job Mr. Kaine!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024 by Nicole Davis
Format: Kindle
I just finished this lovely one by James Kaine. I really enjoyed it. All of it. It reminded me of the movie Dark Night of the Scarecrow. Have you seen that movie James? I am sure you have you trivia ringer. I totally meant that with love ♥️. I think it was made in the 70s and is one of my favorite movies. I am going to have to get a few copies of this book just in case I ever get grandchildren. Good horror book to delve into when you are young I love the sister connection The parents , hmm. I like that you could put into words how they care for each other but the intimacy is gone, and that is ok. All together a great book! I look forward to more of your American Horrors series. I am all in with your books now 🖤🕷️. Thank you for your talent
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2025 Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2025 by Mary E.
Format: Kindle
3.5☆ Kaine has written a good ghost story about a real Alabama cemetery. The tale he wove includes historical references to two pandemics and racial prejudices, but these play a small part in the overall tale. Kaine's characters are well defined and very relatable. Kayla and Kylie's mother is described as over the top by both girls and she really is! The girls fathers character is the least developed but his role is still potrayed well. The dialog, both internal and external, is smooth and realistic, nothing seems forced or stilted. This story has bits of Greek mythology, Hoodoo beliefs and practices, ghost children and demons. It sounds like a strange mixture but Kaine makes it all blend together to create a good chilling story. I am excited that Kaine is working toward writing more site specific horror novels based on the folklore and legends of each site. His idea is to write one story from every state in the US based on spooky legends. It is a big undertaking and I wish him luck. I hope to be along for the ride!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2025 by Haly
Format: Kindle
Book Review Author: James Kaine Book: The Dead Children's Playground Book Rating: 5 Stars Genre: Horror This book...I just have no words. It was captivating, fast-paced, and just full throttle the entire time. This was a crash course in what true horror should be. Creepy kids-check. Haunting setting-check A suspenseful plot-check An epic conclusion-check. When Kayla and her family move to a new town, they seem like they can finally start over. Her 9-year-old sister, Kylie, is eager to make new friends and start living after finally going into remission from cancer. But soon she realizes that one of the friends she made isn't all she seems to be...especially after she is taken to the playground not too far from their house. This story was haunting and genuinely creepy. It takes a lot for books to creep me out, and this one definitely did that. From the first page, it comes out swinging, and even the epilogue dilevers one final punch. I'm still in shock over that conclusion. Kaine masterfully delivers a gut punch that will honestly stay with me for a long time. His prose was easy to digest, the scares were plentiful, and the ending should be taught how to finish a story.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025 by Brandon Wilson