A great ghost story needs the perfect mixture of a great setting, great backstory, and clear worldbuilding in order to make it stand out from the countless other ghost stories that came before it. Ghost stories written for kids are particularly challenging because you don’t want it to be too scary, but you still want it to thrill readers.
Author Nic Minnella has managed to pull off a captivating middle grade ghost story with The Cat Who Chased Ghosts. Featuring creative kids, spiritually sensitive animals, and a creepy old house, Minnella manages to incorporate all of my favorite ghost story tropes while creating something fresh and new for the genre. Below is my review of The Cat Who Chased Ghosts followed by an interview with Minnella about her work.
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts plot summary
Timmy Thompson and his parents move to his dilapidated late Great Aunt Wilhelmina’s house in Pendleford. Along with the house, the family also inherits an orange tabby cat named Whiskers.
Mrs. Krantz, the eccentric old lady next door, is knowledgeable about the paranormal, and Timmy begins to believe that Whiskers is a guardian cat who will protect him from the unexplainable events happening in and around the home. To test his theory, Timmy enlists the help of his new friend, Jasper, to investigate the paranormal activity.
When the investigation goes horribly wrong, Timmy asks for backup from Mrs. Krantz’s granddaughter, a feisty yet sickly girl named Louisa. Together, they travel to another realm in order to undergo a rescue mission and help some roaming spirits rest in peace.
The story
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts is an adventurous paranormal middle grade story that explores friendships and the supernatural. It reminds me of some of my favorite childhood paranormal and adventure stories, such as The Goonies, Poltergeist, and Beetlejuice.
Minnella presents a version of the other side that serves as a kind of limbo between life and death. It’s full of distinct images, simple yet effective rules, and high stakes for both its living and dead characters.
The novel is short and fast paced, but it’s still fully fleshed out and packed with both plot and characterization. You get to know these characters, and they go through a lot in just over 100 pages.
Minnella is also expertly able to juggle multiple tones from humor to adventure to horror. That being said, the book never gets to be too scary or intense, despite its subject matter. The paranormal concepts are also unique and detailed but not too advanced for its target audience to grasp.
The characters
Timmy and his friends form the perfect trio of personalities needed to resolve the story’s conflict. Though a nerdy, sheltered boy with red hair, freckles, and glasses, Timmy is the leader of the group. He has overprotective parents, but it hasn’t made him meek. He’s the new kid in school, but he makes friends with the popular Jasper easily.
Jasper is not your typical popular kid. He takes an interest in Timmy and accepts him for who he is. He also shares an interest in the paranormal and is eager to explore “Haunted Hall,” the name that the kids at school have given to Timmy’s new home.
Louisa rounds out the trio as the outcast of the group. Plagued with asthma, she’s physically fragile but mentally guarded and has a biting wit to protect her from those who might mock her. She also has access to Mrs. Krantz’s collection of paranormal books and tools that make her instrumental in resolving the story’s conflict.
The adult characters are also well rounded and help contribute to the story while still letting the kid characters shine. Timmy’s parents, Robert and Catherine, are very practical. However, once they learn of the danger the children are in, they are game to help in any way they can.
Mrs. Krantz is also a helpful ally. Though they carry out their plan when she’s not around, once she does find out what’s going on, she’s there to lend a hand through her expertise.
The message
The message of the story is ultimately loyalty. Timmy and Jasper haven’t been friends for long, yet they support each other and have each other’s backs. The ghosts in the story are tethered to Earth until they can reunite with their loved ones. And the most loyal character is Whiskers who latches onto Timmy and serves as his protector in this world and the next.
I think we all need reminded to be loyal to the people we care about. Childhood friendships can be rocky, and it can be inspiring to see friends working together to solve a conflict and how much more interesting life (and the afterlife) can be when you stick together.
My recommendation
I recommend The Cat Who Chased Ghosts to any kid readers who want a good ghost adventure story that won’t keep them up at night. This book isn’t so much about unleashing scares as it is about building an exciting world that tries to make sense of the unexplainable.
The kids are noble, heroic and likable. My only criticism was that their dialogue was a little old fashioned for modern kids. But modern kid speak is very difficult to pull off. And ultimately, the story is compellingly told with a full story and an ending that is satisfying for both the living and the dead.
My rating
An interview with Nic Minnella
How did you come up with the idea for this story? Once the idea was formed, did you plot out an outline, or write as you went?
I’ve always been fascinated by the myths surrounding cats and the supernatural. One day, while scrolling through cat memes, I saw a beautiful drawing of a cat hissing at a demon to protect its sleeping owner, and it immediately sparked an idea. The thought stayed with me until, months later, while stuck in bed with COVID, I decided to turn it into a full-fledged story.
At first, I only had a vague plan, but after two chapters, I realized I needed an outline. Even then, I stayed flexible, letting new ideas shape the story. Some of those spontaneous moments became my favorite parts, and I’m really pleased with how it all came together.
What was the most fun part of writing The Cat Who Chased Ghosts? The most difficult?
Being a fan of folklore and mythology, I had a lot of fun researching for, and coming up with, a fictional lore for the book’s introduction, blending historical settings and facts with imaginary ones. I found it equally fun to brainstorm ways for cats to defeat ghosts while still embracing their natural feline characteristics. I didn’t want my cats to start talking or practicing martial arts, if you know what I mean!
The final confrontation with the main antagonist was the hardest part to write. I aimed for excitement but found it difficult to gauge the level of spookiness appropriate for a middle-grade audience.
What inspirations did you draw on for the paranormal elements?
I often draw inspiration from old stories and legends, even classic fairy tales. For instance, the Japanese folktale, “The Boy Who Drew Cats,” served as the inspiration for a particularly eerie moment in the book, while the cat’s connection with the lunar cycles came from Roman and Greek mythology.
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever witnessed any paranormal activity involving a cat?
I’m still on the fence about the existence of ghosts. Part of me wants to believe there’s a way to connect with those who have passed on, but my skeptical side usually steps in. The closest I’ve come to a paranormal experience has been feeling overwhelming emotions in unfamiliar places, especially historic sites. It’s as if those walls have stories to tell, though maybe that’s just my imagination working overtime.
As for cats, they’ve always had a mysterious aura, haven’t they? My own cat often stares at the bedroom doorway for minutes on end, as if watching someone I can’t see. Strangely, he’s never frightened, despite being quite timid otherwise. So, if there’s a ghost lingering, I’d like to think it’s a friendly one keeping us company.
Who is your favorite character?
Unsurprisingly, Whiskers. He’s a cuddly enigma, modeled after multiple orange tabbies I have owned over the years. I also have a soft spot for Mrs. Krantz, who was inspired by a very cool cat lady whose cabin I used to visit often during my childhood summer breaks.
The book wrapped up pretty completely. Will we see Timmy and his friends in a future story?
I’m still unsure about it. When I began, I had the idea that each book in the series would introduce new main characters, as I wanted to have the freedom to explore diverse story settings.
But I might bring Whiskers & Co. back at some point, perhaps via a series of shorter stories, as I’ve grown very fond of them.
What advice do you have for kids who might be afraid of reading paranormal or horror? What about those who love it but might feel like they have to hide their love of it?
- For kids who are scared of horror: I get it. I didn’t watch a real horror movie until I was in my twenties! If you’re curious but nervous, try creating your own spooky stories where you control what happens. You can even illustrate them with help from an adult. Writing and drawing can be a great way to face your fears and make them feel less scary.
- For young horror lovers: Embrace your passion! Studying folklore and ghost stories from different cultures helped me realize that people have been telling these tales for centuries as a way to face fears and build courage in the face of the unknown. I see it as a way to explore one’s deepest anxieties in a safe way, so don’t be held back—spooky stories can help you learn more about yourself.
What’s next for you?
I’ve just finished a blog tour, and I’m now working on the second book of the series, provisionally titled The Clockmaker’s Curse. Hopefully, I can release it early next year.
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I truly appreciate you taking the time to read The Cat Who Chased Ghosts! Your detailed, thoughtful review means a lot to me.
You’re very welcome. I hope my readers check it out!