The Phantom of Blackridge Manor

Aria Finch moves to Blackridge Manor, a cliffside estate where a phantom pianist plays unfinished music at exactly 1:03 a.m. each night. With her friends, Aria discovers the ghost is a musician whose work and identity were erased by the town's founding families. As the town celebrates a centennial based on a lie, Aria must decide whether to expose the truth and risk the town's reputation or keep the peace. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with the 'death' of a legacy and historical injustice. The approach is metaphorical through the ghost story but grounded in realistic themes of plagiarism and social erasure. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges that justice requires sacrifice. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of isolation and chilling mystery, building into a tense investigation. It concludes with an empowering, cathartic release as the truth is finally acknowledged. IDEAL READER: A thoughtful 14-year-old who feels like an observer and is beginning to question the 'official' versions of stories they are told. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child withdrawing or expressing frustration about a perceived unfairness at school or in the news. PARENT PREP: The scenes involving the 'stolen voices' can be eerie; parents should be ready to discuss the concept of intellectual property and historical revisionism. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens (13-14) will enjoy the gothic atmosphere and the 'detective' aspect. Older teens (16-18) will likely connect more deeply with the themes of systemic silence and the ethical weight of uncovering difficult truths. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many ghost stories that focus on horror for shock value, this uses the supernatural as a direct bridge to exploring restorative justice and the ethics of memory.