The Ghost Ring

Welcome to Wilder House

De: Tom Hoffman

Narrado por: Christian J Casas

#1 Best Seller on Amazon • 2024 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner in Young Adult Paranormal Fiction

Simon Moody’s mom inherits her wealthy Uncle Edmund’s estate, giving them more than enough money to pay all four years of Simon’s upcoming college tuition. The only problem is, they have to leave Brooklyn, move to the little town of Caligo Falls, and make Wilder House, the infamous Victorian mansion built by Edmund’s grandfather in 1905, their new home. They’ve also inherited a mysterious caretaker named Harrington, and a punctual but melancholy cook, Mrs. Morley. Edmund Wilder leaves Simon a mysterious ring, along with a cryptic note, a quote from Hamlet. Simon and his new friend Clara Barley soon find themselves entangled in the unfathomable, sometimes terrifying, sometimes heartbreaking mysteries of Wilder House.

Welcome to Caligo Falls, New Hampshire, population 329, not including ghosts.

©2023 Tom Hoffman (P)2026 Tom Hoffman, Christian Casas

Refreshing

This is the third Tom Hoffman book that I had listened to and I really like his style. This is the first book in this series, but I have listened to two other of his works and I like them all. I am not a young reader, but the lightheartedness and Interesting imagination that Tom writes in is very refreshing.

The narrator is also very good with many voices and the production quality is also very easy to listen to and nice. I recommend this book for any age and it will help you decompress from the pressures of the world, clean and light.

A Must-Read Ghost Mystery Series Opener!

The Ghost Ring is a genre-bending young adult paranormal fantasy mystery that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Blending ghastly encounters, ancient magic, Greek mythology, heartfelt coming-of-age moments, and small-town secrets, the story is fresh and unpredictable. The result is an engaging, fast-moving read that’s easy to binge and difficult to put down!

The story follows seventeen-year-old Simon Moody and his mother, Kate, who unexpectedly inherit the estate of his great-uncle, Edmund Wilder. Leaving their Brooklyn life behind, they move into Wilder House—a sprawling Victorian mansion in the tiny village of Caligo Falls, New Hampshire. Soon after arriving, Simon is given a mysterious ring and secretly discovers that wearing it allows him to see ghosts. With his new friend Clara Barley by his side, Simon begins to uncover that nothing in Caligo Falls is quite what it seems—and that Edmund has left behind a carefully constructed mystery, with breadcrumbs waiting for Simon to follow!

This book features a truly memorable cast of characters. Simon is an instantly relatable and likable protagonist, and his close relationship with his single mother is heartwarming. The backstory of his father leaving them makes their bond even more compelling. Simon’s introspective, curious nature gives his inner monologues depth and keeps them interesting rather than feeling repetitive (which is so often the case). Every relationship he forms and every encounter he has serves a purpose in the story and actively moves the plot forward, which is refreshing and helps the narrative remain focused and consistently interesting. His growth from a skeptical, frightened teen who’s reluctant to leave Brooklyn into someone ready to confront both the unknown and his own fears is the emotional core of the story. Clara Barley, Simon’s love interest and sleuthing partner, is witty, sharp, and often becomes the voice of reason when the stakes rise. Their chemistry feels natural and palpable from their very first meeting—almost like a fated connection—and both characters experience meaningful growth and satisfying arcs by the end!

The supporting cast is equally strong, from the Ghost Doctor, who appears at key moments with knowledge that transcends the mortal world, to Wilder House’s mysterious caretaker, Harrington, and the loyal chef, Mrs. Morley, whose heartbreaking backstory will pull at readers’ heartstrings. Together, these characters bring depth and charm to Caligo Falls, making the town feel like a character in its own right!

Hoffman’s pacing strikes a perfect balance between slow-burn mystery and fast-moving action—and there’s never a dull moment! The opening immediately draws readers into the alluring creepiness of Wilder House, from its secret Vault room of treasures to the paranormal mysteries Simon uncovers after putting on the ring. Despite being a shorter novel, the world-building is immersive and vivid. Wilder House’s halls, maze-like corridors, grand rooms, and the surrounding land and lake are richly described, making Simon’s explorations feel deeply atmospheric and cinematic. The midsection of the story deepens character relationships—especially between Simon and Clara—while introducing jaw-dropping twists that keep the pages turning. By the end, the origins of the ring and the mystery surrounding how much Edmund knew about its power, as well as what he intended Simon to do with it, are explored in satisfying depth. Loose threads are tied together in ways that give answers to ghastly mysteries and are satisfying. The story concludes with the main mystery resolved and a tantalizing cliffhanger that will leave readers eager to continue Simon and Clara’s journey in book 2, The Ghost Ring: Shadows of Caligo Falls!


NARRATION:
The audiobook of The Ghost Ring: Welcome to Wilder House is narrated by Christian J. Casas, a voice actor known for bringing characters and worlds to life through engaging, expressive performances.

Casas portrays protagonist Simon with a warm, earnest-sounding voice layered (initially) with hesitation and anxiety, perfectly capturing his early skepticism and reluctance about leaving Brooklyn for the quiet town of Caligo Falls. As the story unfolds and Simon begins seeing ghosts through wearing the ring and becomes immersed in their mysteries, Casas subtly shifts his performance, giving Simon a braver, more curious voice that reflects his growing openness toward the paranormal. For Kate, Simon’s mother, Casas uses a grounded, reassuring voice that conveys both her protective instincts and her quiet optimism about the move, especially in contrast to her son’s reservations.

The dialogue between Simon and Clara—the local teen who turns out to be connected to Wilder House—forms the emotional heart of the audiobook, and Casas gives Clara a lively, heartfelt energy that beautifully balances Simon’s skepticism. Their chemistry feels immediate and genuine, with dialogue delivered in a way that makes their growing connection easy to root for. The ghost voices are another standout element: the doctor ghost begins with an eerie, menacing tone that gradually softens into something more welcoming and warm, while the teenage ghost on the lake has a wistful, melancholic quality that lingers long after each of her appearances.

The pacing is another of the audiobook’s strengths. Casas matches the story’s shifting plot—from creeping suspense in his tone during scenes where Simon (and Clara) venture into the shadowy corners of Wilder House to a sense of intrigue and discovery as the ring’s mythological backstory is revealed—making the mysteries come alive and keeping listeners fully immersed!