I wasn't able to finish this, so can't really comment on how "spooky" it is. There is a 25 page prologue setting up the legend that the small town in Canada relates to, and then it jumps 20 years ahead and you read at least 50 pages (that's where I gave up) narrated by a boy of nine. he's an outcast with only one friend, his mother isn't particularly nice, although his father sounds perfect. But I didn't care about the kid or his tribulations and the few psuedo-supernatural hints weren't enough to overcome my impatience. Disappointed, although the author writes well.