Ghosts from the Civil War seemed like just a legend until they saw the lights over the water...

Brothers Sam and Derek can't wait to explore historic Belle Isle during the 150th anniversary of the Fall of Richmond and the end of the Civil War. But that's before they learn how the wooded park along the James River once held Union soldiers in a terrible prisoner-of-war camp.

Legend says that the haunting lights over the rapids at night are the ghosts of long-dead soldiers still fighting the Civil War.

The discovery of a haunting mural in the island's crumbling ruins leads the boys and their friend Caitlin into danger. To find the truth, they must brave menacing bullies and an encounter with a Confederate biker gang led by the notorious Mad Dog DeWitt.

But some ghosts may be more alive than they ever expected...

Join the kids as they face their fears across suspended bridges, secret hideouts, and graveyard ceremonies, while discovering names and places from the our country's tumultuous past like Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Hollywood Cemetery, and Tredegar Iron Works.

Reviews

"My son loves your books (is currently on #3 and we just bought them a month ago—for him it's a major step).  He finished book #1 that night.  He has never read a book in that short of time.  The second book he finished right after we got back from vacation.  Thanks for all you do and for these amazing stories that has my son loving to read now!" —Michigan Parent

"My 10 year old son really enjoyed this book!  He needed an Historical Fiction book for a school book report and this was a great read.  Characters he could relate to, an adventurous story and some twists and turns." —J. Watson, Amazon Reviewer

"This series should be in every 3-6 grade classroom and school library.  This is the way to teach kids about history." —sms5, Amazon Reviewer

"My 9 1/2 year old daughter has fallen in love with this series." —Mom of Three, Amazon Reviewer

"Wonderful.  Great story telling!" —David Lloyd, Amazon Reviewer

"Thoroughly enjoyable... waiting for book four!" —North Country, Amazon Reviewer

About the Author

Steven K. Smith writes The Virginia Mysteries, a middle-grade adventure series with a twist of history.  Steven lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, three sons, and a golden retriever named Charlie.  Born and raised in rural northwestern New Jersey, he moved to Virginia in 2011 and quickly fell in love with its history and charm.

You can find him at MyBoys3.com, where he blogs about the adventures of raising three young boys.

When he's not writing, Steven works in e-healthcare and enjoys coaching his boys in sports, hiking and camping, photography, and taking naps.

Some of his favorite children's books include Where the Red Fern Grows, Rascal, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Bridge to Terabithia, and the Chronicles of Narnia series.

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