Sixteen-year-old Jarek Dorrell did not believe in ghosts. Or killing people. But when a man of God, dead for more than a century, wrapped his hands around Jarek's throat, he knew he had changed his mind.
Reeling from personal tragedy, Jarek arrives at a remote New England boarding school hoping to move forward. Instead, his nights are consumed by vivid dreams of a Shaker village in 1866, where he labors beside strangers, witnesses ecstatic rituals, and stumbles into secrets not meant for outsiders. When an ancient book proves he isn't dreaming, Jarek realizes he has been pulled across time by a hidden religious order, and that they expect him to save a life, no matter the cost. Set within the secluded world of the Shakers, Jarek's journey draws him into a community governed by faith, secrecy, and strict obedience.
To right a long-buried wrong, Jarek must face a world of fanatical devotion, brutal repression, and escalating danger. As past and present collide and a violent reckoning approaches, he must decide how far he is willing to go for justice-and what he is willing to lose.
About the Author :
Daniel S. Holt is a writer based in the Washington, DC area. He is an alumnus of Darrow School, located within the historic Mount Lebanon Shaker Village, the setting of Ghost of the Mountain Kings. This is his first novel.
Review :
"I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. Eerie and immersive, fascinating and deeply unsettling, it asks powerful questions about obedience, justice, and the cost of doing what's right, even when it's terrifying. I kept thinking about it long after I finished reading." - Ronit G.
"A beautifully written, atmospheric novel that brings Shaker history to life while telling a deeply human story. Thoughtful, immersive, and quietly powerful, it stayed with me long after I finished it." - Roberta P.
"This book honestly explores faith and loss, which felt very familiar to me as someone who has wrestled with some of the same questions. The spiritual elements are woven naturally into the story, giving it a quiet, resonant depth." - Katie C.
"A must-read! Vivid, authentic, and deeply rooted in Shaker history. This book masterfully brings the past and present together." - Edwin S.
