Books like The stone child by Dan Poblocki

Eddie Fennicks, a self‑conscious loner who loves mystery novels, moves to the small town of Gatesweed, hoping for an ordinary life. His plans change when he learns that his favorite horror writer, Nathaniel Olmstead, once lived there before disappearing thirteen years earlier. Eddie finds the author’s never‑published manuscript coded in an unknown language and forms an unlikely friendship with Harris, a resident who reminds him of the writer. When the creatures from Olmstead’s tales start appearing in Gatesweed, Eddie, Harris, and their new friend Maggie must decipher the mysterious code, banish the villains—gremlins and monster lake‑dogs—and uncover the secret behind Olmstead’s disappearance. The trio must finish all before Eddie’s mother completes her own frightening story, which could bring the worst monster to life.

First publish date: 2009