The Forgotten Child (Riley Thomas, #1)
Melissa Erin Jackson
4.0 (1 rating)
The Forgotten Child (Riley Thomas, #1)
Published: January 1, 2018
Pages: 363
Reader Reviews
4.0
1 rating
Liz M.
Apr 26, 2026
Creepy, emotional, and surprisingly heartfelt. This story leans hard into atmosphere and delivers a tense paranormal mystery that kept me hooked from the start.
Riley is a reluctant medium done so right—her fear feels real, earned, and rooted in trauma rather than trope. The Jordanville Ranch setting is deliciously unsettling, and the missing child storyline adds a haunting emotional weight that lingers well after the last page. I loved how the past and present slowly intertwined, with secrets peeling back layer by layer.
The pacing is mostly solid, and the stakes continue to rise as Riley’s abilities become impossible to ignore. A few moments felt a bit predictable, and some heavier themes may be tough for sensitive readers (definitely heed the CW/TW), but they’re handled thoughtfully and with purpose.
Overall, this is a chilling paranormal read with heart, tension, and just enough danger to keep you uneasy. Perfect for readers who like their ghost stories spooky and emotional.
Riley is a reluctant medium done so right—her fear feels real, earned, and rooted in trauma rather than trope. The Jordanville Ranch setting is deliciously unsettling, and the missing child storyline adds a haunting emotional weight that lingers well after the last page. I loved how the past and present slowly intertwined, with secrets peeling back layer by layer.
The pacing is mostly solid, and the stakes continue to rise as Riley’s abilities become impossible to ignore. A few moments felt a bit predictable, and some heavier themes may be tough for sensitive readers (definitely heed the CW/TW), but they’re handled thoughtfully and with purpose.
Overall, this is a chilling paranormal read with heart, tension, and just enough danger to keep you uneasy. Perfect for readers who like their ghost stories spooky and emotional.