Mossy Trees, Ornate Houses, and the Occasional Murder: It’s a Ghost in the Night Q&A with Tiffany D. Jackson

Happy Juneteenth!! Let us celebrate the day with a book that has both a healthy jolt of Black history AND is incredibly fun to read. Seems appropriate for the day, wouldn’t you say?

When Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson won an Edgar Award for the best children’s mystery of 2025, I felt this massive sense of relief. Here you not only had a great storyline, but also an incredible deep dive into the history of Black Americans on Martha’s Vineyard. To hear that Ms. Jackson was coming out with a new middle grade mystery called Ghost In the Night? Delightful. And to get a chance to talk to her about it? Even better!

But first, this isn’t a sequel to Blood in the Water (I feel I need to get that out of the way). It has an entirely different cast of characters and setting. Here’s the description:

Savannah, Georgia, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is a place rich in history…and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony Roundtree’s interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories…but isn’t sure what’s real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?

With two new friends, Harmony sets out to investigate… and stumbles upon clues leading to an unsolved murder. The deeper she digs, the more Harmony realizes that what she saw on the ghost tour might be connected to a shocking crime. But making connections can be dangerous–even more dangerous than ghosts.

Out August 4th it is. Curious? Then let’s talk to Tiffany to learn more:

Betsy Bird: Tiffany! First and foremost congratulations on your Edgar Award win (I was rooting for you). Knowing that you’ve a new mystery for middle grade readers is even more exciting news. Did you always intend to follow up BLOOD IN THE WATER with another book in that genre? What’s the genesis for GHOST IN THE NIGHT? 

Tiffany D. Jackson: Thank you so much! Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to follow it up with another book. Especially since writing the first one was so tough and I doubted my ability to connect with the audience. But I have really enjoyed the response and I love the readers! I’m grateful Scholastic was eager for me to take another crack at it. 

BB: Initially I figured that GHOST IN THE NIGHT was going to be a sequel to BLOOD IN THE WATER and would continue the investigative adventures of Kaylani McKinnon. You’ve opted instead to introduce new character Harmony Roundtree. Was there any thought or discussion of turning BLOOD IN THE WATER into a series, or were you always inclined to start fresh with a new character and new backstories for this next book?

Tiffany: I’ve never done a series before! I think it’s a talent and I’m a one and done type of gal. I love fresh perspectives, always moving forward, not looking back. But, I do miss Kaylani so I’m definitely been brainstorming how to return to her world in a unique way. 

BB: The art of the mystery is not for the weak of heart. I can think of more than one author that has confidently begun and then discovered how difficult it can be. You’ve done such a wide range of types of books for kids and teens, do you have a particular strategy when you write a book like GHOST IN THE NIGHT? Or does it all come as naturally as, say, a romance? 

Tiffany: You are not wrong! Thrillers look easy from the outside, but no one could imagine how many tabs are open inside my brain, trying to work out a plot.  Outlines are a big part of my creative process. I like to conceptualize the full scope of the story, even if I don’t follow it to the letter. Yes, writing can be a natural talent. But it’s also a talent that needs practice, feeding, and nourishing. 

BB: This being only the second book you’ve written for the 9-12 age range, are there significant differences between writing for older kids and writing for teens? Is there anything you’ve had to scale back or rewrite, or anything that surprised you in the writing process?

Tiffany: Though I’m still processing and finding my footing in the MG, I suppose the main difference between YA and MG is what a kid desires in their life at that particular crossroads. Motivation is the driving force of life, which makes the story play out different. There’s a huge difference between a girl wanting to go to prom vs. a girl wanting to find a box of secret treasure. I bet you can tell the age just by reading those scenarios. 

BB: In terms of this particular book, how much does the final product resemble the first draft? Was there anything you had to cut or remove that you regret?

Tiffany: For this book, there was a bunch of parts I had to let go of or rethink. It was hard, my editor and I struggled. It took a little while to see her perspective on the changing certain elements were not only best for the plot but also best for the readers. That’s also a big difference between YA and MG, knowing/writing for your audience, keeping their age at the forefront of the story.

BB: Finally, is this the last mystery we’ll see from you or can we hope for another? And on a related note, what else are you working on these days? What’s next for you? 

Tiffany: Definitely not the last. Lately, I’ve been suffering from some writer’s block so I’ve been reading a lot and resting my brain. I have two stories cooking on the stove, so hopefully they’ll be out soon.

---

Hey hey! Big thanks to Tiffany for answering my questions today. Ghost in the Night hits shelves August 4th, so look for it then. Thanks too to Abigail Jordan and the team at Scholastic for helping to put this discussion together.

Filed under: Interviews