I have had the opportunity to read A Peculiar Haunted House by Paul Czajak a few times now (it is due mid August 2024) via online reader copies. And each time I think it gets better. The idea is simple: a house on the street is too peculiar for anyone to live in. In fact it probably is haunted. Spoiler: It is! Because every time someone moves in and tries to remodel and change things about, the house will not have anything to do with that nonsense! And it scares off the people. That is until an equally peculiar family comes to live there. They do not try and change things completely, but do add a few touches (like a new light in the dark basement) to make sure it is the perfect Haunted Home.
The artwork of Laura Brenlla makes things work. They are bold, bright and colorful. It is as if the Addams family decided to add some color to their wardrobes (there is a bit of red and more non-black colors added) and they were also a little less romantic, and more (dare I say it?) normal. (Though dad’s belt buckle does make sure that they are not too normal and lose that unique fun.) Things are “bubbly” but with edges, so you won’t hurt yourself on them but you can’t totally curl up with them (mom’s nose is terribly pointy, shadows have teeth), but that’s the fun of them.
Overall, this is just a fun story about being yourself and the place you belong will be found.