Cover Reveal: Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell

Ally Russell’s novel Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave will publish from Delacorte Press in September 2025. Spooky Middle Grade is excited to help reveal the cover of Ally’s new book, but first . . . let’s tell you what the book is about!

Thirteen-year-old Mystery—who was abandoned in a cemetery and raised in a funeral home—is plagued by sleep paralysis and the smell of ghosts, but she’s used to that. Even though her life might seem “strange” on the outside, she loves it.

That is until a priceless heirloom goes missing and her family’s funeral home is in danger of being shut down. To clear her Tía’s good name, Mystery embarks on an adventure to figure out what really happened to the misplaced necklace.

But to do so, she must contend with the angry patriarch of the town’s wealthiest family, a sleep paralysis demon, a graverobber, and the ghastly half-vampire, half-ghost that’s lurking in the Olde Ellis Town Cemetery.

Shh…

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of a scary cover creeping up on you! Here’s your first look at Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave. 

Abandoned in a cemetery and raised in a funeral home, a girl who can see and smell the supernatural must solve the mystery of a priceless heirloom stolen from her family’s business. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Wednesday and Beetlejuice!

Watch the animated cover reveal here. More from the author: 

What inspired this book? 

Lots of things! My fear of everything, including vampire fangs. (I get overwhelmed with terror whenever I see vampire fangs.) My interest in the history of the vampire of Highgate Cemetery in London. And my love of cemeteries. 

How did you end up with such a scary cover? It’s almost too scary for ages 10 and up.

Devin Forst, whose artwork is inspired by things from the shadow realm, illustrated the cover. He really brought Mystery James to life, and he brought Baron, the vampiric ghost in the novel, back to life. My lovely designer at Delacorte, Carol Ly, created the perfect cover.  

Where is the perfect place to read this book?

In a cemetery. Or a graveyard. Definitely not from inside a coffin. 

What’s one piece of advice that you would give to kids who might be struggling with the threat of vampires? 

Eat garlic bread with every meal, and never, EVER, ever invite them inside . . . no matter how much they tap on your bedroom window. 

Where and when can readers dig up a copy of this book? 

You can preorder the book here and it will arrive on your doorstep on September 16, 2025. You will have to give the book permission to enter the house. (I don’t make the rules about vampires. Sorry.) If you do preorder the book, save your receipt and keep up with me via my newsletter or on social media so that you don’t miss the preorder campaign swag announcement.

You can also add the book to your virtual TBR! 

About the author: Ally Russell is the author of It Came from the Trees. She grew up on a steady diet of Halloween parties, horror films, Unsolved Mysteries, and Goosebumps books. She has always loved scary stories, and got her MFA from Simmons University. She hails from Pittsburgh—ground zero for the zombie apocalypse. Ally lives with her husband and her two black cats, Nox and Fury. She’s afraid of the woods, the dark, and heights.

Website: https://allyrussellbooks.com/

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