UNKNOWN

When ten-year-old Kelly discovers a heavy black rotary phone hidden in her grandmother's attic, she begs to keep it as a toy. It has no cord, no line, and no chance of ever working-until it rings.

At first, the calls are nothing but static. But then comes a whisper. A girl's voice. Faint, desperate, pleading for help. From that night on, the strange phone becomes a part of Kelly's life, a presence that no one else seems to believe in. Her father humors her, her mother dismisses it, and her friends laugh it off. Yet the ringing continues-through her childhood, into her turbulent teenage years, and even when she carries the phone with her to college.

The voice grows clearer. A name emerges. Betty. A girl who lived decades earlier. A girl who disappeared. A girl who will not let go.

As Kelly grows into adulthood-finding love, starting a career, and raising a family of her own-the haunting never completely fades. The black phone remains a reminder of unfinished business, a lifeline between past and present. When new calls begin to link Betty's story to Kelly's own family home, long-buried secrets rise to the surface, demanding to be uncovered.

Blending chilling suspense with heart and humanity, The Telephone is more than a ghost story-it is a tale of memory, grief, and resilience. It asks what it means to carry the voices of the past, and how far someone would go to finally bring peace to a soul crying out across time.

Perfect for readers who love paranormal thrillers, gothic mysteries, and emotionally charged ghost stories, The Telephone will keep you turning pages long into the night-and listening for a ring you hope never comes.

Nancy Bachus is a retired flight attendant who now spends her time writing both novels and children's books. She lives in Virginia with her family.