Jane De Suza returns with a new middle-grade novel, Lost in Nightmare Valley, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, promising a mix of thrills, humour and emotional depth.

Speaking about the book, De Suza reflects on how adults often dismiss childhood fears. She notes that while grown-ups tend to reassure children that “ghosts and monsters are not real,” those fears feel entirely real to young minds. The author says she is excited to explore this theme through a story that is both “scary” and engaging, created in collaboration with her publishers and young readers.

Tina Narang, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, describes the title as a “blockbuster middle grade novel,” adding that De Suza’s storytelling, paired with illustrations by Riya Nagendra, keeps readers immersed in the eerie world of Nightmare Valley until the very end.

The book follows Roo, a young boy convinced that his troubles begin with his baby sibling—right down to being sent away for the summer. But a storm, a runaway bus, and a poor decision transport him into the strange and unsettling Nightmare Valley. In this bizarre world, monsters have fears of their own, kidnappers need help with nail polish, and unusual creatures lurk in unexpected places.

As Roo navigates a place where nothing is quite what it seems, he must confront loneliness, rethink courage, and understand the meaning of friendship and family. The story blends familiar childhood experiences—best friends, sibling rivalries, and neighborhood legends—with an imaginative, slightly offbeat twist.

Positioned as both spooky and funny, Lost in Nightmare Valley explores what it means to face fears rather than dismiss them, asking whether the scariest thing is truly a monster—or simply the feeling of being alone.

De Suza, an award-winning author with more than 12 books to her name, has been widely published internationally. Known for combining humour with sensitivity, she has also written columns for The Hindu and Good Housekeeping. An MBA and creative director in advertising, she divides her time between Singapore and India.