The Tale of the Twisted Toymaker (Are You Afraid of the Dark #2)

by Danielle Valentine

First published 2025

Layla takes Emily to Ms. Mabel's Doll Emporium, where customers can buy perfect miniatures of themselves. Emily has worked for months to save money for her own replica doll. While browsing the shop's collection, Layla spots something unexpected: a doll that looks exactly like Quinn, her former best friend who vanished after moving away. Layla steals the Quinn doll and hides it in her bedroom closet. Strange events begin immediately. Whispers come from the closet at night. Anne Boleyn, Layla's cat, starts behaving oddly. Emily's purchased doll grows sharp teeth. Both sisters become sick, with Emily growing weaker while Layla's body stiffens. Layla realizes the dolls demand payment from their owners. These cursed toys will not stop until they get what they want. Layla must discover what happened to Quinn and destroy the supernatural connection before she and Emily disappear forever.

Genres: mystery, horror, supernatural, young-adult

Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful

Tropes: found-family, supernatural-mystery

Setting: Ms. Mabel's Doll Emporium

320 pages · Paperback · Harry N. Abrams

Content warnings: body-horror, violence

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