Magdalena Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail

Magdalena is celebrating her thirteenth birthday surrounded by friends and family, feeling thankful. But, something in her life is missing, a higher purpose perhaps. She is very intelligent and inquisitive, but bored. Her best friend, Gabriel, is always by her side and Hubert is a close second. Although, secretly he would love to be first in line. Lily Brooke is the town community where they reside and its small-town charm keeps everything nice and cozy, until young teenage curiosity crosses a line.

The trio decides to go for a Saturday morning exploration into the woods behind Hubert’s family barn. What began as another day in small town paradise, brings forth a noticeable anomaly in Hubert’s stallion, an odd fork in a well-traveled path, a chilly crooked trail, a hidden cave that features sacrificial drawings, hidden lanterns, a staged cave wall, and an enormous enchanted treehouse built to withstand the test of time. All this adventure in one day, not to mention the chanting voices and shrill noises beckoning the three friends along the way. For some unknown reason, only Magdalena can hear them.

The exploration produces more questions than answers and the confirmation that something sinister and potentially demonic may be living in Lily Brooke. Perplexed as to why only sweet Magdalena can hear the enchanted voices, the trio decides to meet with their childhood friend group, MALB, otherwise known as the Mystical Alliance of Lily Brooke. It seems all of Lily Brooke is depending upon them and time is of the essence, even though their club, a secret society, is unknown to anyone but themselves.

Through their quest for answers, many protected secrets are uncovered including a select committee that meets in the hidden dungeon at the town church late at night to discuss the supernatural happenings around town. Witches, wizards, and black magic are all things that come to light in what was meant to be a normal weekend among dear childhood friends.

Their lives will forever be changed as they face demons from both the past and present. But, committed to each other and bound in friendship, they push forward no matter the bleak obstacles that lie ahead. Guilt, jealousy, hate, friendship, and love all play a part in this fantasy thriller. Behind the scenes, Magdalena must sort through her emotions for Gabriel. He is just a friend, right?