The Ghost in the Tower Room by Cary Vajda

The Ghosts of Casco Bay Book 2

Midland Michigander publishes second novel in ghostly seaside series

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN—Living through a tale of sailors and seafaring spirits, this novel set in Portland, Maine, tells the story of recent college graduate Scarlett Clarke. Amidst a search for independence and purpose, she finds herself in an uncommon arrangement—dealing with the affairs of her now-late grandmother, which includes a familial seaside mansion, a novelty gift shop, and the ghost of her great-great-great-grandfather—as she unravels a romance of her own.

Written by Cary Vajda, The Ghost in the Tower Room is the standalone second installment of the Ghosts of Casco Bay series. Vajda, a retiree of the higher education field and a longtime technical writer. He began writing this book in January of 2019, during which he realized two minor characters deserving of their own story, leading to the release of Saving Martha & Molly in January 2026. This detour, however, was an achievement in itself, as he’s now been able to hold a hard copy of his published work for the first time. 

A Series in the Making

Vajda takes large inspiration from an old black-and-white film The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and its themes of family, romance, and fantasy. The Ghost in the Tower Room is his modern spin. 

“Told with a bit of humor, all my stories within the Ghosts of Casco Bay series include a family saga, and the personal struggles of both the living and the dead to discover what should be most important to them,” Vajda shares. 

For him, the ghosts aren’t meant to bring an element of fear; instead, they bring more of an opportunity for readers to reflect.

“All the books I write include ghosts who are not scary. Like the living who are trying to manage their lives, my ghosts are trying to do the same in their afterlife. They are just trying to make sense of it and hope, when they come to the end of it, it is not the end of it,” he said. 

With plans to publish the next (and last) two books of the series (The Marquesan Treasure, expected in fall 2027 and Here for a Spell, planned for fall 2028) Vajda isn’t losing momentum: in fact, his endorsements are only proving more of a reason to continue telling the story of the seaside spirits of Casco Bay. 

Advance Praise

“From the very first page of The Ghost in the Tower Room, this book completely hooked me. The story moves at an engaging pace, making it impossible to put down. By the time I reached the end, I was left eagerly—and impatiently—waiting for the next installment in the series.”

—Vicki Chatland, retired foundation administrator

“The Ghost in the Tower Room was an enjoyable and easy read with engaging characters. I especially liked Scarlett’s interactions with her grandmother and the captain, which added depth to the story. By the end, I was genuinely excited to see what Cary writes next.”

—Sharon Winchester

The Author

Cary Vajda worked for forty years in the field of higher education where his focus was nonfiction—audits, reports, evaluations, and regulations—all important but a poor outlet for his creative side. Now retired, he has immersed himself in the world of fantasy and found his passion in writing fiction. 

Saving Martha & Molly was Cary’s first published novel, followed by The Ghost in the Tower Room. Both are books within the series Ghosts of Casco Bay and take advantage of the rich nautical history of Portland, Maine. At least two more novels within this series are on the immediate horizon.  

Residing in Midland, Michigan, with his wife, Sally, the two enjoy the bounty of nature from their home on the Chippewa River. Cary is also a Vietnam War–era veteran who has served two enlistments in the U.S. Naval Reserve. 

The Book

The Ghost in the Tower Room: Ghosts of Casco Bay Book Two 

Cary Vajda 

316 pages, 6” x 9”, B/W

Fiction / Ghost / Romance / Fantasy / Small Town & Rural

ISBN: 978-1-968761-43-1, $24.95 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-968761-44-8, $17.95 (Softcover)

Publication Date: 07/07/2026

Mission Point Press

Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its April 10 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author through his website caryvajda.com

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