Chris Pisano, author of “The Secret Spirit Society: The Legend of Captain Shanks.”
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
AGAWAM — An eerie New England coastal town, an old house and a legend that may not appear to be what it seems. This is the setting for local author Chris Pisano’s debut book young adult novel, “The Secret Spirit Society: The Legend of Captain Shanks.”
“I had what I like to call a blessed childhood,” Pisano said of growing up in New England and visiting the Massachusetts coast as a child. His experiences encouraged the spirit of adventure. To this day, when visiting the beach, he said, “I always think I’m going to find treasure of a gold doubloon.”
The story finds Connor Preston and his family relocating to the fictional town of Old Fenwick and finding friends, adventure and, perhaps, a spirit along the way. Pisano described his protagonist as “a typical fish out of water” who finds “the things that go bump in the night; it’s not just the house settling.” There is a mystery to solve and Connor, his new best friend, Cassius, and his sister, Tib, are on the case. But they soon discover nothing is what it seems.
When Pisano was done writing, he had penned a 600-page manuscript. He did not expect it to be published, having written it for himself, but the opportunity arose. However, he was told to trim the manuscript to something more manageable for young adult readers. Instead, he split the tome into two, with the second half, titled, “The Secret Spirit Society: The Curse of Captain Shanks,” available in fall 2027. “I always imagined it being three books,” Pisano said, although he does not yet have a release date for the last installment, “The Secret Spirit Society: The Treasure of Captain Shanks.”
While Pisano knew he did not want his book to appeal solely to adults, he also did not intend to aim it at middle readers or a young adult audience.
“I wanted to write the book that I wanted to read when I was a young person,” he said. “It’s really for someone who wants a good romp — a damn fun, good time, a few thrills, a few chills and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll try to solve the mystery along the way.”
Pisano found that he is not the only one interested in such stories. He sold out of copies at a book signing at A New Chapter in West Springfield on Oct. 17. He said there were even more preorder sales, which he signed hundreds of copies for.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the results so far,” Pisano said. “I’m absolutely thrilled anytime someone says, ‘I read your book and it was great.’ It means the world to me.”
“The Secret Spirit Society: The Legend of Captain Shanks,” published by Dusk Ink, is available at all large online retailers and on shelves at A New Chapter
