Book cover of 'The Empty Lot Next Door' by Arthur Mills with a handprint on glass.

Based on True Events of a Haunting in Austin, Texas

The investigation into Candle Face didn’t start with Candle Face Chronicles; it started with my childhood haunting. The Empty Lot Next Door is my award-winning memoir that first introduced Candle Face, drawn from real experiences growing up in Austin, TX in the 1970s and 80s. What began as a terrifying memory became the foundation for everything that followed.

Candle Face pinches Ray’s nose and mouth shut, silencing him in the dead of night—one of the most terrifying encounters from The Empty Lot Next Door.

The Second Edition: More Truth, More Terror

My much-acclaimed memoir, The Empty Lot Next Door (originally published in 2010), returns in a more terrifying second edition released in 2023. While the original captivated young readers worldwide, I’ve reimagined this new version to unsettle even the most seasoned horror fans. I've carefully reworked the story to reflect actual events, deepening the psychological tension and heightening the vivid imagery.

The decaying treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Door, a place of childhood adventure, turned into a haunting reminder of Candle Face’s presence.

The Empty Lot Next Door Storyline

When I was young, my family excitedly moved into a new house next to an unusual vacant lot in our Austin neighborhood. A strange, deep hole lay mysteriously at the back of that lot, the site of a home destroyed by fire years before. At first, the empty lot was just an exciting playground where my new friends and I played. But soon, I learned the unsettling story behind it—that a little girl had died in the flames there. According to neighborhood legend, anyone who jumped into the hole would be haunted by her restless spirit.

Drawn by curiosity, I recklessly challenged the legend and became haunted by that same little girl. I called her Candle Face because of her scorched face and body. Soon, Candle Face began invading my dreams, leaving handprints and disturbing signs around our home, even when I was awake.

Yet, The Empty Lot Next Door is more than just my ghost story. It's also about the loneliness I felt as a child, unable to share my fears with my family, who were overwhelmed by their own struggles. I quietly tried to understand my frightening reality, afraid to burden anyone with my secret terrors. Ultimately, my memoir shows how a childhood filled with silence can haunt far longer and deeper than any ghost.

Candle Face, her gaunt figure draped in tattered robes, reaches out from the depths of a dark pit—lurking near the cursed tree and the remnants of a forgotten past.

What the Critics Are Saying

Critics agree that The Empty Lot Next Door is a ghost story at its finest, perhaps all the more so because it’s a true story. Professional book critic Lisa McCurley says, “After the first night of sleeping with the light on, I ended up taking off two afternoons from work to finish it which is all it took because I couldn’t put this book down.” Kirkus Reviews agrees, “In a coming-of-age story that’s well paced and layered with emotion, Mills creates moments of true suspense through guileless prose as he unearths a family tragedy.” Anyone who enjoys being scared or wants to investigate whether ghosts are real will add The Empty Lot Next Door to the must-read list.

Ray struggles to escape as Candle Face, her charred and decayed form rising from the water, grabs his legs and drags him toward the depths.

Award-Winning Book

In The Empty Lot Next Door, I revisit haunting childhood experiences, capturing not only the terror of supernatural events but also the emotional struggles of isolation, sibling abuse, and neglect. My story reveals how loneliness and fear can amplify both imagined and very real dangers, turning everyday life into something quietly terrifying.

Reviewers Choice Awards (First Edition)

  • Kids Award for Best Teen / Young Adult
  • Book of the Year
  • Teen (12-16) – First Place
  • Regional South – First Place
  • Parenting, Family, and Relationships – Honorable Mention

Explore the Haunting Imagery of The Empty Lot Next Door

The Empty Lot Next Door includes 49 original illustrations, bringing its haunting story vividly to life.

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Main Characters, Places, and Symbolic Elements

These characters, locations, and symbolic details deepen the story, inviting readers to experience the hidden fears and secrets firsthand.

A haunting depiction of Candle Face—her charred, skeletal image embodying terror. A central figure in Candle Face Chronicles, published by Branching Plot Books.
A childhood photo from The Empty Lot Next Door featuring Ricky, Ray (the author), and their dog, Tiny. A snapshot of the past tied to the haunting events described in the book.
Ray Mills, a young boy with wavy light brown hair and a warm smile, dressed in a tan blazer over a white collared shirt. Image titled 'Ray Mills - The Empty Lot Next Door.'
An illustration from The Empty Lot Next Door, depicting Ricky’s story of Griffin and his magical adventures—a world of cyclops warriors, griffins, and enchanted battles.
A scary, abandoned treehouse perched atop the twisted roots of a gnarled tree in the empty lot next door, its decaying structure looming as bats circle overhead.
Close-up of a handprint with reflective properties on a light blue background (The Empty Lot Next Door by Arthur Mills).

Candle Face

Candle Face is a symbolic or supernatural figure who represents my fears, my trauma, and the impact of my childhood experiences.

Throughout the story, her true nature and intentions remain unclear, leaving readers to wonder if she's a creation of my imagination, a genuine supernatural being, or something my mind built around pain I couldn't face directly. That uncertainty keeps the tension alive, and it's what drives my personal journey through the story.

Ricky

Ricky (in the yellow t-shirt) is a symbol of innocence lost and the vulnerability of childhood. His creative spirit, mixed with his traumatic experiences, ties into the story's themes of the supernatural and the psychological weight of fear.

Ray – (Me) as Narrator

I'm Ricky's younger brother and the one haunted by Candle Face. As both the narrator and an active participant in the story's events, I offer commentary on the emotions and relationships involved. Throughout my journey, I search for answers to the mysteries of Candle Face and the traumatic experiences I witnessed, exploring its supernatural aspects.

Griffin

Griffin was my brother Ricky's imaginary friend, acting as his protector and source of comfort. He also symbolized the tragedy and lost innocence of our childhood. Griffin's presence deepened the confusion surrounding Candle Face and the traumatic events we experienced. Ultimately, discovering Griffin's true significance brought me closure and helped me understand our past.

The Empty Lot Next Door

The empty lot next door was a place filled with mystery throughout my childhood. It became the center of countless rumors and legends among my brother Ricky, our friends, and me. Stories of hauntings and tragedy surrounded it, creating unease and curiosity. This vacant lot was central to my exploration of the past and the strange events I experienced, coming to symbolize my search for answers about who I am and what happened there.

Handprint

The handprint symbolized the supernatural and the power of my childhood traumas and memories. It marked the disturbing presence of Candle Face, triggering fear, confusion, and deep emotional turmoil in my life. The handprint represented questions I could never fully answer, leaving me haunted by uncertainty and a sense that some mysteries would always remain beyond my understanding.

KVUE News Story (2010)

Affiliated with ABC in Austin, TX

Get Your Signed Copy!

Branching Plot Books

The Empty Lot Next Door: More Than A Ghost Story

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  • Book cover of 'Co-Author' by Arthur Mills featuring a woman on a couch with a laptop and a man in the background.
  • Back cover of The Empty Lot Next Door by Arthur Mills, a deeply personal story blending childhood terror, real-life trauma, and the ghostly presence of Candle Face.

Also Available on Amazon

You can purchase The Empty Lot Next Door directly from my website or from Amazon. Each option has its advantages. Buying here means you'll receive a personally signed copy and directly support me as an indie author, since Amazon takes a significant percentage of sales and doesn't offer signed copies. However, Amazon provides faster and sometimes free shipping, plus easy returns, whereas signed copies from my website are non-returnable. The choice is yours, and I appreciate your support either way!

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Selected Reviews

Eerie and Deeply Emotional

"The Empty Lot Next Door is an eerie and deeply emotional coming-of-age tale that blends the supernatural with raw human experiences. Arthur Mills’ true-life account of Candle Face is haunting, gripping, and impossible to put down."

Amazon Reviewer

Impactful

"I didn’t expect 'The Empty Lot Next Door' by Arthur Mills to impact me as deeply as it did. On the surface, it’s a ghost story with a terrifying premise—Ray’s haunting by the burned girl, “Candle Face,” gave me chills more than once—but the book is so much more than that. It’s also a heartfelt and honest exploration of childhood, loneliness, and the emotional scars that form when children are left to navigate life’s challenges on their own."

Amazon Reviewer

Highly Recommended

"It is a great read for fans of ghost stories and shows how childhood experiences can leave a lasting impact. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good spooky story with heart."

Amazon Reviewer

The Author's Desk

Visit The Author’s Desk for updates on books and projects, along with behind-the-scenes notes on process and design.

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