Echoes of the Mountain: Incident 2017-10

by Angela Franklin

Genres: Novella

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Angela Franklin is a practicing dental hygienist with degrees in biological clinical science and finance. When she’s not spending family time with her husband and three sons, she can be found writing her next best-selling novel, painting the landscape of her dreams, or letting loose as many arrows as it takes to hit the bullseye; a woman of various talents and interests, which can best be described as research for her creative outlets. She resides in The Ozarks of Missouri.

Reviews

[Ivana Loustalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Angela, for sharing another incredible story with me 🖤 4.5/5 🌟
This was a really intriguing small-town paranormal short story 👀 It can be read as a stand-alone, but it's set in the same town as The Weight of Shadows, a few years before that book.
I really enjoyed reading about another mystery in Juniper Hollow, and we get to see a younger Ryder, and how his career started. This time, the story is about Matt, his family, friends, and a new love. I loved the same paranormal, enigmatic vibes; it was an extremely intriguing story, with young love romance, and a slightly sad plotline.
It'll keep you hooked from start to finish 💀
This book has these amazing Tropes:
🎃 Small Town Story
✨ Local Lore
❤️‍🔥Young Love Romance
💀 Mystery & Disappearances
💔 Loss & Grief

[Tabytha Boozenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Matt's story and the more I read about the Mountain the more I want to know. I'm still feeling from the end of the Weight of Shadows and this just brought all that back, love this series and can't wait for more. Thank you, Angela, for allowing me to be a part of your journey!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was addictive in all the right ways. The plot was well developed and hit the ground running from page 1. I finished it in one day. It was a quick easy read but I also needed to know what would happen next. I enjoyed the character development and trying to see if I had the mystery figured out along the way. This book is perfect for anyone who likes local lore, mystery, YA love, small town, and secrets. I would recommend it to others and look forward to more from this author.

[Summer Munroe {sum.mun.reads} · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5🌟

This quick to read novel is a perfect addition to the stories of Juniper Hollow! What I really loved about this book is the authors ability to really make me relate to the characters. Angela writes them so well. I was able to be inside the MCs head and see his perspective even though he is a 16 year old boy. I loved the pacing, you jump right in and get carried away with the story. The grief and healing aspects were a really nice addition, and there is a YA young love. No spice! Only kisses. Thank you to the author for the eARC! This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book.
I think this is a perfect standalone companion to The Weight of Shadows and only builds the mystery that is The Mountain! I loved that Ryder was in this story, I enjoyed getting to see a little bit of him in his younger days!

🖤small town
🖤YA love
🖤mystery
🖤part of a bigger story
🖤loss, grief, & healing

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great novella that has little easter eggs throughout in reference to the bigger story “The Weight of Shadows,” which I now definitely need to do a reread of! This takes place before The Weight of Shadows and is a novella in the collection but can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading both for the ultimate experience! I love having a little more information about the mountain and this side of the disappearances with Matt’s story. The author does an amazing job with the emotional depth and creating relatable characters. It is a quick fast-paced intriguing read that includes local lore, young love, secrets (so many secrets!), grief, a small town, and so much mystery! I can’t wait for more in the collection to finally start piecing it all together.

Thank you so incredibly much to the author for a gifted advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own.

[Bookish._.Banter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every small town has their ghost stories and Juniper Hollow is no different.

Matt is a teen who just wants to go hang with his friends. Parker is his little brother who’s scared to be home alone.

When they arrive at the woods party, every thing seems fine. Just your basic teenage rebellions. But it all changes when Matt’s friend reveals what he found off in the trees… a pocket knife. Not just any pocket knife though. It belongs to Matt & Parkers’ dad. Who’s been missing for over a year.

This tangled little mystery will give you chills. It will have the gears in your mind turning. And if you’ve read the companion novel - you’ll be trying to connect the dots and see what’s really going on in The Mountain.

Will you believe the whispers through the town? Can you hear the screams in the dark? Just remember: all who wander might be lost…

[Kalleigh Royn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I love most about Franklin's writing is her ability to create such well developed human characters. I could feel what Matt was feeling throughout this novella, the pain and uncertainty of a missing parent, the frustration of the lack of answers, the fear at the party, and even the awkwardness of new love. It was absolutely brilliant.

Additionally, throughout the story the pacing was on point, the plot held my attention from start to finish. Having read TWOS I loved how this novella built on the story without being revealing (it could absolutely be read as a stand alone!). My only complaint is that the mystery of the mountain is unresolved (but it's supposed to be!!) I am desperate to know what's on the mountain!!!!

[FictionHealsMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echoes in the Mountain is part of the Juniper Hollow series, but it can also be read as a standalone. What drew me in was the premise and the mystery that runs through the story. The author creates a strong sense of suspense and atmosphere, and that feeling stays throughout the book.

The story is told from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old boy named Matt, and the characters have depth, which adds an emotional side to the story. It was also really nice to see a younger version of Reed here. Knowing him from the first book, this felt like a small but enjoyable glimpse into his past.

The pacing is on the slower side and focuses more on mystery, character depth, and emotions rather than action.

[Aluralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short story about more mysterious disappearances around "The Mountain". I enjoyed catching glimpses of the small part Ryder from The Weight Of Shadows has in here.

This can totally be read as a standalone, as a intriguing story, but know that there is really no conclusion to the disappearances. Think of it like it is an episode of Mysteries Of The Unexplained. This also has a touch of some YA romance.

[Angiewagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper Hollow is like any small town in America.
Ghost stories and places you have been told stories about throughout your childhood to stay away from.
The Mountain is no different. A great story and very well paced. I got lost in this story and can't wait for the book in this series.
Loved this book and it was a great read
I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was highly addictive and I absolutely loved reading it. As someone who hasn't read The Weight of Shadows, it was easy to follow along and get to know all of the characters and it has left me wanting to read more of the story line to figure out what happens next.

[Rebecca Horist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was gifted an ARC to review

Angela Franklin did it again.
A rare gem of a sequel that lives up to the intrigue of book 1.

They say if you feel like you shouldn’t be there, maybe you shouldn’t keep going.
And maybe things you thought were lost will find you

[Ashlyn Boozenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
I love Angela's books! This one is a prequel to her debut novel The Weight of Shadows! It was mysterious and a pretty quick read! I can't wait to see what Angela brings to the table next!