The Tale of the Vanishing Circus (Are You Afraid of the Dark? #3): Volume 3 -- Kayla Cottingham, Hardcover

The third spine-chilling book set in the world of Nickelodeon's hit TV show Are You Afraid of the Dark? written by NYT-bestelling author Kayla Cottingham!

Thirteen-year-old Riley Beasley is focused on her future--especially her goal of leaving the small town of Lake Glory to attend an Ivy League school. It's a lot of pressure, and her mom's reminders to live in the moment only make her feel more misunderstood. Even Riley's best friend, paranormal-obsessed Genna, just doesn't get it.

On the night of the Blood Moon, Genna convinces Riley to sneak out and investigate some strange lights that beckon from the woods. There the two friends discover a mysterious circus and its teenage ringleader, Starr.

At first, both girls are drawn to the magic of the big top. But soon, they can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right. Where did all these circus kids come from? Why aren't there any adults around? Like anyone, Starr certainly has her secrets . . . but can she be trusted?

As the girls become more entrenched in Starr's hypnotic world, their friendship faces the ultimate test. Will they be best friends forever? Or will the sinister truth tear them apart?


Author: Kayla Cottingham
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published: 11/25/2025
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781419763540
Audience: Ages 9-12

About the Author
Kayla Cottingham is a YA author and librarian. Her first book, My Dearest Darkest, was a New York Times and Publisher's Weekly bestseller. Originally from Salt Lake City, Cottingham lives in Boston where she loves to go hiking in the woods, play RPGs, and snuggle on the couch with her ridiculously large black cat, Squid.