Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella is a dark academia psychological thriller that blends grief, mystery, and the supernatural into one deeply atmospheric story. At its core, it follows Cadence (Cady) Archer, a Harvard freshman determined to understand why her brilliant older brother Eric, who lived with paranoid schizophrenia, died by suicide on campus the year before.

⭐ The Heart of the Story

Cady arrives at Harvard carrying her brother’s blue notebook filled with cryptic scribbles, hoping it will help her retrace his final year. As she digs deeper into his life, she begins hearing voices—three distinct ghosts tied to Harvard’s buried history. The novel keeps you questioning whether she’s uncovering truths Eric couldn’t reach… or slipping into the same illness that tormented him.

⭐ Themes That Drive the Novel

• Mental illness & stigma — Eric’s schizophrenia and Cady’s fear of inheriting it
• Grief & guilt — Cady’s need to understand what she “missed”
• Harvard’s hidden past — including figures whose stories were erased or overshadowed
• Reality vs. the supernatural — Are the ghosts real or manifestations of trauma?

⭐ Why Readers Connect With It

The book is praised for its intricate plotting, insider knowledge of Harvard’s culture (Serritella is an alum), and its blend of mystery, ghost story, and psychological tension. It’s been a Teen Vogue Book Club Pick and earned strong reviews for its emotional depth and unpredictability.

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