Hangman's Curse

Summary
The Veritas Project is their code name—but only a handful of people know teens Elijah and Elisha Springfield have been covertly commissioned by the President to investigate strange mysteries that delve into the paranormal and supernatural. Their charge is to find out not only what happened, but why—the veritas (Latin for truth) behind the seemingly impossible phenomena.
Their new assignment: Hangman's Curse

In Baker, Washington, three popular student athletes lie in an incoherent coma, with loss of muscle coordination, severe paranoia, and hallucinations. It's whispered that they're victims of Abel Frye—a curse that's haunted the school since a student died there in the 1930s. Now the curse is spreading, and students are running scared. The Veritas Project must go undercover to find the truth . . . before it's too late.

Afterthoughts
Frank Peretti is a literary master and, of all his works, this is one of my favorites. "Hangman's Curse"  is thrilling, realistically believable and creepy enough to make you dig out that old nightlight. You've been warned.
Elijah and Elisha are two kids who are very different from most teenagers. They're highly trained spies who get to travel around and solve freaky mysteries. Basically, the dream-selves of many teenagers who wish for a more exciting reality, myself included.
I read this book when I was 12 and have read it a few times since, enjoying it each time. The characters are relatable and likable and the plot twist is completely unexpected. And creepy. Peretti provides a story that gives a thrill, but also addresses deeper topics. It's not your average horror story.
So, crack open those pages and reach for that nightlight. Really. You're gonna need it.

Warnings
Supernatural themes (like ghosts) and general creepy-crawly horror.

Extras
There's a movie! Watch the trailer: