The Shelf

Books by Alex Giles

Stories from Florida's forgotten Gulf Coast — where history refuses to stay buried. More titles are on the way.

Available now — exclusively on Amazon Amazon · Hardcover · Paperback · Kindle

Southern Gothic · Historical Mystery

The Ghosts of Port St. Joe

Fiction & Literature · 410 pages · Published July 2026

Port St. Joe, Florida — where the past still lingers. When Alex leaves behind the life he once knew and settles along Florida's forgotten Gulf Coast, he expects quiet mornings by the bay and a new beginning. Instead, he discovers that some stories refuse to remain buried.

In the shadows of ancient oaks, forgotten cemeteries, and the remnants of a lost coastal city, Alex encounters spirits tied to a tragedy nearly two centuries old. At the center of the mystery is a beautiful antique locket — a final connection between Elle Miles, a young woman from one of St. Joseph's prominent families, and Declan Fant, the man who loved her before yellow fever and the hurricane of 1841 changed everything.

Guided by the mysterious Captain Kupfer and the restless souls of old St. Joseph, Alex uncovers secrets of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. But as the spirits reveal why they have remained for generations, Alex begins to understand that his arrival was no accident.

Blending historical tragedy, Southern Gothic atmosphere, and a haunting tale of love that survives beyond time.
★ Most popular format Get the Hardback  →

Hardcover · $27.99 · 410 pages

Available now exclusively on Amazon while the novel is enrolled in a Kindle Direct Publishing promotion. Additional retailers return as the promotion lifts — we’ll add them here the moment they’re back.

The Ghosts of Port St. Joe cover
Reader Reviews

4.6 out of 5 · 6 global ratings

★★★★★
“Alex Giles blends local history, mystery, and the paranormal with vivid, atmospheric writing. A must-read for ghost story lovers.”
— Cherice A. · 5★ · Paperback · Verified Purchase
★★★★☆
“As a descendant of north Floridians, I loved the Forgotten Coast setting. Captivating historical fiction.”
— SDF · 4★ · Kindle · Verified Purchase
★★★★★
“Best book I have ever read!! A haunting, unforgettable story from the Florida coast.”
— Dan W. Medlin · 5★ · Paperback · Verified Purchase
Read all reviews on Amazon  →
In the Writing

More ghosts are coming

Alex is at work on the next story from the coast. Check back, or join the list to hear first.

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