This has got to be one of the best books I've read this year. As a parent of a child who passed away, I was nervous starting this one, given the title and not knowing much else about it. But it was amazing, and I flew through it in 3 hours. I couldn't put it down. Everything about it was just brilliant; the characters, the story itself, the fact its (loosely) based on a real local legend. I got a little worried when it appeared that all the dead children were aged 10ish, as my oldest is the same age, and I had my heart in my throat for a lot of this. But I made it to the end with no tears... Then I read the epilogue... I cried so damn hard my fella thought I'd just got some bad news. 
If you love a ghost story, and don't mind getting your heart stomped on, this is the book for you. I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait for the next book.