Review: The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder (Nosey Parker #9) by Fiona Leitch

The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder (A Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery, #9)The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder by Fiona Leitch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars**

❤️💚🤍❤️💚🤍❤️💚🤍❤️💚🤍❤️💚🤍

The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder is the 9th-book in the Nosey Parker Mystery series by Fiona Leitch. This is my favorite currently-running Cozy series. I absolutely adore it and look forward to each new installment.

For someone who tends to shy away from commitment, to be here at book #9, already anxiously anticipating the next, is definitely saying something.

These books follow Jodie Parker, who resigned from the Metropolitan Police in London after a close call and returned to her native village of Penstowan, in Cornwall, with her daughter, Daisy, to live a simpler life.

Even though she now runs her own successful catering company, old habits are hard to break and Jodie has helped the local police with some challenging cases. It’s through this that she first met her beau, DCI Nathan Winters. Her Pomeranian, Germaine, rounds out their crew.

This mystery, set around the Christmas holiday, begins at the local theater where the amateur dramatics group, the Penstowan Players, are putting on their annual pantomime. Both Jodie’s daughter, Daisy, and her mother, Shirley, are taking part.

Jodie got away with not participating by agreeing to cater the Opening Night Party. Unfortunately, before the party can even get started, in fact, barely halfway through the show, a cast member’s murdered body is found in the wings.

The show cannot go on. The police swiftly take control of the scene and an investigation begins. And just because she’s not formally with the police anymore, doesn’t mean Jodie’s not going to be asking some questions as well.

This was another fabulous installment. I love this series so, so much. Settling in with each consecutive book feels like reuniting with old friends.

This cast of characters fills my heart to the brim and then some. I love their cheeky humor and the mysteries are always engaging. Jodie and her family are such a focal point in the stories, and I appreciate so much how Leitch has portrayed their relationships.

This one kicks off very quickly, which gave plenty of time for the investigative portions, which is something I tend to look for in my Cozies. Other things I frequently look for that Leitch excels at are the humor and the small village vibes.

I also liked the number of different suspects we had in this mystery, as well as their varied potential motives. It made it a fun and engaging mystery to try to solve.

Finally, I love that this series doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’s still incredibly well-written, paced and plotted. Fiona Leitch is a true gem in the Cozy space.

I’m really hoping for more; meaning, I hope it never ends!

Thank you to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will patiently be awaiting news on Book #10!!!

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Review: Everyone in This Bank is a Thief (Ernest Cunningham #3) by Benjamin Stevenson

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief: A NovelEveryone in This Bank Is a Thief: A Novel by Benjamin Stevenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars**

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief is a fabulously-fun installment to the Ernest Cunningham series. It successfully channels all the quirky meta-vibes that Readers, including myself, have been enjoying in the previous books.

This is the 3rd-novel in the series, and there’s also a fun novella set around the Christmas holiday. At this point, our protagonist, Ernest, is a successful crime writer who’s honed his craft frequently via hands-on experience.

The mystery in this story takes Ernest in a new direction though, when the bank he’s at for a loan meeting, gets held-up and the people inside suddenly find themselves taken hostage, including Ernest and Juliette.

As the event starts to unfold, Ernest begins to notice unusual things about the robber and the situation in general. It seems there’s more than money at stake. What is he really after, and what is the actual aim of this heist?

As Ernest gets to know everyone in the bank, and as he starts to put the various puzzle pieces together, even the hostages become his suspects.

I’ve enjoyed following Ernest’s character arc over the course of these novels. He’s very much evolved and I feel like this story was a perfect glimpse into the life he’s living now. It’s such a change from when we met him in the 1st-book.

I liked that Stevenson went in a different direction with the plot of this story as well. It’s not just another murder mystery. The bank setting and the cast of unknown characters added a fun new direction for the series.

I listened to the audiobooks for all of the novels and the narration by Barton Welch is absolutely fantastic. He is Ernest Cunningham to me. I cannot recommend the audio versions enough, if you have them available to you.

I read this in a day. It was so quick and easy to get through. There were a ton of twists and unexpected turns, I had no clue where this was really going. It was such a fun ride.

I’d love to get a physical copy of this one for my collection, as this is the rare mystery I would love to read again and annotate. There were so many interesting clues along the way that I’d love to analyze more closely.

At this point, it’s fair to say Benjamin Stevenson has found a fan in me for life. I’m not sure what the long-term plans are for this series, but I’m certainly hoping for more installments. There’s so much more fun to be had!

Thank you to the publisher, Mariner Books and Harper Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This series brings me such joy and I can’t recommend it enough!

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Review: A Magic Deep and Drowning by Hester Fox

A Magic Deep and DrowningA Magic Deep and Drowning by Hester Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

A Magic Deep and Drowning is set in the Dutch Republic in 1650. We follow 20-year old, Clara, who at the start of the story discovers a rotting whale carcass washed ashore. Surely, a bad omen.

Clara dismisses this thought though. She’s a sensible girl, not one to rely on superstitions and old wives’ tales. Her sensibilities seem rewarded when she shortly thereafter receives a proposal from a wealthy merchant.

This is what she’s been waiting for. A chance to flee her parent’s psychologically traumatic household. I won’t get into the details of how terrible her parents are. I’ll let you discover that fun bit of information for yourselves.

However, before her fate is sealed, Clara has a chance encounter with another handsome young man. His name is Maurits, and Clara feels compelled to be near him. It seems Clara has an important decision to make.

Should she go with the safe bet, the marriage she’s been raised for, or chase after the man the sparkling eyes the color of the sea, the man she can’t stop thinking about?

This was good. It’s not my typical read, but I always enjoy Hester Fox’s writing and ideas. As an allegory for climate change, I thought this was nicely done. It’s subtle, and didn’t interfere with the overall fairytale retelling.

I also enjoyed the other folklore elements Fox included. While it’s mainly a retelling of The Little Mermaid, but gender-flipped, there were also many other folkloric beings involved in the plot.

I did feel for Clara as a character. As mentioned above, her parents weren’t great. She deserved so much better. Her home life was pretty insufferable and I feel like she had to make desperate choices in order to get out of that situation.

She was still so young, forced to make these life choices for herself in regards to her path. Love or safety? Convenience or risk? These weren’t easy choices, and she had zero support.

In the midst of all of this, she also ends up getting dragged into this war amongst mythological beings and humans, basically, as she was part of a deal that was struck years and years before.

I picked this up because it had Hester Fox’s name on the cover. I didn’t really know what it was all about. I’ve read 4-other books from her and have really enjoyed them all. Granted, this won’t stand out as a favorite from her for me, but I’m still glad I picked it up.

I can appreciate the beauty of this story and the fact that she went in a different direction with it. Regardless of the topics explored, she always writes with such conviction and passion. You can feel it. That she truly cares about what she is writing. Every book feels like a heavy-dose of research went into it, and I have no doubt that is also the case here.

Even though this is a little out of my comfort zone, I would highly recommend it to Readers who enjoy fairytale retellings, or stories with strong mythological or folklore elements. There’s a lot packed in here in that regard, and I know so many will enjoy it.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Harlequin Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. The narration by Lauren Ezzo truly swept me up into the story. Well done!

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Review: All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery #2) by P.J. Nelson

All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery, #2)All My Bones by P.J. Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All My Bones is the 2nd-book in P.J. Nelson’s An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery series. I enjoyed the 1st-book, Booked For Murder, when I read it in December of 2024.

I adore Cozy Mysteries, and loving finding new series to follow along with as they’re released. In these books, the small town and bookshop vibes definitely deliver the type of cozy vibes I’m generally looking for.

In this series, we’re following Madeline Brimley, who has returned to her hometown of Enigma, Georgia, after the passing of her Aunt Rose, as she’s inherited Rose’s property, including the Old Juniper Bookshop.

An actress by trade, Madeline initially has mixed feelings about going back to the small town. Leaving the theater circuit in Atlanta behind is though, but she decides to give it a shot nevertheless.

We saw a lot of development of her character in that 1st-book, and that trend continues here. She’s now well-established back in Enigma, having made friends and other connections. She seems comfortable in her new life, and it makes me happy to see it.

The mystery in this installment centers around a body Madeline discovers while trying to plant azaleas in the garden in front of the shop. Her friend, Gloria, the local episcopal priest, is with her at the time of the morbid discovery, and soon becomes the prime suspect.

Madeline knows that Gloria wouldn’t hurt a fly, and certainly isn’t responsible for this body buried in the garden, but now she needs to prove it.

I’m so happy I continued on with this series. After the 1st-one, even though I enjoyed it a lot, I was on the fence as to whether I would pursue any follow-up books.

When I was offered access to this one a little early though, I found that I did really want to continue on. This was such a strong installment too. I really hope we get more Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery stories, because I’m having a lot of fun with this cast of characters.

Madeline has grown so much, and I love how grounded she feels now in her new life in Enigma. She’s making good friends, and I feel like she is a valued member of their community. The bookshop caters to the local college crowd, and I also enjoy those vibes.

I appreciated how quickly Nelson kicked off the mystery in this one. It all happens so quickly at the beginning, the discovery of the body, which allows plenty of time for the subsequent investigation.

It was fun going along with Madeline as she tried to work out the whodunit, in order to save Gloria from going down for the crime. I feel like her close relationship with Gloria definitely upped the stakes for her, and gave the plot an additional sense of urgency.

I would recommend this series to Cozy Mystery Readers, particularly if you enjoy ones centering around bookstores, or libraries. Additionally, I would recommend the audio format if you have access to it. The narration perfectly matches Madeline’s character and I love it!

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. If a 3rd-book releases, which I’m really hoping for, I’ll be the first in line to read it!

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Review: How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

How Bad Things Can GetHow Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

How Bad Things Can Get, which features an online influencer hosting a retreat on a private island, started out mildly intriguing for me and then promptly fell right off the cliff into eye-rolling, when will this be over, territory.

Glancing over some other reviews after I finished, I’d definitely say I’m in the minority opinion on this one, so please take this review with a grain of salt, because that’s what I am: salty.

I’m starting to think Darcy Coates maybe just isn’t an author for me, and that’s okay. This is the 3rd-book I’ve tried from her, and they’re not going well.

This had a bit of promise in the beginning, as our characters arrived at this island, I liked the excitement of that. As it started unfolding though, it felt so all over the place; chaotic and not ever able to capture my attention.

It was a bit Beast Games, mixed with the Fyre Festival and just a little sprinkling of the live-action Scooby Doo, when the gang heads to Spooky Island.

If this sounds like a mess, it is. It is.

There was one really fun, creepy scene on a beach though, involving naked people and some deaths. I liked that bit, but one scene does not a successful book make. The characters drove me nuts, the direction it took made my eyes glaze over, it just didn’t work for me.

Nevertheless, others are enjoying this one, so don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself.

Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m sure many Readers will love this one. Sadly, it just wasn’t for me.

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Review: Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Japanese GothicJapanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first 5-star read of 2026!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, okay. Japanese Gothic. Is this going to be for everyone? No, most likely not. Was it for me though? Hell yes!

I am blown away by how unique, beautiful and creative this story is. It’s tragic. It’s challenging and captivating. It hurt my head a little and my heart a lot.

I finished this novel close to a month ago, and have been sitting with it in my mind ever since. As it turns out, this is going to be one of those cases for me that I love a book so much, I really don’t know how to review it.

There’s only so many ways one can say, this is amazing.

Kylie Lee Baker is so versatile in her writing, and this is a clear example of her tremendous talent. I think maybe for Readers who have only read Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng from her, they might be surprised by this one.

For Readers who have read her earlier works, such as The Keeper of the Night, or The Scarlet Alchemist duologies, both of which I recommend, this may be less of a surprise.

Those Horror Fantasy duologies both leaned heavily into more historical settings. In The Keeper of the Night duology, we also had the incorporation of Japanese folklore and mythology explored through a Horror lens.

In Japanese Gothic, it feels like KLB is blending both her earlier works with Bat Eater, and I mean this style-wise, as we have two main characters, Lee, living in our modern world in 2026, and Sen, living in historic Japan in 1877.

After Lee flees New York under distressing circumstances, he goes to stay in his father’s new home in Japan. A house with a haunting aura and history.

It’s in this location that Lee’s and Sen’s worlds end up colliding. So there’s this beautiful blend of the modern with the historical. It’s a story of two times, two worlds, but how are they connected, and why?

This book is such a journey, such a ride. I was so curious about how KLB was going to work these two perspectives and I loved how it was done. The way we learn about the characters through their experiences with one another, it unfolded in such a natural way.

I definitely crept up on me. I didn’t know how invested I was until the events began to escalate and become higher stakes. I loved the mystery of it as well. There’s no info dumping as to what is going on here, or why, it just evolves.

The revelations at the end, the truth of what’s going on with these characters and the connection, it was jaw-dropping and incredible. I was in awe of what KLB did here.

I could see this one going either way with Readers. It takes its time. It’s truly a slow burn, but I loved the Horror imagery and dark content KLB included, while also making it heartfelt and thought-provoking.

I think for the Readers it hits with, it’s really going to hit, and I fall into that camp. For me, this is Kylie Lee Baker’s best work yet, and I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read from her. I just feel like the complexity the story, the themes explored and it’s construction, is all next level.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who feels like the premise sounds intriguing. I think if you go in knowing it’s going to unfold in a slow, meticulous way, you’ll have a better shot connecting with it. Be willing to take the time.

Thank you to the publisher, Hanover Square Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I know it’s early, but I can say with confidence that this will be on my Best Books of 2026 list!

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Review: What Stalks the Deep (Sworn Soldier #3) by T. Kingfisher

What Stalks the Deep (Sworn Soldier, #3)What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

What Stalks the Deep is the 3rd-installment in the Sworn Soldier series by one of my favorite authors, T. Kingfisher.

I adore this series and have a soft spot in my heart for its protagonist, Alex Easton.

Kingfisher has yet again infused Alex Easton with the perfect amount of humor and frankness. Getting a story from Alex’s perspective, is like sitting with a friend while they tell you horrifying tales from their most recent vacation.

In this book, we follow along with Alex as they travel to the United States, and to West Virginia specifically, to visit a coal mine with a little something extra going on.

Alex has zero desire to make this trip to a purportedly haunted coal mine, but they feel compelled after they’ve been asked by their old friend Dr. James Denton. Denton’s cousin, Oscar, went missing while exploring the abandoned mine and he’s desperate to find him.

This was another very fun installment for this series. It really switched it up as far as the setting, and the type of mystery we were investigating.

I loved that it was set in West Virginia and that Kingfisher even included the journey there, because that journey helped pull me in even more to the story and got me fully invested.

The abandoned coal mine was definitely creepy for me, as caves or mines are one of my personal fears. They simultaneously fascinate me and terrify me.

I’m a bit claustrophobic, so even reading of these types of situations can get my pulse racing. Exploring it along with Alex though did make it feel a bit more safe, and fun.

Unfortunately, the way the truth of what was happening was delivered is sort of a pet peevey thing for me. I didn’t like it. I can’t really describe what I mean without spoilers, but it’s a kind of trope I just don’t care for, and I was a bit disappointed to find it here.

However, with this being said, this is 100% personal taste, and there were many other aspects of this story for me to enjoy. While the explanation and concluding bits weren’t my favorite as far as this series goes, it’s still a great read and I would recommend it to Horror Readers.

I’d also recommend the audiobooks for the entire series, should you have them available to you. They’re all narrated by Avi Roque, who has become Alex Easton to me. I love, love, love the way they deliver these stories, it’s just the perfect cadence and tone to bring them to life.

I’m still not sure how many books are planned for this series. This might even have been the last one, but I certainly hope it wasn’t. With this type of story, the possibilities are absolutely endless for the things that Alex could explore, and I’d be down for every one.

Thank you to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. These punchy Horror Novellas are not to be missed!

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Review: Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #1) by Penn Cole

Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, #1)Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spark of the Everflame is the 1st-book in the Kindred’s Curse series by Penn Cole, and I feel like I’m the last person in our world to read it. I’ve been missing out.

This novel follows Diem Bellator, whose mother, a well-known healer, has gone missing. Diem, already primed to step into her mother’s footsteps, ends up taking over some of her healer responsibilities, which includes entrance to the royal palace to aide some of the descended.

The descendeds are the upper echelon citizens of this world. They’re actual descendants of the Gods and Diem, and the rest of her mortal peers, are basically treated like disposable garbage by these upper classes.

Her entrance into the palace opens up Diem’s eyes to a whole new world and perspective that she’s never considered before. She’s also constantly watched by the dying King’s handsome nephew, Luther.

Diem feels torn, with a mortal alliance recruiting her to their ranks, and with her new found friendships without the descended class, she just wants to do the right thing. She wants to protect her family, and life in general.

Why did I wait so long to read this!? My best friend read it years ago and raved about. I kept meaning to pick it up, but just didn’t. Admittedly, it’s a little outside my comfort zone, but I am so happy I finally picked it up.

I was completely invested, and the ending!?

I didn’t see where this was going at all. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not a well-versed Romantasy Reader, or what, but I was not expecting the path that it seems Diem’s character is about to take.

I knew nothing about this going in, but I think I may have enjoyed it all the more because of that. I think Cole did a fantastic job of laying out the structure and politics of this whole world. There was a lot to learn, but it didn’t feel info-dumpy. It all felt very natural.

I’m so excited to continue on with this series and find out what’s going to happen for all of these great characters. I appreciated the slow burn of the Romance and the fact that right now there just seems to be a lot of pining, and will they/won’t they energy.


It surprised me how invested I got in this story. I’m super excited to continue on with the series, and am hoping to do so as soon as possible.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me a copy to read and review. I’m so sorry it took me so long to get to this one. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait; so good!

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Review: We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall

We Won't All SurviveWe Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

Kate Alice Marshall does a lot of things. She writes across all age ranges, and her themes and vibes are always new and exciting. I anxiously anticipate all of her releases, as I never know what exactly I’ll be getting into next.

We Won’t All Survive is a YA Thriller that features a strong survival element, a mystery and a reality game.

This story follows Mercy Gray, who gained notoriety 2-years ago after being hailed a hero during a mall shooting. The incident left her with serious medical debt however, and her fair share of guilt for some of her choices that day.

When Mercy gets offered the chance to compete on a survivalist reality show with a huge cash prize, she sees it as a chance to get out of debt and maybe even put her younger sister through college.

The show is being hosted by billionaire-turned-TV-host Damien Dare, and nothing is really known about it. It’s been kept very hush-hush.

When Mercy and the other contestants arrive at the off-grid location for the start of the competition, they immediately sense something is off. They’ve arrived on schedule, but it appears the crew hasn’t.

They find the set empty. It’s a literal ghost town. Suddenly, just as they’re trying to decide what to do, the gates close without warning, trapping them inside. Is this just part of the show, or is something more sinister at work?

When one of the contestants ends up dead, it’s clear the survival element of this show is no joke. They’re literally in a fight for their lives. Will anyone make it out alive?

We Won’t All Survive is a quick, entertaining read. It’s very Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, but for teens, so if you enjoyed that one, this is definitely worth checking out.

I do tend to love any novel incorporating a reality show element, and I appreciated that about this as well, though I’m not sure how memorable it’ll be long-term.

I thought the set-up was fun and liked learning about the situation these characters found themselves in. It did have some fairly intense scenes and I liked trying to figure out what was actually going on, and who was to blame.

There was some interpersonal stuff I wasn’t crazy about, but overall it did manage to keep me invested and focused. Just a bit of the drama amongst the characters seemed a little silly in light of the circumstances they found themselves in.

Like how about we focus on all staying alive and then we can deal with all this other BS if we actually get out of here?

With this being said, I did like Mercy as an MC. She had an interesting backstory, which was fed to us piece meal over the course of the story, and I enjoyed learning her whole story. It definitely gave clarity to many of her choices.

Overall, even though this isn’t my favorite book from this author, I still had a fun time reading it and would recommend it. This would be a great book to take on vacation, or just binge read on the weekend due to it’s compelling action and fast pace.

Thank you to the publisher, Viking Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Kate Alice Marshall is so talented and I’ll continue to pick up everything and anything she writes!!

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Review: X Marks the Haunt by Lindsay Currie

X Marks the HauntX Marks the Haunt by Lindsay Currie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

12-year old, Will Stone, has some unique interests for his age, mainly stemming from his proximity to his Mom’s work at a local historic cemetery.

Will is well-versed in all things Graceland cemetery. He’s familiar with how all the burial vaults work, he knows where the most interesting markers lie, and he is a wiz at interpreting centuries old records. Not quite the typical past-times of his peers.

Because of all this, Will doesn’t have a ton of friends. He’s more of a loner. He does have a best friend, Stash, and no one is really mean to him, but he doesn’t have a big group he would generally pal around with.

When his class ends up taking a field trip to the cemetery, at first he’s horrified. He doesn’t want his classmates knowing his Mom works there, and she’s going to be guiding their tour. It’s instant panic mode for Will.

His Mom is a professional though, and ends up making it a fun and memorable visit for all the kids. Will is surprised by the interest a lot of his classmates show, and by the end of the day, he’s found he’s made a couple new friends.

Unfortunately, there is one kid that’s not as nice as the rest and he ends up pressuring Will into doing something he really doesn’t want to do. The result of this action is that a priceless crypt key ends up lost.

After that, Will’s peaceful existence in the cemetery goes awry. Trees start to die, the lake seems poisoned and Will begins hearing and seeing disturbing things.

It seems some sort of malevolent force has been unleashed, and Will, along with his new found friends, need to figure out how to put things back to rights. If they find the key, that should solve everything, right? Maybe, maybe not.

X Marks the Haunt is classic Lindsay Currie. If you’re a fan of her work, you definitely need to read this one. It’s once again set in the beautiful, historic city of Chicago and incorporates history so fluidly.

Will is extremely lovable and pure. I love how resourceful and naturally curious Currie makes her protagonists, but they’re also vulnerable and you can’t help but root for their success. I loved watching Will gain confidence around his peers over the course of the story.

He showed a lot of growth and we love to see that. I think as far as Middle Grade stories go, Currie is one of the best at making history, learning, books smarts, all those things, look cool, because they are, but not all kids see it that way.

Although I didn’t feel this was quite as spooky, or atmospheric, as some of Currie’s earlier works, I still loved these characters so much and the incorporation of the cemetery as the backdrop of the action was so fun.

If you are a fan of Spooky Middle Grade and for some reason haven’t read a Lindsay Currie book yet, you need to change that immediately. She’s the best in the biz, IMO.

Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Currie has never disappointed me.

I look forward to everything she writes and will continue to do so for a long, long time!

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