THE BEAST YOU LET IN

Everyone in Ashling knows the story of Veronica Green, who was found murdered in the woods—but no one knows the truth.

Social outcast Hazel and her popular twin, Beth, were inseparable until lies tore them apart. On Halloween Eve, after Beth abandons her at a party, Hazel decides to let loose for once. The next morning, she barely remembers kissing her crush or using a Ouija board to summon the ghost of Veronica, a girl about their age who died 26 years ago. But those seem like small problems when she realizes Beth never made it home—despite their fraught relationship, Hazel is determined to find her sibling and mend their relationship. Beth’s reappearance doesn’t bring reassurance, however; Hazel is alarmed by the announcement, “I’m not Beth….My name is Veronica Green.” It seems that Veronica is back, and she’s ready to seek revenge on those responsible for her murder. This supernatural thriller explores the impact of truth and lies as a group of teens unearths a dark secret that their town attempted to bury. Although consistently suspenseful, the plot twists rely on delayed explanations, and the supernatural elements of the story inelegantly mash together spiritualism and Greek mythology. Both Hazel and Beth (who’s nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns) are complex, dynamic characters. Apart from Beth’s friend Phoebe, who has “deep brown skin,” significant characters are cued white.

A fast-paced and strongly characterized but disorienting mystery.