THE PROMISE OF LOST THINGS

Welcome back to St. Hilaire, the town of spirit mediums, which is now being targeted by a show debunking the supernatural.

In this companion to Prelude for Lost Souls (2020), high school senior Russ believes the controlling Guild that runs the town is dangerous and wants to dismantle them. Russ, who is leader of the Guild’s Youth Corps, only wants to help people, including his maybe-boyfriend, Ian, who happens to be a ghost. Willow, Russ’ mentor, also wants to take down the Guild—but that’s because she wants power and has discovered she can gain more of it through vanquishing spirits. Asher, an outsider, makes a connection with Russ, but Russ doesn’t know that Asher’s parents are skeptics who created the TV show Ghost Killers. Meanwhile, the Guild debates whether they should allow Ghost Killers to film in town—the show is offering a cash payment which they desperately need, but the Guild members worry they won’t be able to summon a ghost on camera (since spirits can, of course, be finicky!), which could ruin the town’s reputation. Told in alternating first-person narration, the novel’s three distinct voices together weave a delightfully atmospheric tale, and the story shines in presenting a refreshing, surprisingly uplifting exploration of grief and love. In particular, Russ’ romance with charming ghost Ian contrasted with the tentative friendship with sweet and very much alive Asher will make readers swoon and ache. All characters are presumed White.

Hauntingly good.