EMBASSY OF THE DEAD

A case of mistaken identity leads to the summoning of a grim reaper.

When Jake Green is given a mysterious package by a tall, distinctly odd stranger, it’s only a matter of time before he opens it and discovers the grisly contents: a severed finger. And this isn’t just any severed finger—this is the severed finger of a dark being intent on rebuilding himself and reclaiming the world for the forces of darkness. Suddenly, Jake finds himself up to his elbows in ghosts and ghouls. It’s a good thing he is one of the few who have the special ability to commune with the dead. With the help of Cora, a somewhat recently deceased spirit, and the long-dead undertaker Stiffkey, Jake does his best to outrun evil’s clutches and set things right. This series opener is delightfully spooky, complemented by scratchy black-and-white illustrations. Squeamish readers may not be up for this one: Each chapter heading boasts an image of a dead hand missing its pointer finger, for one thing. But for readers itching for some adventure and some scares, this will certainly do the trick. They won’t be troubled by the slightly uneven pace and the serviceable but hardly revelatory subplot about Jake’s parents’ divorce. Jake, Cora, and Stiffkey are all rendered white—or livid, as the case may be.

A creepy romp.