When eighteen-year-old Lexi foresees the brutal murder of a young woman outside a club in downtown L.A., she is powerless to stop it. But then the girl’s ghost appears, seeking vengeance, and Lexi is swept into a dangerous search that could put her directly in the path of a serial killer. From the author of Devils Unto Dust , this fast-paced and literary thriller will haunt fans of Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious and Karen M. McManus’s One of Us Is Lying. With a touch, Lexi can sense how and when someone will die. Some say it’s a gift. But to Lexi it’s a curse—one that keeps her friendless and alone. All that changes when Lexi foresees the violent death of a young woman, Jane, outside a club. Jane doesn’t go to the afterlife quietly. Her ghost remains behind, determined to hunt down her murderer, and she needs Lexi’s help. In life, Jane was everything Lexi is not—outgoing, happy, popular. But in death, all Jane wants is revenge. Lexi will do anything to help Jane, to make up for the fact that she didn’t— couldn’t— save Jane’s life, and to keep this beautiful ghost of a girl by her side for as long as possible. Emma Berquist’s second novel is a haunting and atmospheric murder mystery that tackles themes of depression, loneliness, love, and identity. This high-concept novel is for fans of Holly Black’s The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. Gr 9 Up-Horror meets mystery in this supernatural whodunit for lovers of murder and suspense. Lexi is cursed with two abilities: she can interact with ghosts and can tell how someone is going to die through physical contact. This unusual combination of skills has led to extreme isolation, with her only contacts being other members of Los Angeles's supernatural underground. By day she frequents mental hospitals and tries to keep her head above water financially. At night, she bartends and runs errands at one of the only paranormal bars in town. The "errands" are mostly putting ghosts to rest, not a bad job for someone who hates being around the living. Her community is shaken when murders start cropping up in their usually protective area and Lexi is unfortunate enough to run into one of the victims the night before she is murdered, drawing Lexi into the puzzle of who is killing and why. The combination of horror and mystery genres opens up the readership for this book, as does the LGBTQ+ character and the appealing sense of isolation that many teens struggle with. There is enough kissing and boy drama for those who prefer romance in their novels, and enough bodies and swearing for the readers who want fear and grittiness. Lexi's kind relationship with her grandfather fleshes her out, taking her from a stock character to someone more three-dimensional. VERDICT A fun, fast-paced read for students looking for a thrill.-Sara Kundrik, Gilbert Paterson Middle School, Alta.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Gritty and high-concept, this cross-genre murder mystery has plenty of appeal for horror and crime fiction fans, and the beginnings of a star-crossed f/f romance add depth.” - ALA Booklist “A lonely teen must use her odd powers to track down a killer. . .Lexi and Jane’s tentative (and unusual) relationship is sweet. . .Berquist effectively tackles the destructive nature of grief and loneliness.” - Kirkus Reviews “The atmosphere of the grim dog-eat-dog world of the seedier parts of Los Angeles provides an enticing noir flavor. Lexi’s aching loneliness is palpable in her narration. . .The romance between Lexi and Jane offers a bright spot, and their relationship develops organically from merely a source of comfort to genuine love. . . .a compelling page turner.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Horror meets mystery in this supernatural whodunit for lovers of mystery and suspense. . .A fun, fast-paced read for students looking for a thrill.” - School Library Journal
