I received a free advance review copy (ARC) in exchange for my personal and honest opinion of this book—and I loved it.
Set in 1890, this is a YA sleuthing adventure set among London’s high society with Death close at hand.
Leighanna Pauley survives an episode of tuberculosis, and her struggle with Life and Death makes her view her surroundings, and the role of women in society, from a very different perspective.
She becomes obsessed with justice and with the brutal death of one of her peers, after her ghost appears to her and demands that she find her killer before he strikes again.
Society is forgetting the young victim, as they don’t like to be reminded of death and weakness, and therefore, the police are not doing enough to catch and punish the murderer. So Leighanna takes it upon herself to uncover the truth and ensure that the victim’s name is remembered.
There are some very interesting characters who interrupt the narrative and give it a whole new direction. I looked forward to their appearances on every page, as those scenes are hilarious and their interactions adorable. I think these passages set this novel apart from other mysteries, giving it that extra something that makes it special.
As an adult commenting on a YA mystery, I must confess that I saw the plot coming, but the journey was what kept me engaged. I couldn’t put it down.
I hope this turns into a series so we can watch Leigh grow up and become something more than what Victorian society expects of her.
The main purpose of the book is captured in one perfect sentence:
“The Ripper killings in London made the Ripper infamous. Some remembered the women he murdered, but not in the same way they remembered the man who did the killing–even if his true identity hadn’t been discovered. But Death remembered. He remembered every name.
It’s a shame our society is still the same as in the 1890s.
Spoiler alert (if you haven’t read it yet, jump to the bottom and come back after you do):
Although I expected a more empowered ending, I understand that this will become a series, so it must leave space for her to grow up into. As such, I hope we’ll see that in future books.
Also, I liked that Death was not the villain, but the killer. His interactions with Life were delightful, but when Time appears… It’s just wonderful how they are characterized. However, because it happened so soon, it left me wishing there were more characters of this kind afterwards.
Spoiler alert finished, you can continue reading here:
Overall, it’s a promising start to what I hope becomes a unique series.
Thank you, BookSirens and Twenty Hills Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Expected for Sept 16, 2025.
Interesting quote or descriptions (beware of vague spoilers):
“What they didn’t understand was that aging meant living. Not aging meant Death came to their door, (...)”. (page 8).
“More often than he’d like, Time called him to a home before the person had a chance at full life. Those moments he hated the most, no matter the condition of the residence.” (page 8).
“He had the thin and tall frame of a starving artist, but the bank account of one who never struggled.” (page 23).
“instead of lecturing, she had let out a breath that could cause waves in the Thames” (page 55).
“Now she wore only blood” (page 102). Yes, it's YA but has some blood and scares (there's a murder and a ghost, after all!).
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