Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (supernatural suspence/horror)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
13yo Mystery James has an unusual gift – the ability to smell ghosts. Only smell! Despite being found as a baby in a cemetery and raised in a funeral home, Mystery has never actually seen a ghost. That is, until the ghost of the deceased Ellis family matriarch, Lady Ellis, appears to Mystery and screams, “CEMETERY,” THREE NIGHTS FROM NOW,” STOP.” Now Mystery has to add "decipher cryptic message” to her growing list of concerns including sleep paralysis demons, a grave robber, potentially cursed family heirlooms, and convincing her ex-best friend, Garret, to help her take on a sinister supernatural creature. All of which are becoming oddly normal in the life of Mystery James.
I feel Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave carries many of the same strengths from Ally Russell’s It Came From the Trees: A small but memorable cast, quick and engaging chapters, and a balance between mystery and horror. Sprinkled throughout the short chapters, readers see “pages” from Mystery’s notebook which contain information on last wills and testaments, heirlooms, embalming, etc., providing context for readers who might not be familiar with funeral home practices. While this is the first in a duology, readers are not left on a cliffhanger (book 2 is expected 15 September 2026). An excellent addition where readers enjoy It Came From the Trees (Russell), City of Ghosts (Schwab), Grin (Gillespie), Small Spaces (Arden), or Scritch Scratch (Currie).
Mystery is a 13yo female with "bronze-brown" skin.
Tía Lucy is Mystery’s Puerto Rican adopted aunt.
E. Powell, Junior High Librarian
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