Blurb: Jade Roberts is a modern girl with an anger management problem, and nothing makes her more mad than turning up dead. Julian Pendell is a Victorian-era ghost who wants to be left in peace. When Jade enlists Julian's aid to help solve her murder, he reluctantly agrees, if only to hasten her departure. But as Julian acquaints Jade with existence outside the living world, she in turn shows him some of what he's been missing. And, as their investigations continue, they discover they may have more in common than they realized.
My review: Julian Pendell's restful oblivion is shattered when the body of Jade Roberts is found on his grave. After her shock at finding herself dead, Jade uses her furious and unrelenting energy to enlist Julian to help her solve her murder. He thinks her rude and improper, and she thinks he uses way too many words, but they must somehow work together. The case takes some unexpected turns, and while they may already be ghosts, there are greater things to fear.
This is a marvelously well-written YA paranormal. It was told from Julian's and Jade's very different points of view, and each voice was unique. Julian having passed over a century before is an immensely different sort of teenager than Jade who is from our modern time. He has manners and she has a cell phone. The author's grasp on old British life is exceptional. I loved seeing the world through ghosts' eyes, learning their rules, and how things are at the old cemetery. I especially loved the other ghosts like the Captain and Ms. Radge. The mystery threw me through a lot of twists and turns, and I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Julian and Jade grew as they tried to navigate everything. Jade has anger issues, but thankfully Julian has immense patience! I don't want to say anything more, because spoilers would ruin this great read.
You can find Amanda Innes a.k.a. M Pepper Langlinais at her website and you can grab your copy of The Ghosts of Marshley Park here.
Sounds like ghostly fun!