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Cover of THE MOST UNUSUAL HAUNTING OF EDGAR LOVEJOY
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THE MOST UNUSUAL HAUNTING OF EDGAR LOVEJOY

by the grotesque faces of dead people lingering on Earth since he was a little boy. He works part time for a cocktail business and a cat café, and then he goes home. It’s safer and less scary that way. When he meets Jamie Wendon\u002DDale, a genderqueer burlesque performer and haunted\u002Dhouse designer, they challenge him to step outside his comfort zone. Jamie loves their life and the pockets of comfort they have found in queer and spooky communities. Predictably, their choices cause their traditional family—their mother is a politician—to bristle. Their sister, Emma, asks Jamie to be her maid of honor (despite the very gendered term), and to step up and help out with wedding plans that coincide with Halloween—Jamie’s busiest time of year, professionally. After Edgar opens up to Jamie about seeing ghosts, he’s able to let Jamie coax him out of his comfort zone and back into the world. And when he has a panic attack at Emma’s rehearsal dinner, it emboldens Jamie to stand up for themself for the first time with their family. Edgar’s own family is only marginally less complicated. His parents aren’t really in the picture anymore, and no one really talks to the crazy aunt who sees ghosts, but his sister’s impending pregnancy might just be enough to bring their absentee brother back into Edgar and his sister’s lives. There’s as much hurt and comfort passing between Parrish’s two very likable love interests as there is scorching chemistry and hot sex. The supporting characters are well\u002Dwritten and nuanced enough to have their own spinoffs, and the book is every bit as cozy as it is steamy."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:384
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781464238

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

A teenage boy inherits a ramshackle Victorian mansion only to discover it's inhabited by a motley crew of eccentric ghosts, each with unfinished business that threatens to trap him within the creakin...

Our Review

A teenage boy inherits a ramshackle Victorian mansion only to discover it's inhabited by a motley crew of eccentric ghosts, each with unfinished business that threatens to trap him within the creaking walls forever. Edgar Lovejoy's new home becomes a prison of paranormal activity, where spectral roommates demand his help with century-old grudges, unrequited loves, and misplaced heirlooms. This supernatural coming-of-age story blends spine-tingling moments with unexpected humor as Edgar navigates haunted hallways and ghostly grievances, learning that the most dangerous spirits aren't always the ones who rattle chains.

What sets this ghost story apart is its focus on character-driven mysteries rather than cheap scares, making it ideal for middle grade readers who enjoy paranormal adventures with emotional depth. The spectral residents—from a melodramatic actress to a perpetually lost explorer—each bring unique historical context and personal stakes to Edgar's predicament, creating a haunted house narrative that's as much about solving problems as it is about surviving them. Young readers will appreciate how Edgar's initial terror transforms into determination, while parents can feel confident about the age-appropriate balance of spooky elements and heartfelt resolution. The novel ultimately delivers a satisfying exploration of friendship, responsibility, and what it truly means to lay the past to rest.

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