Jenny Reviews Spookygirl

Spookygirl: Paranormal Investigator
by Jill Bagunchinsky
Release Date: Auguest 21, 2012
Publisher: Dutton
Purchased Hardback (279 pages)

What the inside flap has to say...

Violet has always known that she inherited her late mother's ability to see ghosts and communicate with the dead. She's used to dealing with spirits- they won't leave her alone. But when Violet encounters paranormal activity in the girls' locker room, she finds herself ill-equipped for handling the school's ghostly activities. Through Violet;s own investigation and with the help of some unlikely allies, Violet discovers there is a lot she doesn't know about her special skill- and more still that can stand in the way of its power. With sharp wit and determination, Violet sets out to uncover the truth behind her school's haunting, to finish the investigation that led to her mother's sudden death, and to learn why the only ghost she has ever wanted to see is the one that has eluded her forever.

You had me at hello...

So from the moment I saw Spookygirl at the bookstore I knew I had to have it. The title alone screamed me. Ghost books are my favorite in YA and Spookygirl isn't your just typical ghost story.

For starters, this book is fun and light. It's not all dark and broody and there's no creep-factor. Ok, that last bit is a lie, but not really. There are a few moments where stuff is kind of like woah. You know, a creepy disembodied voice asking if you want to know what it feels like to drown, but totally nothing to lose sleep or waste electricity over (unless you're reading of course, I mean by all means, READ ON!) And I appreciate that. Who says all paranormal stories have to parallel The Exorcist?

And on that note, I TOTALLY want my own Buster. No, that is not a cool gadget for ghost hunting. Buster is Violet's "pet" poltergeist (DUDE!!!!!) who acts like a neurotic dog on mass amounts of caffeine. WANT! Wait, I have something similar, it's called a Dachshund... still how cool would it be to have Buster?! He's introduced in the first couple of pages and I totally squealed in the car from delight. I craved the scenes with Buster, he is just the greatest idea ever. He's basically this invisible energy that haunts Violet's family, loves his squeaky cheesburger toy, playing pranks, and eating oatmeal cookies, Oh and he's even crate trained. Let me say this again, Greatest. Idea. Ever.

Another thing I liked is there are no spells, incantations, holy water, circles of salt and pentagrams. Instead it was talking while dodging flying objects and the like. Sometimes I like the simple reasoning, 'You're dead, that sucks get over it and GTFO' instead of the complicated go to of hocus pocus and salty, holy-watered down virgin blood.

So, I don't want to say much else because really you need to read it to understand the pure enjoyment of reading this book and well a few parts are easily predictable. Anna Dressed In Blood will always be my top favorite Ghostly book, but sometimes you need that fun, light read too and that's where Spookygirl comes in. Violet even reminds me of Cas from ADIB. I definitely also recommend this book to fans of Stacey Kade The Ghost and The Goth series.

I haven't heard if there's going to be a sequel yet, but my fingers are tightly crossed.

P.S. I adore that cover AND the story takes place in Florida, my home state. Even more WIN!