Midnight Reynolds and the Agency of Spectral Protection

June 15, 2018
Spreadsheet-wielding spectral protector Midnight Reynolds is back in the sophomore installment of this paranormal-mystery series.Since her last ghostly escapade (Midnight Reynolds and the Spectral Transformer, 2017), Midnight has joined the Agency of Spectral Protection, the secret organization that oversees those whose job it is to guide spectral energy into the Afterglow (in other words, to help souls of the dead go into the proverbial light). When a priceless chunk of gold goes missing from the local history museum, it's obvious to Midnight that spectral energy is involved. Other thefts soon follow. Who has the motive, means, and opportunity to harness the power of spectral energy to steal valuable items? Midnight enlists her best friend and ASP colleague, Tabitha, who can't see spectral energy but is valued for her stellar research skills, to help. Midnight's crush, Sherlock Holmes fanboy Logan, is conducting his own investigation, but because of ASP's No. 1 rule, Midnight can't collaborate with civilians. Holt keeps 12-year-old Midnight believable--she doesn't want Logan to know she is "different"--even as she spins an outsized adventure around her. Secondary plots include preparations for Midnight's mother's Viking-themed wedding and watching the new girl, Hawaiian transplant Malie, struggle to fit in with the popular girls, an endeavor Midnight recalls all too well. Midnight and Tabitha are white, while Malie has dark skin and Logan has an "olive" complexion.Another winner. (Supernatural mystery. 9-13)

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