The Dead Girls Detective Agency

August 27, 2012
Cox, an editor at Cosmopolitan UK, debuts with a quirky story of life after life, driven by its heroine's enthusiastic narration. Sixteen-year-old New Yorker Charlotte Feldman didn't expect to die by being shoved under the F train; she also didn't suspect that she would have to track down her murderer. Charlotte is coached on her new afterlife by the self-proclaimed Dead Girls Detective Agency: brainy Nancy, bubbly Lorna, and aggressive Tess; there's plenty of fun sparring between the girls (and resident bad boy Edison), though they don't rise above type. Cox's premise allows for a boisterous paranormal tour of present-day Manhattan, complete with teleporting around town and taking over bodies in the interest solving the mystery of Charlotte's death. The author isn't all that interested in answers to questions like "Why do ghosts need to solve their own murders?" or "Why can't they cross water?" but Charlotte's distinctive voice and amusing commentary will have readers in a forgiving mood. Ages 13âup.

December 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-The last thing Charlotte remembers before blacking out is standing on the platform waiting for New York City's F train. When she awakens, she learns that not only is she dead, but she is also in the Attesa Hotel, a pseudo purgatory for murdered teenagers. Before she can get her key to move through the Red Door to the next dimension, she must solve her own murder. Charlotte quickly comes to terms with her death and begins learning the "rules" from Nancy and Lorna. Calling themselves the Dead Girls Detective Agency, the girls begin ruling out potential suspects by porting to Charlotte's funeral and high school and possessing the living, including Charlotte's old boyfriend, David, and the cheerleaders who are currently pursuing him. As the girls, along with the mysterious dead boy Edison, work to solve the murder, Charlotte's heart is broken by David's new romances but is quickly mended as Edison proves to be a potential love interest. Readers will anticipate but welcome the story's satisfying ending. The characters' voices are virtually indistinguishable and the plot moves slowly. However, readers are likely to forgive these shortcomings along with a couple of plot inconsistencies in favor of a light, easy read sprinkled with fashion, mystery, and romance.-Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2012
Grades 8-12 One minute, 16-year-old Charlotte was waiting to get on the F train, and the next, she wakes up on the lobby floor of the Hotel Attesaa kind of limbo for murdered teens! What's a girl to do? Charlotte learns that she has to figure out who pushed her onto the tracks before she can get her key and go through the Red Door to the Other Side. There to help are other teen ghosts; methodical Nancy, fashion-obsessed Lorna, and hostile Tess, the self-named Dead Girls Detective Agency, introduce Charlotte to the ins and outs of the afterlife. Charlotte's investigation leads to more questions than answers. Why is her former devoted boyfriend sucking face with the hottest, most popular girl in school? Who is leaving letters in his locker? All the clues add up to an entertaining romp in this story pitting teen Nancy Drews against mortal mean girls. For those who like their paranormal delivered with a wink and a smile, this one wraps up satisfyingly, with the door creaking ajar for future cases.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)