Review: Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Spirit and Dust (Goodnight Family #2)
Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Description:

Daisy Goodnight can speak to the dead. It’s not the result of a head injury or some near-death experience. She was just born that way. And she’s really good at it. Good enough to help the police solve the occasional homicide.

But helping the local authorities clear cold cases is one thing. Being whisked out of chemistry class by the FBI and flown to the scene of a murder/kidnapping in Minnesota? That’s the real deal.

Before the promotion can go to Daisy’s head, she’s up to her neck in trouble. The spirits are talking, and they’re terrified. There’s a real living girl in danger. And when Daisy is kidnapped by a crime boss with no scruples about using magic—and Daisy—to get what he wants, it looks like hers is the next soul on the line.  

 

Spirit and Dust is the second book in a young adult paranormal series that follows the Goodnight family. This installment follows teenage psychic Daisy Goodnight when she is called in by the FBI to help with a murder case outside a college dorm in Minnesota. Unlike most of the cases that Daisy helps out with, this is very different. The murder is fresh and Daisy can't seem to get a good psychic reading from the scene or the spirit left behind. Soon Daisy finds out that there's more than just the murder - the teenage daughter of a crime boss has been kidnapped and the FBI are relying on Daisy to help find her. As if that wasn't enough, Daisy is kidnapped by the girl's father and is forced to help find his daughter at all costs. Just what has Daisy gotten herself into this time?

When I first read this book, I had no idea that it was the second book in a series. It can be read as a stand alone novel, because I had no problems in understanding the characters or the story. That being said - this is one of the best books I've read this year! It was so fun and exciting that I was completely hooked from the first couple of paragraphs. Daisy is a perfect leading lady - she's smart, snarky, realistic, and totally devoted to her family. I loved her sarcastic banter and the witty remarks she made throughout the book - it was like being inside my own head at times. I actually found myself snickering along with Daisy at times in the novel - she's really a great main character. The plot was really fascinating and I loved every aspect of it. It might sound a bit corny or cliched - a teenage psychic helping solve murders with the FBI - but the author wrote it with such a fresh perspective and an original voice that it really felt unique to the genre. I loved learning all about Daisy and her psychic abilities, along with the magic in the book and even the interesting historical references. The author really wove all the pieces of the plot together to make a fun and thrilling story. The writing was phenomenal - fast paced, natural and witty dialogue, and effortless flow. I literally could not put this one down and ended up reading it in one sitting. There are so many different genres mixed in with the paranormal - action, adventure, mystery, and always some romance - that it will definitely appeal to readers who love various genres. I highly recommend this book to those who love YA paranormal fiction along with anyone looking for a great story with fun characters and a thrilling paranormal mystery. I'm definitely going to hunt down all the author's other works and am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!

One of the Best This Year!!