Margo and Hank are teen detectives in tiny, god-forsaken Lazarus, Nebraska. They have a profoundly deep relationship; the only hitch is that Hank has been dead for two months.
The pair team up to solve a local murder, with Margo doing the everyday gumshoe work and the late Hank spying on suspects unseen. At the same time, Margo attempts to solve the cold case of her mother’s murder seven years ago. As Margo’s quest becomes more perilous, Hank will try to protect her, anguished that he can’t do more as she finally battles the sinister forces that killed her mother.
This debut novel is a genre-blending, emotionally gripping story that will appeal to a wide range of readers. I was immediately drawn in by the compelling dual POV of a ghost teen (Hank) whose life was cut short by a reckless teacher and his grieving girlfriend who can somehow still see him. The story quickly shifts focus to a whodunnit murder mystery with paranormal elements, but it also has a bittersweet romance, a coming-of-age story, and an exploration of grief, loss, healing, and letting go. And trope lovers will find a lot to love here—small-town secrets, hidden motives, red herrings, multiple suspects, amateur sleuthing, family drama, and more—along with several twists to keep you guessing! Even though the protagonists are teens, the themes, intricate mystery, and thought-provoking supernatural elements make it read more like an adult book than YA, especially in the second half as the story becomes more layered and unpredictable!
Told through the first-person alternating POVs of Margo and Hank, you get immediately pulled into both of their expressive inner dialogue and shared grief over a relationship cut short by a terrible accident. In Margo’s POV, the writing is so immersive that I really felt the weight of her grief—not only for the loss of Hank but also the lingering pain of her mother Joanna’s unsolved murder years earlier. After she learns of June’s murder (a woman who works with her father at the police station), her anxiety, fear, and heartbreak all surface, but she refuses to let the murder become another unresolved tragedy. Her strong-willed spirit is fully on display, and you’ll root for her. At the same time, her father, Police Chief Roy Bell, has a medical episode, and his reputation and career are threatened, adding fuel to her fire to solve the murder mystery and help prove his competence to the town. So suddenly Margo and Hank put their grief aside (and the “elephant in the room” as to what’s keeping Hank from moving on to the afterlife) to become amateur sleuths to solve June’s murder, and the story really starts to take off!
I loved how the paranormal elements were woven in—it’s established early on that Margo can see and communicate with Hank, and it clearly has to do with their soulmate-type connection and the sense that Hank is staying on to help Margo in some profound way. Hank’s POV is just as compelling (if not more so) than Margo’s. As a newly dead spirit, he navigates a fascinating supernatural world that centers around the old Egyptian Theatre in town, where souls go just before moving on. The theater and the ghosts Hank encounters, along with the screening room and other spaces in the theater, play a key role in Hank’s understanding of the afterlife and provide him crucial information in the murder investigation. I love all of these cinematic scenes, and the afterlife lore was so original and interesting. In addition, Hank’s ability to eavesdrop on conversations, watch suspects without them knowing, and secretly gather information is so fun to follow. He constantly relays his findings back to Margo, sometimes just in the nick of time to save her from danger!
The small atmospheric Nebraska town is vividly depicted and filled with suspicious characters that Margo and Hank monitor and interrogate, including teachers Carolyn and Ted, whose secret affair was directly linked to Hank’s death, other prominent families with secrets, a questionable deputy working alongside Margo’s father, and an unlikeable preacher whose connections to June are questionable. My head was spinning with all the possibilities of suspects and motives, and all the uncertainties and assumptions that Margo and Hank express in their inner monologues—and instead of trying to predict the killer, I went along for the very intricate and entertaining ride!
The short, punchy chapters—many of which end on cliffhangers—along with strong momentum throughout make this the perfect binge read. Aside from the main whodunnit thread, there are emotional layers woven seamlessly into every chapter that will put you on an emotional rollercoaster—including the father-daughter bond between Margo and Roy, an unexpected love triangle dynamic, grief and unpredictable behavior from Hank’s parents, and later an exploration of healing, forgiveness, and realizing when it’s time to move on.
The second half has several twists and detours that will throw off even the most seasoned mystery readers, so don’t expect to guess them all. The climactic scenes, when the killer is finally revealed, are fast-paced, dramatic, and heartbreaking—prepare to be on the edge of your seat and emotional at the same time—and be sure to have some tissues on hand. What I found most refreshing about this book is how the ending is fully fleshed out and satisfying, which is so often not the case in thrillers or mysteries. After the murder mystery is resolved and the investigation is over, the author thoughtfully shifts gears to resolve the emotional arcs—and because I was so invested in the characters by this point, it felt very satisfying! For Hank, you can literally feel that his time in the mortal world is coming to an end, and his final unfinished business will pull at your heartstrings. In the final chapters, the book’s themes of acceptance, healing, letting go, and moving on are given the space they deserve. After finishing, you’ll be thinking about these characters, the town of Lazarus, and how original this story is!
Narrator Performance
Lazarus is narrated by seasoned narrator Rebecca Avery. To portray protagonist Margo, she uses a youthful, emotionally expressive voice layered with teenage sarcasm that perfectly captures the character. During Margo’s inner monologues, when she’s reflecting on losing Hank or the pain surrounding her mother’s unsolved murder, you can hear the weight of her grief and frustration. She does a great job conveying Margo’s determination to protect her father’s reputation/career and refusal to give up when the investigation becomes dangerous, using subtle shifts in tone that are very effective.
She gives Hank a youthful, thoughtful voice that sounds authentic for an introspective teenager, and you’ll immediately root for him. Her delivery emphasizes Hank’s devotion to Margo when he reflects on their bond and how much it pains him to have to inevitably leave her. The dialogue between Margo and Hank stands out. Their words to each other are filled with warmth, understanding, and support—and the delivery makes them feel older than their years. During investigation scenes, as they share clues and discuss suspects and possible motives, Avery adds curiosity and excitement to their voices, adding suspense and energy beyond what’s on the page.
There are many potential suspects for June’s murder, and Avery gives each a distinct voice and unique emotional intensity. For Ted Hawkins, the English teacher, she uses an overly confident tone that makes him immediately questionable. Carolyn, another teacher who’s directly responsible for Hank’s death and is cheating on her husband, is given a composed, fake-sounding tone that suggests she has something to hide. Other characters like Gibb Hopkins (the town preacher), Lance (the town deputy), and Roy (Margo’s father) are all given convincing, distinct male voices. Sometimes, with so many characters, it can be difficult to follow along, but that’s not the case here. The character and POV transitions are seamless and fully entertaining!
Another highlight is Hank’s chapters at the Egyptian Theatre. As he encounters spirits, uncovers clues at the theater, and learns more about the afterlife, Avery’s delivery gives a magical realism feel that’s cinematic. The climactic scenes are where Avery’s performance really shines. As Margo finds herself in grave danger and the killer is revealed, she increases her pacing and the tension in her tone to keep you fully engaged and on edge. Afterwards, Avery shifts her performance of Margo to convey her acceptance and willingness to move forward. And when Hank’s journey comes to an end, you’ll be reaching for tissues! If any of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to grab a copy!
Narrator Performance
Lazarus is narrated by seasoned narrator Rebecca Avery. To portray protagonist Margo, she uses a youthful, emotionally expressive voice layered with teenage sarcasm that perfectly captures the character. During Margo’s inner monologues, when she’s reflecting on losing Hank or the pain surrounding her mother’s unsolved murder, you can hear the weight of her grief and frustration. She does a great job conveying Margo’s determination to protect her father’s reputation/career and refusal to give up when the investigation becomes dangerous, using subtle shifts in tone that are very effective.
She gives Hank a youthful, thoughtful voice that sounds authentic for an introspective teenager, and you’ll immediately root for him. Her delivery emphasizes Hank’s devotion to Margo when he reflects on their bond and how much it pains him to have to inevitably leave her. The dialogue between Margo and Hank stands out. Their words to each other are filled with warmth, understanding, and support—and the delivery makes them feel older than their years. During investigation scenes, as they share clues and discuss suspects and possible motives, Avery adds curiosity and excitement to their voices, adding suspense and energy beyond what’s on the page.
There are many potential suspects for June’s murder, and Avery gives each a distinct voice and unique emotional intensity. For Ted Hawkins, the English teacher, she uses an overly confident tone that makes him immediately questionable. Carolyn, another teacher who’s directly responsible for Hank’s death and is cheating on her husband, is given a composed, fake-sounding tone that suggests she has something to hide. Other characters like Gibb Hopkins (the town preacher), Lance (the town deputy), and Roy (Margo’s father) are all given convincing, distinct male voices. Sometimes, with so many characters, it can be difficult to follow along, but that’s not the case here. The character and POV transitions are seamless and fully entertaining!
Another highlight is Hank’s chapters at the Egyptian Theatre. As he encounters spirits, uncovers clues at the theater, and learns more about the afterlife, Avery’s delivery gives a magical realism feel that’s cinematic. The climactic scenes are where Avery’s performance really shines. As Margo finds herself in grave danger and the killer is revealed, she increases her pacing and the tension in her tone to keep you fully engaged and on edge. Afterwards, Avery shifts her performance of Margo to convey her acceptance and willingness to move forward. And when Hank’s journey comes to an end, you’ll be reaching for tissues! If any of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to grab a copy!
Lazarus is narrated by seasoned narrator Rebecca Avery. To portray protagonist Margo, she uses a youthful, emotionally expressive voice layered with teenage sarcasm that perfectly captures the character. During Margo’s inner monologues, when she’s reflecting on losing Hank or the pain surrounding her mother’s unsolved murder, you can hear the weight of her grief and frustration. She does a great job conveying Margo’s determination to protect her father’s reputation/career and refusal to give up when the investigation becomes dangerous, using subtle shifts in tone that are very effective.
She gives Hank a youthful, thoughtful voice that sounds authentic for an introspective teenager, and you’ll immediately root for him. Her delivery emphasizes Hank’s devotion to Margo when he reflects on their bond and how much it pains him to have to inevitably leave her. The dialogue between Margo and Hank stands out. Their words to each other are filled with warmth, understanding, and support—and the delivery makes them feel older than their years. During investigation scenes, as they share clues and discuss suspects and possible motives, Avery adds curiosity and excitement to their voices, adding suspense and energy beyond what’s on the page.
There are many potential suspects for June’s murder, and Avery gives each a distinct voice and unique emotional intensity. For Ted Hawkins, the English teacher, she uses an overly confident tone that makes him immediately questionable. Carolyn, another teacher who’s directly responsible for Hank’s death and is cheating on her husband, is given a composed, fake-sounding tone that suggests she has something to hide. Other characters like Gibb Hopkins (the town preacher), Lance (the town deputy), and Roy (Margo’s father) are all given convincing, distinct male voices. Sometimes, with so many characters, it can be difficult to follow along, but that’s not the case here. The character and POV transitions are seamless and fully entertaining!
Another highlight is Hank’s chapters at the Egyptian Theatre. As he encounters spirits, uncovers clues at the theater, and learns more about the afterlife, Avery’s delivery gives a magical realism feel that’s cinematic. The climactic scenes are where Avery’s performance really shines. As Margo finds herself in grave danger and the killer is revealed, she increases her pacing and the tension in her tone to keep you fully engaged and on edge. Afterwards, Avery shifts her performance of Margo to convey her acceptance and willingness to move forward. And when Hank’s journey comes to an end, you’ll be reaching for tissues! If any of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to grab a copy!
