A few weeks ago, I was at a library book sale. While searching all the books, one cover caught my attention. The cover scene was a New Orleans cemetery. While you can’t judge a book by its cover, this cover captured my attention, and I knew it was worth checking out. I grabbed the copy of “Ruined” by Paula Morris and knew it would be a great October read.
I dove in last week and once I started, I couldn’t put the book down. Rebecca grew up in NYC, but her dad has to go on an extended business trip (for months) and sends her to live with a family friend in the Garden District in New Orleans. Rebecca feels completely out of place when she arrives. She is given one strong warning from her “aunt” (she needs to refer to her father’s friend as her aunt to be permitted to attend her new school) – stay away from the cemeteries, they are dangerous. Of course, this sparks her interest, and she follows schoolmates into the cemetery one night to see what they are up to. She doesn’t want them to know she is there, so she hides and manages to get lost. While trying to find her way out, she meets someone, Lisette, in the cemetery who guides her to the gate. Rebecca wonders why she doesn’t see Lisette anywhere else except the cemetery. On a visit into the cemetery to see Lisette, the other students are about to see Rebecca until Lisette grabs her hands making her invisible. Rebecca suddenly realizes why she hasn’t seen Lisette anywhere else…she’s a ghost.
Why is Rebecca able to see this ghost no one else sees? While Rebecca wonders about this, the rest of the school (and city) are getting ready for Mardi Gras. Aside from the parades, there are many parties. Rebecca is invited to an exclusive Mardi Gras season party by a boy in her school. Her aunt does not want her to go but she plans to sneak out and attend. Lisette surprisingly tells Rebecca she will be there. Why would a ghost attend a party? I’d tell you more, but you really need to read it find out why.
What I loved most about this book is the twists and turns. Lisette’s appearance at the party sets off a chain of events that the reader does not expect. Really well written and the perfect book for a spooky (but not scary) October read!