About the Author

Maureen Johnson was born in Philadelphia, but soon ran off to New York City to study writing and drama at Columbia University. Along the way, she served up hamburgers in the company of mad scientists and talking skeletons in New York, worked in a bar in Piccadilly Circus, nervously worked alongside five tigers in Las Vegas, and once got mixed up with the entire cast of a major West End musical. She is the author of The Key to the Golden Firebird and The Bermudez Triangle. You can visit Maureen online at www.maureenjohnsonbooks.

Reviews

Praise for The Name of the Star:
"A gorgeously written, chilling, atmospheric thriller. The streets of London have never been so sinister or so romantic." Cassandra Clare, author of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS “An unputdownable thrill ride that will leave you gasping, laughing, and dreaming of London.”
Ally Carter, bestselling author of the GALLAGHER GIRLS series and HEIST SOCIETY “This book made me want to give up everything, move to London, and fight ghosts.”
Holly Black, bestselling author of MODERN FAERIE TALE series

American-born Rory Deveaux-London schoolgirl by day, hunter of serial-killer ghosts by night-is back in the second installment in Johnson's Shades of London series. Rory is still recovering from being stabbed by the Ripper ghost at the end of The Name of the Star, while trying to understand her newfound "destroying-the-dead-with-a-single-touch" ability. Despite Rory's initial skittishness about returning to her London boarding school, she is thrilled to see old friends and her boyfriend, as well as reconnect with Stephen and the rest of the ghost-hunting arm of the London police force. A new murder is committed right off the bat, but the first half of the book is mainly about Rory's therapy and trauma recovery. While this slows the narrative a tad, Rory's internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnson's fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining. The second half will satisfy readers' craving for what they came for-Rory's investigation of London's latest ghost crimes-while laying tragic groundwork for the next book. Ages 12-up. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, kt literary. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 7 Up-In Johnson's sequel (2013) to The Name of the Star (2011, both Putnam), Rory is still recovering from an attack by the murderous Ripper and trying to reconnect with her friends and school life. But she can't seem to get back on track and is drawn to her old relationships with the Shades, the city's secret ghost-fighting police, and especially to Stephen who seems more distant and colder than ever. When she discovers that she has become a terminus, perhaps the only one remaining and thus of great value to those who want to help ghosts leave this world permanently, she knows that her life will never be the same. Nicola Barber easily moves between Rory's exaggerated Southern drawl (used to charm and befuddle classmates, teachers, and anyone else she needs to con) and her sincere adult voice as narrator and co-conspirator to the Shades. She also skillfully deals with a large supporting cast, individualizing each character's voice and intentions, including would-be boyfriend Jerome, roommates, teachers, a Scottish therapist, a confused mad man charged with murder, and a friendly counselor whose intentions are not what they seem. Listeners will be drawn into Rory's confusion and frustration as she tries to decide whom she can trust and what her role should be. The cliff-hanging conclusion, with friends in danger and much unresolved, will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.-Edie Ching, University of Maryland, College Park (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.