The Madness Underneath

The Madness Underneath continues the story of Rory Deveaux, who now possesses a supernatural ability to eliminate ghosts. After recovering from a near-fatal attack, she returns to her London boarding school where new mysterious deaths have occurred near campus. Rory must navigate both her academic responsibilities and her role as a member of a secret ghost-hunting police squad. Her new powers make her valuable to multiple groups with competing interests in London's supernatural activity. The story builds on the established ghost-hunting world while expanding into darker territory involving ancient organizations and underground tunnels. London itself becomes a character, with its layers of history and hidden spaces playing a central role in the plot. This second installment in the Shades of London series explores themes of power, responsibility, and the price of being different. The supernatural elements serve as a lens through which to examine isolation and the challenge of balancing multiple identities.

Readers found this second book in the series slower-paced than the first, with less ghost activity and mystery-solving. Many noted it felt like a "bridge book" focused on character development. Liked: - Sharp, witty dialogue between characters - Development of romance subplot - London atmosphere and setting details - Emotional depth of protagonist Rory - Shocking ending that sets up book 3 Disliked: - Slower plot progression compared to book 1 - Less supernatural elements and ghost encounters - New plot threads left unresolved - School setting feels underutilized - Some found Rory's decision-making frustrating Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (26,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (90+ reviews) "The character work is strong but the ghost hunting took a backseat," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reviewer states: "The ending makes up for the slower middle, but getting there requires patience."

Devilish by Maureen Johnson Teens at an elite New York boarding school battle supernatural forces while uncovering dark secrets beneath their prestigious campus.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare A girl discovers she belongs to a secret society of demon hunters operating in New York City while confronting family mysteries and otherworldly threats.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Students at a private school become entangled in a quest involving ley lines, psychics, and ancient Welsh kings.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins A young witch attends a reform school for supernatural beings where she uncovers conspiracies and faces dark magic.

Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz A student witch at a boarding school uses her powers to investigate a series of threatening events targeting her classmates.

🔍 This book is part of the "Shades of London" series, and its plot heavily features the real-life Ripper murders that took place in London's Whitechapel district in 1888. 📚 Author Maureen Johnson wrote parts of this novel during her stays in London, drawing inspiration from the city's historical buildings and underground tunnels. ⚡ The protagonist Rory's ability to see ghosts was partly inspired by Victorian-era spiritualism and the surge of interest in the supernatural during that period. 🏛️ Several scenes take place in actual London locations, including Wexford, which is based on the real-life Goodenough College in Bloomsbury. 🎓 The book explores the British boarding school system, drawing from Johnson's own experience as an exchange student at the University of Edinburgh, where she first developed her fascination with British culture.