Notes from Ghost Town

Olivia Tithe's life changes when her best friend and first love Lucas is murdered, and her bipolar mother is arrested for the crime. Shortly after, Olivia loses her ability to see color, leaving her world in shades of gray. Now living with her father in Miami, Olivia tries to move forward and focus on her art school ambitions. The ghost of Lucas begins visiting her, urging her to uncover the truth about his death and suggesting her mother may be innocent. As Olivia investigates Lucas's murder, she must confront her own doubts about her mother's mental illness and guilt. Her search for answers leads her through memories of her past and forces her to question everything she believed about that fatal night. The novel explores themes of mental illness, memory, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Through Olivia's struggle to find both truth and color in her gray world, the story examines how perception shapes reality and the ways grief can alter how we see everything around us.

Readers found this YA mystery/thriller engaging but uneven. Most connected with the main character Olivia's emotional journey dealing with grief, mental illness, and first love. Liked: - Strong portrayal of synesthesia and how it affects the protagonist - Complex mother-daughter relationship - Atmospheric writing style that builds tension - Integration of romance with mystery elements Disliked: - Predictable mystery plot with obvious culprit - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the ghost story elements underdeveloped - Secondary characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ reviews) One reader noted: "The synesthesia details added a unique dimension to an otherwise standard YA mystery." Another commented: "The romance felt authentic but the supernatural aspects seemed tacked on." Many readers compared it favorably to "The Lovely Bones" but with a more hopeful tone.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Sarah Hodkin A teenage girl grapples with psychological trauma while investigating mysterious deaths and seeing visions of her dead ex-boyfriend.

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz After her sister's suspected murder, a high school student discovers psychic abilities that lead her through dark revelations about her small town.

Clarity by Kim Harrington A psychic teen uses her supernatural abilities to solve a murder mystery involving her brother as the prime suspect.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson A girl attending London boarding school finds herself entangled in a series of murders while possessing the power to see ghosts.

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry A delivery girl pieces together memories and clues to uncover the truth about her friend's disappearance during their shift at a pizza place.

🌟 Author Kate Ellison is also a painter and visual artist, which helped her craft protagonist Olivia's artistic perspective and creative mindset 🎨 The book explores synesthesia, a neurological condition where senses blend together - some people with this condition can taste colors or see sounds 💔 The story was partly inspired by the author's experiences with loss and grief during her teenage years 🏆 Notes from Ghost Town was named a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year in 2014 🗺️ The novel is set in Miami, Florida, and the author incorporated real locations and weather patterns to create an authentic subtropical atmosphere that becomes almost like another character in the story