A Summoning of Souls

Hieber’s momentous third Spectral City fantasy (after A Sanctuary of Spirits) sees tensions in the spirit world come to an explosive head. In 1899, psychic medium Eve Whitby runs New York City’s Ghost Precinct with her fellow mediums, working with both the spirits of the dead and the police department to investigate crimes against the spirit world. Albert Prenze, a man with a singular hatred of ghosts who Eve believes to be dead, lives on, having taken the guise of his twin brother. Prenze has a plan to rid New York City of spirits entirely using Eve’s powers for his own twisted ends. It will take Eve; her best friend, Maggie, who happens to be a ghost; handsome detective Jacob Horowitz; and the entire spirit world to stop him. Though Prenze’s motivations will be murky to anyone just jumping in with this book, it is extremely satisfying to witness the scrappy heroes rise up against him. Eve and Jacob’s growing attraction, meanwhile, provides a welcome romantic respite from the fast-paced action. Hieber’s latest fires on all cylinders.. Agent: Paul Stevens, Donald Maass Literary. (July)