Black Light

Set in 2012, this uneven first novel from screenwriters Melton and Dunstan (the Saw movies), in collaboration with Romano (Safe in the Woods), stars ghost hunter Buck Carlsbad, who can ingest evil spirits (resorting to castor oil to expel them). Buck is more than a little concerned when he learns that plans for a new high-speed passenger train will take it straight through an area of California that he considers a bad place, connected as it is with the death or disappearance of his parents. Carlsbad ends up on the maiden voyage of the Jaeger Laser between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, hired to handle any supernatural bugs that may interfere with the megaevent. The A guest-list of his travel companions includes a charismatic presidential candidate considered a lock for the White House. Of course, things don’t go smoothly. Fans of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden, who likewise battles occult forces, will find Buck lacks the strong personality that distinguishes Harry. (Oct.)