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The Linger
DEAD MEN AREN'T SUPPOSED TO TELL TALES.
In Blackford, Kentucky, Henry Graves lives in the funeral home that has been in his family for generations. It's his father's dream for Henry to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business. But nothing about this life holds interest for Henry. In fact, he will do anything to rid himself of the stigma that comes from living with the dead, even denying the girl he loves.
One night while there is a guest in the home. Henry hears something coming from downstairs.
Whispers.
From the dead.
Messages for him to deliver. Suddenly, he's dealing with a family legacy that goes beyond running the home. Scared and confused, Henry tries to put together the pieces of the puzzle before another guest arrives. But when the wife of the richest, most powerful man in town ends up dead, things begin to unravel, revealing secrets that will rip his family apart. Secrets and lies that have Henry questioning everyone in his life. Soon he realizes the talking corpses are the least of his worries.
Reeling from his new curse, he has to work fast to hold together a legacy he once wanted to run from. But how can you solve a mystery when knowing the truth could shatter your entire reality?
This book contains some sexual content and explicit language.
In Blackford, Kentucky, Henry Graves lives in the funeral home that has been in his family for generations. It's his father's dream for Henry to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business. But nothing about this life holds interest for Henry. In fact, he will do anything to rid himself of the stigma that comes from living with the dead, even denying the girl he loves.
One night while there is a guest in the home. Henry hears something coming from downstairs.
Whispers.
From the dead.
Messages for him to deliver. Suddenly, he's dealing with a family legacy that goes beyond running the home. Scared and confused, Henry tries to put together the pieces of the puzzle before another guest arrives. But when the wife of the richest, most powerful man in town ends up dead, things begin to unravel, revealing secrets that will rip his family apart. Secrets and lies that have Henry questioning everyone in his life. Soon he realizes the talking corpses are the least of his worries.
Reeling from his new curse, he has to work fast to hold together a legacy he once wanted to run from. But how can you solve a mystery when knowing the truth could shatter your entire reality?
This book contains some sexual content and explicit language.
275 pages, Hardcover
Published March 24, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 12, 2025
C.A. Sparks’ The Linger is an immersive and emotionally intense novel that explores the boundaries between love, grief, and the supernatural. This YA novel follows Henry, the older son of the town funeral director, as he navigates high school while being bullied, teased and called “funeral boy”, a budding physical relationship with his best friend Naomi, the relationships at home with his grandfather, dad, and brother, as well as his newly developing ability to receive messages from the “guests” in his basement.
Sparks' writing style is engaging and rich, drawing readers into the emotional turmoil of Henry as he struggles with all the facets of his world. The sense of longing and sorrow that permeates the narrative is palpable, and readers will find themselves empathizing with the protagonist's struggles.
One of the strengths of The Linger is the way it delves deep into the psychological effects of grief. Sparks doesn’t simply rely on traditional supernatural tropes; instead, the novel takes a more introspective route, exploring the emotional and mental aftermath of death.
The book’s conclusion, while satisfying, leaves enough room for reflection. It doesn’t provide all the answers, allowing readers to contemplate the nature of grief and how it lingers long after the person has gone.
The Linger was a bit slow to start but picked up in the second half. Overall it is a solid YA psychological thriller.
Sparks' writing style is engaging and rich, drawing readers into the emotional turmoil of Henry as he struggles with all the facets of his world. The sense of longing and sorrow that permeates the narrative is palpable, and readers will find themselves empathizing with the protagonist's struggles.
One of the strengths of The Linger is the way it delves deep into the psychological effects of grief. Sparks doesn’t simply rely on traditional supernatural tropes; instead, the novel takes a more introspective route, exploring the emotional and mental aftermath of death.
The book’s conclusion, while satisfying, leaves enough room for reflection. It doesn’t provide all the answers, allowing readers to contemplate the nature of grief and how it lingers long after the person has gone.
The Linger was a bit slow to start but picked up in the second half. Overall it is a solid YA psychological thriller.
March 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Quick read! Page turner, mystery, thriller, just all around great read.
March 10, 2025
It was good but not great. First half of the book was slow but it picked up a little the second half. Still seemed pretty predictable to me though
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews