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The Girl and the Ghost: Family Secrets
Josephine Eloise Thomas is in Paris receiving a huge reward for solving one of the world’s greatest art heists. But she’s not alone. Gabriel Barbier, the gorgeous French boy who helped her solve the crime is there too, along with their families and the ghost of Louis XVII, who is still Josephine’s big secret, for now at least. Amid the celebrations the chilling news that Anastasia, the mastermind behind the crime, has escaped from custody sets everyone on edge.
Upon arriving home to the chateau, the search for information about Josephine’s mother along with the hunt for Louis’s long-lost love, Madeleine Aubert – both reveal more twists and turns than Josephine could ever have dreamed of.
Then, when Josephine’s best friend Harriet arrives from Singapore, the discovery of a prehistoric underground cave network takes the girls, Gabriel and Louis on an adventure like no other . . . but at a dangerous cost.
Will Anastasia stay away or exact her revenge on the children who put her behind bars? Can Louis help save them this time or will things go horribly wrong? And will Josephine EVER get a kiss from Gabriel?
Upon arriving home to the chateau, the search for information about Josephine’s mother along with the hunt for Louis’s long-lost love, Madeleine Aubert – both reveal more twists and turns than Josephine could ever have dreamed of.
Then, when Josephine’s best friend Harriet arrives from Singapore, the discovery of a prehistoric underground cave network takes the girls, Gabriel and Louis on an adventure like no other . . . but at a dangerous cost.
Will Anastasia stay away or exact her revenge on the children who put her behind bars? Can Louis help save them this time or will things go horribly wrong? And will Josephine EVER get a kiss from Gabriel?
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 22, 2025
Given to me by a year 4 student, with a strong recommendation, I knew this was going to be a satisfying adventure through France, with our Australian protagonist, Jet (Josephine Eloise Thomas), loveable dog and ghostly sidekick.
Part mystery, part budding romance and all heart. Sensational read, which will leave readers asking for more.
Part mystery, part budding romance and all heart. Sensational read, which will leave readers asking for more.
January 9, 2026
Josephine and Gabriel are the talk of their little town and all of France. Defeating art thieves and enabling the return of priceless artworks thought to be lost forever has them in the spotlight and the villains in jail. Appearing on TV and being the toast of the art world, they are also surprised to receive a reward that will change their lives forever.
Life quickly returns to normal with Josephine looking forward to her best friend coming to stay, her crush deepening with local boy Gabriel, and her friendship with Louis the ghost of French royalty stronger every day.
Louis is a little jealous of Gabriel. Josephine loves spending time with them both, but Gabriel is finding Josephine’s behaviour more strange every day, and she considers telling him about the ghost that follows them everywhere. Will he think she’s mad?
The reward money has helped speed up the renovations of their chateau, just in time for Josephine’s bestie, Hattie to arrive, and they are all soon enjoying the countryside of the town. A discovery of possible huge national significance has them excited, along with more clues about Josephine’s mother surfacing.
All the while, Josephine feels as if she is being followed. The police assure her family that the art thieves are in jail, but news of the leader’s escape has Josephine jumpy. Is she being paranoid?
Another great episode in this thrilling series. It is perfect for tween readers looking for a little romance mixed in with a ghost, a mystery and the beautiful country of France.
Historical fact is effortlessly threaded through the story and more about it is in the back of the book. Josephine’s worries about being followed builds the tension deliciously, as the key villain in the first book escapes from custody.
Clues to her mother’s life in the area begin to emerge with equally heartbreaking and wonderful results.
Definitely looking forward to reading more of The Girl and the Ghost series.
Age – 10+
Life quickly returns to normal with Josephine looking forward to her best friend coming to stay, her crush deepening with local boy Gabriel, and her friendship with Louis the ghost of French royalty stronger every day.
Louis is a little jealous of Gabriel. Josephine loves spending time with them both, but Gabriel is finding Josephine’s behaviour more strange every day, and she considers telling him about the ghost that follows them everywhere. Will he think she’s mad?
The reward money has helped speed up the renovations of their chateau, just in time for Josephine’s bestie, Hattie to arrive, and they are all soon enjoying the countryside of the town. A discovery of possible huge national significance has them excited, along with more clues about Josephine’s mother surfacing.
All the while, Josephine feels as if she is being followed. The police assure her family that the art thieves are in jail, but news of the leader’s escape has Josephine jumpy. Is she being paranoid?
Another great episode in this thrilling series. It is perfect for tween readers looking for a little romance mixed in with a ghost, a mystery and the beautiful country of France.
Historical fact is effortlessly threaded through the story and more about it is in the back of the book. Josephine’s worries about being followed builds the tension deliciously, as the key villain in the first book escapes from custody.
Clues to her mother’s life in the area begin to emerge with equally heartbreaking and wonderful results.
Definitely looking forward to reading more of The Girl and the Ghost series.
Age – 10+
November 30, 2025
THE GIRL AND THE GHOST by Jacqueline Herve @jacquelineharve currently has 2 books in the series, so I’m counting this one as finished and will wait with bated breath for the next instalment.
‘Family Secrets’ was such a fabulous addition to this series! I really enjoyed the story, as much, if not even more so, as book 1 (but it’s a close run thing).
In this book, Jet’s best friend, Harriet, pays a visit from Singapore, Jet has her first kiss, and the four musketeers are trapped in a cave by a vengeful escaped prisoner. Yes, it’s all happening in this book.
‘Family Secrets’ was such a fabulous addition to this series! I really enjoyed the story, as much, if not even more so, as book 1 (but it’s a close run thing).
In this book, Jet’s best friend, Harriet, pays a visit from Singapore, Jet has her first kiss, and the four musketeers are trapped in a cave by a vengeful escaped prisoner. Yes, it’s all happening in this book.
October 27, 2025
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, The Girl and the Ghost, and it was enjoyable to read this, the second book, in the series. The plot moves along and it was fun to meet Jet’s friend Harriet. The mystery is engaging and the historical and cultural layers add further interest.
November 24, 2025
I wish the plot moved along a little bit faster. And just as in the first book, I find it a wee bit disturbing that a 12 year-old seems to be constantly thinking about boys and kissing and how attractive she is to them. I find this quite anachronistic in this day and age!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews