What do you think?
Rate this book
Lucy Kline, Necromancer
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and highly bingeable thrillers, Lucy Kline, Necromancer, is a Nancy Drew-style murder mystery mixed with the occult.
It’s been two years since Lucy’s twin sister was presumed dead. As the only person who knew about Louisa’s plan to sneak out on the night she was killed, Lucy still feels responsible for her sister’s grim fate—despite the fact that it was Lucy who eventually cracked the case, putting Louisa’s killer in jail.
Or so she thought.
When another girl who looks just like Louisa goes missing under similarly mysterious circumstances, and ghostly dreams begin to plague Lucy, she throws herself back into the investigation. The more clues she uncovers, the more her nightmares bleed into reality. And signs start to point to the necromancy.
With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired medieval history professor, Lucy must find the culprit behind these disappearances and finally come to terms with the grief that’s haunted her for years.
It’s been two years since Lucy’s twin sister was presumed dead. As the only person who knew about Louisa’s plan to sneak out on the night she was killed, Lucy still feels responsible for her sister’s grim fate—despite the fact that it was Lucy who eventually cracked the case, putting Louisa’s killer in jail.
Or so she thought.
When another girl who looks just like Louisa goes missing under similarly mysterious circumstances, and ghostly dreams begin to plague Lucy, she throws herself back into the investigation. The more clues she uncovers, the more her nightmares bleed into reality. And signs start to point to the necromancy.
With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired medieval history professor, Lucy must find the culprit behind these disappearances and finally come to terms with the grief that’s haunted her for years.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Tom O'Donnell
11 books136 followersTom O'Donnell has written for The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and several TV shows. Tom lives with his wife and kids in Brooklyn, NY.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 11, 2026
Publisher's Description: For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and highly bingeable thrillers, Lucy Kline, Necromancer, is a Nancy Drew-style murder mystery mixed with the occult.
With a description like that, how could I resist a YA novel with mystery and fantasy vibes?
Lucy Kline had my heart.
After losing her twin sister, Louise, two years ago, Lucy became something of an amateur sleuth, an investigation that ultimately sent a man to prison. Now, two years later, she isn't exactly popular with the local police. When another teen who bears a striking resemblance to Louise goes missing, Lucy can't help but wonder if she's dealing with a copycat or if she got things wrong the first time. But will Lucy be able to confront the supernatural spirit that haunts her dreams?
I dug it! I laughed at Lucy and her sidekick Howie's antics as they tried to solve the mystery, and I held my breath when the two found themselves in peril. Most of all, I was very relieved to have read this one during daylight rather than at night. I definitely don't want dreams like Lucy's!
If I had a few gripes, it would be that the author takes a little too long to bring the necromancy element to the forefront. The first half of the novel felt slow, but the second half? Oh, it got good!
A great October read!
Publication Date 22/09/26
Goodreads Review 11/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
With a description like that, how could I resist a YA novel with mystery and fantasy vibes?
Lucy Kline had my heart.
After losing her twin sister, Louise, two years ago, Lucy became something of an amateur sleuth, an investigation that ultimately sent a man to prison. Now, two years later, she isn't exactly popular with the local police. When another teen who bears a striking resemblance to Louise goes missing, Lucy can't help but wonder if she's dealing with a copycat or if she got things wrong the first time. But will Lucy be able to confront the supernatural spirit that haunts her dreams?
I dug it! I laughed at Lucy and her sidekick Howie's antics as they tried to solve the mystery, and I held my breath when the two found themselves in peril. Most of all, I was very relieved to have read this one during daylight rather than at night. I definitely don't want dreams like Lucy's!
If I had a few gripes, it would be that the author takes a little too long to bring the necromancy element to the forefront. The first half of the novel felt slow, but the second half? Oh, it got good!
A great October read!
Publication Date 22/09/26
Goodreads Review 11/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 28, 2026
Lucy Kline, Necromancer by Tom O’Donnell, Lucy Klein lost her twin sister Louisa two years before and a case she solved herself . When another girl named Lyra goes missing from her high school. Since her sister‘s death Lucy has been sullen, Moody keeps herself isolated and doesn’t pay attention at school… That’s if she goes there. Her mom and dad are not the same parents she had before her sister‘s death and they barely take an interest in what Lucy does. When people start referencing Lucy solving this case as well at first Lucy box at the idea but then after talking to her neighbor and childhood friend Howie she goes home and Google’s Lyra and what she finds makes her take the case. Lyra looks like she could be a triplet to the twins, but things really start coming together when Howie brings her to his uncle‘s newspaper so she can see the letter written and Latin that was sent to the editor. It is a confession to the Crime of the missing girls but if the author is the perpetrator then who did Lucy put in prison and why did he confess. Also what Lucy hears in the letter seems very familiar to her then she realizes that the nightmares she has every night either her sister or another evil ghost appears to her and the background she hears these words spoken to her and doesn’t know what to make of it. Lucy is very smart and although there’s some red herrings and she guesses wrong more than once when she finds the truth, the truth is not even bordering on the unbelievable but actually unbelievable. Even the professor Peter Lowenthal didn’t believe it and he studied ancient text all his life. trust me if you’re like me and love the paranormal you’re going to absolutely go gaga over this book although there’s some pretty coincidental fines the overall book is really awesome I thought it was great the twist were super twist I wish I had time to talk about the psychic but this review is long enough it was just such an awesome read I loved it and definitely recommend it. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
September 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This cover intrigued me as soon as I saw it and it reallllly made me want to read it ❣️
This was like a thriller mixed weigh horror; there were definitely some crazy gross parts 🤮 I saw this described as Nancy Drew vibes but I think this one is a lot more gory and intense than a cozy little Nancy Drew mystery.
I really, really loved this one at some parts and then others were like… wait, what is happening right now❓❓ Overall though this was a fun and great story, and I really enjoyed the whole thing through.
I definitely did not see the ending coming and I really appreciate that❣️ I love being shocked by an ending 💕
Thank you so much to St Martin’s Press and Tom O’Donnell for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕
This cover intrigued me as soon as I saw it and it reallllly made me want to read it ❣️
This was like a thriller mixed weigh horror; there were definitely some crazy gross parts 🤮 I saw this described as Nancy Drew vibes but I think this one is a lot more gory and intense than a cozy little Nancy Drew mystery.
I really, really loved this one at some parts and then others were like… wait, what is happening right now❓❓ Overall though this was a fun and great story, and I really enjoyed the whole thing through.
I definitely did not see the ending coming and I really appreciate that❣️ I love being shocked by an ending 💕
Thank you so much to St Martin’s Press and Tom O’Donnell for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕
September 22, 2026
4 Stars!
Thank you to St.Martins Press for sending me an e-Arc copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
This was a fun and surprisingly emotional read! In the email, it stated that this was for me if I loved Nancy Drew and Buffy the Vampire Slayer….and as a matter of fact….i love both! This book brought in the sleuthing of Nancy and the relationships and banter from Buffy, while still sounding wholly original.
Lucy deals with quite a bit throughout the story and I thought the author did a great job of writing grief and uncomfortable emotions. I also enjoyed the moments of horror that the necromancy scenes brought!
This is my second book by Tom O’Donnell that I’ve read and I definitely look forward to reading more!
Thank you to St.Martins Press for sending me an e-Arc copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
This was a fun and surprisingly emotional read! In the email, it stated that this was for me if I loved Nancy Drew and Buffy the Vampire Slayer….and as a matter of fact….i love both! This book brought in the sleuthing of Nancy and the relationships and banter from Buffy, while still sounding wholly original.
Lucy deals with quite a bit throughout the story and I thought the author did a great job of writing grief and uncomfortable emotions. I also enjoyed the moments of horror that the necromancy scenes brought!
This is my second book by Tom O’Donnell that I’ve read and I definitely look forward to reading more!
Want to Read
June 25, 2026Pre-Read
So happy to win this book giveaway. I'm excited to start this once I have it in hand!
So happy to win this book giveaway. I'm excited to start this once I have it in hand!
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the gifted ebook.
My Review
I was actually surprised by how much fun I had reading this book! I went into it expecting a horror mystery, but I wasn't expecting it to have such an emotional side to it too. I couldn't imagine losing a twin sister and then having to deal with everything Lucy goes through while trying to figure out what really happened.
I thought Tom O'Donnell did a great job with the writing, especially bringing together the mystery, grief, and horror. I loved how Lucy was trying to uncover the truth about her sister while dealing with everything she was feeling. And the horror? Fabulous! I really enjoyed that part of the story. The supernatural elements and the whole idea of necromancy made this such a fun and different read for me.
Would I Recommend?
Absolutely! If you enjoy horror mixed with mystery, supernatural elements, and a story that has some emotion behind it, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
My Review
I was actually surprised by how much fun I had reading this book! I went into it expecting a horror mystery, but I wasn't expecting it to have such an emotional side to it too. I couldn't imagine losing a twin sister and then having to deal with everything Lucy goes through while trying to figure out what really happened.
I thought Tom O'Donnell did a great job with the writing, especially bringing together the mystery, grief, and horror. I loved how Lucy was trying to uncover the truth about her sister while dealing with everything she was feeling. And the horror? Fabulous! I really enjoyed that part of the story. The supernatural elements and the whole idea of necromancy made this such a fun and different read for me.
Would I Recommend?
Absolutely! If you enjoy horror mixed with mystery, supernatural elements, and a story that has some emotion behind it, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
September 16, 2026
This was such a cute story. I think I had my hopes set too high when seeing that it gave Buffy vibes, but all in all I still truly enjoyed the story. The dialogue seemed a bit mediocre at first, but the story line was decent and the banter in the dialogue progressively got better.
I truly enjoyed the dynamics between the FMC and her two true (only) friends. It was basically Giles (more of a sceptic than the OG) and Xander from Buffy (much less annoying than the OG) reincarnated in this book.
Some of the plot lines seemed a little predictable, but still managed to pull off some twists I didn’t see coming here and there. All in all, this was a fun book to read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Tom O’Donnell for a copy of this ARC that I won in a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.
I truly enjoyed the dynamics between the FMC and her two true (only) friends. It was basically Giles (more of a sceptic than the OG) and Xander from Buffy (much less annoying than the OG) reincarnated in this book.
Some of the plot lines seemed a little predictable, but still managed to pull off some twists I didn’t see coming here and there. All in all, this was a fun book to read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Tom O’Donnell for a copy of this ARC that I won in a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A murder investigation, ghostly dreams, and some very questionable activities involving the dead. A lot goes on in Lucy Kline's Necromancer, and I had a lot of fun with it. Creepy fun, to be clear. The sort where I’m happy to follow the clues from a comfortable distance.
Lucy believes she’s already solved her twin sister Louisa’s murder. She helped put the killer in jail, but that hasn’t eased the guilt she carries over knowing Louisa planned to sneak out that night. When another girl who looks like her sister disappears, Lucy has reason to question what she thought was settled. And I loved that she comes into this investigation with experience. She’s already done the work once. Her competence makes following her search for answers particularly satisfying, even when those answers head into decidedly unfamiliar territory.
But knowing how to investigate a crime doesn’t mean she’s prepared for what it might bring up emotionally. That's what gave this story more weight than I expected. Lucy’s grief and guilt are tangled up in her drive to find out the truth, and I could understand why she couldn’t leave it alone. How do you step back when it’s your sister? Especially when you’re still carrying all those thoughts about what you could have done differently.
I also loved the fast pace. The investigation gave me clues to follow while the supernatural elements made me wonder just how strange things were going to get. Murder mystery, ghost story, occult horror—it’s quite a combination, but I enjoyed the way those pieces came together. There’s enough structure to keep the mystery moving without losing that troubling sense that something is very wrong.
And the banter! I enjoyed it more and more as the story went along. With Howie and a retired medieval history professor helping Lucy, there’s room for some humor amid all the disturbing discoveries. Those lighter moments proved welcome, especially with so much grief behind Lucy’s search.
Some plotlines were a little predictable. I could see where certain things were heading, which took away some of the suspense, but the story still managed to pull off twists I hadn’t anticipated. So I didn’t get to feel too smug about figuring things out.
This was a fun read with a surprisingly poignant look at sibling loss. I came for the creepy mystery and enjoyed the humor, but Lucy’s emotional reasons for needing answers made the biggest difference.
Floral Verdict: 🌼 A Daisy — Enjoyable and approachable, with a fast-moving mystery, increasingly good banter, and a little ghostly company.
Lucy believes she’s already solved her twin sister Louisa’s murder. She helped put the killer in jail, but that hasn’t eased the guilt she carries over knowing Louisa planned to sneak out that night. When another girl who looks like her sister disappears, Lucy has reason to question what she thought was settled. And I loved that she comes into this investigation with experience. She’s already done the work once. Her competence makes following her search for answers particularly satisfying, even when those answers head into decidedly unfamiliar territory.
But knowing how to investigate a crime doesn’t mean she’s prepared for what it might bring up emotionally. That's what gave this story more weight than I expected. Lucy’s grief and guilt are tangled up in her drive to find out the truth, and I could understand why she couldn’t leave it alone. How do you step back when it’s your sister? Especially when you’re still carrying all those thoughts about what you could have done differently.
I also loved the fast pace. The investigation gave me clues to follow while the supernatural elements made me wonder just how strange things were going to get. Murder mystery, ghost story, occult horror—it’s quite a combination, but I enjoyed the way those pieces came together. There’s enough structure to keep the mystery moving without losing that troubling sense that something is very wrong.
And the banter! I enjoyed it more and more as the story went along. With Howie and a retired medieval history professor helping Lucy, there’s room for some humor amid all the disturbing discoveries. Those lighter moments proved welcome, especially with so much grief behind Lucy’s search.
Some plotlines were a little predictable. I could see where certain things were heading, which took away some of the suspense, but the story still managed to pull off twists I hadn’t anticipated. So I didn’t get to feel too smug about figuring things out.
This was a fun read with a surprisingly poignant look at sibling loss. I came for the creepy mystery and enjoyed the humor, but Lucy’s emotional reasons for needing answers made the biggest difference.
Floral Verdict: 🌼 A Daisy — Enjoyable and approachable, with a fast-moving mystery, increasingly good banter, and a little ghostly company.
October 14, 2026
Horror, Heart, & Necromancy
Tom O'Donnell, you sir have a way of writing supernatural creepy-crawlies that keeps me reading way past my bedtime—and honestly? I am not mad at it at all.
Having read and absolutely loved Moonsick, I had high expectations coming into this one, and it did not disappoint! It has that same addictive energy, though I will candidly admit: there were definitely a few chapters where I suddenly wished every light in my house was turned on full blast. (That is entirely a me problem, not a book problem, but consider yourself warned if you read in the dark!)
If you pitch a book to me as "Nancy Drew meets the occult with major Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes," you have automatically sold me. That comparison is 100% spot-on, and I will be shouting this recommendation from the rooftops to every Buffy and thriller fan I know.
O'Donnell did a masterclass job weaving together a gripping murder mystery, deep emotional grief, and genuinely fantastic horror. I was completely invested in Lucy’s journey as she tried to uncover the truth about her sister’s mysterious death—unearthing small-town secrets and dangerous occult ties that dug much deeper than anyone expected. Watching her grapple with her raw, heavy grief while sleuthing for answers gave the book such a powerful emotional anchor.
And let’s talk about the supporting cast: I loved her sidekick, Howie! Every great supernatural mystery needs that quintessential ride-or-die companion, and Howie brought the absolute best banter, loyalty, and heart to the chaos.
As for the horror elements? Fabulous. The supernatural lore and the unique, eerie spin on necromancy made this feel fresh, wildly fun, and impossible to put down.
Final Verdict & Recommendation
Would I recommend it?
ABSOLUTELY! 🎯
If you love a high-stakes mystery blended with spooky supernatural elements, genuine scares, and a story that actually has a lot of heart (and an incredible sidekick), you need to add this to your TBR immediately.
(Bonus tip: Do yourself a favor and pick up Moonsick while you're at it—which I am still holding out hope turns into a full series!)
Tom O'Donnell, you sir have a way of writing supernatural creepy-crawlies that keeps me reading way past my bedtime—and honestly? I am not mad at it at all.
Having read and absolutely loved Moonsick, I had high expectations coming into this one, and it did not disappoint! It has that same addictive energy, though I will candidly admit: there were definitely a few chapters where I suddenly wished every light in my house was turned on full blast. (That is entirely a me problem, not a book problem, but consider yourself warned if you read in the dark!)
If you pitch a book to me as "Nancy Drew meets the occult with major Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes," you have automatically sold me. That comparison is 100% spot-on, and I will be shouting this recommendation from the rooftops to every Buffy and thriller fan I know.
O'Donnell did a masterclass job weaving together a gripping murder mystery, deep emotional grief, and genuinely fantastic horror. I was completely invested in Lucy’s journey as she tried to uncover the truth about her sister’s mysterious death—unearthing small-town secrets and dangerous occult ties that dug much deeper than anyone expected. Watching her grapple with her raw, heavy grief while sleuthing for answers gave the book such a powerful emotional anchor.
And let’s talk about the supporting cast: I loved her sidekick, Howie! Every great supernatural mystery needs that quintessential ride-or-die companion, and Howie brought the absolute best banter, loyalty, and heart to the chaos.
As for the horror elements? Fabulous. The supernatural lore and the unique, eerie spin on necromancy made this feel fresh, wildly fun, and impossible to put down.
Final Verdict & Recommendation
Would I recommend it?
ABSOLUTELY! 🎯
If you love a high-stakes mystery blended with spooky supernatural elements, genuine scares, and a story that actually has a lot of heart (and an incredible sidekick), you need to add this to your TBR immediately.
(Bonus tip: Do yourself a favor and pick up Moonsick while you're at it—which I am still holding out hope turns into a full series!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such an unexpectedly deep and dark supernatural YA mystery and I absolutely loved it. Atmospheric, and it goes deep into necromancy and leans into the Latin, the history and the gore and gives so much more than the blurb alone led me to expect.
Lucy is a delightfully snarky and closed off FMC but she’s also determined and so very smart. I really appreciated her character arc - both the hints at who she was before her sister’s disappearance and who she becomes over the course of this story. She uses resources and she’s not afraid to do hard things.
The side characters are just as intriguing. Howie is a walking talking teddy bear goofball, Lucy’s parents are grieving and the police are incompetent. Peter is such a welcome source of knowledge and gives that mentor energy we loved in Giles.
The plot MOVES. The mystery is always at the forefront and the action and gore is balanced by the research and history.
Thanks so much to St Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the review copy. All opinions are voluntary and honest.
Lucy is a delightfully snarky and closed off FMC but she’s also determined and so very smart. I really appreciated her character arc - both the hints at who she was before her sister’s disappearance and who she becomes over the course of this story. She uses resources and she’s not afraid to do hard things.
The side characters are just as intriguing. Howie is a walking talking teddy bear goofball, Lucy’s parents are grieving and the police are incompetent. Peter is such a welcome source of knowledge and gives that mentor energy we loved in Giles.
The plot MOVES. The mystery is always at the forefront and the action and gore is balanced by the research and history.
Thanks so much to St Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the review copy. All opinions are voluntary and honest.
September 15, 2026
One missing girl. One impossible resemblance. And a whole lot of ghosts. 👀👻
Lucy Kline, Necromancer hooked me from page one—and had me saying “just one more chapter” while seriously reconsidering bedtime.
This eerie YA mash-up of murder mystery, ghost story, occult horror, and grief follows Lucy, whose twin sister disappeared two years ago. When another girl who looks eerily like Louisa goes missing, Lucy is pulled into a mystery she thought was long over. Then the nightmares begin…
I loved the mix of twists, supernatural creepiness, dark magic, and emotional depth. Atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
Perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ghosts, dark magic, and messy secrets.
If you like your mysteries haunted, twisted, and just a little terrifying, add this to your TBR. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Lucy Kline, Necromancer hooked me from page one—and had me saying “just one more chapter” while seriously reconsidering bedtime.
This eerie YA mash-up of murder mystery, ghost story, occult horror, and grief follows Lucy, whose twin sister disappeared two years ago. When another girl who looks eerily like Louisa goes missing, Lucy is pulled into a mystery she thought was long over. Then the nightmares begin…
I loved the mix of twists, supernatural creepiness, dark magic, and emotional depth. Atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
Perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ghosts, dark magic, and messy secrets.
If you like your mysteries haunted, twisted, and just a little terrifying, add this to your TBR. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2026
I really liked this story. I don’t think it gives off the promised Buffy vibes, but it does have protagonist who is enjoyable. Lucy feels bad about her sister’s death, luckily, she was able to put her killer behind bars or so she thinks. Suddenly things are happening in the town again that indicate maybe she had accused the wrong person. With the help of friends Lucy is able to start narrowing down what is really happening in the town, and it is way darker than she originally thought.
This book is fun to read though semi predictable. It has a solid mystery and the combination of the supernatural along with the investigation is handled well. I think that readers will really enjoy this book and it is coming out at the perfect time when readers might be looking for a spooky read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
This book is fun to read though semi predictable. It has a solid mystery and the combination of the supernatural along with the investigation is handled well. I think that readers will really enjoy this book and it is coming out at the perfect time when readers might be looking for a spooky read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
May 4, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
———
I was skeptical at the beginning of this book, but I really ended up enjoying it. Lucy Kline is one strong, but reluctant protagonist. When it becomes apparent that nobody else is taking the disappearance and supposed death of her twin sister seriously, Lucy takes it upon herself to solve the case. Two years later, however, another girl goes missing and the cycle repeats, and Lucy must come to terms with the fact that things may not be as neatly wrapped up as they seemed.
Steadily paced and highly bingeable, we are thrown into a whirlwind adventure of necromancy and overcoming grief. It is macabre, at times humorous, and ultimately authentic in voice and emotional appeal.
My one criticism is that for a YA novel, I feel there is a lot of profanity. While it feels true to Lucy’s character, the repeated F-bombs were surprising. Still, this is one heck of a story.
———
I was skeptical at the beginning of this book, but I really ended up enjoying it. Lucy Kline is one strong, but reluctant protagonist. When it becomes apparent that nobody else is taking the disappearance and supposed death of her twin sister seriously, Lucy takes it upon herself to solve the case. Two years later, however, another girl goes missing and the cycle repeats, and Lucy must come to terms with the fact that things may not be as neatly wrapped up as they seemed.
Steadily paced and highly bingeable, we are thrown into a whirlwind adventure of necromancy and overcoming grief. It is macabre, at times humorous, and ultimately authentic in voice and emotional appeal.
My one criticism is that for a YA novel, I feel there is a lot of profanity. While it feels true to Lucy’s character, the repeated F-bombs were surprising. Still, this is one heck of a story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy!
A YA murder-mystery where our main character loses her sister, sees another girl who looks eerily similar go missing, and realizes maybe it's high time she puts in a little detective work. This book is haunting, full of grief, creepy, and so, so good. It was hard to put down, hard not to root for Lucy, and easily one of the best YA books I've read in a while.
A YA murder-mystery where our main character loses her sister, sees another girl who looks eerily similar go missing, and realizes maybe it's high time she puts in a little detective work. This book is haunting, full of grief, creepy, and so, so good. It was hard to put down, hard not to root for Lucy, and easily one of the best YA books I've read in a while.
October 7, 2026
Lucy's twin passed away two years ago, and she feels like it was her fault. She helped put who she thought was the killer behind bars. Another girl who looks like her sister goes missing under the same circumstances and Lucy begins investigating everything again. Throw in some suspicion of necromancy and well..
This was a great read! I didn't expect most of this. Except the necromancy because of the title haha.
This was a great read! I didn't expect most of this. Except the necromancy because of the title haha.
October 28, 2026
Lucy is an awesome amateur sleuth with the sad backstory of having lost her twin, and I like her determination to investigate a similar case. Her sidekick, Howie, is a fun character too, who supports her along the way. I enjoy paranormal elements, and I found they added a great creepy atmosphere to this YA mystery/horror. I definitely would recommend this one for fans of creepy young adult stories. Thank you, @wednesdaybooks and Tom O’Donnell, for the gifted paperback!
October 8, 2026
This was such an amazing story. The fact that she becomes a necromancer in order to fight one is insane. I also love all the twist and turns that this story takes. I am always so shocked with how crazy a story can get. If you are looking for a creepy story this is definitely the one for you. Perfect October read.
October 31, 2026
This was a fun read! A nice mix of paranormal, mystery, and humor. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for the advance reader copy.
September 22, 2026
#LucyKline #wednesdaybooks
This book (cue the excited squeal) reminded me why I love reading. Lucy Kline is overwhelmed with grief ever since her sister was disappeared without a trace. The local cops are bumbling idiots, hiring psychics and following the wrong leads. Lucy solves the case and but ends up getting the wrong guy. Her family is coping with church and silence which leaves Lucy with reoccurring nightmares of her sister coming at night to visit her. Then it happens again, a girl that looks just like Louisa disappears, Lucy feels compelled to get it right this time. Lucy, Howie and Peter jump into a world of magic, Latin and necromancy. Overall a great book and I enjoyed Lucy as a narrator
This book (cue the excited squeal) reminded me why I love reading. Lucy Kline is overwhelmed with grief ever since her sister was disappeared without a trace. The local cops are bumbling idiots, hiring psychics and following the wrong leads. Lucy solves the case and but ends up getting the wrong guy. Her family is coping with church and silence which leaves Lucy with reoccurring nightmares of her sister coming at night to visit her. Then it happens again, a girl that looks just like Louisa disappears, Lucy feels compelled to get it right this time. Lucy, Howie and Peter jump into a world of magic, Latin and necromancy. Overall a great book and I enjoyed Lucy as a narrator
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a fun read! I loved the Nancy Drew meets the occult vibe. Lucy was a witty and charming protagonist, and I enjoyed following her around as she searched out the truth.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
August 19, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books for my advanced copy of this one!
It turns out I'm a fan of darker, heavier YA, with Lucy Kline scratching an itch I didn't know I had! This book was dark yet packed with so much heart. Our protagonist, Lucy, is grieving the mysterious death of her twin sister (and not very well since she's visiting her in her dreams), and emotional depth that O'Donnell put into Lucy and this story was excellent. It was enough to make me feel deeply for Lucy and invest me into her personality and story, so as things unfolded I felt connected and excited to read.
With a full cast of characters that left me wondering who would end up being evil right till the end, the book also dives into some pretty interesting and heavy topics, while illustrating how complex grief is for families.
Overall, Lucy Kline was quite a good book that lover of lighter horror and advanced YA will enjoy!
It turns out I'm a fan of darker, heavier YA, with Lucy Kline scratching an itch I didn't know I had! This book was dark yet packed with so much heart. Our protagonist, Lucy, is grieving the mysterious death of her twin sister (and not very well since she's visiting her in her dreams), and emotional depth that O'Donnell put into Lucy and this story was excellent. It was enough to make me feel deeply for Lucy and invest me into her personality and story, so as things unfolded I felt connected and excited to read.
With a full cast of characters that left me wondering who would end up being evil right till the end, the book also dives into some pretty interesting and heavy topics, while illustrating how complex grief is for families.
Overall, Lucy Kline was quite a good book that lover of lighter horror and advanced YA will enjoy!
September 17, 2026
If you’re looking for Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Supernatural/Nancy Drew vibes this spooky season, look no further! I’ve not really read too many books with necromancy, but I might start now. Lucy Kline is not an easy character to love at first, but I really enjoyed how she opened herself back up to people and learned to be a better friend. I absolutely loved her friendship with Howie. Honestly Howie in general was just delightful. I also enjoyed her friendship with the professor! The necromancy storyline was so interesting to me and I liked learning the history of it as well. Beyond the awesome paranormal vibes and murder mystery, this book was such a beautiful look at grief and how it affects a family. I think this would be an excellent Halloween read!
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the digital reader’s copy!
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the digital reader’s copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book: Lucy Kline, Necromancer
Author: Tom O’Donnell
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. This is another book that took me by surprise. It was a great read. This is Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Nancy Drew. If you love those two things, then you will enjoy this book a lot.
Two years have passed since Lucy Kline's twin sister, Louisa, disappeared and was presumed dead. Lucy has never fully escaped the guilt she carries, especially because she was the only person who knew about Louisa's plans on the night she vanished. Although Lucy helped uncover the truth behind the crime and saw her sister's killer sent to prison, she has never been able to put the tragedy behind her. Everything changes when another girl who bears a striking resemblance to Louisa disappears under similarly mysterious circumstances. At the same time, Lucy begins experiencing unsettling dreams that seem connected to the new case, and she starts to suspect that something far stranger may be at work. With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired history professor, Lucy follows a trail of clues that leads into a world of hidden secrets, ancient mysteries, and possible necromancy. As the investigation deepens, Lucy must confront the grief she has carried for years while uncovering the truth behind the disappearances before someone else is lost.
This book does get dark, but it also has a lot of heart. We follow Lucy, who is still dealing with the disappearance of her twin sister, Louisa. Her family held a funeral for her and tried to move forward, but Lucy has never been able to find the closure she so desperately wants and needs. There is always that unanswered question hanging over her because, while everyone believes Louisa is dead, they never actually found her body.
To make matters worse, Lucy is being haunted by her sister's ghost. She should be able to find some comfort in knowing that she helped solve the case and put her sister's killer behind bars. Instead, she is left with more questions than answers. When another girl who looks eerily similar to Louisa disappears, Lucy cannot help but start digging into the past again.
Then the dreams begin, and they are seriously messed up. What starts as strange and disturbing nightmares slowly becomes something much more sinister as Lucy finds herself being pulled into worlds that should not exist. The more she investigates, the harder it becomes to separate what is happening in her dreams from what is happening in the real world.
This is where the story really starts leaning into the occult and the dark world of necromancy. I enjoyed how the supernatural elements were woven into Lucy's grief and her need for answers. Her investigation is not simply about solving another mystery. She is desperately trying to understand what happened to her sister and whether there is any chance of finally putting the past to rest. It also takes her to places that she never thought it would as she is forced to delve into the past and events that have happened way before her time. I enjoyed this aspect of the book a lot. I thought it really helped add layers to the overall story. Without the past being woven in, I don’t think this would have been as enjoyable as it was.
I also really liked that, underneath all of the darker elements, this is ultimately a story about grief. Lucy is angry, confused, and desperate for answers, and you can really feel how much her sister's disappearance has affected her. The supernatural mystery gives the story plenty of suspense, but Lucy's emotional journey is what gives it its heart.
There are definitely some creepy and disturbing moments, especially as the story dives deeper into necromancy and the occult, but I never felt like the darkness was there just for shock value. It all connects back to Lucy and what she is going through. The more she uncovers, the more she has to confront the possibility that getting the answers she wants may come at a price.
Overall, this was a really interesting combination of mystery, horror, and the supernatural. I went in expecting a dark mystery, but I ended up really enjoying the emotional side of the story as well. Lucy is a character who is easy to root for, and I liked watching her try to make sense of everything happening around her while also trying to come to terms with her sister's death. It gets pretty dark at times, but there is a surprising amount of heart underneath it all.
Overall, this was a surprise to me. It is truly Nancy Drew meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you enjoyed either of those, I think you would really like this story.
This book comes out on September 22, 2026.
Author: Tom O’Donnell
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. This is another book that took me by surprise. It was a great read. This is Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Nancy Drew. If you love those two things, then you will enjoy this book a lot.
Two years have passed since Lucy Kline's twin sister, Louisa, disappeared and was presumed dead. Lucy has never fully escaped the guilt she carries, especially because she was the only person who knew about Louisa's plans on the night she vanished. Although Lucy helped uncover the truth behind the crime and saw her sister's killer sent to prison, she has never been able to put the tragedy behind her. Everything changes when another girl who bears a striking resemblance to Louisa disappears under similarly mysterious circumstances. At the same time, Lucy begins experiencing unsettling dreams that seem connected to the new case, and she starts to suspect that something far stranger may be at work. With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired history professor, Lucy follows a trail of clues that leads into a world of hidden secrets, ancient mysteries, and possible necromancy. As the investigation deepens, Lucy must confront the grief she has carried for years while uncovering the truth behind the disappearances before someone else is lost.
This book does get dark, but it also has a lot of heart. We follow Lucy, who is still dealing with the disappearance of her twin sister, Louisa. Her family held a funeral for her and tried to move forward, but Lucy has never been able to find the closure she so desperately wants and needs. There is always that unanswered question hanging over her because, while everyone believes Louisa is dead, they never actually found her body.
To make matters worse, Lucy is being haunted by her sister's ghost. She should be able to find some comfort in knowing that she helped solve the case and put her sister's killer behind bars. Instead, she is left with more questions than answers. When another girl who looks eerily similar to Louisa disappears, Lucy cannot help but start digging into the past again.
Then the dreams begin, and they are seriously messed up. What starts as strange and disturbing nightmares slowly becomes something much more sinister as Lucy finds herself being pulled into worlds that should not exist. The more she investigates, the harder it becomes to separate what is happening in her dreams from what is happening in the real world.
This is where the story really starts leaning into the occult and the dark world of necromancy. I enjoyed how the supernatural elements were woven into Lucy's grief and her need for answers. Her investigation is not simply about solving another mystery. She is desperately trying to understand what happened to her sister and whether there is any chance of finally putting the past to rest. It also takes her to places that she never thought it would as she is forced to delve into the past and events that have happened way before her time. I enjoyed this aspect of the book a lot. I thought it really helped add layers to the overall story. Without the past being woven in, I don’t think this would have been as enjoyable as it was.
I also really liked that, underneath all of the darker elements, this is ultimately a story about grief. Lucy is angry, confused, and desperate for answers, and you can really feel how much her sister's disappearance has affected her. The supernatural mystery gives the story plenty of suspense, but Lucy's emotional journey is what gives it its heart.
There are definitely some creepy and disturbing moments, especially as the story dives deeper into necromancy and the occult, but I never felt like the darkness was there just for shock value. It all connects back to Lucy and what she is going through. The more she uncovers, the more she has to confront the possibility that getting the answers she wants may come at a price.
Overall, this was a really interesting combination of mystery, horror, and the supernatural. I went in expecting a dark mystery, but I ended up really enjoying the emotional side of the story as well. Lucy is a character who is easy to root for, and I liked watching her try to make sense of everything happening around her while also trying to come to terms with her sister's death. It gets pretty dark at times, but there is a surprising amount of heart underneath it all.
Overall, this was a surprise to me. It is truly Nancy Drew meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you enjoyed either of those, I think you would really like this story.
This book comes out on September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a rule, I seldom pick up horror stories by authors I’ve never read before, but there was something about this story that piqued my interest: plot, main character, main character becoming a necromancer as implied from the title? Probably all of the above. The title is pretty irresistible. Lucy Kline, Necromancer is a quick read: two days start to finish, and it kept moving the whole time. I zoomed through the 336 pages; it was just that kind of book. Highly readable and hit all the right notes.
❓ Is Lucy Kline, Necromancer worth reading?
Yes, especially if you want something fast and fun and a little creepy. It’s a YA mystery with occult trappings, a solid four butterfly read.
📖 What Is Lucy Kline, Necromancer About?
Lucy was the popular girl, the good student, the cheerleader: Louisa was the one who liked to have fun and get into trouble. When Louisa disappeared two years ago, it was Lucy who found the man responsible and told the police. He’s in prison now for Louisa’s murder but when he confesses to Lucy that a strange, death-stenched stranger told him what to say and where to point police, she initially thinks he’s full of it but then events start to change her mind.
Lucy and Howie are quickly led into a world of pentagrams, ghosts, and a demon named Azazel. With the help of a retired medieval history professor, Peter Lowenthal, who teaches them how to protect themselves, they follow the trail toward another missing girl, Lyra, who bears an unsettling resemblance to Lucy herself.
✨ What Worked for Me?
The character of Lucy really makes this book hum. She is surly, snarky, but depending on whom she’s interacting with she typically immediately regrets it although doesn’t often apologize. When things spiral out of control and she’s certain there’s nothing left that she can do, she shows real despair. And, unlike a lot of fearless main characters, she carries a conscience through the whole book rather than just plowing forward. The pacing doesn’t allow for a lot of lulls, which is part of why it moved so fast for me.
I also appreciated the relationship between Lucy and Howie. It’s not romantic, and it doesn’t try to be: it’s just an easy dynamic between two kids who understand each other in their own way. And because Lucy really understands Howie she knows just what will hurt him and does.
There’s a quieter subplot with the professor that added some emotional weight, touching on guilt, estrangement, and reconciliation that comes too late. It gave the book heart.
👥 Characters & Relationships
While it would be easy to write Lucy off as a sullen indifferent teenager, it’s immediately apparent that that is a facade that she applies to ward everyone off. She’s carrying a lot: a twin sister presumed dead, parents who have withdrawn so far into their own grief that they’ve stopped looking out for her or talking to each other or even making sure that meals are made. She’s alone and pretends to like it that way.
Howie is a great foil for her: possibly on the spectrum, though the book doesn’t make a point of labeling him, and his and Lucy’s back-and-forth brings some welcome humor into a story that could otherwise get heavy.
❗ What Didn’t Work for Me
Nothing major. If I’m nitpicking, I wasn’t tracking every thread as closely as I probably should have heading into the climax, so a couple of the reveals landed with slightly less impact for me than they might have otherwise. That’s more on my reading pace than the book’s clarity, though. So what should I say: what didn’t work for me was me!
⭐ Final Verdict
A quick, fun read. It’s billed as horror, but I wouldn’t call it scary, more atmospheric and intriguing than actually frightening, which is appropriate for its YA audience. The mystery wraps up its character threads well, and Lucy’s arc, from a depressed girl just surviving life to someone actively fighting for answers, is satisfying to watch play out. Recommended if you want something occult-adjacent that moves fast. A perfect read for the upcoming season of scares.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
❓ Is Lucy Kline, Necromancer worth reading?
Yes, especially if you want something fast and fun and a little creepy. It’s a YA mystery with occult trappings, a solid four butterfly read.
📖 What Is Lucy Kline, Necromancer About?
Lucy was the popular girl, the good student, the cheerleader: Louisa was the one who liked to have fun and get into trouble. When Louisa disappeared two years ago, it was Lucy who found the man responsible and told the police. He’s in prison now for Louisa’s murder but when he confesses to Lucy that a strange, death-stenched stranger told him what to say and where to point police, she initially thinks he’s full of it but then events start to change her mind.
Lucy and Howie are quickly led into a world of pentagrams, ghosts, and a demon named Azazel. With the help of a retired medieval history professor, Peter Lowenthal, who teaches them how to protect themselves, they follow the trail toward another missing girl, Lyra, who bears an unsettling resemblance to Lucy herself.
✨ What Worked for Me?
The character of Lucy really makes this book hum. She is surly, snarky, but depending on whom she’s interacting with she typically immediately regrets it although doesn’t often apologize. When things spiral out of control and she’s certain there’s nothing left that she can do, she shows real despair. And, unlike a lot of fearless main characters, she carries a conscience through the whole book rather than just plowing forward. The pacing doesn’t allow for a lot of lulls, which is part of why it moved so fast for me.
I also appreciated the relationship between Lucy and Howie. It’s not romantic, and it doesn’t try to be: it’s just an easy dynamic between two kids who understand each other in their own way. And because Lucy really understands Howie she knows just what will hurt him and does.
There’s a quieter subplot with the professor that added some emotional weight, touching on guilt, estrangement, and reconciliation that comes too late. It gave the book heart.
👥 Characters & Relationships
While it would be easy to write Lucy off as a sullen indifferent teenager, it’s immediately apparent that that is a facade that she applies to ward everyone off. She’s carrying a lot: a twin sister presumed dead, parents who have withdrawn so far into their own grief that they’ve stopped looking out for her or talking to each other or even making sure that meals are made. She’s alone and pretends to like it that way.
Howie is a great foil for her: possibly on the spectrum, though the book doesn’t make a point of labeling him, and his and Lucy’s back-and-forth brings some welcome humor into a story that could otherwise get heavy.
❗ What Didn’t Work for Me
Nothing major. If I’m nitpicking, I wasn’t tracking every thread as closely as I probably should have heading into the climax, so a couple of the reveals landed with slightly less impact for me than they might have otherwise. That’s more on my reading pace than the book’s clarity, though. So what should I say: what didn’t work for me was me!
⭐ Final Verdict
A quick, fun read. It’s billed as horror, but I wouldn’t call it scary, more atmospheric and intriguing than actually frightening, which is appropriate for its YA audience. The mystery wraps up its character threads well, and Lucy’s arc, from a depressed girl just surviving life to someone actively fighting for answers, is satisfying to watch play out. Recommended if you want something occult-adjacent that moves fast. A perfect read for the upcoming season of scares.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lucy Kline, Necromancer • Tom O’Donnell
One phrase: Nancy Drew meets necromancy 🪦🔍
I was skeptical at first, but Lucy Kline, Necromancer really won me over.
This is a YA mystery with occult horror vibes, a sharp reluctant protagonist, ghostly dreams, true crime threads, and a grief story that hits harder than expected.
Lucy’s twin sister, Louisa, was presumed dead two years ago. Lucy was the only person who knew Louisa planned to sneak out that night, and even though Lucy eventually solved the case and put her sister’s killer in jail, the guilt never really left her.
Then another girl who looks like Louisa goes missing.
And suddenly, the case Lucy thought was closed starts to look anything but.
Lucy is such a strong main character. She is sarcastic, guarded, deeply wounded, and very aware of the walls she has built around herself. She has basically opted out of the social contract, and honestly, watching her navigate grief, guilt, isolation, and anger made her feel so real.
The mystery itself was steady, bingeable, and gripping. I loved how the investigation blended in person clues with online forums, social media chatter, true crime elements, and this eerie supernatural thread that slowly begins bleeding into reality.
And then there is the necromancy.
The occult elements gave the story such a chilling edge without making it feel gimmicky. Lucy is skeptical, but curious, and that balance made the supernatural parts feel earned, especially once the nightmares and graveyard rituals started creeping in.
This book is macabre, emotional, sometimes funny, and more layered than I expected from a YA mystery. It is not just about solving a disappearance. It is about grief, identity, guilt, and what it means to move forward when part of you still feels trapped in the past.
My only small issue was that the profanity felt a little heavy at times for YA, but Lucy’s voice was strong enough that it still fit her character.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪦 necromancy
🔍 YA mystery
👻 ghostly dreams
🖤 occult horror
👯 twin sister grief
📱 true crime threads
🕵️ reluctant kid detective
💀 graveyard rituals
💬 sharp sarcastic FMC
🧩 missing girl case
🌑 nightmares bleeding into reality
🕯 grief and guilt
📚 Read this if you like:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes, Nancy Drew style mysteries, YA horror, occult investigations, sarcastic heroines, character driven mysteries, true crime elements, and stories where grief is just as haunting as the supernatural.
This was eerie, emotional, bingeable, and such a strong read for anyone who likes their mysteries with a dark little necromantic twist.
#LucyKlineNecromancer #TomODonnell #YAMystery #OccultHorror #BookReview @Wednesday
One phrase: Nancy Drew meets necromancy 🪦🔍
I was skeptical at first, but Lucy Kline, Necromancer really won me over.
This is a YA mystery with occult horror vibes, a sharp reluctant protagonist, ghostly dreams, true crime threads, and a grief story that hits harder than expected.
Lucy’s twin sister, Louisa, was presumed dead two years ago. Lucy was the only person who knew Louisa planned to sneak out that night, and even though Lucy eventually solved the case and put her sister’s killer in jail, the guilt never really left her.
Then another girl who looks like Louisa goes missing.
And suddenly, the case Lucy thought was closed starts to look anything but.
Lucy is such a strong main character. She is sarcastic, guarded, deeply wounded, and very aware of the walls she has built around herself. She has basically opted out of the social contract, and honestly, watching her navigate grief, guilt, isolation, and anger made her feel so real.
The mystery itself was steady, bingeable, and gripping. I loved how the investigation blended in person clues with online forums, social media chatter, true crime elements, and this eerie supernatural thread that slowly begins bleeding into reality.
And then there is the necromancy.
The occult elements gave the story such a chilling edge without making it feel gimmicky. Lucy is skeptical, but curious, and that balance made the supernatural parts feel earned, especially once the nightmares and graveyard rituals started creeping in.
This book is macabre, emotional, sometimes funny, and more layered than I expected from a YA mystery. It is not just about solving a disappearance. It is about grief, identity, guilt, and what it means to move forward when part of you still feels trapped in the past.
My only small issue was that the profanity felt a little heavy at times for YA, but Lucy’s voice was strong enough that it still fit her character.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪦 necromancy
🔍 YA mystery
👻 ghostly dreams
🖤 occult horror
👯 twin sister grief
📱 true crime threads
🕵️ reluctant kid detective
💀 graveyard rituals
💬 sharp sarcastic FMC
🧩 missing girl case
🌑 nightmares bleeding into reality
🕯 grief and guilt
📚 Read this if you like:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes, Nancy Drew style mysteries, YA horror, occult investigations, sarcastic heroines, character driven mysteries, true crime elements, and stories where grief is just as haunting as the supernatural.
This was eerie, emotional, bingeable, and such a strong read for anyone who likes their mysteries with a dark little necromantic twist.
#LucyKlineNecromancer #TomODonnell #YAMystery #OccultHorror #BookReview @Wednesday
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 9/22/2026. So you want to take two parts A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and add one part Buffy The Vampire Slayer and then mix it up with a dash of a more foul-mouthed Nancy Drew and you get Lucy Kline, Necromancer. Which, I must say, is a fantastic title and one of the reasons I requested the book in the first place. It also had the extra allure of murder-solving and research-doing and supernatural-spooking.
And the concept is there. Honestly, the basic concept of a teen who solves her twin’s disappearance and murder and is called to step up again 2 years later when another eerily similar looking girl goes missing is solid even without supernatural trappings. Lucy herself and her history of unresolved trauma, guilt, and lots of Big Emotions that should have had therapy (in addition to both parents having checked Way Out of her life) is solid. Her sidekick Howie is charming (until he is abruptly NOT, a rather meh turn on the author’s part) and her Rupert Giles stand-in is just the right level of excited/boring academic (also with a somewhat meh revelation of his own at the end). You feel for Lucy and wish she had better adults in her life because, let us not forget, the previous murder happened WHEN SHE WAS 15. Ahem.
Of course, her sore spots get poked continually during the course of the investigation as things go from weird to weirder and dark magic enters the picture as well as a previous serial killer/necromancer who did damage in her quiet town a century-plus ago. So there are a lot of things going on here and the author does tie it all up at the end with quite a dark and complicated (but not totally surprising) solution. You get a nice mix of redemption but also a hint at further issues and unresolved stuff.
So the framework is there… I suppose it was just the execution for me. Admittedly, I’m not of the YA age range but I read a lot of it and part of the key is nailing the tone. The author tried and sometimes kept it feeling very teen-voiced and appropriate but then there were wild swings to a style that felt aimed at even younger readers while also leaning heavily into gore more appropriate for a Stephen King book. In the end, I felt that the lack of coherency in level/tone/style left the book less effective than it could have been. Plus leaving me puzzled as to who the audience was due to the disconnect between style and content descriptions. Add in a late-stage OOC tantrum by a character and a revelation of a hidden truth that felt unnecessary - you’ve got me shrugging at the end. Appreciative but not blown-away. A case of “not the book for me” but someone else could really like it.
And the concept is there. Honestly, the basic concept of a teen who solves her twin’s disappearance and murder and is called to step up again 2 years later when another eerily similar looking girl goes missing is solid even without supernatural trappings. Lucy herself and her history of unresolved trauma, guilt, and lots of Big Emotions that should have had therapy (in addition to both parents having checked Way Out of her life) is solid. Her sidekick Howie is charming (until he is abruptly NOT, a rather meh turn on the author’s part) and her Rupert Giles stand-in is just the right level of excited/boring academic (also with a somewhat meh revelation of his own at the end). You feel for Lucy and wish she had better adults in her life because, let us not forget, the previous murder happened WHEN SHE WAS 15. Ahem.
Of course, her sore spots get poked continually during the course of the investigation as things go from weird to weirder and dark magic enters the picture as well as a previous serial killer/necromancer who did damage in her quiet town a century-plus ago. So there are a lot of things going on here and the author does tie it all up at the end with quite a dark and complicated (but not totally surprising) solution. You get a nice mix of redemption but also a hint at further issues and unresolved stuff.
So the framework is there… I suppose it was just the execution for me. Admittedly, I’m not of the YA age range but I read a lot of it and part of the key is nailing the tone. The author tried and sometimes kept it feeling very teen-voiced and appropriate but then there were wild swings to a style that felt aimed at even younger readers while also leaning heavily into gore more appropriate for a Stephen King book. In the end, I felt that the lack of coherency in level/tone/style left the book less effective than it could have been. Plus leaving me puzzled as to who the audience was due to the disconnect between style and content descriptions. Add in a late-stage OOC tantrum by a character and a revelation of a hidden truth that felt unnecessary - you’ve got me shrugging at the end. Appreciative but not blown-away. A case of “not the book for me” but someone else could really like it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Lucy Kline, Necromancer, by Tom O'Donnell, from St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 3 ⭐
This was a fun YA/teen book.
As much as dealing with the murders of teenage girls and the aftermath can be fun, at least.
I told My Beloved Husband that I was reading it intentionally as something 180 degrees opposite from yesterday’s book. He said it sounded to him like Encyclopedia Brown. I agreed, then said or even more like Henry Reed’s Babysitting Service. Well, in the neighborhood, at least. The teens in this book were driving and had cellphones, etc.
Gosh how I loved those books back in the day. Many thanks again to my mother (aka my pusher), who was always not only taking me to the library to get my fix, but scouring garage and yard sales in our small town for used books. My appetite for fiction was then, as it is now, bordering on ravenous.
Not sure why but I thought this was the first in a to-be series. Reading back over the description, I can see that’s not the case as of this moment. But maybe it will be, someday?
DESCRIPTION
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and highly bingeable thrillers, Lucy Kline, Necromancer, is a Nancy Drew-style murder mystery mixed with the occult.
It’s been two years since Lucy’s twin sister was presumed dead. As the only person who knew about Louisa’s plan to sneak out on the night she was killed, Lucy still feels responsible for her sister’s grim fate—despite the fact that it was Lucy who eventually cracked the case, putting Louisa’s killer in jail.
Or so she thought.
When another girl who looks just like Louisa goes missing under similarly mysterious circumstances, and ghostly dreams begin to plague Lucy, she throws herself back into the investigation. The more clues she uncovers, the more her nightmares bleed into reality. And signs start to point to the impossible: necromancy.
With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired medieval history professor, Lucy must find the culprit behind these disappearances and finally come to terms with the grief that’s haunted her for years.
Received a complimentary copy of Lucy Kline, Necromancer, by Tom O'Donnell, from St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 3 ⭐
This was a fun YA/teen book.
As much as dealing with the murders of teenage girls and the aftermath can be fun, at least.
I told My Beloved Husband that I was reading it intentionally as something 180 degrees opposite from yesterday’s book. He said it sounded to him like Encyclopedia Brown. I agreed, then said or even more like Henry Reed’s Babysitting Service. Well, in the neighborhood, at least. The teens in this book were driving and had cellphones, etc.
Gosh how I loved those books back in the day. Many thanks again to my mother (aka my pusher), who was always not only taking me to the library to get my fix, but scouring garage and yard sales in our small town for used books. My appetite for fiction was then, as it is now, bordering on ravenous.
Not sure why but I thought this was the first in a to-be series. Reading back over the description, I can see that’s not the case as of this moment. But maybe it will be, someday?
DESCRIPTION
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and highly bingeable thrillers, Lucy Kline, Necromancer, is a Nancy Drew-style murder mystery mixed with the occult.
It’s been two years since Lucy’s twin sister was presumed dead. As the only person who knew about Louisa’s plan to sneak out on the night she was killed, Lucy still feels responsible for her sister’s grim fate—despite the fact that it was Lucy who eventually cracked the case, putting Louisa’s killer in jail.
Or so she thought.
When another girl who looks just like Louisa goes missing under similarly mysterious circumstances, and ghostly dreams begin to plague Lucy, she throws herself back into the investigation. The more clues she uncovers, the more her nightmares bleed into reality. And signs start to point to the impossible: necromancy.
With the help of her classmate Howie and a retired medieval history professor, Lucy must find the culprit behind these disappearances and finally come to terms with the grief that’s haunted her for years.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Overall Rating-4
Story-5
Characters-4
Setting-4
Prose-4
Lucy lost her twin sister Louisa 2 years ago, and so many questions are unanswered. She let her sister sneak out that fateful night, and she is guilt-ridden, with so much anger and resentment in her. Once bright and cheerful daughters of the Kline family seem to have vanished after that fateful night, physically and emotionally. Lucy Kline couldn't just let go, because of unusual ghostly visits at night from her sister, speaking in Latin, push her to investigate further. Although, the culprit is caught by Lucy and he seems to have confessed, another girl goes missing the same way. This begs the question: who or what actually has the doppelganger of the Kline sisters? Lucy is up for the challenge against this monster with the help of Howie and a happenstance professor, Peter.
This book had me hooked! It was a breeze to read, and I finished it in one sitting. There is so much going on, and your head spins in a good way. The storyline is really interesting, and as we go deeper, it gets outrageously spectacular. Lucy is indeed a Nancy Drew + Sheldon Cooper with super intelligence to have memorized Latin in such a short time and who has sharp sarcasm. Howie brings out humor in the story with their mediocre investigative skills, going door to door and the book would have been pretty bland without him. Coming to Peter, the professor, it was a nice way to wrap things up with him, but the character also added a little emotional depth to the story.
Even though it is a 4-star read for me, there are certain things that disturbed with my reading pace of the story. 1. The Latin- I don't understand it; there is so much in the book, like about 30%. I understand the importance, but the impact is meh. 2. Some Jargons- few story threads or concepts are ridiculous and seem to have been brought out of thin air. I just went with the flow of the story because it kept me hooked, but certain "incidents" lack continuity or feel disjointed or unjustified.
3. Predictability- I pretty much predicted the outcome/ the perp, I wouldn't consider it a negative factor as such, but I was not shocked by it.
Many thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy in exchange for honest feedback
Story-5
Characters-4
Setting-4
Prose-4
Lucy lost her twin sister Louisa 2 years ago, and so many questions are unanswered. She let her sister sneak out that fateful night, and she is guilt-ridden, with so much anger and resentment in her. Once bright and cheerful daughters of the Kline family seem to have vanished after that fateful night, physically and emotionally. Lucy Kline couldn't just let go, because of unusual ghostly visits at night from her sister, speaking in Latin, push her to investigate further. Although, the culprit is caught by Lucy and he seems to have confessed, another girl goes missing the same way. This begs the question: who or what actually has the doppelganger of the Kline sisters? Lucy is up for the challenge against this monster with the help of Howie and a happenstance professor, Peter.
This book had me hooked! It was a breeze to read, and I finished it in one sitting. There is so much going on, and your head spins in a good way. The storyline is really interesting, and as we go deeper, it gets outrageously spectacular. Lucy is indeed a Nancy Drew + Sheldon Cooper with super intelligence to have memorized Latin in such a short time and who has sharp sarcasm. Howie brings out humor in the story with their mediocre investigative skills, going door to door and the book would have been pretty bland without him. Coming to Peter, the professor, it was a nice way to wrap things up with him, but the character also added a little emotional depth to the story.
Even though it is a 4-star read for me, there are certain things that disturbed with my reading pace of the story. 1. The Latin- I don't understand it; there is so much in the book, like about 30%. I understand the importance, but the impact is meh. 2. Some Jargons- few story threads or concepts are ridiculous and seem to have been brought out of thin air. I just went with the flow of the story because it kept me hooked, but certain "incidents" lack continuity or feel disjointed or unjustified.
3. Predictability- I pretty much predicted the outcome/ the perp, I wouldn't consider it a negative factor as such, but I was not shocked by it.
Many thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy in exchange for honest feedback
May 28, 2026
Received advanced reader copy from Goodreads giveaway.
This was such an engrossing, emotionally layered read, more so than your typical YA mystery. Lucy Kline is a strong protagonist: sharp, sarcastic, and deeply wounded beneath her self-imposed isolation. After solving her twin sister Louisa’s disappearance and putting the killer behind bars, Lucy has “opted out of the social contract,” and watching her navigate that grief, guilt, and detachment is both heartbreaking and compelling.
What really sets this story apart is how vividly Lucy’s inner world is portrayed. She’s incredibly self-aware—she recognizes her cynicism and the walls she’s built, yet still chooses them as a form of protection. Even as an older reader, I found her perspective strikingly relatable and mature. Her voice carries the story, balancing cutting humor with raw vulnerability.
The mystery itself is gripping as a new case involving a recent disappearance and eerie dreams of Louisa pull Lucy back into her role as a “kid detective.” The true crime elements are woven in seamlessly, online forums and social media chatter complimenting Lucy’s in-person investigation to ground it in a way that feels current without being overdone. The 2026 setting is subtly reinforced through natural-feeling slang and cultural references, which adds authenticity without distracting from the narrative.
I also loved how the story blends genres. Lucy’s investigation is smart and methodical, driven by both logic and intuition, and her cautious openness to the supernatural and unexpected foray into necromancy adds a genuinely chilling and original edge. The balance between skepticism and curiosity makes these elements feel earned rather than gimmicky, even with the literal graveyard rituals.
This is a story about grief, identity, and the difficulty of moving forward when you’re not sure you deserve to. Lucy’s journey, both emotional and investigative, is gripping from start to finish, and the resolution is satisfying. A standout read for anyone who loves character-driven mysteries with a dark, slightly supernatural twist.
This was such an engrossing, emotionally layered read, more so than your typical YA mystery. Lucy Kline is a strong protagonist: sharp, sarcastic, and deeply wounded beneath her self-imposed isolation. After solving her twin sister Louisa’s disappearance and putting the killer behind bars, Lucy has “opted out of the social contract,” and watching her navigate that grief, guilt, and detachment is both heartbreaking and compelling.
What really sets this story apart is how vividly Lucy’s inner world is portrayed. She’s incredibly self-aware—she recognizes her cynicism and the walls she’s built, yet still chooses them as a form of protection. Even as an older reader, I found her perspective strikingly relatable and mature. Her voice carries the story, balancing cutting humor with raw vulnerability.
The mystery itself is gripping as a new case involving a recent disappearance and eerie dreams of Louisa pull Lucy back into her role as a “kid detective.” The true crime elements are woven in seamlessly, online forums and social media chatter complimenting Lucy’s in-person investigation to ground it in a way that feels current without being overdone. The 2026 setting is subtly reinforced through natural-feeling slang and cultural references, which adds authenticity without distracting from the narrative.
I also loved how the story blends genres. Lucy’s investigation is smart and methodical, driven by both logic and intuition, and her cautious openness to the supernatural and unexpected foray into necromancy adds a genuinely chilling and original edge. The balance between skepticism and curiosity makes these elements feel earned rather than gimmicky, even with the literal graveyard rituals.
This is a story about grief, identity, and the difficulty of moving forward when you’re not sure you deserve to. Lucy’s journey, both emotional and investigative, is gripping from start to finish, and the resolution is satisfying. A standout read for anyone who loves character-driven mysteries with a dark, slightly supernatural twist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a love/hate situation for me.
I loved the title and bio. I love a good necromancer book, and this book was very promising.
At first, I didn’t really love the book. The pace was slow that it bordered boring. The character development wasn’t really there and I couldn’t stand Lucy. Sure, she lost her twin sister and that can change a person. But after so long, it almost came off as if she isn’t done grieving nor able to move on enough in her life and it doesn’t make her look that great. The constant moodiness, attitude, etc. wasn’t something I was caring for but then again, being that it’s YA may have a part to play in that since YA is very hit or miss for me these days.
HOWEVER.
Despite all that, yes, if you push through it, the book finally becomes what I’ve been waiting for and couldn’t put it down.
Roughly around the halfway mark is when things really picked up and sucked me in.
Lucy and Howie are getting deeper into this case. Believing that what should sound crazy isn't crazy after all. Creating a pentacle for herself, Lucy found it to be helpful that night.
They keep on with everything and start to believe that the real person behind it all was brought back to life and taking these girls and controlling their spirits.
Everything is starting to move faster, the more that happens to move you want speed ahead to see what happens it truly grips you. Lucy and Howie are characters that time some getting used to and I'm glad there was character growth, least for Lucy cause she was difficult at first.
The ending was relieving in a way. The person behind it all is no gone. They are able to properly bury Lucy's sister and her family is starting to come back together. Lucy made some good friends and all seems to be moving forward now.
After pushing though, this book is certainly worth the read. What I will say is don't go in with the hope of heavy necromancer use. It doesn't go into more until closer to the end, but even then it's not as much as I would've liked to see but overall still a good read for YA.
I loved the title and bio. I love a good necromancer book, and this book was very promising.
At first, I didn’t really love the book. The pace was slow that it bordered boring. The character development wasn’t really there and I couldn’t stand Lucy. Sure, she lost her twin sister and that can change a person. But after so long, it almost came off as if she isn’t done grieving nor able to move on enough in her life and it doesn’t make her look that great. The constant moodiness, attitude, etc. wasn’t something I was caring for but then again, being that it’s YA may have a part to play in that since YA is very hit or miss for me these days.
HOWEVER.
Despite all that, yes, if you push through it, the book finally becomes what I’ve been waiting for and couldn’t put it down.
Roughly around the halfway mark is when things really picked up and sucked me in.
Lucy and Howie are getting deeper into this case. Believing that what should sound crazy isn't crazy after all. Creating a pentacle for herself, Lucy found it to be helpful that night.
They keep on with everything and start to believe that the real person behind it all was brought back to life and taking these girls and controlling their spirits.
Everything is starting to move faster, the more that happens to move you want speed ahead to see what happens it truly grips you. Lucy and Howie are characters that time some getting used to and I'm glad there was character growth, least for Lucy cause she was difficult at first.
The ending was relieving in a way. The person behind it all is no gone. They are able to properly bury Lucy's sister and her family is starting to come back together. Lucy made some good friends and all seems to be moving forward now.
After pushing though, this book is certainly worth the read. What I will say is don't go in with the hope of heavy necromancer use. It doesn't go into more until closer to the end, but even then it's not as much as I would've liked to see but overall still a good read for YA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews