Guarded Streets: An Undersider Tale

Undersiders #2

by G.R. Hastings, Eliza Fisher (Illustrator)

It’s 1968, and the National Guard patrols the streets of Wilmington, Delaware. Oblivious to the unease that corrupts every corner, Susan stops in for the night before heading to college. Challenged with solving the case of a missing ghost child, she and future journalist, Amya, must uncover the city’s dark past while navigating its uneasy present. For, in the shadows, he waits.

Guarded Streets is a historical fiction novel that takes a snapshot of a pivotal moment in Wilmington's complicated history.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2026

About the author

G. R. Hastings is a maritime archaeologist who specializes in colonial America and the Golden Age of Piracy. Based on research and a prior screenplay, G.R. debuted the novel The Undersiders in 2023 and has written numerous short stories and plays, some of which have seen the stage.

He lives in Delaware.

Reviews

[Bernard Corwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not quite horror, because the humans in this story are far more terrifying than the ghosts (who, by and large, are lively people). The premise of characters who can see and interact with ghosts, and use that ability to help them move on, is an interesting one, and I assume is the point of the whole loosely-connected universe of The Undersiders. I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the first book in the series, as well as future works from this author.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up. A YA ghost story set during the National Guard occupation of Wilmington, Delaware in 1968 (frighteningly topical with ICE), featuring a character from the previous book, The Undersiders. The central mystery also incorporates the real-life "Horace Waits" graffiti found in the basement of Huxley & Hiro Booksellers' original location at 419 North Market Street. The paranormal aspect gets way too silly for my tastes, but the author clearly did his historical research. A fun, informative read.