The Ghost Squad

by Sophie Masson

Imagine a world where all seems normal and yet nothing is – a world very much like our own, yet jarringly unlike. A world where two clandestine organisations, the Ghost Squad and the Base, are engaged in a secret battle for control of information so dangerous it could literally change life as humans have always known it…

A bold, exciting YA novel with thrilling twists and turns, The Ghost Squad is a novel that will keep readers guessing – and keep them awake at night!

Get set for a heart-stopping chase, a stunning near future world, and a desperate struggle to discover the truth about life, death and what comes next.'
Alison Goodman author of the bestselling Dark Days series

'An action thriller that grapples with the biggest mystery of all: life after death.'
Michael Pryor author of The Laws of Magic

'a dynamic and exciting thriller with smart, relatable characters...should appeal to fans of Stranger Things and readers of John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' books.'
Books+Publishing

Genres: Speculative Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2021

About the author

Born in Indonesia of French parents, Sophie Masson was sent to live with her paternal grandmother in Toulouse, France, when she was just a baby and lived there till she was nearly five, when her parents came back from Indonesia and took her to Australia. All the rest of her childhood, the family stayed in Australia, with frequent trips back to France, and this dual heritage underpins a good deal of Sophie's work.
Sophie's first book appeared in 1990 and since then she has published more than seventy books, for children, young adults and adults. Her books have been published in Australia, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and many other countries. She has also had many short stories and articles published in newspapers, magazines, and online journals.
Sophie holds a BA and M.Litt in French and English literature, and a PhD in Creative Practice. A former Chair of the Australian Society of Authors, she is the current Chair (2021) of the New England Writers' Centre and of the Small Press Network. She is also the President committee of the New England and North West sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia, NSW branch.
Sophie has received several awards for her creative work, including the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and the YA category of the Aurealis Awards. In 2019 she received an AM in the Order of Australia for her significant service to literature as an author, a publisher, and through service to literary organisations.
Sophie's website is at www.sophiemassonauthor.com
She has a writing blog at www.firebirdfeathers.com
Her You Tube channel, with trailers to many of her books, is at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLa...
She is also a regular contributor to the popular authorship blog Writer Unboxed, www.writerunboxed.com

Reviews

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great read, I've been reading a lot more speculative fiction so far this year, a genre I used to read a lot of, but one I seem to have neglected over the last couple of years.

This is the first book I've read by Sophie Masson who has a large number of books to her name. 

The Ghost Squad was a really novel idea, one I found very interesting. What if you had the opportunity to find out what was really on the other side when you die? Due to a Pulse that wipes out all electronics, there is an unexpected side effect, one that has been kept from the general public, people who one group call the 'gulls', a secret that could change everything.  There are two organisations, The Ghost Squad and the Base, both who have their own agendas and both believe they are the right ones. Three different groups of people are discovered after the Pulse, this is the secret that is being kept, (I don't want to give too much away). Of the three groups of people who come out of the Pulse, I'm not too sure which one I would want to be in, and whether I would want to know if I was aware of them. 

Some of the terminology was confusing at the beginning and I wish I'd realised there was a glossary at the back because I probably would have read this first so I didn't feel so confused, but everything became clear as the story unfolded. 

The three main characters Swan, Polly and Kel all come from differing backgrounds. Kel knows all about the secret, he has one of the unexpected side effects to come out of the Pulse. Polly is part of the general public, going about her own business, completely unaware of what is being kept from society, Swan works with the Base, but after meeting Polly and Kel, his beliefs and loyalty are tested. I liked these characters a lot, especially Kel, I had a soft spot for him. 

This book was full of twists and turns, conspiracies, relationships, secrets, danger and action. I really couldn't foretell anything that was going to happen and it wasn't always clear who to trust or who to believe. There were plenty of people and factions to be wary of along the way and there were some unexpected allies too. 

I recommend this if you are looking for something engaging and different. I feel there should be a sequel because I think there is so much more to uncover and fight for, but I've been told there is nothing planned at this point. It does end in a way that is satisfactory, I just want more. 

Thanks to Midnight Sun Publishing for proivding me with a copy of this novel in return for an honest review. 

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since what is commonly referred to as the Pulse, the race to discover the secrets of life after death and the implications of those revelations for those desiring power over humanity, has never been more intense or deadly. Reluctant allies, Swan and Polly undergo a dizzying hunt for the truth along a tightrope taunt with uncertainties. Loyalties are repeatedly tested as subterfuge and gut wrenching realties trip them at every turn. It’s exciting stuff and once you accustom yourself with the extensive nomenclature of ghostly definitions and the planes they inhabit, the whole premise of a post-apocalyptic existence becomes startlingly plausible.

Read more of this review at DIM'SreVIEWS: https://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/2...

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really compelling premise with an engaging prologue. It took a while to get started, however the momentum in the final third was very skilful, especially the switching perspective between the protagonists.

This is an action driven novel, with events tumbling forth at breakneck speed. I would have liked a greater level of description of the settings, especially in the characterisation of ‘The Base’. However, I think that the amount of action will really appeal to 11-15 year old readers.

[Coral Smith]

In a futuristic world after the pulse where all electrical equipment is now void, 2 organizations -The Ghost Squad and The Base - are fighting to control information that was discovered after the pulse. If the majority find out this information it would change life as humans have always known - follow Polly, Swan and Kel, 3 teenagers who find themselves in the middle and are trying to find a way to live with what they know.

[Kristin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the start of my summer holidays, and could barely put it down.
Sophie Masson has written a thought provoking, exciting and engaging YA novel. The switching point of view meant that I kept wanting to read another two chapters to find out what happened.