Graveyard Shift in Ghost Town

May contain mild spoilers for Gap Year in Ghost Town. See my review here
Graveyard Shift in Ghost Town
Ghost Town Book Two
Written by Michael Pryor
Paranormal, Ghosts, #LoveOZYA
Published July 2019
320 Pages
Thanks to Allen and Unwin Australia
$19.99
Add to Goodreads
★★★★☆
So, how's my gap year going? Is it giving me a taste of the ghost hunting business or is it just dumping me into situations where I could end up dead, or worse?

Lingerers. Moaners. Thugs. Weepers. So many ghosts. Not enough graveyard shifts in a night.

When an extreme ghost plague descends on the city, Anton and Rani must work overtime to keep the city safe and to find the source of the new aggressive ghost outbreak. And it amps up to another level after ghost hunters become the hunted.

Anton and Rani will need all their wits and wiles about them if they are to manage the ghost influx, get to the truth about the Elsewhere and navigate the night with all their limbs intact.
When eighteen year old Anton Marin decided to spend the year contemplating whether or not to carry the Marin family legacy, meandering the streets of Melbourne at night in an age old tradition of easing the passage of spirits into Elsewhere with his new colleague and friend Rani Cross. A Former Londoner and member of the Company of The Righteous. Weepers, Moaners, Lingerers and ghosts who manifest as Ragers haunt the abandoned streets and landmarks of Melbourne but although of late, have become malevolent and menacing and soon the ghost hunting partnership is overwhelmed by their assignments.

Clearly something is amiss in old Melbourne town but thankfully Anton and Rani are on the case. Their friendship is so incredibly lovely, platonic and it's so refreshing to see a male female friendship with no prospect of romance within young adult literature. Incidentally, Rani and Anton's childhood friend Rebecca are in a relationship, now living together while Rebecca attends university and volunteering in the Marin family archives in her spare time. I loved the gentle female romance, the moments of tenderness were beautiful and although their group dynamic has now changed, they all remain steadfast friends.

As the ghosts become increasingly aggressive, we're introduced to Kirsten and Jamie, hailing from the Ghost Hunting Order of Scotland. With their brogue accents and appreciation for malarkey and mayhem, the sibling ghost hunters are always up for an adventure but what they didn't anticipate was the emergence of the Ragged Sisters, an archaic ritualistic faction capturing ghost hunters to sacrifice. What ensues is a headache of mammoth proportions as the veil between our world and Elsewhere begins to thin.

Darker than its predecessor, Graveyard Shift in Ghost Town amplifies the adventure and upheaval, blended with an intriguing mystery. Spirits are engulfing Melbourne in an epidemic, attaching themselves to their human host and draining their vitality, resulting in a spate of unexplained hospitalisations. The emergence of the Ragged Sisters is disturbing and a subtle warning of scenes that depict torture and death, as some readers may find these distressing.

I absolutely love the Ghost Town series, it's hilariously entertaining and written with an incredible wittiness and charisma. Michael Pryor's writing absolutely shines! From the suburbs to our historical buildings and lane ways of Melbourne, it's a wonderful celebration of Melbourne and all her glory. Simply magnificent.

13 comments

  1. I love reading books set in a familiar setting. Makes for an even more fantastic experience. Though, having ghosts might not be as fantastic. Lol. I'm glad you continue to enjoy this series.

    xoxo

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    1. Although this one is a little darker than book one, it still remains pretty light and entertaining and I think that makes the difference for me. Those moments are lightened by the brilliant comedic writing. It's amazing being able to recognise streets and suburbs, absolutely loved it.

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  2. I skimmed because I still need to read the first book, but it's on my wish list! I'm so glad you are still enjoying this series. I kind of like that the second book gets a bit darker!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It's magnificent Lauren, I hope it's picked up internationally but you should be able to find copies on The Book Depository. I absolutely love the series.

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  3. Putting this series on my tbr! ♥

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  4. Melbourne?!?! How cool is that! Fabulous review Kelly -- and introduction to a new series for me. Melbourne and ghosts! Love it!

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    1. It's one of the best Australian Young adult series you're likely to read Verushka. If you liked Ellie Marney's Every series, you'll love this one. It's hilarious and so incredibly entertaining.

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  5. This sounds like a fantastic series! I like that it's dark but still humorous.

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant! I haven't heard any news about book three which I'm assuming is the finale, there's a few loose ends to tie up and a massive upheaval ahead for Anton and Rani.

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    1. It's an amazing series Karen, I think you'll really enjoy it.

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  7. Awesome review Kelly. I love the sound of this series.
    I still need to read Gap Year in Ghost Town, it’s on the never ending TBR, but you’ve put it back on my radar with this one.

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