The Bones of the Holy

The Bones of the Holy
by Jennifer Allison
Gilda Joyce, book five

When Gilda Joyce's mother announces her engagement to a man from St. Augustine, Florida, Gilda is appalled. She hasn't even given him the "Joyce Family Application" yet! But as the wedding preparations get under way, Gilda realizes she has much bigger concerns. Why does her soon-to-be stepdad keep calling Mrs. Joyce by his ex-wife's name? And why is Mrs. Joyce acting like she's possessed?

With only a few short days before her mother says "I do," Gilda knows this much for sure: it's going to take every ounce of her sleuthing skill and psychic savvy to solve this one! (description from Amazon.com)

This series is the perfect antidote to too much "paranormal romance." Gilda is a smart, vivacious, and hilarious mini-detective and her adventures are just the right mix of realistic fiction and the paranormal. I love how even when Gilda is trying to deal with her ghostly encounters, it's even more important that she continues to build the real relationships in her life.

The way that she interacts with her mom and brother are so sweet and yet, true to life. She and her best friend, Wendy, also have a wonderful and thoroughly realistic relationship. I love how they stay in touch even when Wendy goes to camp or Gilda travels through letters and phone calls.

This particular entry into Gilda's adventures was full of really interesting background info. Just like after reading the last book when I wanted to immediately go to the Spy Museum in D.C., now I want to visit St. Augustine, Florida! I had no idea it was the oldest city in the US or that it had such a rich and mixed cultural history. Very intriguing.

For fun mysteries, hilarious hijinks, and a family that will make you smile, give the Gilda Joyce series a try.