Between the Living and the Dead

by

Sophie Jupillat Posey

Intriguing combination of paranormal mystery and Peruvian folklore.

Between the Living and the Dead by Sophie Jupillat Posey is an intriguing paranormal mystery novella incorporating elements of Peruvian folklore. Young Cavilla Ramirez can see dead people. Most specifically, she is visited by her deceased best friends, Niko and Angelica, who were killed two years earlier by a hit-and-run driver. Knowing Cavilla’s penchant for Agatha Christie novels and her past successes helping others find things and solve problems, they hope she can identify and bring their killer to justice. 

Cavilla is a feisty girl and a fitting match for her fiery Tia Luz, who has raised her since she was a baby. At times, she’s a little bratty as she tries to drag her family’s history out of her reluctant-to-talk aunt. But she’s dealing with some extremely big issues and feelings alone, and it’s easy to forget she’s only fourteen. Tia Luz fights Cavilla’s inquiries every step of the way in the name of keeping her safe. I enjoyed her goal of becoming a private investigator someday. 

While the story is really good, the short novella included quite a bit of her daily life and internal angst, which sometimes began to drag and feel repetitive. But the big showdown at the eleventh hour is suspenseful and well-choreographed, and her investigations were approached with courage and confidence, even when the danger of doing so was very apparent. I would love to see this as the first book in a series featuring Cavilla, her family, and friends. 

I recommend BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD to readers of paranormal mysteries. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.