In the Shadow of Blackbirds

Winters, Cat. In the Shadow of Blackbirds. Amulet Books, 2013.

The Spanish flu has taken the lives of countless numbers of people, and the Great War in Europe is taking the lives of many as well.  People hurry about wearing masks to prevent the spread of the flu, and fear is rampant. Mary Shelley Black is sent to live with an aunt while her father is on trial for treason. While there, Mary tries to solve the mystery of the "ghost photographs," as well as the disappearance of a boy she loved, a boy she was told died in battle but whose spirit has been haunting her.  Will she be able to solve the mystery before it kills her?

I enjoyed this book more than I expected.  The "ghost photographs" thing didn't interest me, but the setting and the flu epidemic definitely did.  The ending of this book was satisfying, although it seemed to take a long time to get there.  As paranormal fiction is very popular in my library at the moment, this one will be hard to keep on the shelves.

Recommended for: teens, fans of paranormal fiction and/or historical fiction
Red Flags: some mild violence
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars