Texas Gothic

Texas Gothic
By Rosemary Clement-Moore
Delacorte Press, 2011. 406 pgs. Young Adult

Amy Goodnight has been the self-appointed defender of the Goodnight family and their magical abilities. Not possessing any special talents of her own, Amy makes sure that her family is not ridiculed for their talents. That all changes though when Amy and her sister Phin agree to housesit for Aunt Hyacinth’s farmhouse and ranch and a seemingly malevolent ghost visits Amy one night. Convinced the ghost has something to do with the ranch next door (run by a very cute and cranky young cowboy named Ben) and the excavation dig happening on the ranch, Amy investigates the mystery of the ghost with the help of her sister, the dig crew, and a reluctant Ben.

Chilling and creepy in all the right places, this is a quick and entertaining read, even though I felt a little underwhelmed by it. Clement-Moore tones down her usual snark in this title, but that might work to its advantage. Amy’s struggles with her family’s weirdness and her own place in it feel more realistic without excessive biting banter. Ben is a strong foil and romantic lead for Amy and the supporting characters are fun.

MN