Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 14, 2019
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Nothing's been the same for Beth Teller since the day she died.
Her dad is drowning in grief. He's also the only one who has been able to see and hear her since the accident. But now she's got a mystery to solve, a mystery that will hopefully remind her detective father that he is still alive, that there is a life after Beth that is still worth living.
Who is Isobel Catching, and why is she able to see Beth, too? What is her connection to the crime Beth's father has been sent to investigate--a gruesome fire at a home for troubled youth that left an unidentifiable body behind? What happened to the people who haven't been seen since the fire?
As Beth and her father unravel the mystery, they find a shocking and heartbreaking story lurking beneath the surface of a small town, and a friendship that lasts beyond one life and into another...
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My first impression of The Things She’s Seen: what a gorgeous cover!
My second impression: family! Aboriginal Australian culture! Ghosts! (Not that I want to see a ghost, but I do love a good book with a paranormal twist.)
I’m impressed with all of the issues crammed into this short novel. It features a small town in Australia, explores racial tensions, visits a children’s home, touches on drug issues, raises awareness of human trafficking, and integrates supernatural elements (I’m curious how much of this draws from Aboriginal culture). Oh, and one of Beth’s uncles has a husband. Despite all of the issues it touches upon, the novel never felt crammed or thrown off pace. In fact, many of these topics get a passing mention or are woven so seamlessly into the novel that they feel like a natural part of the world—and are unfortunately a very real part of our world today.
These are hard topics. I appreciate the Kwaymullinas’ choice to explore these issues through the alternating voices of Beth Teller (in prose) and Isobel Catching (in verse), both of whom are teenage girls whose lives are rudely shaken through accidents that put them in contact with the dark side of society. Their youthful voices make these topics accessible to YA readers. Furthermore, many of the harder topics are introduced through symbolic images in verse before Beth’s dad explains them to us towards the end of the novel.
The end does wrap up rather quickly. While we are able to conclude the mystery of the deaths in town, we don’t get a reason for all of the supernatural elements and have to take them as they are. I do appreciate how Beth’s dad isn’t entirely okay at the end (he’s still grieving his daughter) but takes the first step forward in reconciling himself to life without her, and this allows Beth to move on with the afterlife.
The Things She’s Seen is a quick read that can be easily finished in one sitting. I recommend it to readers who enjoy a strong family presence and a mystery with a supernatural twist.
Content
Let’s Chat
After Beth dies, she tries to encourage her dad by pushing him to solve a case. If you had the chance to interact with a loved one after your death, who would you “haunt” and what would you tell them?
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
That really is a pretty cover! It’s always impressive when a book can include so many topics and do it well, especially a shorter book.
Crystal says
I agree. I was especially impressed with how the Kwaymullina siblings managed to do this with such a short book.
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
Love the setting and that it tackles issues and raises awareness. The paranormal aspect is a huge plus! I too love that aspect 🙂
Crystal says
The Things She’s Seen checked off so many boxes for me. I hope you enjoy it if you read it, Kimberly! 🙂
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
oooh so many issues and I love that they arise naturally! This sounds really good, I love magical realism a lot too. I too wonder how much of the supernatural elements draws from Aboriginal culture. I’m going to add to my TBR. ❤️
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy The Things She’s Seen, Dani! 🙂
Sophia Rose says
Wow! The setting alone would make it a winner, but neat how it hit lots of things without feeling crammed, too.
Crystal says
The setting plays a large role in why I picked this one up. The writers are actually Aboriginal Australians, so they’re familiar with the culture.
Melliane says
It looks good and I agree with you I love the cover as well!
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy The Things She’s Seen if you pick it up, Melliane! 🙂