Pennies (Blight Harbor 4) by Lora Senf

What worked:

This book continues the Blight Harbor series, but it can be read independently. Magic is everywhere in the town, and it’s not necessarily good or bad. The story is told through the eyes of Mae, and she’s joined by three good friends, Claret, Brigid, and Lark. Brigid comes from a family of witches, while Claret comes from a family of vampires. Lark is the smallest member of the group, but she may be the most adventurous. Her father can sense the presence of holes, portals to the Dark Sun Side, and Mae’s father’s job is to seal them shut. No one knows anything about the Dark Sun Side, because those who’ve explored it never returned. Strangely, Lark tells the group about a new hole near her house, but her father doesn’t know it exists. Also, the adults begin to say John Heffrey Pope is a fine man when everyone knows he’s a lazy good-for-nothing.

Interestingly, ghosts are treated like ordinary characters. The girls have a secret clubhouse made from pieces of scrap wood and metal, and a ghost now resides in it. Graham was seven when he died, and the girls treat him like a little brother. Mae can usually hear most of what he says, but for some reason, she can’t now. The girls give Graham a hug and kind words, and Lark brings him her favorite teddy bear. The girls enlist advice from a ghost in Claret’s house, and he sends them to speak with twin ghosts. The twins lend valuable help to the girls to tether themselves to the living world before venturing into the Dark Sun Side. Mae and her friends encounter additional ghosts on the other side of the portal.

The conflict begins with the disappearance of Brigid’s cousin, Emilia, but other characters go missing, too. The girls venture into the hole and enter the world of the Clackity, although it makes an appearance in only one part of the story. Most of the story is set in this alternate world. Mae and her friends become lost, and they explore different tunnels, hoping for a way to find Emmi. The tunnels present different adventures, as the girls find creepy characters and settings in each one.  They discover Bridgit’s aunt is just as malevolent as Pope, although she may be even worse. However, Mae learns something unseen is going on in the Dark Sun Side that may be controlling the events. It’s hard to know who can be trusted on this side of the portal, and one misstep will leave Mae and her friends stranded here forever.

What didn’t work as well:

The girls immediately suspect John Heffrey Pope when Emmi goes missing. Authors usually try to mislead readers or keep them guessing, but that doesn’t happen here. Other twists await as the plot moves along, but Pope is always the prime suspect. It diminishes much of the suspense.

The final verdict:

This book is a companion to The Clackity, a finalist for a 2022 Cybils Book Award. The author is a master of description! The friends’ adventure becomes almost a quest, as the girls search for Emilia. The different tunnels present surprise challenges that put the girls in danger. Overall, I recommend this book for readers who enjoy creepy, spooky stories.