I'll be waiting for you by Mariko Turk

The opening scene of this book takes place in a ‘haunted’ hotel around a ouija board, where teen friends Natalie and Imogen are trying to contact the dead. The Harlow Hotel where they are staying is renowned for spiritualists and mediums and particularly for the presence of the long-dead Agnes Thripp. The teen girls are fascinated by the story and yet the possibilities of speaking to those who have died seems far from primary in their busy lives away from their holiday destination. Sadly, Natalie must face incredible grief and her own doubts and beliefs about the possibility of encountering and hearing from those who have passed away. A return to the Harlow Hotel raises all sorts of metaphorical and real possibilities, and being thrust into a new friendship with the ‘new boy’ from school also gives her new ways of seeing the world without her old friend, Imogen.

This is a dramatic tale set within the haze of grief and psychological distress. With the idea of the possibility of ghosts and communication with the dead to be challenged or believed, this story has a dark and unsettling feel. Natalie is a devotee of horror movies, so there is an almost movie-like tension to the story too. The chance to regain psychological health after grief is explored, and romance wafts through an otherwise uncomfortable journey through haunted experiences. I was uncomfortable with the spiritualism and ghost story threads throughout the story, but the positivity of counselling help and debunking some of the myths of the mediums restored some reason and sense within the story. I am not sure that I would put this book into the hands of many young people, it has some hard and harrowing aspects. There are some positive aspects re ‘believing in yourself’ themes and a gentle teen romance, that are not uncommon in YA literature, that almost redeem what could be a depressing story.

Themes: Ghosts, Spiritualism, Grief, Friendship, Romance, Psychological distress, Doubt and belief.

Carolyn Hull