THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND

It’s 1885, and runaway twins join a traveling group of mediums after fleeing their extremist minister father to avoid being placed in an asylum.

Seventeen-year-old Edie and Violet Bond were born identical with green eyes and auburn hair, but over time, Edie’s hair has become nearly white. Their mother died under mysterious circumstances a year ago, and each sister has some of her innate spiritual abilities: Edie is able to cross the Veil between life and death, while Violet channels spirits. Mr. Huddle, the head of their traveling group of Spiritualists, has them performing in Sacramento, California, where the woman who organized the Women’s Suffrage Association is causing a stir by fighting for equality. Misogyny abounds as women are being locked up in asylums for baseless reasons by their “male guardians”—fathers, husbands, or brothers. Edie displays delightful moxie, performing trance lectures on stage and using this platform to preach equality under the guise of channeling Benjamin Franklin and other male thinkers. When the father they escaped turns up in an unexpected place, the sisters uncover horrible truths. The atmospheric and haunting tone feels ominous as the twins encounter things they can’t quite explain, while the plot intensifies as Edie holds back secrets from Violet that could have devastating consequences. The timely, gripping themes of sisterhood and fighting misogyny will resonate. Characters default to White.

An impressive and eerie debut that will keep readers looking over their shoulders.