GHOST ROAST

A high school student tries to solve a long-buried mystery involving the spirits haunting a New Orleans mansion.

After years of being known as the Ghost Girl from the Seventh Ward, 15-year-old Chelsea Grant is now a member of the popular crowd. Shortly before summer vacation, a rowdy night out with friends ends in a jail cell. Much to her chagrin, Chelsea must spend the summer working for her father’s ghost-removal agency as punishment. When her dad is hired to exorcise Harrington Manor, Chelsea assumes the job will be another bust. However, soon after setting foot on the former sugarcane plantation, Chelsea, who is Black, realizes she can see and speak to the manor’s ghosts—including Oliver, the gorgeous Harrington heir who went missing in 1879. As Chelsea’s friendship with Oliver deepens, she uncovers grave secrets, and Oliver lies at the heart of them. In this well-paced graphic novel by the Gibbs sisters and debut artist Cannon, the tender flush of a first romance is effectively wrapped up in historical intrigue. Chelsea’s relationship with her parents is crafted with realism, and the manor’s legacy of slavery is explored with honesty. The lively and expressive manga-style illustrations complement the narrative well. Present-day scenes feature a rich, vibrant palette, while Chelsea’s flashbacks and historical interludes use faded tones.

A fresh and charming modern Southern ghost story starring a plucky hero who isn’t afraid to stand up for the truth.