The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Series: Shades of London (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal

Subjects: Ghosts, murder, hauntings, supernatural, London, England, boarding schools

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 290 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Penguin

Summary/ product description: “After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.
In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: I love this series. This sequel was fun and awesome. I love how Maureen narrates the book in the voice of Rory. She’s very quirky and funny. Some of the things she think and says are a little strange, and possibly not appropriate in the TMI bathroom humor way. But Rory is very relatable, and I like her. I cracked up so hard so many times reading this book. Rory is so random sometimes.

And I like all the other characters too. They’re all so realistic and fun. Stephen acts so serious, but really, we know he’s a really awesome guy. Jerome was Rory’s kind of boyfriend, and I like him too. Boo and Callum, also part of Stephen’s team, are funny too. They are all very British, because this book is set in London and in a boarding school, which is awesome. Did I say how awesome this book is?

I mean, even though they don’t have any more of the devices they use to “kill” ghosts anymore, they still have Rory, and in case you didn’t already know, she’s  from Louisiana, USA. And she’s Southern. Maureen did a very good job making her seem like she’s from the USA. But I still think she may have use some more British words and phrases that Rory probably wouldn’t use. Good job, either way. I love them all! London sounds rainy and drab, but exciting and historical. This book makes me want to go there. Wish I could visit. In summer preferably.

There’re some new characters and surprises in the 2^nd half. I was so worried for Rory and was hoping she wouldn’t do what she did. That ending has me worried for the 3^rd book. Is this only a trilogy? Can’t wait to see what happens. I need more books like this series to read. It really cheered me up after having something really bad happen. I recommend this book if you like books with ghosts or boarding schools.  

Cover Art Review: Better than the 1^st book’s hardcover version. I like the title treatment. Very wispy. And purple. I like the paper stock used. It’s pearly. And I love the pages that look ripped out.

 

~Haley G