The lost notes of the Soul Spinners by Reece Carter

The lost notes of the soul spinners is the concluding story of a series - An Elston-Fright Tale.  It follows A girl called Corpse and The lonely lighthouse of Elston-Fright. The lost notes of the soul spinners is a difficult book to read as a stand-alone as there are a multiplicity of characters and previous happenings that have impacted on the storyline and are assumed to be readers' knowledge. Thus to enjoy the last book, it may be a good idea to read the first and second which introduce Corpse and her friends and the town of Elston-Fright and its inhabitants. 

There is an explanatory map of Elston-Fright in the front pages which shows the key locations of the story and includes the word "witches" all over the coastal area. The map appears to be a working paper as there are jottings and arrows etc. all over it. The two main characters' perspectives are shared in the first person in alternating chapters. Thus the reader lives through the point of view, actions and interactions of Corpse and then Girl. Each character has a couple of names at least eg. Corpse is also Cora. Many characters are ghosts or ghouls or other good or malevolent paranormal beings. Some of the characters are townspeople and of course some are hard to define and may suddenly change to reveal something else. Each character has known and undiscovered magical skills which come to the fore when needed during the battle between good and evil. 

It is unusual to have main characters being ghosts. They have existed peaceably in the town of Elston-Fright - a little known and sad little coastal town prone to nasty happenings including missing children. A ghost-eating wraith, Faye De Corail, arrives in the town searching for the lost notes of the soul spinners and casts a spell over the humans in the town.  In trying to save the town's people from horrors unknown and themselves from "Death Proper", Girl, Corpse and friends battle some very horrible foes that have sprung from the imagination of the author Reece Carter. In the process the truth of their own identity is discovered and the fate of the town is sealed.

The lost notes of the soul spinners is a high energy action/ magical adventure that has a warmth about it. Simon Howe's illustrations accompany the text closely  revealing in what could be a rather macabre and ghoulish story, a certain, youthfulness and playfulness that ameliorates to some extent what could be dark, creepy and scary happenings. Carter plays with words in an edgy and light-hearted manner both in the conversations between the characters and in objects such as the "Ungeneral Store" and "Poltergusts" and "the Immoral Compass."

The lost notes of the soul spinners is clever, funny, imaginative and edgy. However, it could be quite an ask for a young reader to pick up this book and not be very confused by the rapid parade of very strange characters - their disparate actions and motivations and in fact who they are themselves and in relation to each other and what they look like. Reading the books in series order is recommended.

Themes: ghosts, Paranormal, Magic.

Wendy Jeffrey