travlbug

The moral of the story: Why guild the lily when you can whitewash? Throwing whitewash at Devvy, even though it didn't really hurt him, is going one step too far. If summer weren't on its way, I'd think that this is the opening salvo in an all-out war between Brad et al and the cool gay guys!

"He’s a priest [Henry's father]. How can he refuse to believe in the supernatural?" "I didn’t say he didn’t believe in the supernatural. He believes that there are unseen forces at work behind visible Creation and not all of them are nice. Besides, he’s a big Buffy fan; he’s got all the DVDs." You gotta love it! * * * Nothing to float through walls this chapter. (Ed can't even get in through the back door! 🤗)

My disappointment was very short-lived. I guess I'm just more impatient than Artie is. And by the way, your pacing is great: I don't feel that the pacing is an issue at all. All I ask is that you give up your day job and devote your time exclusively to writing! 💖

I'm on tenterhooks: How do you commit suicide, or murder, with no marks on the body (considering the level of tech in 1795)? Even asphyxiation would leave some telltales. Certain poisons might fit the bill, but no bottle was found by the body or evidence that the body was transported to the place it was discovered (was anyone looking?). So, Henry finds more pieces to the story, but still no answers! The very fact that Jed is buried in the undesirable portion of the cemetery means that his father, as parish priest, must have known more about what happened than was released to the general public. And how did he know?

So what driving questions does Artie ask Ezra when they are finally on the phone together? Does he ask why Ezra abandoned his mother and him--why he broke his promise? Does he ask about Ezra's subsequent history? Does he ask about possible half siblings? No! They talk about baseball. Maybe Ezra is simply trying to establish common ground with Artie, but I'm disappointed that Artie failed to ask him anything of substance.

I love the way that this chapter reminds us that the characters have a life outside of the ghost story. (It also makes clear that Henry is blessed in his parentage.) Rachel is an embarrassment. Hopefully, Ricky will dump her before it's too late.

At the beginning of the chapter, I thought Artie wanted to take the bus alone to sneak away (to contact Ezra), but I'm glad to see he's just stretching his wings. In fact, he shows maturity in accepting Adam's ground rules for speaking to Ezra. Still, after denying it to himself--saying that all he wants is to "confront" and "forgive" Ezra--he then thinks that he wants "a good relationship with him," though with "boundaries." He just can't seem to let go. Questioning his relationship with Dizzy also demonstrates maturity, though the real question may be whether he's ready for a full sexual commitment.

"...if ever a man was trying to get himself killed, this was him! He doesn’t want to live...." Henry's view of Nathaniel's behavior rings true but does nothing to explain the puzzles that continue to pop up. (I love the conceit that death refuses to take Nathaniel, as such a refusal could be a punishment. So what might Nathanial have done such that death itself refuses him a release?) I'm amazed at the boys' restraint: If a spirit told me to "dig here," I'd have probably pulled an all-nighter to find what the ghost is pointing out!

Curiouser and curiouser! (And if the boys tell anyone about the spirit manifestation, it will be blamed on the alcohol!) So where is the body buried? Is this what the specter is trying to convey? Why bury a body at night, not to mention a week late? Is it even the right body that was buried? I love the twists and turns!

As might be expected, Nathaniel's memorial fails to mention a wife or children. At least, we know he leads a full life; but the linkage between Jed's death day and his own is still eerie. Also, what happens to Nathaniel before, during, and after his arrest? (Jed is buried in that portion of the graveyard dedicated to suicides, so is Nathaniel arrested for Jed's murder after all? If not, then why is he arrested in the "matter" of Jed in the first place?)

Ed may have to cogitate on being gay (to the point where he talks with another gay teen), but Henry seems to know what he wants with very little enticement. So, did Nathaniel kill Jed, or did someone else kill Jed and frame Nathaniel (killing two birds with one stone)? More, please!

For me, whether my guesses are right or wrong, the pleasure is in the artistry of the writing--the execution of the story--rather than in the bare bones of the plot; and I am enjoying this story immensely. Thank you! 😊

I've always loved ghost stories, and the out-of-focus boy amongst the pews in an otherwise deserted church (excepting for Henry, of course) is an auspicious beginning. The dream, or vision, is more revealing this time around, and we see that the other boy is angry when Henry (or is it actually Henry in the dream?) spurns his kiss. (While Henry notes that the other boy is clothed, I wish he had described the clothing, though late 1790s fashion would be my guess! ) So why wouldn't the Vicar's son be listed on the memorial? If he were a known homosexual, he would likely have been purposely left out. And if he were a know homosexual, did he die from illness or accident, or was he murdered? Nice to see that Henry has forgiven Ed, and he makes a friend in consequence. (Is history beginning to repeat itself?) 🤔

So Henry has had a dream, reminiscent of a vision, following his discovery of Jehoiadah's gravesite. Hmm. He has shown himself eloquent on the subject of marginalization (just wonderful for his school reputation). If Cornish were indeed trying to make amends for the cowardly kick, Henry has just shut him down. As Henry has so few friends (i.e., none), he might have found a better way to handle the situation.

I feel for Henry, alone during his free/play time, alone at home, and alone at school (except when picked on, with no sympathy from his fellows even after sustaining facial trauma). He seems to have little support; and in the face of active hostility, it is no wonder that he has determined to skip school.

Once Jay falls asleep, emotionally exhausted after giving the twins the long version of their harrowing past, Amara starts making his phone calls--getting "the wheels in motion." The twins have just promised "over and over that they still loved Jay and they’d make things right." Rather than calling his team to create a defense (to prevent a backlash from the twins' relationship with Jay), Amara is more likely mobilizing his troops to figure out how to "make things right" for Jay. Unfortunately, to do so, Amara will have to share Jay's revelations, with potential repercussions. The only situation I can think of where the twins would disclose Jay's secrets willingly is where it would directly benefit Jay, and this is certainly the situation now. The twins would move heaven and earth for Jay, and I can't wait to see what they (and their own little army) accomplish.

"We’ve already got the wheels in motion. We’ve spoken to Amara’s manager and our lawyers, and our publicists…oh and Alicia. We’re handling this...." Jay's past is theirs to share or conceal. The twins certainly know this, and I can't imagine them sharing Jay's very personal story with impersonal professionals (not even associated with Jay) to prepare a reputation-saving strategy/defense on the off chance that Jay's past is revealed. So what are they really up to...?

Cassie has discovered her soul mate and has found that he's "a Mazen!" (Yes, I went there. Sorry, couldn't help myself! ) I love that the pre-wedding events are so well organized, that the kids are so well behaved, and that the adults get along so well together. It's almost like a fairy tale! Oh, wait.... 😂

Colleen may not seem overtly as loving as Adam, but she needs to be stricter (we're talking about Dizzy here), and she has a ton of pictures professing her love for him. I, too, am baffled by Artie's need for "closure" with a father he doesn't even know. (If he's honest with himself, he doesn't need closure; rather, he needs to have his curiosity satisfied, but Ezra's motives for coming forward so late in the game are still suspect.)

In this wonderful chapter, Tyson considers Charlie thoughtfully--even tenderly--from a humanistic standpoint; and by doing so, he reveals more about himself and his changing viewpoints. Until now, Charlie has been something of an enigma. That said, Tyson's observations show that he isn't “stupid or challenged” (For example, he can execute a cupcake heist or wheedle cookies from their guardians.) Rather, he feels that Charlie's intelligence is obscured by his “trauma and his lack of education,” as well as his institutionalization. He has no parents or sibs to give him affection, and most of the patients avoid him as a “weird” kid. In other words, he isn't socialized. Worse, presumably because of the sexual abuse, he is touch-adverse and uses violence as a protective behavior. One would think these issues to be addressable, so why isn't Charlie improving with time? As Tyson perceives, the system continues to fail him: “As he [Charlie] had no family, there was nobody to pay for the long list of treatments he would need, and thus no profit to be made from his recovery.” (This is the second time that the author has noted “no profit” in treating a kid like Charlie, and that emphasis makes it a stronger condemnation.) Essentially, Charlie has made no progress at least partially secondary to institutional neglect--the staff can't even be bothered to monitor his hygiene and dental needs--and he has become an “invisible” child. Yet, he is not invisible to Tyson; and when Tyson gives Charlie the choice of what to do, he actually requests instruction in math, showing his desire for knowledge. Sadly, Charlie feels “shame” at his level of ignorance, and his lack of schooling is also on the heads of his uncaring keepers. Charlie can also interact with Tyson on an emotional level: When Tyson praises him, Charlie lights up with a “big grin.” When Tyson tells him that he's special and thanks him for being his friend, Charlie hugs him, asks him not to go (ever to leave the unit--and Charlie), and gifts him with all he has to give--a package of cookies. Of note, affection works better on Charlie than any psychotropic medication (another recurring theme in the novel), and Charlie emerges from this chapter as a neglected, damaged boy who still may reach his potential as long as he is nurtured properly. By his interactions with Charlie, Tyson reveals his own growth: No longer fixated on suicide, he takes notice of his surroundings and quickly figures out Charlie's cookie scam. While brought up to be selfish, Tyson can't help but sympathize with Charlie's plight as an institutionalized kid. By teaching Charlie, he realizes that he likes teaching and that, for him, greatness may be achieved by teaching the Charlie's of the world--that teaching may be the way he can make the world a better place (an amazing thought for someone so recently contemplating suicide). While he loves Vlady, he “weeps” for Charlie, and his heart continues to open at an amazing pace. The big question, as always, remains as to how Tyson can remain true to Vlady and Charlie, and even to himself, if his fate is to be released back to his parents--to the very people who want to close his heart, lock it, and throw away the key. 😥

Leon clearly still has feelings for Logan, but he also feels rejected by him: “'Do you even know how much I’ve missed you?' Leon asked. 'I'm suffocating from being alone, Logan. Did you miss me, at all?'” Yet, at the beginning of the chapter, Leon pushes Logan away after their kiss. As Logan surmises, "Leon hadn’t pushed him away because he didn’t like it, but because he did...." Leon has refused to let Logan get closer because of his fear of being hurt even further. What Logan says to Leon next may be pivotal to the future of their relationship. Nicotine is readily available in certain insecticides: As the assailant would need to work with a poison immediately to hand, did he/she obtain the poison from an outdoor shed? (The potential murderer wore an apron in the last chapter, which merely suggests that he/she works inside the hotel. Did the assailant fetch the poison directly or is there a confederate elsewhere on the grounds who may have helped? Regardless, there is still at least one would-be murderer in the same building as the prince!)

A sort-of surprise bachelor party! After Lex lost at poker, I thought Cassie would make Lex the stripper at his own party, but the dance routine was a much better way to go! Cassie and Mazen? I hope his personality is much stronger/forceful than portrayed so far, or maybe she'll keep him so dazed he'll never know what hit him!

Logan gets Leon to take off his shirt, and he steals a kiss while Leon is only half dressed. He is clearly a tactical genius (or is that tactile genious? 🤗). So, Leon, why the panic? Why "can't" you? (You've already got the hotel room! ) Ah, the golden forfex: If Alexander Pope could use it to "rape" the lock, then Isaak's surrogate can use it to kill a Prince (or cut ribbons trying!).

I love the character portrayals in this chapter. Amara is "magnificent" in a way which leaves Drew in awe (and a little bit in heat ). Aria is quietly magnificent (don't get on his bad side!). Drew is proud of the twins' loyalty and love for their friend. And Jay? They trust the twins, but their fear of the twins' rejection initially outweighs any other consideration and shows just how much the twins mean to them--their world would collapse without them--such that they can't even chance the possibility of rejection. That said, how does one stand against such a barrage of love and support? Apparently, one doesn't! I love where Jay distills their complex history into a single sentence: "I was a whore and I killed someone." In a way, Jay is testing the twins, as they have told the truth but in the least sympathetic way possible. But does it matter? The twins don't even bother to address the prostitution (it doesn't even register). Rather, Amara wants to know only if the killing were justified, and Aria (the more introspective twin) wants to know if the person hurt Jay. I love the contrast between Aria's soft exterior and his steel interior: When he learns that Jay was indeed hurt, he says, "Then I'm glad they're dead, because if they weren't we'd get Drew to talk to his friends and have them assassinated." (And I'm sure he means it.) In fact, considering how fiercely protective the twins become where Jay is concerned, I'm beginning to fear for Grandmother's health (but those fireworks will come in the next chapter!)

Sorry, it's legal in the U.S., and I shouldn't have automatically assumed that the same holds true in the UK. My bad. 🤗