The Girl and the Ghost Book 2: Family Secrets

By Jacqueline Harvey, 2025

Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson

Following on from her first, wonderfully appealing novel in this new series aimed at older readers, the award-winning Jacqueline Harvey has written this intriguing sequel to The Girl and the Ghost and has continued to introduce us to both the history and customs of France in the most delightful way.

Josephine Eloise Thomas (JET) is at the Louvre in Paris receiving a substantial reward for solving one of the world’s greatest art heists. Gabriel Barbier, the gorgeous French boy who helped her solve the crime is there too, along with their families and the ghost of Louis XVII, who is still Josephine’s big secret, for now at least. Amid the celebrations comes the chilling news that Anastasia, the mastermind behind the Art theft, has escaped from custody and seems ready to exact her revenge, which sets everyone on edge.

Upon arriving home to their chateau, the search for information about Josephine’s mother, along with the hunt for Louis’s long-lost love, Madeleine Aubert – both reveal more twists and turns than Josephine could ever have dreamed of, but at a dangerous cost. Jet also needs to somehow convince Gabriel and Harriet, her best friend holidaying from Singapore, that Louis is really the ghost of the Dauphin, Louis XVII, son of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI.

Add to that the secrets Jet discovers from her Mum’s lost relatives and we have another adventure story taking us through the beautiful French countryside from the Louvre to the palace of Versailles and the caves of Lascaux, thus enlightening us once again to a variety of French customs and history. Will Anastasia stay away or exact her revenge on the teens who put her behind bars? Can Louis help save them this time or will things go horribly wrong? And will Josephine EVER get a kiss from Gabriel?

Once again, the cover design, by the talented Rebecca King, is appropriately relevant and visually appealing, as are the black and white illustrations throughout the novel by A. Yi, the award-winning Australian illustrator and animation artist.

Recommended for ages 11+.

Penguin 2025

Jacqueline Harvey