Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Never look a dead man in the face, no matter how blue his eyes are … Shunned by the living. Hounded by the dead. Whoever said being different was good obviously couldn’t see ghosts. Enid Walsh moved to Atlanta with simple goals. Start fresh, lay low, and avoid the dead, but when a mystical dog arrives and blue-eyed Ollie discovers her secret, Enid is forced to solve his lover’s murder. The problem? She’s a waitress, not a detective. Murder sounds like a job for the police, until a conspiracy theorist proves the cops are on the take, leaving Enid pitted against a sadistic killer with nowhere to turn. She blames Ollie for dragging her into this mess, but she’ll need his help to avoid becoming a ghost herself. Between the massive cartel moving into the city, police corruption running rampant, and a deadly creature on the prowl, Enid and Ollie must put their heads together to survive. If only they can figure out where the dog fits into things… Bad Beginnings is the first book in an exciting new urban fantasy series featuring conspiracy, mystery, heart-stopping action, slow-burn romance, and a motivated Belgian Malinois. (Is there any other kind?)
Is Bad Beginnings appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Contains murder investigation, cartel violence, corrupt cops, and a sadistic killer. The protagonist teams with a ghost to solve a murder while navigating dangerous criminal elements. Minimal language and no explicit sexual content, but consistent peril.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include murder, death, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will enjoy the supernatural mystery pairing a ghost-seeing waitress with a protective spirit as they unravel a murder conspiracy.