The Mysterious Messenger

The Mysterious Messenger
Gilbert Ford
Holt/Macmillan, July, 2020 320 pages
Grades 4-7
Mystery/Fantasy

Maria lives a solitary life with her medium mother, Mom's burly boyfriend, and a talking parrot. Supposedly homeschooled, Maria is left to her own devices, hanging out in the local library and sleeping in a walk-in closet with Madame Destine's fur coats. Attention is paid to her only when help is needed with a séance, designed to trick elderly widows out of their money. Maria has a secret of her own, though. Although Madame Destine is a huge fraud, Maria's only friend is a ghost named Edward, who communicates with her while she holds a pen and he uses her hand to write messages. When Mrs. Fisher appears at the apartment desperate to connect with her late husband, Edward communicates to Maria that there is a treasure to be found in the elderly lady's apartment. Maria makes a new friend in the building and she and Sebastian cross the city to pay Mrs. Fisher a visit. They do not find any treasure there, but they do discover that the old lady is more interesting than what appears at first glance. She and her husband were part of the Greenwich Village Beat-scene of the 1950's/early 60's. Maria and Sebastian follow clues that lead them around the city to discover more about Mrs. Fisher's past and, eventually, to the treasure. What will happen when Madame Destine discovers what Maria is up to? Will Maria be forced to stay in this dysfunctional home forever? And who exactly is Edward, anyway?

I love a book with layers that is actually more than one thing. The Mysterious Messenger is such a book. At first glance it is a mystery. Actually there are several mysteries: What and where is the treasure, who is Edward, and what is behind Madame Destine's complete lack of parental attention. The story also falls within the realm of fantastic realism, where magical things happen in a contemporary setting in a believable way. Maria and her relationship with Edward the ghost is both compelling and completely palpable. The book will also appeal to fans of contemporary "problem novels", which are still so popular. Maria has a terrible life and for some reason kids love to read about orphans and fellow-children overcoming terrible physical or emotional odds. Beyond all of these things, readers will be exposed to Beat culture, which is rare in books for young people. After reading this story kids may be compelled to read some Beat poetry or listen to some jazz. I know I was. I also love that the book is intergenerational and demonstrates the importance of community. Although contemporary in setting, the story feels a bit gothic, maybe because of the over-the-top living conditions Maria endures. Illustrations contributed by the author introduce the events to happen in the next chapter, which will add interest to readers, yet add little to the story. Give to fans of Lemony Snicket, the Greenglass House series, and the Mysterious Benedict society.