We all react differently when we lose someone.  In Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart, when sixteen-year-old Katie’s mother, Claire, dies of cancer, Katie disappears, avoiding her friends Jessica and Ellen who would no doubt ask questions, for fear that “…if I talk, if I say too much about Mom, I’m thinking that the parts I still have will escape, like bubbles.”  Miss Martine, on whose estate Katie is working during the summer, disappeared by becoming a recluse.  What could possibly have caused a sixteen-year-old Miss Martine (the same age as Katie) to disappear on September 10, 1954?

Katie, along with two other summer hires, is digging the foundation for a gazebo that Miss Martine wants in her garden.  They are supervised by Old Olson, the head gardener.  It is tough, backbreaking work with the heat and the bugs.  But, as Katie works, she looks up at the mansion, so imposing, and envisions Miss Martine peering out the window behind a whisper thin curtain.  “I imagine Miss Martine in her house alone, imprisoned by the darkness that descended on her garden, by the years that passed without her really living them.  Vanished.  Vanquished?  Escape or rescue?”

They mystery surrounding Miss Martine gets the better of Katie and she goes to the library to do research.  Ms. McDermott, the librarian, enlists Katie’s aid in sorting material contained in seven boxes of Local Lore that have recently been anonymously left at the library.  The results are equally mystifying.

Katie’s father, Jimmy, a painting restorer, gets drawn into the mystery from a different angle.  He must restore an old painting by Miss Martine’s father, John Butler Everlast. 

There is so much to like about this book.  Kephart has penned an engrossing, engaging suspense story.  Miss Martine is shrouded in mystery as much by the vision of her literally hiding in her upstairs bedroom peering out her window as by the indescribable way she disappeared 55 years ago.  Old Olson’s actions add another layer of intrigue to the story.

But to stop at the storyline, in my opinion, is to miss the point.  Kephart, better than anyone I’ve read recently, describes the loving relationship between a husband and wife and between parents and child.  Jimmy clearly adored is wife as she did him.  Katie has an easygoing relationship with her father.  However, Katie idolized her mother and conjures up her image when in need of help or support.  But most importantly, Kephart makes the point that living life in the fashion of those we loved is infinitely better than disappearing.

Nothing but Ghosts has great characters, action, romance and splendid writing.  You can picture every character and every location.  Any of you who has lost a close friend or relative will immediately identify with Katie.  If you are lucky enough to not experience a loss, you will be treated to a wonderful story.  You can’t lose by reading any Beth Kephart book.  She’s a favorite author of mine.

P.S.  And what/who is that finch that keeps pecking at Katie’s bedroom window?  I have my ideas!

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