I received a digital advance reader’s copy (ARC) of The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E. M. Anderson. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E.M. Anderson, Peter Shaughnessy has traveled the earth for over two hundred years, immortal and yet exhausted. He spends his days helping ghosts move on from this plane of existence after being cursed to wander, to see ghosts, and to talk to plants. The latter isn’t too bad, but the other two make for a strange and lonesome existence. One day, his path leads to a small town in Ohio, where a deeply angry spirit haunts a cemetery unseen. There, Peter has to research the possible origin of this ghost, and ends up seeking help from the manager of the cemetery, a local historian, and a couple of precocious kids who seem able to perceive spirits to some degree themselves. But the longer Peter spends here, the more he finds himself caring, despite the knowledge that these people will someday be gone.

I saw this book described as Under the Whispering Door combined with A Man Called Ove, and I have to agree. However, I liked this way more than A Man Called Ove. This story is melancholy, but in the sweetest way possible.

Firstly, the cast of characters is simply delightful. Peter himself is a bit grumpy and taciturn, but understandably so considering the nature of his work and his very existence. But he also has a kind heart, and it shows itself constantly in spite of himself. Then there’s Neveah, Sayid, and Samira, all of whom I adore. Their dialogue and rapport with Peter is fantastic; they’re all full of personality and life, with lovely subplots of their own. And as for David, the historian of the town who’s dealing with the relatively recent loss of his husband, he’s the star for me. He’s such a sweet, kind person, and his relationship with Peter is excellent. It’s nice to see a book portraying older queer people falling in love, trying new things, and growing as people both as a pair and separately. That’s a lovely and powerful thing to see.

I also really liked the supernatural elements, from the encounters with various ghosts to the backstory of how Peter has become this way. There’s a somber quality to a lot of the story, but also some whimsy. And the gradual buildup of tension within the cemetery, due to the angry ghost, is really well paced. There’s an intriguing mystery throughout the story of Peter trying to identify this ghost, and it keeps you hooked.

Beyond all that, I do want to mention that, beyond the obvious discussions of death, the afterlife, and grief that pervade this book, there are also a couple topics that might affect certain readers strongly. Neveah deals with anxiety and trauma from the unexpected death of her father, and Peter himself deals with bad mental health, including panic attacks. Suicide and suicide attempts are also alluded to. So keep that in mind if you’re thinking about reading this.

All that aside, the only minor quibble I can think of right now is more like a pet peeve. But I just can’t stand when people use “dimple” as a verb. Just say “smile” please! Is this irrational? Am I being too nitpicky? I don’t know, but this is my stance. Please just let your characters smile like normal people.

But in the end, this book is genuinely so kind and comforting. The interactions between characters are spectacular, by turns funny and touching. The small town setting lends itself to a cozy feeling, even as dark shadows creep in. The ghostly/supernatural elements are well explored, as is the mystery. I loved how everything came together in the end, and loved how this book was ultimately about caring about other people, and about ways to work through grief so that you can move forward toward something new. I’d love to read more by this author in the future!

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits will be published on March 25th, 2025!