Grave Phantoms by Jenn Bennett

Series: Roaring Twenties #3
320 p.
Published: 5/5/15
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Library

Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely… 

Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.

My thoughts:

Sad to see that this is the last book in the series, but glad that it is Bo and Astrid's love story. I kept hearing about the fact that it dealt with an interracial relationship which peaked my attention. It was illegal to marry at that time and I think as a nation we have grown to think that this was irrational (yes, there are still people and areas that think this way, but mostly we think these laws now were stupid). I think this is a timely message in light of marriage equality. What we once thought was stupid we will think again in the future. I also like that one of their champions was another couple who could not marry. I also love that Bo especially gave a lot of thought of what obstacles would be placed in their way and also that he loved Astrid enough to let her chose her own destiny.

Aside from the political nature of the book, I found the mystery to be interesting but it also didn't seem to flow as well as the other mysteries. Perhaps it is because there was SO much to deal with in their personal life, it competed with the paranormal. Still, while that may be a very slight problem it really wasn't much of one and I was swept up in all of it.

I think my biggest disappointment with this book is that it is the last one. Seriously, so many good secondary characters could have a book in this world. *HINT to author* ;) I would love another book and my only other complaint is that it took me too long to get to all of these. I highly recommend these books to those that enjoy PNR with a big dose of paranormal mystery and a side of history. I give this book 4 stars.