*A LITTLE SPOILERY*
After witnessing her sister’s tragic death, Cora Zeng works as a crime scene cleaner in New York’s Chinatown. Grieving, anxious and navigating the racism aimed at East Asian communities during the early days of COVID, she also finds herself haunted by ghosts as the Hungry Ghost Festival approaches. When a series of murders targeting East Asian women begins, strange bat carcasses appear at the scenes, drawing Cora into a chilling mystery.
The novel weaves together grief, cultural tradition, systemic injustice and elements of horror. Its examination of anti-Asian hate, institutional failings and the significance of the Hungry Ghost Festival is both engaging and thought-provoking. Cora is a layered, well-developed protagonist whose struggles with loss, fear of illness and cultural identity are deeply relatable. The insight into Chinese traditions adds richness to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in real-world beliefs and history.
However, the pacing is slow, with long stretches where nothing seems to happen and the serial killer subplot often feels secondary to the cultural and personal themes. While there are moments of unease and some graphic imagery, the horror leans more towards the grotesque than the frightening. The lack of a strong sense of place in New York can make the setting feel flat and the ending may frustrate readers as it leaves justice unresolved.
It’s an atmospheric and meaningful read that shines in its cultural depth and social commentary, even if its structure and pacing stop it from reaching its full potential.
⭐️2/5 Haunting and heartfelt, but not quite the killer read it could have been.
