Victoria Schwab’s “Tunnel of Bones,” the second installment in her Cassidy Blake middle-grade paranormal series, plunges readers into the haunted underbelly of Paris with a perfect blend of supernatural chills and historical exploration. Following the events of “City of Ghosts,” which introduced us to Cassidy’s ghost-hunting abilities in Edinburgh, this sequel takes our young protagonist into the infamous Catacombs, where she awakens a particularly troublesome spirit. With her trademark atmospheric prose and clever world-building, Schwab creates another compelling ghost story that will appeal to readers of all ages, despite a few minor pacing issues.
The Story: A Dangerous Game of Ghostly Hide and Seek
When Cassidy Blake’s ghost-hunter parents bring their television show “The Inspecters” to Paris, Cass should be enjoying croissants and tourist attractions. Instead, she finds herself dealing with Thomas Alain Laurent, a young poltergeist she accidentally awakens during a filming session in the Catacombs. Unlike other ghosts Cassidy has encountered, Thomas doesn’t remember who he is, making him immune to Cassidy’s usual ghost-banishing methods.
As Thomas’s power grows from mischief to menace to outright mayhem, Cassidy and her ghostly best friend Jacob must race against time to uncover Thomas’s story before the poltergeist causes irreparable harm to the City of Light. Their investigation leads them to the Laurent family, where they learn about a tragic game of hide-and-seek played in the Catacombs between Thomas and his older brother Richard in 1912.
The narrative culminates in a tension-filled confrontation beneath Paris, where Cassidy and Jacob must help Thomas remember his past to finally set his spirit free. Along the way, Jacob also reveals his own tragic history, deepening the emotional core of the story.
Atmospheric Setting: Paris Above and Below
Schwab demonstrates her skill for creating richly textured settings as she contrasts the bright, elegant Paris of tourist postcards with the macabre Empire of the Dead that lies beneath:
“We came from Edinburgh, Scotland, a nest of heavy stones and narrow roads, the kind of place that always feels cast in shadow. But Paris? Paris is sprawling and elegant and bright.”
The author excels at using sensory details to bring both versions of Paris alive. Readers can almost taste the buttery croissants and smell the damp, musty air of the Catacombs with their walls of skulls and femurs. The contrast between these worlds creates a compelling dynamic that echoes Cassidy’s own position straddling the world of the living and the Veil where ghosts reside.
Particularly effective is Schwab’s description of the Catacombs, which transforms from a tourist attraction to a genuinely unsettling labyrinth as the story progresses:
“The bones are everywhere. They line the dirt walls, a sea of skeletons rising almost to the ceiling. They form patterns, rippling designs—a wave of skulls set on a backdrop of femurs, the morbid decorations stacked as high as I can see. Empty eye sockets stare out, and jaws hang open.”
Character Development: Friendship Beyond Death
While the ghostly adventure drives the plot, the heart of “Tunnel of Bones” lies in the evolving relationship between Cassidy and Jacob. Their friendship transcends the boundary between life and death, providing both emotional resonance and comic relief throughout the story. Their banter feels natural and true to their ages, making them relatable protagonists for the target audience.
The introduction of Adele Laurent, a curious and brave French girl who becomes temporarily involved in Cassidy’s ghost hunting, adds another interesting dynamic to the story. However, the most significant character development comes through Jacob’s revelation about his past life:
“I tell her about ghosts and poltergeists, about the fact that I somehow woke one poltergeist up and now it’s following me, causing all kinds of trouble.”
This vulnerability creates deeper emotional stakes for both Cassidy and the reader, as we realize that Jacob could potentially become like Thomas if he ever forgets who he was in life.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well:
Accessible Ghost Mythology: Schwab creates clear rules for her supernatural world that are easy to follow without overwhelming exposition.
Historic Integration: The way Schwab weaves real Parisian history and locations into her fictional ghost story educates while entertaining.
Character Dynamics: The friendship between Cassidy and Jacob feels authentic and provides an emotional anchor for the supernatural elements.
Balanced Tone: Despite dealing with death and danger, the book maintains an appropriate balance of humor and heart for its middle-grade audience.
Visual Storytelling: Cassidy’s vintage camera that captures traces of the spectral world is a clever narrative device that reinforces the theme of seeing what others cannot.
Where It Falls Short:
Pacing Issues: The middle section of the book occasionally drags, with some repetitive scenes as Cassidy searches for Thomas.
Predictable Resolution: Although emotionally satisfying, the method of resolving Thomas’s haunting becomes somewhat obvious before the climax.
Secondary Character Development: While Cassidy and Jacob are well-rounded, other characters like Cassidy’s parents and Lara (Cassidy’s ghosthunting mentor who appears primarily via phone) remain somewhat flat.
Limited Stakes: Despite the threat posed by Thomas, there’s never a genuine sense that Cassidy might fail, reducing some tension in the climax.
The Cassidy Blake Series: Spectral Adventures Across Famous Cities
“Tunnel of Bones” is the second book in Victoria Schwab’s Cassidy Blake trilogy, which follows young ghost hunter Cassidy Blake as she travels to haunted cities around the world with her paranormal investigator parents:
City of Ghosts (2018): Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, this first installment introduces Cassidy’s abilities and her friendship with Jacob following her near-death experience.
Tunnel of Bones (2019): Takes Cassidy to Paris, France, where she confronts a dangerous poltergeist in the Catacombs.
Bridge of Souls (2021): The trilogy conclusion brings Cassidy to New Orleans, where she faces her most dangerous supernatural threat yet.
Each book functions as a ghost story and a travelogue, with Schwab expertly weaving local history and folklore into her fictional hauntings. The consistently fast-paced narratives and age-appropriate frights make these books perfect for readers transitioning from children’s to young adult literature.
For Fans Of…
If you enjoy “Tunnel of Bones,” you might also like:
Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud, featuring young ghost hunters in an alternate London
Small Spaces series by Katherine Arden, which masterfully blends horror with coming-of-age themes
Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend, for its imaginative worldbuilding and spirited protagonist
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, another story featuring a human child with connections to the world of the dead
Final Verdict: A Haunting Journey Worth Taking
“Tunnel of Bones” continues Victoria Schwab’s deft handling of ghost stories for younger readers, blending just enough fright with genuine heart. While the overall arc may feel somewhat familiar to seasoned readers of paranormal fiction, Schwab’s atmospheric writing and the emotional depth she brings to Cassidy and Jacob’s relationship elevate this above typical middle-grade fare.
The book serves as both an engaging standalone adventure and a solid bridge in the Cassidy Blake trilogy, deepening the mythology established in “City of Ghosts” while setting up interesting possibilities for “Bridge of Souls.” Though it occasionally loses momentum in its middle section, the climactic confrontation in the Catacombs delivers a satisfying emotional payoff that resonates beyond the final page.
For readers who enjoy supernatural stories with historical elements and authentic friendships at their core, “Tunnel of Bones” offers a compelling adventure beneath the streets of Paris that skillfully balances ghostly chills with genuine emotional depth. It’s a journey worth taking for readers of all ages who aren’t afraid to look beyond the Veil.
Victoria Schwab (who also writes adult fiction as V.E. Schwab) continues to prove herself adept at crafting engaging fantasy across age categories, making “Tunnel of Bones” a worthy addition to her impressive bibliography that includes the adult Shades of Magic series and Villains duology.