Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Published: July 2011

Publisher: Randoom House Childrens Books

Pages: 406

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

"The goat was in the tree again." (page 1)

Any book that starts with the above line has got to be funny, and it does not disappoint.  It's not laugh out loud funny, but there are some great one-liners and a fair bit of tongue-in-cheek humour.  Ok, you're saying to yourself - but I thought this was a ghost story.  Well yes it is, and it gets really creepy in parts, but it has its funny bits.

Amy and her sister Phin are wonderful characters who accept the witchraft in their lives in such different ways.  Their whole family are witches of different types and calibers and they are all prone to the 'heebie jeebies' - you'll just adore those heebie jeebies!  The girls' real names are Amarylis and Delphinium, with cousin Daisy arriving unexpectly and Aunt Hyacinth on holiday and I just love the flower references. 

Ben absolutely had my heart beating double time. He is one of those hard as nails/soft as butter type guys and I fell for him big time.The wise-cracking banter between Amy and him is a treat to read and while you just know the 2 of them will get together in the end, the journey is delightful. The main protagonists are a little older - college age - but the book is a very clean read and is more than suitable for YA readers.



'Texas Gothic' is a ghostly, comedic mystery that captured my attention right from the very beginning and didn't let go.  I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Clement-Moore's previous novel 'Splendour Falls' and I look forward to her next one - whatever it may be.