The Demon Catchers of Milan

Gr 8 Up—Mia Dellatorri is possessed by a demon. With an opening scene reminiscent of Linda Blair's ordeal in The Exorcist, readers are drawn into this intriguing and unique story. Mia is saved by a pair of long-lost Italian relatives and is subsequently whisked off to Milan for her own safety, where she learns the ancient family trade of demon hunting. She learns about much more than demons-she uncovers plenty of mysteries in her own family history as she discovers the history of Milan. Beyer combines atmosphere, characterization, and plot for a believable demon-infested story, replete with ghosts, a touch of romance, an exotic setting, and history to enrich the narrative. Mia's personal growth matches the intensity of the tale, which will surely be continued in further books, as there are plot threads left dangling. The "girl in a pretty dress" cover does not quite match the mood or quality of the book, but it might attract readers who will be pleasantly surprised to find a supernatural novel with a fresh premise worthy of note.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada