First off, this is one of my all time favorite authors that I don’t think gets enough attention. And this book came out in Spanish first, so I had to wait until it was available in English to read. And as usual, Johansson’s story blew me away! I could totally see this as a horror movie. There’s always the thought that maybe there is more to the story, more than just a murder mystery, maybe the dead really are coming to life in the catacombs and do really want revenge for the disrespect people give them by wandering through in the tours.

But then there are so many little hints and clues that kept me formulating all the different scenarios for who could actually have been committing the murders. Was it really someone in their group? Were these “cataphiles” maybe people who had some kind of cult and were killing them for their own reasons. Or was Harley hallucinating and not really knowing what she was doing, could she have been behind it all and not known? The author leaves so many hints and clues and things to make you doubt what you might think you know as you read.

The environment was so beautifully haunting and described so vividly it was like being there with the group as they were trying to find their way out of the tunnels that were supposed to be off limits, without their tour guide.

There was just enough extra at the beginning of the chapters after they were down there to also keep you wondering what if it wasn’t all really happening. How long would they be down there?

A wonderful book, one I can’t wait to add to my school library for my students to read and enjoy.

If you’ve never read this author, I’d suggest starting with the first book I read by her, Insomnia.

Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.