In the shadowy world between the living and the dead, Victoria Schwab continues to shine a spectral light with “Tunnel of Bones,” the second installment in her Cassidy Blake series. Following the ghostly adventures that began in Edinburgh with “City of Ghosts,” Schwab takes readers deep beneath the streets of Paris into the macabre Catacombs, where millions of bones create an empire of the dead – and where something sinister has awakened.
The Haunting Tale of Paris
Set in the City of Light, “Tunnel of Bones” follows Cassidy Blake, a young girl with the unique ability to cross the Veil between the living world and the realm of ghosts. After nearly drowning in a frozen river a year ago, Cassidy gained this supernatural ability – along with a ghost best friend named Jacob who saved her life. Now, Cassidy travels with her paranormal-investigator parents who host “The Inspecters,” a television show about the world’s most haunted cities.
When the family arrives in Paris to film their second episode, Cassidy is initially enchanted by the city’s beauty and charm. However, her supernatural senses soon lead her to trouble in the Catacombs, where she accidentally awakens a poltergeist – the ghost of a young boy named Thomas Laurent who died while playing hide-and-seek with his brother in 1912. Unlike the ghosts Cassidy usually encounters, Thomas doesn’t remember who he is or how he died, making him impossible to “send on” with Cassidy’s mirror pendant.
As Thomas causes increasingly dangerous disturbances throughout Paris, Cassidy must race against time to uncover his story, remind him of who he was, and send him on before his escalating power threatens the entire city.
Strengths That Shine Like Spectral Light
Atmospheric Setting
Schwab excels at creating atmosphere, and Paris serves as the perfect backdrop for this ghostly tale. From the elegant streets to the shadowy tunnels beneath, the author paints the city with both its enchanting charm and its haunted history:
“Paris is sprawling and elegant and bright… But here, in the Hotel Valeur, there are no dark corners, no ominous sounds. The door to our room doesn’t even groan when it swings open.”
The contrast between the beautiful, sunlit city above and the bone-filled labyrinth below creates a compelling tension that carries throughout the narrative.
Character Development
The friendship between Cassidy and Jacob continues to be the emotional core of the series. Their dynamic feels authentic, with Jacob’s sarcastic humor balancing Cassidy’s determination. In this installment, we get deeper insight into Jacob’s past, adding complexity to his character.
This revelation humanizes Jacob and strengthens the connection between the protagonists, raising questions about the nature of ghosts, memory, and what happens when those memories begin to fade.
A Well-Crafted Ghost Story
Schwab understands the mechanics of a good ghost story. The escalation from “mischief” to “menace” to “mayhem” creates a compelling structure that builds tension throughout the novel. The author balances lighter moments with genuinely chilling scenes, particularly in the Catacombs:
“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.”
Such vivid descriptions immerse readers in Cassidy’s supernatural world, making the paranormal elements feel tangible and the stakes real.
Areas That Could Use More Illumination
Pacing Issues
While the story moves at a generally good clip, some sections feel rushed, particularly toward the climax. The resolution of Thomas’s story comes together rather quickly after a significant buildup, and some readers might wish for a more extended final confrontation given the danger he posed throughout the narrative.
Secondary Character Development
Though Cassidy and Jacob receive substantial development, other characters sometimes feel like background elements rather than fully realized people. Cassidy’s parents, while charming, remain somewhat two-dimensional. Similarly, Pauline, the family’s Paris guide, hints at a deeper connection to the supernatural world that isn’t fully explored.
Limited Exploration of Rules
The supernatural rules governing Cassidy’s world are intriguing but sometimes feel inconsistent. The explanation of poltergeists versus regular ghosts adds interesting complexity, but questions remain about the limitations of Cassidy’s abilities and the exact nature of the Veil. A clearer framework for these supernatural elements would strengthen the worldbuilding.
The Cassidy Blake Series: A Spectral Journey
“Tunnel of Bones” is the second book in Schwab’s Cassidy Blake trilogy, which includes:
- City of Ghosts – Where we first meet Cassidy and Jacob in Edinburgh as they confront the malevolent Raven in Red
- Tunnel of Bones – Taking Cassidy beneath Paris to face a dangerous poltergeist
- Bridge of Souls – The final installment set in New Orleans, where Cassidy confronts death itself
The series grows progressively darker and more complex with each book, with “Tunnel of Bones” serving as an effective bridge between the introduction of Cassidy’s world and the culmination of her ghostly journey.
For Fans of the Spectral and Spooky
Schwab’s Cassidy Blake series will appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud
- Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
- Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
- Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
These middle-grade/young adult series share similar elements of supernatural adventure with protagonists who navigate between ordinary and extraordinary worlds.
The Author’s Ghostly Touch
Victoria “V.E.” Schwab has established herself as a master of crafting supernatural stories across age categories. Known for her adult fantasy series “Shades of Magic” and novels like “Vicious” and “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” Schwab brings her signature blend of accessible prose, atmospheric worldbuilding, and emotional depth to this middle-grade series.
What sets Schwab apart is her ability to write genuinely spooky stories that remain appropriate for younger readers while never talking down to them. She treats the supernatural with respect and her young protagonists with dignity, creating stories that resonate with readers of all ages.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Second Chapter
“Tunnel of Bones” successfully expands the supernatural world established in “City of Ghosts” while deepening the emotional stakes. The Paris setting provides a rich backdrop for ghostly adventures, and the exploration of how memories define us—even after death—adds thematic weight to what could otherwise be a simple ghost story.
The novel excels when focusing on its core themes:
- Friendship – The bond between Cassidy and Jacob continues to be the emotional heart of the series
- Memory – The importance of remembering who we are and where we come from
- Responsibility – Cassidy’s growing understanding of her role as someone who can help lost spirits move on
While some elements could be more fully developed, “Tunnel of Bones” remains an engaging, atmospheric adventure that will leave readers eager to follow Cassidy to New Orleans in the concluding volume.
For readers who enjoyed their introduction to Cassidy’s world in “City of Ghosts,” this Paris-set sequel delivers more ghostly adventures with higher stakes and deeper emotional resonance. Though not without flaws, “Tunnel of Bones” proves that Schwab’s spectral storytelling continues to enchant and chill in equal measure.
As Cassidy herself might say, some things are worth braving the Veil to discover – and this book is certainly one of them.
