Author: Nathan Page and Drew Shannon
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Genre: young adult, graphic novel, thriller, fantasy, horror

Brothers. Detectives. Witches? Meet Pete and Alastair Montague in the first installment of a new graphic novel duology that is the Hardy Boys meets Paper Girls. Pete and Alastair Montague are just a couple of mystery-solving twins, living an ordinary life. Or so they thought. After a strange storm erupts on a visit to the beach, they discover there is more to their detective skills than they had thought. Their guardian, David Faber, a once prominent professor, has been keeping secrets about their parents and what the boys are truly capable of.

At the same time, three girls go missing after casting a mysterious spell, which sets in motion a chain of events that takes their small town down an unexpected path. With the help of David's daughter, Charlie, they discover there are forces at work that they never could have imagined, which will impact their lives forever. An exciting new graphic novel from innovative creators Nathan Page and Drew Shannon that is at once timely and thrilling.

This fast-paced graphic novel, with top-quality art and masterful use of color, is a thriller fantasy with elements of horror. Teen twin brothers Pete and Al like playing detectives in their small town, but they’re only vaguely aware they have magical powers, as does their friend Charlie, a spunky girl with whom they live because her parents are their guardians.

The novel’s bad guy is a powerful town figure who hates witches and may have murdered his wife when he discovered she was one. Now his teen daughter Rachel -- Charlie’s former best friend -- seems to have discovered her own inherited abilities, and is motivated by revenge and a sense of being trapped, to grow and launch those powers.

When the twins and Charlie stumble on Rachel’s activities, they throw themselves onto the case, and even the adult mentor who’s tutoring them on how to apply their magical powers can’t keep pace with their ambitions.

The main problem with this novel is a small quirk of the artwork. The speech balloons lack clear tails, which means it’s sometimes hard to figure out who is saying what. Also, the book is slow to reveal who is related to whom in what way. But once the reader figures all that out, the story moves fast, with great dialogue and humour and fantastical, often horror-inducing art panels.

The story is set in the 1960s, complete with expressions like “swell,” a visit to the local record store, and a reference to the Addams Family television show.

It’s disappointing that there’s constant cigarette smoking in the novel (including by the teens), as well as drinking and swear words. But that’s nothing older teen readers can’t handle.

Another objection: When Pete reveals to his brother that he’s gay, it feels entirely unnatural, given that it has nothing to do with the plot. And yet, it’s good to see diversity in the book (including black and Middle Eastern-looking characters).

The main disappointment is that in the climax, Charlie’s mother (an otherwise minor character) steals the scene by sacrificing herself to become the heroine, overshadowing the teen trio. Also, when it’s revealed that Rachel is using her powers to free herself from her abusive father, that all-important component is totally glossed over, as if it serves only as an excuse for Rachel to unleash revenge.

Still, there are all the elements of a good story here: well-intentioned kids awkwardly trying to learn magic powers, resurrected witches and goddesses, a haunted graveyard, a mysterious box, the dead coming to life, one crooked and one sympathetic cop, wild chases and more. Teamed up with outstanding artwork, it will give many a teen a good, nail-biting read. And hang on for the second in the duology, soon.

-Pam Withers