Ghosts: they freak us out and they like to screw with us. But no matter what, we the people of the modern era find something alluring and thrilling about these throwbacks from the old magical world. That is where Gregory Maguire’s "Lost: A Novel" comes in; "Lost" is essentially a funny, suspenseful, and ultimately provocative ghost story.

Winifred Rudge, a moderately successful writer and all around sardonic personality, leaves her not so comfy Boston digs to spend some time with her step-cousin John in the familial home. She arrives with thoughts of writing a new ghost novel to find the flat where she intends to stay devoid of almost anyone, especially her cousin. She does find, however, two very superstitious and odd construction workers supposedly working for John in his absence, which they can’t account for. Then the real strangeness begins. Something inside the walls begins banging at them, stopping and starting with their actions. Walls begin to blister, and computer screens also seem to be under some strange force. Soon thoughts of murder float through Winifred’s head as she realizes her step-cousin has completely vanished. And folks, the novel only gets stranger from there, but you are going to have read the book to see just how strange it does get.

This novel is whimsical and dark, never daring to take itself too seriously but never fully giving up its secrets to the reader either. In keeping with his former novels, Gregory Maguire crafts a beautifully dreary but hopeful world in which a cast of fascinating people populate a page-turning plot. This is a magnificent book that keeps the reader on the edge with nearly every page. I highly recommend it.