The Boogeyman’s Intern

In this middling mythological murder mystery, washed-up imaginary friend Abe finds a new calling as the only policeman in the world of the make-believe and is given one last chance to make himself useful among the faded gods, myths, and “imaginaries” of the Hill. Assigned by the ruling council to investigate the impossible murder of a prominent boogeyman, Abe journeys into the dark secrets and hidden scandals of the Hill, and his investigation spawns more questions than answers. As his life spirals into bewilderment and despair, Abe is forced to confront the unexpected truth behind his own existence. A dreamlike quality permeates this story, and the basic whodunit set-up turns into a multilevel metaphysical quandary as Betts (The Shadow Beneath the Waves) injects one twist after another into an increasingly unsettling tale. However, as with dream logic, the narrative falls apart with too much close inspection, and Abe’s own confusion acts to keep readers at arm’s length. This concept holds great potential, but readers will feel a bit adrift, with no clear understanding of the rules in play. (June)