Ashes to Ashes

Walker's (Unbreak My Heart) paranormal coming-of-age story is built on a premise that drains the narrative tension before it really gets going. Callie McPhee is an improbable adrenaline junkie, calm and introverted in manner but addicted to stunts like gunning her new BMW convertible at top speed down an open Charleston pier. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Callie is soon dead. Her afterworld is called the Prism, a way station of sorts between Earth and "the Solus." She's given a Ghost Guide, Thatcher, who escorts her to visit all her grieving loved ones%E2%80%94her boyfriend, Nick, her best friend, Carson, and her father%E2%80%94and instructs her to let go of earthly concerns. Thatcher speaks by rote, communicating little conviction with his pedantry and leading Callie to seek alternative answers. There's no question what Callie's reaction is going to be, but there's a lot of purgatorial waffling before she rebels. The intrinsic appeal of afterlife speculation may carry readers despite the predictability, but the story suffers from a lack of suspense and a somewhat weaseling denouement. Ages 13%E2%80%93up. Agent: Douglas Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Dec.)