A Spell to Wake the Dead -- Nicole Lesperance, Hardcover

Two teen girls must uncover the dark, occult secrets lurking in their Cape Cod town to solve a series of murders--and save themselves from the same fate--in this twisty, witchy thriller.

When Mazzy and her best friend Nora sneak down to the beach one moonlit night to cast a spell, they don't expect to find a dead body. But as the tide rolls in, it carries the remains of a woman who is missing her hands and teeth.

The girls know they should leave the investigation to the police, but they can't shake the weird, supernatural connection they feel with the dead woman. Using spellwork and divination, they set out to find answers of their own. But after they uncover a rash of local disappearances stretching back years--and both girls start having occult visions and hearing ghostly, whispering voices--Mazzy worries that she and Nora are in danger.

Then, Nora finds a second body. And the whispering voice is telling her where to find more. With everything spiraling, Mazzy needs to figure out who to trust and how to sever this supernatural connection--or she and Nora might be the next bodies to wash up on the beach.

Author: Nicole Lesperance
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
ISBN: 9780593856338
Age Range: 14-UP

Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 05/26/2025

About the Author
Nicole Lesperance grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Wesleyan University. She spent a few years in London and now lives near Boston with her family and two rambunctious black cats. She writes YA and middle grade books. Follow her on Instagram @nicolesperance or visit her online at NicoleLesperance.com.