Books I loved: The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings

As my inaugural blog post on this site I wanted to discuss one of my favorite recent books. Lily Morton’s The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings is a fantastic read and one I would recommend even if the paranormal or lgbt subgenres are not your usual cup of tea. All of her books give us nuanced, painfully human protagonists and this one is no exception. Even as the paranormal elements creep in from the margins of the story and shadows surround Levi and Blue, their love story is centered on the universal experience of allowing oneself to be vulnerable and accept love.

Morton gives us slowly building suspense as Levi Black realizes that his new home is hiding more than bad memories and seeks out help from flamboyant ghost tour leader Blue Billings. In order to survive the spectral storm building on the horizon, the men must learn to trust each other not only with their physical well-being but their hearts. Instead of feeling melodramatic, the parallels between their budding romance and the increasingly threatening occult episodes serves to heighten the tension deliciously.

I read this alone in an old Victorian house at night and while I don’t recommend that level of anxiety, I can report that the lovely atmospheric writing and shots of humor made for a delightful read snuggled up under the covers. You should probably keep some hot tea on hand to really drive home the feeling of being in a rainy English town. Mysteriously slammed doors and chuckles in the darkness optional.