Elizabeth Webster's legal troubles come to a head.The Philadelphia middle schooler hasn't been in the greatest shape of her legal career following the events of Elizabeth Webster and the Portal of Doom (2020). But she is nevertheless approached by Janelle and Sydney, two sisters who ask her for help: The ghosts of their late parents and grandfather used to comfort them and keep them company, but ever since they were stolen, the girls have been bereft. A ghost thief is on the loose, and it's up to Elizabeth to track the missing spirits down with the help of a most surprising helper: her mother. The ensuing adventure draws out the nefarious demon Redwing, leading to a showdown in the Court of Uncommon Pleas that holds the future of Elizabeth's world at stake and wraps up the trilogy. At this point, Elizabeth's fans know what they're getting-a delicate mix of legal sparring and paranormal trappings propping up a well-charted mystery. This final entry holds its own against its predecessors: Elizabeth remains an engaging protagonist, and her spooky environs are well fleshed out. There's an emotional undercurrent here that enriches this title, and fans will be pleased with how Elizabeth turns out in this series that remains charmingly original in the field of middle-grade paranormal mysteries. Elizabeth is White; Janelle and Sydney have light brown skin, and there is some diversity in the supporting cast.A rousing send-off for a wonderful young sleuth. (Mystery. 10-14)

Gr 5 Up Reunite with Elizabeth Webster and her paranormal crew of friends and acquaintances. In this third installment of the series, Elizabeth and her cadre of mystery-solving associates set out on an adventure filled with intrigue, frights, and delightfully witty banter. Someone has been stealing the local ghosts, and it's up to Elizabeth and friends to discover who is responsible and how they can reunite the ghosts with their loved ones. As they uncover clues and make discoveries, many of which stem from the story of how Elizabeth's parents met, readers will be reintroduced to a persistent villain from the past, as well as a new cast of nefarious figures. Elizabeth is white and surrounded by a cast of diverse characters. VERDICT This is a must-purchase for any library that already has the series; it is a wonderful third installment. While this could be read as a standalone, readers might miss out on some background information that helps set up the engaging plot.Maryjean Riou, Hunterdon County Lib., Flemington, NJ