This fast paced, powerful and engrossing novel immediately draws the reader into `life' in this Victorian cemetery in
Glasgow where Ghosts and Ghuls are common-place. Ghuls are the decomposing remains of humans who were evil in
life and have chosen not to go to Hell: they continue to enjoy inflicting misery and pain. Their Master is Lord Antoninus
the brutal and merciless Ghul Lord, who rules his army through fear.   It is not hard to tell when a Ghul is near: the air
reeks of the smell of putrid flesh. The Ghosts who people the Necropolis are spirits of the dead who have stayed in the
cemetery: they have clubs and societies, and recognisable family activities, much as they would have done in life.
Living under the largest mausoleum in the cemetery is a family of Magicians and their Companion animals who are
happy with their low-profile life. Young magician Mhairi is friends with human Dougie, and they explore the cemetery
together and become involved in the hideous happenings in the Necropolis. The full extent of Lord Antoninus' evil
begins to be understood when he engineers the escape of "The Devils' Creature" from the lead casket within the coffin

which has successfully encased it for so long. Glasgow becomes a city paralysed with fear, and we meet Lillith.

The fast pace of the narrative is sustained and the descriptions of events are graphic enough to satisfy most people's
vicarious blood-lust. The Ghul Lord grows in power, we learn more about "The Creature" and the tension is racked up
as there is one murder and two missing people. Fourteen year old Mhairi and sixteen year old Dougie have no choice
about becoming more involved in events.   They must act, but can they find the missing people, can they stop the Ghul

Lord and what can they do about "The Creature"?

Some good old-fashioned book research yields some unexpected information and there is hope. The ensuing action is
gripping and whilst there is an end to the book, it is not all over: this is certainly not the end of the City of the Dead.

I enjoyed this pacy and atmospheric ghost/vampire story, set in the Glasgow Necropolis. I would guess it's aimed at
teenagers; younger children might find it a bit gory in places! The characters are well-drawn and believable. My only
criticism would be that the constant conflict between the main characters Mhairi and Dougie and their respective

parents is a little predictable.

There is plenty of scope for a series of books - I'm glad to see there is one on the way - and hopefully we'll find out
more about how Mhairi and her family came to be living in the Necropolis. I'd like to visit the Necropolis myself and
have a wander round - but after reading this it would have to be a bright, sunny day and I would certainly not go

alone!