ReadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2025

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker

A twisty, atmospheric and wickedly funny ghost story - for fans of supernatural thrillers and morally grey protagonists

Lauren James author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:3rd Sep '20

Should be back in stock very soon

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker cover

A twisty supernatural thriller featuring a cast of misfit ghosts, a morally grey protagonist and a swoon-worthy romance. Perfect for fans of Cemetery Boys and Sixteen Souls, this highly original, wickedly funny and hauntingly atmospheric ghost story will keep you in its grip until the very last page.

"A wild ride. Twisty plot, murderous ghosts, found family, slow-burn romance - I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not put this book down." Alice Oseman

"A fast-paced spookfest full of twists and turns, with characters you’ll love (and love to hate!)." Kat Ellis


"Ghosts meets Killing Eve ... a masterpiece." Lucy Powrie

What if death is only the beginning?

When Harriet Stoker dies after falling from a balcony in a long-abandoned building, she discovers a world of ghosts with magical powers – shape-shifting, hypnosis, even the ability to possess the living. Felix, Kasper, Rima and Leah welcome her into their world, eager to make friends with the new arrival. Yet Harriet is more interested in unleashing her own power, even if it means destroying everyone around her. But when all of eternity is at stake, the afterlife can be a dangerous place to make an enemy.

Ideal for readers who enjoy:
Sharp thrillers with a paranormal twist
Found family of ghosts
LGBTQ+ slow-burn romance
Morally ambiguous characters
Power struggles beyond the grave

Harriet Stoker is such a wild ride. Twisty plot, murderous ghosts, found family, slow-burn romance - I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not put this book down. With characters I instantly loved (and some I hated), this book is by far my favourite Lauren James story. * Alice Oseman *
Featured in The Bookseller's September Previews. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *
Featured in SFX’s ‘Out Now’ section. * SFX *
Featured in the ‘30 best new books for young adults and older children to read during October half-term 2020’ in The i. * The i *
I absolutely loved this book, I was engrossed in it. It is brilliantly written [..] I highly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys fantasy; it is a flawlessly crafted novel. * Books Up North *

  • Short-listed for CrimeFest Awards (Best Crime Novel for YA) 2021 (UK)

ISBN: 9781406391121

Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 26mm

Weight: 300g

432 pages