It is not only communicating with the spirits of the dead that is perplexing for Ellen but her feeling towards one of the other members of the family that make up the church in ‘The Spirit Circle’ by Tara Calaby, an intriguing historical mystery.

Geraldine Brooks' memoir, ‘Memorial Days’, addresses the nature of loss and grief as she comes to terms with the unexpected death of her husband, Tony Horwitz.