Elizabeth Peters - Thunder in the Sky (2000)

This is book 12 in the Amelia Peabody series.

It's 1914 and the Emersons are spending another dig season in Egypt, but their archaeological yearnings take a backseat to World War 1. Ramses, opposed to war, is collecting white feathers from the British community. David is interned in India and Nefret is foolishly playing with their newest enemy, Percy. Aside from the Emerson-family-theatrics is the civil unrest in Egypt as an uprising looms in Cairo, and the influx of soldiers, training for trench warfare and protecting the Suez Canal.

The Emersons work well together in this book, apart from Nefret, whom they still don't seem to entirely trust. Not surprising considering how prone she is to impulsiveness. Which is one of the main reasons Percy is now their enemy - Nefret betrayed Ramses' secret in a fit of rage to Percy. But, alls well that ends well - sort of. I'm happy Sethos is back and I absolutely do not believe the ending - it's just not possible! I really enjoyed this episode in the Emerson-drama. Finally the characters are meshing together and becoming that indomitable team that they just feel like they should be.

Meg Cabot - Love you to Death (Mediator 1) (2000)

Susannah Simon is a mediator - she resolves issues for the dead and sends them on their way, sometimes a little forcefully with a bit of chicken's blood, some vanilla scented candles and a small exorcism.  No big!

All this was fine in New York, who'll notice the crazy amongst rushing millions? But, Suze's mother re-married and moved to California, the land of sun, surf and homicidal ghosts. Not to mention her lush new bedroom is already occupied - by a dead-cute boy.

Between a new high school, family and the undead Suze might just be in over her head.

This was an AWESOME book! I love Cabot's take on 'I see dead people'.  It's nice to see (mostly) ordinary ghosts who are just like when they were alive and generally need one thing resolved so they can move on. It's teenage fiction, so I didn't expect horror anyways, but Cabot brings a cheerfulness to the story that really draws you in and makes you happy.