The Gin Palace by Tracy Whitwell

This is the second book I've read in this series featuring Tanz, a bit-part actor who is disenchanted with the acting world and who has recently discovered she can communicate with the dead. After her exploits in The Accidental Medium, Tanz is keeping a low profile in the spirit world, but the ghosts of the past won't leave her alone.

She encounters a young dead boy after taking on an acting role in her old stomping ground of Newcastle Under Tyne and a malevolent spirit that wants to do her and her friends harm. But Tanz isn't having any of it and, as a result, becomes entangled in the world of those who have lingered and have a message to share.

Along the way, Tanz becomes friends with Gladys, a healer - a wonderful character I'd love to meet, and she also seems to be the only one able to get through to Caroline, one of Tanz's acting colleagues and a real prima-donna that nobody else knows how to deal with. As well as lots of Tanz-style laughs, there are some tender moments in this book, including taking Caroline for chips and the part where Tanz shares a message with Gladys which had me in tears.

This is another fun romp with some unexpectedly touching moments.

I'd happily read more of Tanz's adventures in the spiritual world.