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The turnkey of Highgate Cemetery

Allison Rushby - Author

A ghostly cemetery mystery set during wartime: Flossie’s responsibility for the dead becomes harder as bombing unsettles them, and a soldier’s mysterious object draws her into a threat to the cemetery and country.

More about this book

Flossie Birdwhistle is the Turnkey at London's Highgate Cemetery. As turnkey, it's Flossie's job to ensure that all the souls buried in the cemetery stay at rest. Not an easy job for a young ghost, but a task made especially difficult by World War II: London is being attacked every night by enemy bombers, and even the dead are unsettled. When Flossie encounters the ghost of a German soldier carrying a mysterious object that seems to exist in both the living and spirit worlds, she becomes suspicious -- what is the officer up to? Before long, Flossie uncovers a sinister plot that could destroy not only her cemetery, but also her beloved country. Can Flossie and her ghostly friends stop the soldier before it's too late? History collides with the supernatural in this exciting, ethereal mystery from Allison Rushby.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Wartime setting· ExplainedGhosts· ExplainedMystery· Explained

Consider

Fear and suspenseFrightening scenes

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

wartime settingghostsmystery

Fiction

Themes in Context

History and the supernatural

The story sets Flossie's work among cemetery souls against wartime London, where bombing unsettles the dead and a German soldier's ghost appears.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The premise uses supernatural mystery alongside a historical wartime setting; it presents these as the story's intertwined elements.

Talk about: What does the ghostly perspective add to the wartime setting?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

The premise brings together historical conflict and supernatural mystery, with a young ghost placed in a protective, problem-solving role. It may appeal to readers who enjoy stories mixing the eerie with adventure.

What Deserves Attention

Wartime danger is part of the premise: London is bombed nightly, and the dead are unsettled. The plot is also described as sinister, so the suspenseful atmosphere may be worth bearing in mind.

A Conversation Worth Having

How do you think Flossie’s duty to keep the cemetery’s souls at rest affects the choices she makes, especially when she encounters something she does not understand?

Reading Approach

Try the opening together, then check in about how the combination of wartime setting and ghost story feels. If the suspense appeals, continue; pause to talk through any unsettling moments.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

History and the supernatural: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.

The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery - Allison Rushby - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: History and the supernatural

The turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby | Open Library