In Kay Synclaire's thoughtful debut novel, House of Frank, Saika, a lonely and grieving witch, follows the directions of an old ad: "Once you see the bright red door, you'll know you're home." Her sister, Fiona, is gone, and had one last request for Saika. But bringing Fiona to Ash Gardens, a magical arboretum where she had wished to be laid to rest, is proving harder than Saika imagined. When she finally stumbles there on a stormy night, Saika meets Frank, the caretaker-beast who runs Ash Gardens. He invites Saika to stay until she is ready to plant Fiona's ashes so that they will grow into a tree and she will live on in a different form.
Saika is not the only one staying at Ash Gardens, and she bonds with the other residents as they help those who come to the arboretum to say goodbye. But those bonds come with a price, and while Saika tries to keep her secrets to herself, she uncovers deeper ones that may ruin them all, along with her new home.
House of Frank weaves compelling characters, evocative prose, and a touch of magic. Synclaire has filled these pages with love amidst grief, showing that the pain of losing someone is not singular and is grappled with in many different ways. A stunning tale of learning to let go, Synclaire's House of Frank creates a space for sitting with grief that reminds readers that death is not the end, and those we lose remain with us in different ways. --Michelle Anya Anjirbag, freelance reviewer