No Filter

No Filter follows the story of Jinx, a young girl who is coping with the loss of her father and adjusting to her new life with her aunt. Her only solace seems to be photography where she has a skilled technique for capturing memorable snapshots of life’s moments through film. Things take an unexpected turn as her images become blurred by a somewhat spectral image that seems to lurk closer with every picture she takes. Is this phenomenon something sinister or perhaps a clue to her past?

This novel is a fast read that takes us through the lens (physically and metaphorically) of the main character Jinx. Readers see the town of Greenbelt as she navigates the streets taking on photo gigs requested by local neighborhood residents and friends. The setting a close-kinit community gives the novel a somewhat cozy feel despite its eerie synopsis. Everyone looks out for each other, especially Jinx, much to her aversion of being under “prying eyes”. Photography is not only her passion but keeps her connected to everyone around her including her dad who has passed.

As the story is heavily centered around grief, this novel comes with many trigger-warning to those who may be sensitive to the subject of death/loss of a parent. It’s apparent through Jinx’s perspective that she is struggling more than she lets on with all the loss in her life though her actions and concern of those around her (who are aware of what happened). This novel reminds us that there is no one way to grieve and how the heavy emotions surrounding this feeling are often a uphill battle. Skovron’s overall message is that it’s not okay to be okay and I appreciated how this concept is conveyed through Jinx’s camera phenomena.

The only complaint about this novel is that it is marketed as a horror novel when in fact the story plays out more like a coming-of-age story. It lowered my expectations during the reading experience when I realized the turn the story was taking and the lack of a creepy atmosphere. I think keeping a more eerie setting or going with a different storyline may have been better since the subject matter was so heavy.