[How it Works](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/how-it-works/) [Bookshop](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/books/bindery/)

[Publishing](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/publishing/) [Team](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/team/) [Contact](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/contact/)

Log in or Sign up

The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester

Maya MacGregor

Allegra Verlezza

Audible Studios

Save to Your Books

[Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YL9QLJ2?tag=pucksandpaperbacks-20)

100% of affiliate revenue supports Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)

“Look no further for your next favorite read, because _The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester_ has it all: a gripping murder mystery that will keep you turning pages, ghosts, romance, and a treasure trove of queer characters with depth and heart. Here’s something rare—a suspenseful story that also feels like a hug.”

—Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the _Reign of the Fallen_ series

In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary autistic teen realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.

**Sam Sylvester has long collected stories of half-lived lives—of kids who died before they turned nineteen.** Sam was almost one of those kids. Now, as Sam’s own nineteenth birthday approaches, their recent near-death experience haunts them. They’re certain they don’t have much time left. . . .

But Sam's life seems to be on the upswing after meeting several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep, their next-door neighbor. Yet the past keeps roaring back—in Sam’s memories and in the form of a thirty-year-old suspicious death that took place in Sam’s new home.

Sam can’t resist trying to find out more about the kid who died and who now seems to guide their investigation. When Sam starts receiving threatening notes, they know they’re on the path to uncovering a murderer. But are they digging through the past or digging their own future grave?

_The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester_ explores healing in the aftermath of trauma and the fullness of queery joy.

Show more

Get the Bindery app

* * *

Posts about this title from Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Jun 28](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

[50+ trans book recommendations 🏳️‍⚧️](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/rX4As1PWOvuVhHN7Gsus/)

Over 50 trans book recommendations for the Trans Rights Readathon and Trans Reading Challenge ranging from memoirs, nonfiction, romance, contemporary, YA and middle grade, and some SFF.

* * *

69 books

1

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Oct 15 2025](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

[Autumn Book Recs! 🎃🍂📚](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/vl9LCNPA61ICSv2qeqXB/)

* * *

38 books

4

Posts about this book from across Bindery

[chronicallybookish\\
\\
Kaley\\
\\
• Jul 23](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

\\
\\
Join for free or login](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/6ED8cvQ58E8wCtIU1i1I/)

[Disability Pride Readathon Recommendations ft. 20 disabled creators + authors!](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/6ED8cvQ58E8wCtIU1i1I/)

Learn more about the Disability Pride Readathon:
https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/5Rafar4S0p8u5nIBb14Z/

Learn more about the books:
https://bookshop.org/lists/disability-pride-recs-chronicallybookish
(If you purchase a book from this link I make a 10% commission and you support indie bookstores!)

Follow the Creators & Authors:
Rochelle (@goodmornindreamer)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodmornindreamer\_/

El (@ermreading)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ermreading/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ermreading

Sabina Nordqvist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordqvistbooks/

Emily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilysbooks.docx/

Steff (@CoffeeOverApples)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeoverapples/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coffeeoverapples

Syndey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneys.books/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneys.booktok

Leanne Schwartz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schwartzwords/

Nicole
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathebleedbooks/

Sydney Langford
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slangwrites/

Meghan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unwellbutwellread/

Katie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolifebutbooks/

Amy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenbooksgirl/

Laneah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Laneah\_whiddon4639/

Hannah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamtofmanderly/

Sydney Blondell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneyblondellauthor/

Mattie Paige (@authormattiepaige)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormattiepaige/

Ria Parisi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riathewolfwrites/

Molly McCarthy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollymccarthybooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mollymccarthybooks

* * *

34 books

2

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Jun 28](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

[50+ trans book recommendations 🏳️‍⚧️](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/rX4As1PWOvuVhHN7Gsus/)

* * *

69 books

1

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Oct 15 2025](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

\\
\\
Join for free or login](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/vl9LCNPA61ICSv2qeqXB/)

[Autumn Book Recs! 🎃🍂📚](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/vl9LCNPA61ICSv2qeqXB/)

* * *

38 books

4
