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dinnureads's review
5.0
Wholesome and lovely middle grade novel about ghosts, family and friendship. I enjoyed every moment of reading the book so much. The characters are so very sweet and fun, the illustrations are utterly gorgeous. Such a wonderful book!
therearenobadbooks's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 plus
Are you WEIRD? If being weird means going on adventure, being curious, enjoying life, questioning things, and wanting to learn without being afraid of making mistakes or minding what others may think, then I want to be weird too. I love that Zen tells us weird (before) meant that it was someone who controls fate.
From the author of Land of Roar comes a fantastic and exciting treasure hunt adventure, a beautifully illustrated standalone that could also become an amazing series.
Sid (Sidonie) is becoming more shy and isolated, afraid of taking chances. She misses her mom who died when she was a baby, and can't stand up to bullies in school. Her best friend Zen (Zennor) is proudly weird but Sid doesn't want to be in the spotlight, she cares what others think. She prefers to spend time in the graveyard, drawing her map of Fathom (a town on the coast of east England) ... when, without knowing (her power) she releases a three-hundred-year-old ghost from his curse. This pirate is Captain Bones (Ezekiel Kittow) of the Black Gannett.
What I love the most is that Sid accepts to help the pirate break the curse by promising to find his treasure. He is not the only soul trapped by the eerie Old Scratch who starts hunting Sid down as well.
So much detail and creativity that makes the story so much fun to read. I couldn't put it down.
Sid grows so much. The quest not only helps her to come out of her shell and stand up for her beliefs, but she also connects with her late mom, recovers her friendship with Zen, and grows in the community.
I loved this adventure of pirates, ghosts, treasure maps, sunken ships, the Pirate Day celebration, the parade, and her father's miniature model city. Adding Zen's Museum of Curiosities, the treasure hunt, Elizabeth the Parrot, dressing up as a pirate, and playing games in a friendly competition.
thank you publisher for the e-arc.
Are you WEIRD? If being weird means going on adventure, being curious, enjoying life, questioning things, and wanting to learn without being afraid of making mistakes or minding what others may think, then I want to be weird too. I love that Zen tells us weird (before) meant that it was someone who controls fate.
From the author of Land of Roar comes a fantastic and exciting treasure hunt adventure, a beautifully illustrated standalone that could also become an amazing series.
Sid (Sidonie) is becoming more shy and isolated, afraid of taking chances. She misses her mom who died when she was a baby, and can't stand up to bullies in school. Her best friend Zen (Zennor) is proudly weird but Sid doesn't want to be in the spotlight, she cares what others think. She prefers to spend time in the graveyard, drawing her map of Fathom (a town on the coast of east England) ... when, without knowing (her power) she releases a three-hundred-year-old ghost from his curse. This pirate is Captain Bones (Ezekiel Kittow) of the Black Gannett.
What I love the most is that Sid accepts to help the pirate break the curse by promising to find his treasure. He is not the only soul trapped by the eerie Old Scratch who starts hunting Sid down as well.
So much detail and creativity that makes the story so much fun to read. I couldn't put it down.
Sid grows so much. The quest not only helps her to come out of her shell and stand up for her beliefs, but she also connects with her late mom, recovers her friendship with Zen, and grows in the community.
I loved this adventure of pirates, ghosts, treasure maps, sunken ships, the Pirate Day celebration, the parade, and her father's miniature model city. Adding Zen's Museum of Curiosities, the treasure hunt, Elizabeth the Parrot, dressing up as a pirate, and playing games in a friendly competition.
thank you publisher for the e-arc.
alice_pyper's review
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
emmanovella's review
4.0
This was such a fun middle grade that sucked me right in! I loved the setting of the town and the relationships between characters. It feels like there's a lot of things packed into this - Sid drifting from Zen and acknowledging why, Sid's mum etc - but nothing feels like it's forcing a lesson. It's just great openings for talking points.
I loved Zen's confidence and how he helps Sid learn she doesn't need to fit in and that "weird" is great. I just really enjoyed this.
I loved Zen's confidence and how he helps Sid learn she doesn't need to fit in and that "weird" is great. I just really enjoyed this.
chelseas_reads's review
5.0
“sometimes we must sail into a storm, no matter how scared we are” — Bones.
there’s a lot that happens in dead good detectives, but to put it simply: dead good detectives is the story of two twelve year old’s helping a ghost pirate to pass on.
sid is a memorable main character. she’s weird, quirky, and relatable. did i mention she loves maps? i can’t say i loved maps as a kid, but each to their own i guess? i found it really unique. the start of the book features her map that she’s spent a long time drawing up. not only does it include places, but also memories – and i think that’s the coolest part. it’s a map that means something to her.
zen, her best friend, is your typical twelve year old. he loves to play games, particularly catching “ghosts” (/a plastic bag) in the local graveyard. his dedication to sid is truly outstanding. she reveals some weird stuff (ie, seeing a ghost pirate), and he offers to start helping said pirate.
bones is the ghost pirate. he’s easily my favourite character. he’s like a giant teddy bear, but intimidating looking. even though i knew how it was going to end (that is, the “happy ending”), i still couldn’t help myself. i cried, and cried and cried. this poor man suffered so much, yet received so much kindness. (i’ll say no more, as i don’t want to spoil anything).
it’s not all sad either. the characters are goofy and fun. i laughed many times. i couldn’t stop grinning during others. i just want to know why it’s always the middle grade books that have me feeling all kinds of emotions?
i can’t say this enough: please read this book. i don’t care if you “don’t read middle grade books”. do yourself a favour: read it.
tl;dr: i absolutely loved this book.
there’s a lot that happens in dead good detectives, but to put it simply: dead good detectives is the story of two twelve year old’s helping a ghost pirate to pass on.
sid is a memorable main character. she’s weird, quirky, and relatable. did i mention she loves maps? i can’t say i loved maps as a kid, but each to their own i guess? i found it really unique. the start of the book features her map that she’s spent a long time drawing up. not only does it include places, but also memories – and i think that’s the coolest part. it’s a map that means something to her.
zen, her best friend, is your typical twelve year old. he loves to play games, particularly catching “ghosts” (/a plastic bag) in the local graveyard. his dedication to sid is truly outstanding. she reveals some weird stuff (ie, seeing a ghost pirate), and he offers to start helping said pirate.
bones is the ghost pirate. he’s easily my favourite character. he’s like a giant teddy bear, but intimidating looking. even though i knew how it was going to end (that is, the “happy ending”), i still couldn’t help myself. i cried, and cried and cried. this poor man suffered so much, yet received so much kindness. (i’ll say no more, as i don’t want to spoil anything).
it’s not all sad either. the characters are goofy and fun. i laughed many times. i couldn’t stop grinning during others. i just want to know why it’s always the middle grade books that have me feeling all kinds of emotions?
i can’t say this enough: please read this book. i don’t care if you “don’t read middle grade books”. do yourself a favour: read it.
tl;dr: i absolutely loved this book.
gabby_books's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
saccalai's review against another edition
4.0
A great adventure with ghosts, pirates, treasure hunting and an extremely creepy antagonist. I really didn't expect to have tears but some parts were so touching and heart-warming I couldn't help myself. I really liked the narrator too, great voices for all the characters.
I'm in luck because book 2, Ghost Rescue has just come out!
I'm in luck because book 2, Ghost Rescue has just come out!
bookhamster88's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0