Welcome to my book review for Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan.
Title: Dead Good Detectives
Author: Jenny McLachlan
Illustrator: Chloe Dominique
Published by Farshore on July 1, 2022
Goodreads
ISBN: 9781405298155
Series: Dead Good Detectives, Book 1
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery
Intended Audience: Middle Grade
My Rating: ★★★★✬ 4.5 stars
“I’m not really a school girl. I’m more of a graveyard girl.” -Jenny McLachlan, Dead Good Detectives
Dead Good Detectives Official Synopsis:
Sid Jones loves hanging out in the graveyard with her best friend Zen – they are desperate to see a real-life ghost!
But when Sid accidentally summons a 300-year-old pirate from the dead, it opens the door to the HALFWAY HOUSE – a magical inn FULL of lost souls from across the ages, all trapped there by a sinister landlord.
There are more ghosts that Sid could ever have imagined – and they’re all sure Sid is there to save them! (Sid’s sure there’s been some kind of mistake.)
But someone else is watching, and they’re not happy about Sid helping the ghosts . . . TICK, TOCK – TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Dead Good Detectives Review:
When I was roughly 8 years old, I went through a phase of reading every ghost book I could get my hands on. Ever since then, ghost stories have always held a special place in my heart, especially in middle grade fiction. So when I heard about Dead Good Detectives, which features not only ghosts but also pirates, witches, and a treasure hunt, you know it went on my TBR immediately.
The immersive, atmospheric setting immediately drew me into this story. Dead Good Detectives takes place in a dreary beach town brimming with personality. From local storeowners to quirky tourist attractions to the Pirate Day festivities, this town is like none other. It provides a perfect backdrop for all the antics that Sid and Zen get up to, and reading about this setting felt just like exploring any small beach town during its off-season. As a beach town enthusiast, I love it!
What truly brings this novel to life, though, is our protagonist Sidonie May “Sid” Jones. Sid has social anxiety, which immediately makes her relatable. But it also goes so much deeper than that. She shows quite a bit of reluctance to dive into helping a ghost who she accidentally summoned, showing more reason than a lot of fictional characters do. She’s very logical and finds ways to explain away everything she sees, even though the reader knows what’s really going on. She reacts to the story’s events in a way that any normal person would: with caution, skepticism, and denial. This makes it a lot easier to be on board with her journey and understand her motivations.
Told through Sid’s perspective, Dead Good Detectives has a fascinating narrative voice from the very start. As Sid and Zen play games together, the narrative glides seamlessly between reality and make-believe. There are a couple times where it’s hard to tell what’s real and what the kids are imagining, and I adored this choice. Blending reality and play brings such a youthful energy to the story, and it makes Sid feel like a real, relatable kid.
As for the plot itself, Lachlan does not disappoint in the slightest. In order to return Bones the ghost pirate to the dead, Sid has to help him complete his unfinished business: find his hidden treasure. Following Bones’ hand-drawn treasure map (shoutout to Chloe Dominique for all the adorable illustrations, by the way!) and other clues, Sid and Bones go on quite the journey to find the treasure before Bones fades. I’m a sucker for any book with a treasure/scavenger hunt of any kind, and this was no different. The whimsy of it all is utterly scrumptious, and it makes for a page-turning experience.
“Sometimes we must sail into a storm, no matter how scared we are.” -Jenny McLachlan, Dead Good Detectives
Dead Good Detectives is also so much more than just its lovable characters and whimsical story; it also explores several heartfelt, moving lessons. Throughout her journey, Sid learns how to embrace her quirks, be a good friend to her loved ones, and the value of selfless actions. Each lesson weaves seamlessly into the story without ever feeling preachy or cheesy, making them all the more impactful. I always love to see these types of values on display in media, and this novel does it so incredibly well.
Dead Good Detectives Recommendation & Rating:
I adore this novel to no end. It has the perfect blend of paranormal elements, relatable characters, and goofy humor that many readers will love. Especially if you’re a fan of ghosts or pirates, this novel will be a blast for you. And there’s a sequel! Dead Good Detectives has just the right amount of loose ends to make for a satisfying ending while keeping the reader itching for the next book.
So if you want a page-turning story to dive into, I highly recommend checking out this novel. If I had to describe it in just one word, it would be pure FUN!
My Rating: ★★★★✬ 4.5 stars
Thank you for reading my Dead Good Detectives review. To read more of my book reviews, check out my Book Reviews page.