Review: Dead Good Detectives Ghost Rescue

Dead Good Detectives:  Ghost Rescue is an epic ending to this daring duology:  exciting, funny and heart-warming.  It can be read as a standalone, but I guarantee, if they haven’t already read it, young adventurers will be racing for Dead Good Detectives after reading this.

Sid Jones is now firm friends with 300-year-old ghost pirate Ezekiel Kittow (aka Bones) after using those well-known magical tools – a gel pen and a chocolate bar – to free him from the Halfway House where he and his crew were trapped by Old Scratch who may – or may not – be the sinister Innkeeper who has placed the entrapment curse on the inn.  Whilst Sid has her doubts as to whether she has magical powers, Bones convinces her to try to free another of the ghosts, and so her mission to free her new friends begins … 

Oh my giddy goodness!  This is the most wonderful adventure:  action-packed, fast-paced with oodles of excitement, plenty of giggles and heart, not to mention the danger, the scariness, the twists and revelations that kept me utterly engrossed.  I absolutely loved joining Sid and her best friend Zen as they work alongside their ghost friends to break the curse of the Halfway House, allowing the ghosts to complete their unfinished business in this world before moving on.  Could Old Scratch be the sinister Innkeeper, or is someone even more villainous behind the ghosts’ imprisonment?  Is time running out for the ghosts?  What could be causing the mysterious illness that is affecting the people of Fathom?

Sid and Zen are incredibly likeable characters with a wonderfully close friendship and a great deal of courage. They are determined to help free their ghost friends, even when they find themselves in dangerous situations.  I absolutely adored Bones who is incredibly protective and supportive of Sid, helping her to believe that she can complete her mission.  The trapped ghosts feel like a wonderfully close family group who are determined to help and support each other and their new friends as their situation becomes more and more precarious.  Their interactions are both warm and humorous which made this diverse group really likeable characters. 

The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous and really complement the warmth, humour and friendships in this brilliant adventure.  I also loved the inclusion of Sid’s map of Fathom in full colour which I really enjoyed poring over.

This is the most magical, exhilarating adventure brimming with heart and humour, danger and daring that is sure to enchant readers of 8+.

Thank you to the Publisher, Farshore, for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.