Review: Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor

*Written by Lucy Strange*
*Illustrated by Pam Smy*
*Published by Walker Books*

Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor is the start of a wonderfully warm-hearted, spooky, funny mystery series that I absolutely adored.

Matilda Lockett plays the ghost of Poor Dead Edna in her Aunt Evelyn’s supernatural stage show ably assisted by her rather theatrical Uncle Barnabus. When Signora Valentina (Aunt Evelyn) is visited by Lady Beauchamp after the stage séance, she offers her a large sum of money to rid her home, Beauchamp Manor, of an unwelcome ghost guest.

Unable to resist this offer, the family soon find themselves settling in to the Manor where Matilda makes a startling discovery … she can see spirits! It is not long before she meets ghost boy Edgar Wilde and together they decide to become a super sleuthing team to solve the mystery of the haunted house …

And so begins a wonderfully exciting and light-hearted spooky mystery as the detecting duo team up solve a twisty mystery. Could there be a criminal in their midst? Can they find a way to rid the Manor of its unwanted guest?

I loved the blend of an atmospheric gothic setting with the fantastic humour brought by both events and characters, especially Colin, the talking parakeet, who shares rude rhymes – and may, or may not be, sensitive to the presence of spirits! I think this is a brilliant way to introduce gothic stories to younger readers.

I absolutely adored both Matilda and Edgar who form a wonderful bond of friendship as they connect over their enjoyment of sleuthing. Matilda is curious and courageous and proves to be just the anchor that Edgar needs – and Edgar is just the friend that Matilda is seeking. I really liked the warm, loving relationship between Matilda and her Aunt and Uncle and loved that, despite some misunderstandings, it is clear that this is a genuinely close bond.

The many full-and-partial-page illustrations that accompany the story are stunning and form an integral part of the story including the use of speech within some of illustrated pages. I loved the blue within the black, white and grey palette – and readers may well make a connection with the use of blue as they read! The character illustrations are wonderfully expressive and embody the 1930s setting perfectly.

Who needs trick or treating at Halloween? Why not share this gorgeous book instead – it really is a treat with its hardback, foiled cover and stunning illustrations. And, like all good mysteries, there’s some trickery to be found within its pages.

Thank you to Walker Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel by Guy Bass and Pete Williamson

*Written by Guy Bass*
*Illustrated by Pete Williamson*
*Colour by Kat Cass*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel is a gorgeously gothic, deliciously dark and monstrously marvellous adventure guaranteed to bring a swarm of new fans to this brilliant series.

Fulbert Freakfinder’s Travellin’ Carnival of Unnatural Wonders is visiting Grubber’s Nubbin and ready to put on a show for the locals but no-one turns up – except Arabella Guff who tells Fulbert that fear keeps the locals inside at night, and it’s not fear of his freak show, but their fear of Castle Grotteskew …

Meanwhile, in Castle Grotteskew, mad scientist Professor Erasmus is bringing his monstrous creations to almost-life but it is his first creation, Stitch Head, who is using his antidotes to lessen the effects of his master’s ever more dangerous experiments as, should any of these creations, ever escape the castle, trouble is sure to arrive … but then the doorbell rings for the first time in a hundred years … and Fulbert Freakfinder offers to make Stitch Head a star! Could finally leaving the master who has forgotten him be the best decision Stitch Head ever makes, or could he be making a terrible mistake?

I am a huge fan of the Stitch Head series, which I was first introduced to on a teacher training course, so it was absolutely brilliant to see his adventures in this new graphic novel. The full-colour illustrations are absolutely stunning and really capture the darkness and light in this brilliant adventure as well as the expressiveness, and humour, of the many wonderful characters which really brought them to life. I just have to say that I loved the playfulness of the potion labels: a particular favourite was Just Another Manic Monster.

This is a deliciously dark, gothic tale brimming with humour and heart. My heart ached for Stitch Head as he wants nothing more than for his childhood friend to remember him. Forgotten, he spends his time averting disaster for the Professor who is determined to make his monstrous creations regardless of the dangers that might occur should one escape the Castle. I adored the friendship that develops between Stitch Head, his master’s 309^th creation and Arabella Guff who make a brilliant team as they work together to save the Castle.

An absolutely amazing start to what promises to be a fantastic new graphic novel series by the brilliant, unstoppable duo of Guy Bass and Pete Williamson. Onwards to the next adventure … The Pirate’s Eye.

Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Stitch by Pádraig Kenny

Stitch is an utterly breathtaking and heartachingly captivating, gothic tale: poignant, profound and perfect storytelling.

585-day-old Stitch marks each day of his existence with a chalk mark on the wall of the turret room in the castle where he lives. Like his friend, Henry Oaf, he has been created by Professor Hardacre who has been asleep for 327 days. Unlike his friend, who has been locked in a cage during that time, Stitch has been free to roam the castle and complete his chores. Stitch is torn between guilt at leaving his friend locked up, and going against his creator’s orders.

When the Professor’s nephew visits with his assistant, Alice, Stitch is given the confusing and upsetting news that the Professor is dead. Whilst the Professor was intent on scientific discovery, his nephew has his sights set on something darker … and Henry is his next experiment. But, before he can realise his goal, Henry escapes his clutches and runs from the castle …

Determined to find his friend, Stitch leaves the only home he has known, but can he survive in a world that he was never meant to enter? Will the friends be reunited, or separated forever by the fear, hatred and prejudice of others?

This is an absolutely stunning, incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story that completely gripped me from start to finish. The action, brimming with peril, discoveries and secrets, kept me turning pages as I was desperate to find out how the three friends would survive in a world where their differences make them more likely to be hated or feared than accepted.

Stitch is the most remarkable creation and shows more humanity than many of the humans in his life. He is empathetic, kind-hearted and perceptive as well as having an innocence and natural curiosity that makes him incredibly endearing. He doesn’t judge people on how they look and shows kindness towards those in need, even if this brings trouble for himself. The bonds of friendship between Stitch, Henry and Alice are wonderfully heart-warming.

This is a story that addresses some big issues, including selfhood and self-awareness, the depth of grief, and prejudice shown towards differences. It is a story that challenges the reader to think about what constitutes a monster: is a monster created by others or self? Are they created by our own fears, pain and prejudices, but who does that make the monster?

This is a stunning, heart-warming and unforgettable story of friendship and inner strength that completely captured my heart, and is one that I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 9+.