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Lockett & Wilde's Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries #1
Lockett & Wilde: The Ghosts of the Manor
New from Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author-illustrator team, Lucy Strange and Pam a spirited series of “cosy gothic” mysteries, starring supernatural sleuths, Lockett & Wilde.
“This book has more shadowy mysteries than twelve graveyards and more delicious twists than my favourite pretzel. All hail Lockett & Wilde!” Lemony Snicket
"Wildly funny." Ben Miller
Matilda Lockett is used to playing the role of Poor Dead Edna on stage with her spirit-medium aunt, Signora Valentina, and theatrical uncle Barnabus – but when they all decamp to Beauchamp Manor to deal with a most dreadful haunting, she discovers she really can see ghosts! There she meets ghost boy, Edgar Wilde, who shares her love of supernatural snooping, and together they set about unravelling the case of The Ghosts of the Manor.
Classic spooky mystery reimagined for fans of cosy crime by the Waterstones Prize and Carnegie-shortlisted creators, Lucy Strange and Pam Smy. You'd have to be DEAD not to love it...
Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Robin Stevens
Stunning colour-illustrated storytelling
"A stunningly spooky mystery." Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out?
"Funny, spooky and cosy - I loved it!" Andy Stanton, author of Mr Gum
“This book has more shadowy mysteries than twelve graveyards and more delicious twists than my favourite pretzel. All hail Lockett & Wilde!” Lemony Snicket
"Wildly funny." Ben Miller
Matilda Lockett is used to playing the role of Poor Dead Edna on stage with her spirit-medium aunt, Signora Valentina, and theatrical uncle Barnabus – but when they all decamp to Beauchamp Manor to deal with a most dreadful haunting, she discovers she really can see ghosts! There she meets ghost boy, Edgar Wilde, who shares her love of supernatural snooping, and together they set about unravelling the case of The Ghosts of the Manor.
Classic spooky mystery reimagined for fans of cosy crime by the Waterstones Prize and Carnegie-shortlisted creators, Lucy Strange and Pam Smy. You'd have to be DEAD not to love it...
Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Robin Stevens
Stunning colour-illustrated storytelling
"A stunningly spooky mystery." Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out?
"Funny, spooky and cosy - I loved it!" Andy Stanton, author of Mr Gum
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2024
3 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Strange
15 books415 followersLucy Strange worked as an actor, singer and storyteller before becoming a secondary school English teacher. She now lives and writes in the heart of the Kent countryside with her partner James, their baby boy and a tortoiseshell cat known as Moo.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 27, 2025
A very fun and light-hearted read!
Ghosts, Country Houses, a Chatty Parrot, 🦜 some fraudsters, and a missing diamond! What's not to love!
Loved the illustrations and the story it's a perfect start to what I hope is the beginning of a fun detective series.
Thanks for my copy, Walker Books, and this above is an honest review in return for a copy of the book.
Ghosts, Country Houses, a Chatty Parrot, 🦜 some fraudsters, and a missing diamond! What's not to love!
Loved the illustrations and the story it's a perfect start to what I hope is the beginning of a fun detective series.
Thanks for my copy, Walker Books, and this above is an honest review in return for a copy of the book.
October 11, 2025
Een enorm fijne Strange weer, in een iets andere setting dan haar gebruikelijke genre - en toch ergens ook weer niet.
De jonge Matilda trekt met haar tante en diens lover (oom Barnabas) in de jaren dertig van de vorige eeuw langs theaters om bovennatuurlijke voorstellingen te geven waarin zijzelf ‘het geestmeisje’ speelt.
Wanneer een barones met landgoed hun hulp inroept om een geest uit haar tuinhuis met schilderijen te verjagen, is de vraag of het bedrog van tante & co. ongezien zal blijven - maar ook dat Matilda misschien wel de gaven heeft die haar tante ontbeert.
In dit eerste deel wordt het duo gevormd dat bovennatuurlijke zaken als detectives aanpakt, en leren we subtiel het onderscheid tussen geesten en zogenaamde waasjes.
Een boek dat leest als een trein (mede dankzij de fijne vertaling), vol humor zit en heerlijk duister is geïllustreerd. De tijdgeest zit er duidelijk in, met Matilda als stoere heldin en een tante die haar onafhankelijkheid wil bewaren en daarom niet trouwt.
Het maakt benieuwd naar veel meer in deze serie!
De jonge Matilda trekt met haar tante en diens lover (oom Barnabas) in de jaren dertig van de vorige eeuw langs theaters om bovennatuurlijke voorstellingen te geven waarin zijzelf ‘het geestmeisje’ speelt.
Wanneer een barones met landgoed hun hulp inroept om een geest uit haar tuinhuis met schilderijen te verjagen, is de vraag of het bedrog van tante & co. ongezien zal blijven - maar ook dat Matilda misschien wel de gaven heeft die haar tante ontbeert.
In dit eerste deel wordt het duo gevormd dat bovennatuurlijke zaken als detectives aanpakt, en leren we subtiel het onderscheid tussen geesten en zogenaamde waasjes.
Een boek dat leest als een trein (mede dankzij de fijne vertaling), vol humor zit en heerlijk duister is geïllustreerd. De tijdgeest zit er duidelijk in, met Matilda als stoere heldin en een tante die haar onafhankelijkheid wil bewaren en daarom niet trouwt.
Het maakt benieuwd naar veel meer in deze serie!
August 10, 2024
What do you do if you play a ghost in a travelling theatre show and suddenly discover you can actually see and converse with the real thing? That is the predicament Matilda Lockett finds herself in after she, her Aunt Evelyn, and Uncle Barnabus, accept an invitation to stay at Beauchamp Manor while trying to persuade a ghost to leave, permanently!
Edgar Wilde has lived at Beauchamp Manor for many years but is still a child. Killed in an unfortunate accident, he has suddenly emerged in his ghostly form and amazingly finds he can converse with a young visitor who doesn't seem at all phased by his ethereal presence. While Evelyn and Barnabus try and work out how to persuade the ghost of artist Lawrence Waterfall, currently residing in the Beauchamp Folly, to leave, Matilda and Edgar investigate why he didn't depart years earlier.
Lucy Strange is an author whose work I have previously enjoyed, so I was delighted to see this new title. It is very different to her other work, with more of a Wodehouse feel to it, but it ticked all my boxes, and I loved it from start to finish. Pam Smy's illustrations make this book even more enjoyable and are every bit as important as the words. The relationship Matilda has with her aunt and uncle is lovely, and Edgar is very sweet. I read a lot of fiction, and although I'm not really sure why, this is easily one of the best middle-grade books I've read in a long time.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Walker Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a wonderful, feel-good book that I highly recommend. I really hope there will be more adventures starring these supernatural snoopers for me to enjoy in the future.
Edgar Wilde has lived at Beauchamp Manor for many years but is still a child. Killed in an unfortunate accident, he has suddenly emerged in his ghostly form and amazingly finds he can converse with a young visitor who doesn't seem at all phased by his ethereal presence. While Evelyn and Barnabus try and work out how to persuade the ghost of artist Lawrence Waterfall, currently residing in the Beauchamp Folly, to leave, Matilda and Edgar investigate why he didn't depart years earlier.
Lucy Strange is an author whose work I have previously enjoyed, so I was delighted to see this new title. It is very different to her other work, with more of a Wodehouse feel to it, but it ticked all my boxes, and I loved it from start to finish. Pam Smy's illustrations make this book even more enjoyable and are every bit as important as the words. The relationship Matilda has with her aunt and uncle is lovely, and Edgar is very sweet. I read a lot of fiction, and although I'm not really sure why, this is easily one of the best middle-grade books I've read in a long time.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Walker Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a wonderful, feel-good book that I highly recommend. I really hope there will be more adventures starring these supernatural snoopers for me to enjoy in the future.
December 2, 2024
very fun and silly middle grade adventure
December 28, 2025
What a wonderfully drinkable book, with fabulous illustrations. The plot was easy to follow with appropriate twists. Great for any budding detectives.
January 18, 2026
Really liked the story, the illustrations and Matilda! Really joyed myself reading this ghostly detective story!
June 8, 2025
Matilda is only supposed to be the ghost in her aunt's fake séance shows – but early on here she finds out she can actually see the things for real. A posh old Baroness invites the three performers – without realising two of them are performers – to sort out the haunting in her country pile, that seems to be disturbing an art expert from his work of evaluating the estate. Cue connection with Edgar Wilde, a lonely ghost boy – but he's not the one doing the disturbing…
This was great fun. It's brisk and breezy, it does its world building so efficiently we still get a full story from these pages, despite it clearly setting up a series of further books to come, and it does a lot that is familiar very well indeed. I don't know how earnestly it lets us know the historical period it's set (1936, it turns out) but that's a very minor issue. It actually has a lot of elements that are credits – including a great approach to the "offensive" limericks and swear words of the adult world, that isn't at all arch and cheesy. Even the potentially annoying pet cameo is fine here.
Matilda is a great character, allowed to turn into a great character with more knowledge of the spirit world, and even when it's obvious that she knows more than her aunt ever did about ghosts this still all feels natural, honest and sensible. It's all relatable, therefore – but still really light-hearted. And it only bodes well for a great series of books, which I'm happy to turn to pronto. All of which means, that despite me being a person who normally reserves five full stars for the 'stick-on-the-side-of-a-space-probe-and-launch-to-show-humanity's-best' kind of read, this deserves top marks. It's top in lightly-worn cleverness, top in promise of more to come, and top in sheer joyfulness.
This was great fun. It's brisk and breezy, it does its world building so efficiently we still get a full story from these pages, despite it clearly setting up a series of further books to come, and it does a lot that is familiar very well indeed. I don't know how earnestly it lets us know the historical period it's set (1936, it turns out) but that's a very minor issue. It actually has a lot of elements that are credits – including a great approach to the "offensive" limericks and swear words of the adult world, that isn't at all arch and cheesy. Even the potentially annoying pet cameo is fine here.
Matilda is a great character, allowed to turn into a great character with more knowledge of the spirit world, and even when it's obvious that she knows more than her aunt ever did about ghosts this still all feels natural, honest and sensible. It's all relatable, therefore – but still really light-hearted. And it only bodes well for a great series of books, which I'm happy to turn to pronto. All of which means, that despite me being a person who normally reserves five full stars for the 'stick-on-the-side-of-a-space-probe-and-launch-to-show-humanity's-best' kind of read, this deserves top marks. It's top in lightly-worn cleverness, top in promise of more to come, and top in sheer joyfulness.
October 15, 2024
The Ghosts of the Manor by Lucy Strange is the first book in her new middle-grade series, Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries. In this story, we meet Matilda Lockett who lives with her Aunt Signora and Uncle Barnabus (unmarried). The trio put on shows pretending to contact the dead. After one of these shows, Baroness Beauchamp of Beauchamp Manor approaches Matilda’s Aunt and asks her to come to her home and help get rid of a ghost that is haunting the folly where an art expert is working.
Aunt Signora takes along Barnabus, Matilda, and Colin the parrot to help her with a séance, but not everything is as simple as it first seems. Plus, it turns out that while Aunt Signora might be a charlatan, Matilda can really see and speak to ghosts. It is here that she meets her new crime-fighting partner, Edgar Wilde, a young ghost boy.
The book is exciting from beginning to end. The atmosphere that comes from the pages is wonderful and once you begin you will not want to put this book down.
Matilda is a fabulous character who is unaware of her gift until she sees Edgar at the Manor house. She is bright, intelligent, and a little stubborn. Edgar is a superb character too and you can’t help falling for this little ghost boy who is sad until he finds Matilda.
With amazing illustrations throughout, The Ghosts of the Manor is the perfect middle-grade story for readers who love mysteries. Whilst it might contain ghosts, they aren’t that scary. It is a truly awesome read and is definitely worth investing your time in. I can’t wait for further stories in the series.
Aunt Signora takes along Barnabus, Matilda, and Colin the parrot to help her with a séance, but not everything is as simple as it first seems. Plus, it turns out that while Aunt Signora might be a charlatan, Matilda can really see and speak to ghosts. It is here that she meets her new crime-fighting partner, Edgar Wilde, a young ghost boy.
The book is exciting from beginning to end. The atmosphere that comes from the pages is wonderful and once you begin you will not want to put this book down.
Matilda is a fabulous character who is unaware of her gift until she sees Edgar at the Manor house. She is bright, intelligent, and a little stubborn. Edgar is a superb character too and you can’t help falling for this little ghost boy who is sad until he finds Matilda.
With amazing illustrations throughout, The Ghosts of the Manor is the perfect middle-grade story for readers who love mysteries. Whilst it might contain ghosts, they aren’t that scary. It is a truly awesome read and is definitely worth investing your time in. I can’t wait for further stories in the series.
October 15, 2025
De cover vind ik al weer geweldig! Dit soort boeken trekken mij dus echt aan. Duister, spannend en prachtig vormgegeven.
Mathilda Duyster woont bij haar oom en tante. Haar tante Evelien doet (als signora Valentina) alsof ze contact kan hebben met geesten. Dat konden haar moeder en oma namelijk ook. Echter, haar seances zijn nep. Mathila en Oom Barnabus moeten voor de geestverschijningen zorgen. Tijdens één van de shows ontdekt Mathilda iets…
“De Stilte, dacht ze. Haar tante had het blijkbaar niet gemerkt, maar er was die avond iets vreemds gebeurd tijdens De Stilte. Iets waarvan ze kippenvel en koude rillingen had gekregen.”
Op een dag worden ze uitgenodigd door barones Rosa Beauchamps om haar te helpen met de geest die in haar tuinhuis vertoeft. Hij maakt het werk van Wim Simons onmogelijk die een poging doet haar schilderijen collectie te categoriseren. En daar ontdekt Mathilda dat zij wél de gave heeft die haar tante mist.
“Ze keek nog eens goed. Er had iets bewogen, dat wist ze zeker. Daar! Iets eigenaardigs schuivends in de lucht, alsof er één laagje werkelijkheid bijna onzichtbaar voor een ander schoof (...) een gestalte.”
Die gestalte blijkt Edgar Woudt te zijn. Samen met Edgar gaat Mathilda op onderzoek uit. Naar de geestenwereld, en naar de bedoelingen van Wim Simons. En waarom lukt het de geest in het tuinhuisje niet over te gaan naar de andere zijde? Wat is het ‘onopgeloste’ dat hem hier houdt?
Een heel grappig en toch ook spannend verhaal. Omlijst met een heleboel tekeningen, deels in ‘cartoonstijl’ met praatwolkjes. De beschrijving van de geestenwereld is luchtig, niet angstaanjagend. De groei van Mathilda in haar gave vind ik ook mooi. Ze is er niet bang voor, ze vindt juist een vriend hierdoor.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende deel, want ik vermoed dat dit slechts het begin was.
Mathilda Duyster woont bij haar oom en tante. Haar tante Evelien doet (als signora Valentina) alsof ze contact kan hebben met geesten. Dat konden haar moeder en oma namelijk ook. Echter, haar seances zijn nep. Mathila en Oom Barnabus moeten voor de geestverschijningen zorgen. Tijdens één van de shows ontdekt Mathilda iets…
“De Stilte, dacht ze. Haar tante had het blijkbaar niet gemerkt, maar er was die avond iets vreemds gebeurd tijdens De Stilte. Iets waarvan ze kippenvel en koude rillingen had gekregen.”
Op een dag worden ze uitgenodigd door barones Rosa Beauchamps om haar te helpen met de geest die in haar tuinhuis vertoeft. Hij maakt het werk van Wim Simons onmogelijk die een poging doet haar schilderijen collectie te categoriseren. En daar ontdekt Mathilda dat zij wél de gave heeft die haar tante mist.
“Ze keek nog eens goed. Er had iets bewogen, dat wist ze zeker. Daar! Iets eigenaardigs schuivends in de lucht, alsof er één laagje werkelijkheid bijna onzichtbaar voor een ander schoof (...) een gestalte.”
Die gestalte blijkt Edgar Woudt te zijn. Samen met Edgar gaat Mathilda op onderzoek uit. Naar de geestenwereld, en naar de bedoelingen van Wim Simons. En waarom lukt het de geest in het tuinhuisje niet over te gaan naar de andere zijde? Wat is het ‘onopgeloste’ dat hem hier houdt?
Een heel grappig en toch ook spannend verhaal. Omlijst met een heleboel tekeningen, deels in ‘cartoonstijl’ met praatwolkjes. De beschrijving van de geestenwereld is luchtig, niet angstaanjagend. De groei van Mathilda in haar gave vind ik ook mooi. Ze is er niet bang voor, ze vindt juist een vriend hierdoor.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende deel, want ik vermoed dat dit slechts het begin was.
September 2, 2024
Lockett & Wilde's Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor is a delightful middle-grade tale that perfectly balances a sense of eerie suspense with warmth and heart. The story delivers just the right amount of creepiness to keep young readers on the edge of their seats, without crossing into truly frightening territory. The atmosphere is enhanced by dark, atmospheric illustrations that draw you deeper into the mystery of the haunted manor, making it an ideal read for the Halloween season.
Beyond the spooky elements, what truly shines in this book is the strong theme of friendship that runs through the narrative. The characters face their fears together, and their bonds grow stronger as they unravel the mystery of the ghosts. This makes the story not just about thrills, but also about the importance of trust, loyalty, and working together to overcome challenges.
The Ghosts of the Manor is a perfect pick for kids who enjoy a blend of cozy and spooky, offering enough chills to be exciting, but with a comforting, feel-good conclusion. It’s a fun, engaging read that’s sure to become a favorite for young fans of mystery and ghost stories.
Beyond the spooky elements, what truly shines in this book is the strong theme of friendship that runs through the narrative. The characters face their fears together, and their bonds grow stronger as they unravel the mystery of the ghosts. This makes the story not just about thrills, but also about the importance of trust, loyalty, and working together to overcome challenges.
The Ghosts of the Manor is a perfect pick for kids who enjoy a blend of cozy and spooky, offering enough chills to be exciting, but with a comforting, feel-good conclusion. It’s a fun, engaging read that’s sure to become a favorite for young fans of mystery and ghost stories.
November 19, 2024
Middle grade readers are in for a real treat with The Ghost Hunters by Lucy Strange. Aunt Evelyn, known as signora Valentine, a spirit-medium, puts on a spooky stage show. Uncle Barnabus and Matilda Lockett play a part in Evelyn’s theatre show. Matilda, plays the part of a ghost named Edna. Signora, tells the audience that Edna wants Uncle Barnabus to don’t forget to give Molly Cat her special supper on Christmas Day. With Signora asking for little Edna to appear to say goodbye to her uncle, then Matilda would appear on stage, as the ghost of Edna in a Victorian long white nightdress. Signora Valentine, is called to go to the most dreadfully haunted Beauchamp Manor. Matilda is used to playing a ghost, but while she is at Beauchamp Manor, she sees ghosts. This book that can be read anytime, but with Halloween coming up, with all the talk and stories around Halloween time, this the perfect, novel, with fantastic illustrations by Pam Smy. My special thanks to Walker Books for sending me this page-turner book to read.
September 20, 2024
This is such a fabulous book. And I was so disappointed when this had finished.
This is a delightful middle-grade tale that is creepy enough for the younger audience, it is also a warm hearted story with friendship at its core. The book is enhanced by the black illustrations throughout the book. Making this perfect for the dark winter nights we have ahead of us.
As well as the spookiness, what really comes across is the strong theme of family, and that you don’t have to be related to be a family, and also friendship and trust.
I am a big fan of Lucy Strange and I love that all her books are different. But this is by far her best.It ticks all the boxes, it has unusual friendships, an untypical family set up, an interesting and different kind of job, and a mystery. What more could you wish for? I have everything crossed that this is going to be a series. As for my copy of the book, I know a copy of kids who will adore this book so I think it’s heading into school to be loved.
This is a delightful middle-grade tale that is creepy enough for the younger audience, it is also a warm hearted story with friendship at its core. The book is enhanced by the black illustrations throughout the book. Making this perfect for the dark winter nights we have ahead of us.
As well as the spookiness, what really comes across is the strong theme of family, and that you don’t have to be related to be a family, and also friendship and trust.
I am a big fan of Lucy Strange and I love that all her books are different. But this is by far her best.It ticks all the boxes, it has unusual friendships, an untypical family set up, an interesting and different kind of job, and a mystery. What more could you wish for? I have everything crossed that this is going to be a series. As for my copy of the book, I know a copy of kids who will adore this book so I think it’s heading into school to be loved.
October 21, 2025
A series of unfortunate events captured my imagination at the age of 18. 24 years later I have found a new series that has sparked that joy I once had.
There’s no denying the artwork is stunning and plays a major role in the storytelling, but beautiful art means little without heart, emotion, and compelling characters. Thankfully, this book has all three in abundance.
It blends humour and mystery with moments of real poignancy. Edgar’s story about waking up as a ghost, in particular, is written with a quiet beauty that lingers long after reading.
I’m not the target audience but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. It not only has the dark whimsy of ‘A series of Unfortunate Events’ but also the adventure and nostalgia of ‘The Famous Five’ too.
Lucy Strange has definitely gained a new fan in me. I can’t wait to read more of her work, especially the Lockett & Wilde books series.
There’s no denying the artwork is stunning and plays a major role in the storytelling, but beautiful art means little without heart, emotion, and compelling characters. Thankfully, this book has all three in abundance.
It blends humour and mystery with moments of real poignancy. Edgar’s story about waking up as a ghost, in particular, is written with a quiet beauty that lingers long after reading.
I’m not the target audience but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. It not only has the dark whimsy of ‘A series of Unfortunate Events’ but also the adventure and nostalgia of ‘The Famous Five’ too.
Lucy Strange has definitely gained a new fan in me. I can’t wait to read more of her work, especially the Lockett & Wilde books series.
November 13, 2025
Loved that she travelled with her aunt/uncle and that they had a medium/spiritual show thingie going on.
Loved the Manor + the mystery + the characters around it
Fantastic spooky things + I love that Matilda can see things~
Loved the chapters sub titles! Giving us a hint/glimpse what to expect!
Loved the illustrations and that they were blue/gray/black/white.
Edgar was such a fun character and I loved how he and Matilda bonded and went to solve the case together.
The ending (treasure hunt, everything coming together, the mystery of her aunt/uncle) was so much fun and I loved it.
So I need more! Review to come in January.
Loved the Manor + the mystery + the characters around it
Fantastic spooky things + I love that Matilda can see things~
Loved the chapters sub titles! Giving us a hint/glimpse what to expect!
Loved the illustrations and that they were blue/gray/black/white.
Edgar was such a fun character and I loved how he and Matilda bonded and went to solve the case together.
The ending (treasure hunt, everything coming together, the mystery of her aunt/uncle) was so much fun and I loved it.
So I need more! Review to come in January.
Read
March 9, 2025Occasionally I do so enjoy a bit of MG or YA reading and already being a huge fan of Strange's books, this seemed a no-brainer to pick up. It seems to be targeted at a younger audience than most of her work and the story leans more into silliness than spookiness and suspense. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have read this one as an audiobook because the narration - done by Lucy Strange herself - is nothing short of absolutely fabulous.
August 23, 2024
I am a huge fan of Lucy Strange and this one does not disappoint me at all. It is rather different from the other books by her. It seems to be targeting a younger audience than most of her books while it is slightly more advanced than the ones written by her for Barrington Stokes. It is spooky but not scary (if that makes any sense at all), so it probably is suitable for Y 4 or 5 students.
October 14, 2024
Lovely fun for all ghost-loving detectives of around age eight to ten, I should think. A quick read which expects a degree of intelligence and wit. I particularly loved 'completing' Colin the parakeet's rude limericks! Hopefully there'll be more from the crime solving duo in due course: this is a series which could run and run, I think.
November 27, 2024
Decidedly old-fashioned in its narrative style, hilarious, and generously illustrated by the very clever Pam Smy, Matilda Lockett and her ghostly partner seem set to go on to a long and comfortable life in a series. This was a well constructed mystery that MG readers will adore. I love the illustration style with its limited palette and occasional segue of text to text bubbles. A winner!
August 2, 2024
Really enjoyed this story. Lovely illustrations that add to the text- great layout and visually appealing. The story is spooky but never scary, more of a mystery and adventure, so suitable for all ages.
September 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this! Ghosts, diamonds, art thieves, manors and new friends. When Matilda’s aunt is called to deal with the ghost in a mansion, much more of a mystery is to be solved! Gorgeously illustrated throughout - illustrations which add so much to the story! Hope there’s more to come!
September 23, 2024
I had so much hope for this book and was genuinely excited to read it. Sadly I don’t feel like it fully delivered. Some genuinely good moments but I just feel like the ghost/mystery side didn’t fully come together.
October 25, 2024
3.75 stars. A fun adventure, mystery with twists and surprises. I would definitely recommend it, although blurbing it with Lemony Snicket is a bit of an oversell. Don't go with too high expectations and you will enjoy it.
February 14, 2025
Really enjoyable! An off-beat, non-traditional family dynamic makes this a delightful read and the addition of a parakeet named Colin is hilarious. I really liked Matilda and Edgar together. But I wasn't able to put the clues together to solve it myself and that's ok.
October 5, 2025
Light hearted ghostly mystery. Lovely characters, little twists and turns, Eerie setting. Fabulous illustrations. Great first in a new sleuthing series.
Brilliant for KS2, especially those who still want short chapters, illustrations but a more detailed read.
Brilliant for KS2, especially those who still want short chapters, illustrations but a more detailed read.
December 17, 2025
Heerlijke jeugd-detective!
Een kloppend verhaal, fijn geschreven, mooie illustraties (uiteraard) van Lam Smy, die er soms iets graphic-novel-achtigs van maken.
Nu al zin in een vervolg, dat er ongetwijfeld aan komt!
Een kloppend verhaal, fijn geschreven, mooie illustraties (uiteraard) van Lam Smy, die er soms iets graphic-novel-achtigs van maken.
Nu al zin in een vervolg, dat er ongetwijfeld aan komt!
October 2, 2024
I loved this! Absolutely hilarious with a cozy spooky mystery too.
October 21, 2024
I loved this and read it in one sitting, the illustrations were great and made me laugh quite a few times, excellent October read
December 17, 2024
Please tell me this will be a series!
January 18, 2025
Terrific fun, hilarious limericks, and a thoroughly good read - regardless of your age!
Reminded me of the Horrible Histories books and the TV show Ghosts.
Reminded me of the Horrible Histories books and the TV show Ghosts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews