As the witty murder-mystery series continues, Bonbon returns for a pyrotechnic display aboard ship—until a shocking demise puts a damper on the festivities.
Shenanigans are once again afoot in the town of Widdlington, and this time they're on board the Dreadnowt—a galleon that’s set to host a fireworks display for the town. Bonnie Montgomery and Grampa Banks are on board as guests, but just after sundown, a fog rolls in and a terrible cry is heard over the crash of the waves. Captain Valancourt stumbles out of the mist, dripping wet and covered in red welts the like of which a sea monster would leave behind, and is soon pronounced dead by the doctor on board. The crowd is shocked, and Bonnie's fishy-o-meter is off the charts. While Inspector Sands takes over as captain, Bonnie transforms into Montgomery Bonbon, and it’s not long before she’s laid anchor on her prime suspects. Can Montgomery Bonbon hoist his moustache and figure out which scallywag is responsible for the death of the ancient mariner?
I’m so glad that Montgomery Bonbon is back with a new murder mystery for her to solve. Bonnie Montgomery changes into a disguise as Montgomery Bonbon a detective, with always adding a detective rain coat, and a moustache.On the Dreadnowt , ship in Widdlington harbour, Captain Roger Valancourt is in charge. What should have been a pleasant evening at the ship’s firework display turns into a murder scene. Captain Valancourt has been attacked. He is dead, with strange red marks on him. Can Bonnie in disguise as a detective Montgomery Bonbon find out who the suspect is? And that’s not all folks, there’s a little more mystery to for Montgomery Bonbon to solve. 9-12 years will adore the who collection of Montgomery Bonbon.
At this point, I’m officially addicted to the Montgomery BonBon series.
Four books in, and Montgomery BonBon: Sabotage at Sea somehow still feels fresh, funny, and incredibly entertaining. Honestly, this has become my favorite middle grade series without question.
This time, BonBon takes the mystery to sea, and the setting works perfectly for the series. Sabotage, suspicious passengers, strange accidents, and a mystery that constantly kept me guessing made this another impossible-to-put-down read. I paired the book with the audiobook narrated by Alasdair Beckett-King himself, and that elevated the entire experience even more. The comedic timing, absurd humor, and quirky character voices all land perfectly when performed by the author.
What makes this series work so well is the balance between humor and mystery. The books never talk down to younger readers, but they also remain genuinely entertaining for adults. Beckett-King understands how to build actual mystery tension while still delivering the kind of ridiculous comedy that makes the series so memorable.
BonBon continues to stand out as one of the most entertaining middle grade detectives I’ve read in years, but I especially appreciated how much more time we got with Bonnie and her family in this installment. It added a stronger emotional layer beneath the humor and mystery without slowing the pacing down at all.
And speaking of pacing, this is exactly what middle grade fiction should feel like. Fast-paced, action-packed, funny, and constantly moving. Every chapter pushes the mystery forward while still making room for absurd humor and character moments. It’s the kind of book younger readers can absolutely fly through, while adults will appreciate how cleverly constructed it all is underneath the chaos.
The writing style remains one of my favorite parts of the series. Beckett-King’s quirky British humor translates incredibly well, balancing dry wit and absurdity in a way that feels timeless rather than childish. The narration style gives the books a personality that makes them instantly recognizable.
⭐ Category Breakdown ⭐ Storytelling: 5.0 A genuinely engaging mystery that kept me guessing the entire time.
Character Work: 5.0 BonBon remains fantastic, and the added focus on Bonnie’s family was a welcome addition.
Prose & Style: 5.0 Quirky British humor that works brilliantly in audiobook format.
Emotional Impact: 5.0 Officially my favorite middle grade series.
⭐ Final Rating ⭐ Average: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final Thoughts This series has completely won me over.
The mysteries are clever, the humor consistently lands, and the characters feel more lovable with every installment. If there’s a fifth Montgomery BonBon book announced tomorrow, I’ll be preordering it immediately.
Mystery balances with humor and a pinch of tension to create a fun read.
Bonnie can't wait to be a VIP with her Grampa on the reconstruction of Dreadnowt, a once renowned pirate ship. Better yet, her mother is in charge of setting off the fireworks on the ship for the other festival members, who are still on land, to enjoy. But something goes terribly wrong. Not only is the captain killed in the mishap, but Bonnie's mother is arrested for his death. The entire thing stinks to the high-seas, and Bonnie is determined to get to the bottom of it.
This is my first look at this series, and I'm sorry I didn't discover it earlier, since it is a fun read with just enough bite to make it interesting. Bonnie is an energetic character, who acts her age but is very clever and observant. Her transformation into the detective, Montgomery Bonbon, with a simple moustache comes across with just enough silliness to create a smile but manages to skim past complete disbelief thanks to the cast of quirky characters. The entire tale rides on a constant wave of humor, which works as a counterbalance to the murder mystery. The author manages to weave the two in such a way, which makes it very appropriate for the intended audience. It's quick-paced, holds plenty of surprises, and carries heart as well.
The illustrations bring each scene to life, while the text keeps the pacing high. The mix of the two make it entertaining the entire way through. The tale fits especially well to the lower and mid-range of the middle grade audience, and even reluctant readers will enjoy the easy-to-read font and quick-paced mystery. Along the way, the author works in a few vocabulary-building moments to help improve reading skills. But this book is all about fun, and Bonnie is just the detective to pull that off. I'm looking forward to visiting the adventures I missed and see what she'll be up against in the future.
🕵️♂️Can you really trust a detective whose mustache only tingles when things get Highly Suspicious?
If you love a brilliantly clever, laugh-out-loud murder mystery with cozy vibes and fantastic illustrations, you need these books on your radar!
Here is my honest take on Bonnie Montgomery and her beret wearing, case cracking alter ego:
💡Death at the Lighthouse: Bonnie tries to take a holiday on Odde Island, but surprise someone dies at the lighthouse. It’s a classic, atmospheric locked-island mystery where Bonnie’s mustache starts twitching instantly.
🏫Mystery at the Manor: Think Knives Out meets a hedge maze full of monkeys. Bonnie has to deliver a priceless diamond to a retired master thief, who is promptly murdered. When every single suspect is a trained crook, the deductions get wonderfully chaotic.
🌊Sabotage at Sea: Fog, fireworks, and a captain who looks like he was attacked by a sea monster. This one trapped everyone on a galleon ship, and the pacing was brilliant.
⚡️Why I love them: They are genuinely funny. Beckett-King writes with this dry, whimsical wit that works for both kids and adults. Plus, the dynamic between Bonnie and her long-suffering Grampa Banks is pure gold. They are quick, entertaining comfort reads that don't take themselves too seriously but still deliver solid puzzles.
Whether you're looking for a fun family read-aloud or just want a cozy mystery that will make you snort-laugh, I highly recommend diving into Widdlington's finest detective files.
✨️Thank you Walker Books US and Alasdair Beckett-King for sharing these books with me!
AWANTURA NA MORZU, czyli tom 4 serii o dziwnym detektywie - dziewczynce w przebraniu i jej dziadku - MONTGOMERYm BONBONie. Te książki są trochę zabawne, trochę szalone, trochę postrzelone. Fabuła zawsze dość prosta, ale ma swój urok, jest niewymagająca, można nawet rzec, że trochę banalna, ale nie szukam w tej serii wybitności... tylko lekką przekąskę i to też dostaję. Tym razem rzecz dzieje się w iście pirackim stylu i to ma klimat. Może nie jestem jakąś ogromną fanką pióra ALASDAIRa BECKETTa-KINGa, ale trzeba mu przyznać, że wymyślił oryginalny styl i stworzył rozpoznawalną bohaterkę. Jest też obdarzony specyficznym poczuciem humoru, co przekłada się na książki o BONBONie. Tutaj akcja dzieje się - ze strony na stronę. Wyskakują to z jednej strony, to z drugiej podejrzani i nawet nie zostaje oszczędzona mama Bonnie - Liz... sprawa więc robi się prywatna. Tak jak wspomniałam jest to książka "przekąska" dla dorosłych, dla młodszych czytelników też nie bardzo angażująca intelekt, ale zwracająca uwagę swymi gagami. Należy też zwrócić uwagę na bardzo ładne wydania. Mamy twarde, kolorowe, naprawdę barwne okładki i ilustracje CLAIRE POWELL, które są ujmujące i humorystyczne. Wizualnie idealna seria na prezent, a jeśli szukacie lekkiej zagadki - ale z zawsze z trupem - tylko jakby w krzywym zwierciadle - to dobrze trafiliście.
morze wzywa MONTGOMERY BONBON tom 4 Wydawnictwo Kropka egzemplarz recenzencki
Bonnie and Grandpa Banks on the high seas, what a treat! When Mongomery Bonbon and Grandpa Banks head for the high seas on a pirate ship, the plan is just to watch the fireworks go off. However the fireworks go off all at once and poor old Liz Mongomery, Bonnie Montgomery is mum, is arrested. Why should this bother the great detective? Because Montgomery Bonbon, is in fact Bonnie Mongomery (in a beret and false moustache). Can Bonnie save her mum, solve a murder and avoid the awful creations the ships cook comes up with? If anyone can, Bonnie can.
I love this series. I cannot praise it highly enough, This is the book to give to a child who has read all the ‘Wimpy Kids’ or ‘Lottie Brooks’ and wants something new. This series just keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait for the next one.
Alasdair Beckett King has done it again. This middle grade/chapter book mystery is so ridiculous, so funny, so special, it's worth having as both an audiobook AND paper copy. ABK's comic delivery of the narration is exactly right and the illustrations are so cute and cool, they're two complementary pieces of the same book.
Also really appreciated the shout out to Monkey Island in the author's note-- something about ABK has always reminded me of this beloved video game series and it was nice to see we had similar formative texts.
Recommended for anyone 10+ ish who loves mysteries and British silliness--yes, there are murders but they're not graphic or gratuitous and the vibe is light without the saccharine quality of so-called cozy mysteries. Lots of puns and word play to keep all ages entertained.
Hilarious. If you love adjectives, this is the book for the most hilarious, surprising ones. We keep being excited for the next paragraph (not page, each page has a good measure of hilarious silliness). Set at sea, with a lot of ice cream, splashing, and Bonnon's international expressions mixing it all. Who killed the Kapitan? One of the best twists is that her mom (who is allergic to intrigue and mystery starts investigating this one on her own. Ahahahah. Awesome humor. Can't wait for the next adventure: on stage. P.S The audio has UK vocabulary examples: I can feel it on my waters vs bones. Chips vs fries.
This is the fourth book in the Montgomery Bonbon series! It’s such a fun, engaging series! I love that the mystery is intermixed with great humor. Humor that both kids and adults can enjoy! There are also a lot of great illustrations that accompany the text!
In the fourth book Montgomery Bonbon finds herself trying to solve a mystery at sea. I love the way Bonnie transforms into her alter ego! It’s definitely got my young son thinking he wants to be a detective like Bonnie now!
I definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves middle grade books with mystery, humor, and a lot of adventure! My son and I are looking forward to the next book in the series!
What a fun, (very British) little mystery! It’s really cute and recommend for all middles.
Warnings: language: one character says “damn.” LGBTQ content: Bonnie pretends to be Monsieur BonBon but it’s all innocent fun, there doesn’t appear to be an agenda Violence: there is a dead body; no blood or other descriptions Magic: none Sexual content: none
A wonderfully funny murder mystery. Whether you’re a young reader or just a fan of whodunnits, this is packed with jokes and joyful characters. Highly recommended!
I flippin love these books so much. They are always so charming and funny, and Montgomery Bonbon is such a great, inspiring main character. It's a shame there's only one more book!
Sabotage at Sea, the fourth and latest book (and probably my favourite), sees Montgomery Bonbon (aka Bonnie Montgomery when the mustache comes off), aboard a ship on what was supposed to be a night of celebration but ends up with a demise that creates a new case for the detective. As usual, Grampa Banks and Dana are by Bonbon's side to offer their assistance but this time Bonnie's mom is also involved in the case, coming face-to-face with Montgomery Bonbon for the first time.
With the usual medley of colourful characters (both new and recurring ones), I found this book even more entertaining than the previous three. The mystery keeps the reader guessing and will take you on a rollercoaster ride of discoveries. The book is brimming with hilarious moments and, together with the illustrations and the witty writing, it is sure to delight both its middle grade readers as well as the adult ones. I cannot wait to see what the fifth installment in this series is going to be like!
I love this series! They’re such fun and gorgeously illustrated. I love Montgomery’s mix of languages used - properly makes me smile! This one takes place on a pirate ship, which brings along many ship/pirate jokes (much to my delight). DELIGHTED that there’ll be more!
The newest book in the series! This time BonBon plays a home game as the mystery takes place at Bonnie’s town.
🥰 The mystery was oh so much fun! And confuddling. Not just to the reader but also to BonBon. Nothing is what it seems and people are very dedicated to keeping secrets. 🥰 I also love BonBon’s character! Bonnie is really adding a lot of flair and personality to it all. Though I do hope that she goes to learn some more foreign words to add to her vocabulary, I would love to see that! 🥰 Reading about the town of Widdlington, including the fair/carnival on the pier and the fun things to do there. 🥰 Dana is here and she is such a fun addition to the team in this one. Helps out with some facts, helps with the costume, helps with the investigation in a non-intrusive/annoying way, I loved seeing her figure out pranks (though she is still not doing that well with them, haha, but it is the thought that counts and she is having fun). 🥰 Grandpa Banks! Such an interesting and fun character and I love how he helps out his granddaughter with her investigations (though he is not allowed to do much exercise as the doctor has forbidden that). 🥰 Learning about the boat/ship. 🥰 That inspector is still an idiot, it amazing me that she keeps that job, haha, I guess no one else wants to do it. Or maybe she is just the brightest bulb of all the police force. 🥰 The puns! Loved them! 🥰 A light dose of 4th wall breaking (hope the author has made some time to do that, haha). 🥰 The mom! She was such a fun character and I really liked seeing so much of her. I was at times a bit worried she may be an annoyance factor, I have read one too many MG with parents butting in, but thankfully, she stays mostly on the side. Until she goes to do her own investigation. 🥰 The ending, oh I liked that one, especially what mom said at the end. 🥰 The cover, the illustrations. The style is just fantastic and I love every bit of it. 🥰 A new book is coming! I always want more BonBon and so I am delighted a new adventure is coming~
All in all, this was such a delightful book again with plenty of good mysteries and more! I would recommend it and the series to all~
I drop dead loved this book! It was so good The Bon Bon series is one of favs and I love the playful childlike faith in it and the creativity and the sea, I loved when they described the ocean as “ salty air” it takes me straight to Hawaii and the beach my fav place to be! I’ve read every book in this series and I love this one just as much as I love the first one which is also a very good book! Definitely would recommend! Thank you Alasdair Beckett King for writing a great book!
Bonjour, moussaillon! The mystery and the mayhem set sail for Montgomery Bonbon's latest case--just off the coast of Widdlington, something is certainly afoot. Maybe multiple somethings, when this mystery isn't as straightforward as the Monsieur is expecting. And what is Bonnie going to do when she faces her biggest challenge yet: Montgomery Bonbon meeting her mother!?