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Sydney Mackenzie Knocks 'Em Dead
West Coast girl Sydney Mackenzie moves to Delaware after her parents inherit a cemetery—and becomes involved in a mystery surrounding the Underground Railroad—in this M!X novel from the author of Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, and Lost in Ireland.
Sydney Mackenzie is an aspiring filmmaker and average California Girl. So when her parents drop the biggest bombshell ever—they have inherited a cemetery called Lay to Rest, which means a move to boring Delaware—Sydney is NOT happy. And to make matters worse? Their “new” house is actually right on the cemetery grounds—and it isn’t exactly California chic.
But after settling in, Sydney discovers that the creepy old house might have more history than she once thought. And someone—or something—is encouraging her to delve deeper into a decades-old mystery that dates back to the Underground Railroad. Will Sydney’s filmmaking skills and the help of some new friends be enough for her get to the bottom of the mystery of her new home?
Sydney Mackenzie is an aspiring filmmaker and average California Girl. So when her parents drop the biggest bombshell ever—they have inherited a cemetery called Lay to Rest, which means a move to boring Delaware—Sydney is NOT happy. And to make matters worse? Their “new” house is actually right on the cemetery grounds—and it isn’t exactly California chic.
But after settling in, Sydney discovers that the creepy old house might have more history than she once thought. And someone—or something—is encouraging her to delve deeper into a decades-old mystery that dates back to the Underground Railroad. Will Sydney’s filmmaking skills and the help of some new friends be enough for her get to the bottom of the mystery of her new home?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2017
7 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Callaghan
13 books178 followersCindy Callaghan is an award-winning and producer. She's best knows for Just Add Magic and Just Add Magic 2: Potion Problems which were developed into an Emmy-nominated Amazon Original series distributed worldwide via Nickelodeon. She has also published five mega-popular Lost in books: London, Ireland, Paris, Rome, and Hollywood, and two stand-alones: the award-winning Sydney MacKenzie Knocks ‘Em Dead and Saltwater Secrets. Saltwater Secrets is set up with a major studio.
The Girl Who Ruined Christmas has been an Instagram sensation.
Be on the lookout for My Big Heart-Shaped Fail this fall.
When asked what it is about her books that tweens love, she chuckles and says, “The funny! Without a doubt, it’s the funny situations, characters and dialogue.”
In addition to writing, Cindy’s passions include animal advocacy, running, movie-going, reading, podcasts, wine and girlfriends, all of which take a backseat to her three children, husband and menagerie of rescued-pets.
Cindy holds an MA and MBA, and has over twenty years of business experience. The Delawarian (by way of Los Angeles (USC)) is a Jersey girl at heart. She lives in Wilmington, and escapes to her PA mountain retreat whenever time will allow.
The Girl Who Ruined Christmas has been an Instagram sensation.
Be on the lookout for My Big Heart-Shaped Fail this fall.
When asked what it is about her books that tweens love, she chuckles and says, “The funny! Without a doubt, it’s the funny situations, characters and dialogue.”
In addition to writing, Cindy’s passions include animal advocacy, running, movie-going, reading, podcasts, wine and girlfriends, all of which take a backseat to her three children, husband and menagerie of rescued-pets.
Cindy holds an MA and MBA, and has over twenty years of business experience. The Delawarian (by way of Los Angeles (USC)) is a Jersey girl at heart. She lives in Wilmington, and escapes to her PA mountain retreat whenever time will allow.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 14, 2017
This (early) middle grade book was cute and fun to read, especially when I was craving a semi-spooky book now that we are going into summer. And I got so much more than expected when this story offered a bit of historical mystery, adventures, and a touch of romance.
We first find Sydney living in "fabulous" California. Her parents' business is failing and really, Sydney is exhausted at feeling like she needs to keep up appearances with her friends. But then she finds out that her father inherited a house in Delaware. And not only is it not ordinary - it's a funeral home. Sydney is even more surprised when she arrives in the town of Buttermilk River Cove and discovers that the Victorian house is situated right on cemetery grounds.
This makes for an exciting change because finally she thinks she'll move up the social ladder by impressing everyone of her Californian status. Little does she know, no one cares. And she begins to develop a friendship with some of her classmates who are more impressed she lives right next to the undead than anything else.
I expected ghost tales, an actual haunting, perhaps, but what i didn't expect was the historical mystery that ensues. The author did a great job blending the elements of this story with the fact that Delaware is the first state of the Union. It's a state steeped in history and we get the uncovering of an Undercover Railroad, discussions of slaves and the Emancipation Proclamation, and more lighthearted details such as the recipes provided at the end of the book which made me crave hot cocoa made with buttermilk. The ending (or author's note) was also very beautiful and touched me.
This is perfect for tween readers (and adults) out there who enjoy books with a pinch of spooky mystery, friendships, and history. This is especially a great book that demonstrates the importance of being yourself and that honesty really is the best policy.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing an advanced copy through Netgalley!
We first find Sydney living in "fabulous" California. Her parents' business is failing and really, Sydney is exhausted at feeling like she needs to keep up appearances with her friends. But then she finds out that her father inherited a house in Delaware. And not only is it not ordinary - it's a funeral home. Sydney is even more surprised when she arrives in the town of Buttermilk River Cove and discovers that the Victorian house is situated right on cemetery grounds.
This makes for an exciting change because finally she thinks she'll move up the social ladder by impressing everyone of her Californian status. Little does she know, no one cares. And she begins to develop a friendship with some of her classmates who are more impressed she lives right next to the undead than anything else.
I expected ghost tales, an actual haunting, perhaps, but what i didn't expect was the historical mystery that ensues. The author did a great job blending the elements of this story with the fact that Delaware is the first state of the Union. It's a state steeped in history and we get the uncovering of an Undercover Railroad, discussions of slaves and the Emancipation Proclamation, and more lighthearted details such as the recipes provided at the end of the book which made me crave hot cocoa made with buttermilk. The ending (or author's note) was also very beautiful and touched me.
This is perfect for tween readers (and adults) out there who enjoy books with a pinch of spooky mystery, friendships, and history. This is especially a great book that demonstrates the importance of being yourself and that honesty really is the best policy.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing an advanced copy through Netgalley!
March 3, 2017
California almost-in crowder Sydney MacKenzie just got the worst news: her father sold his failing sporting goods retail business, and they're moving to Buttermilk River Cove, Delaware: population 800. Her dad's inherited the Lay to Rest cemetery, and they'll be living in a Victorian house on the cemetery grounds. As if! Desperate to be the cool girl, Sydney tries putting on her best California Girl airs, but the Delaware kids are remarkably unimpressed - but they are impressed by her new digs. Movie-obsessed Sydney starts out making up a creepy history of the house, but quickly discovers that her house has some real history of its own, and sets out, with the help of her new friends, to investigate.
I just didn't love this one. I've liked Cindy Callaghan's "Lost in..." series, which is light and fun, but that vibe didn't translate as well for me here. Sydney comes off as a largely vapid social climber, even as the kids around her try to teach her that it's not about what's on the surface. An Underground Railroad subplot feels awkwardly attached to the book to give it more depth. It's a quick, easy read that tween girls will likely check out for the fun cover and title, but for me, this one's an additional purchase. I'd rather add another "Lost in..." set to my collection.
I just didn't love this one. I've liked Cindy Callaghan's "Lost in..." series, which is light and fun, but that vibe didn't translate as well for me here. Sydney comes off as a largely vapid social climber, even as the kids around her try to teach her that it's not about what's on the surface. An Underground Railroad subplot feels awkwardly attached to the book to give it more depth. It's a quick, easy read that tween girls will likely check out for the fun cover and title, but for me, this one's an additional purchase. I'd rather add another "Lost in..." set to my collection.
June 20, 2017
When Sydney Mackenzie’s dad inherits a cemetery, the family moves from southern California to Delaware. Sydney is shocked that the kids could care less about California, but think living in a cemetery is cool. In an effort to be the most popular girl in school, Sydney decides to show everyone just how scary it can be to live at Lay to Rest Cemetery. But what she doesn’t realize is her house really is haunted!
I was not sure what to make of this book - it had a hard time deciding what it was about. Is it about making friends? Learning not to be a stuck up brat? Moving to a new place? Is it a ghost story? A lesson in Delaware history? A mystery? I like Callaghan's “Lost in” books, but this one was lost in plot ideas. I think I’ll stick with the Aladdin Mix series instead.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
I was not sure what to make of this book - it had a hard time deciding what it was about. Is it about making friends? Learning not to be a stuck up brat? Moving to a new place? Is it a ghost story? A lesson in Delaware history? A mystery? I like Callaghan's “Lost in” books, but this one was lost in plot ideas. I think I’ll stick with the Aladdin Mix series instead.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
October 19, 2021
Oh my goodness this is just such a fun and perfect read for the season!
Imagine a young California teen Sydney Mackenzie, an aspiring actress and filmmaker gets uprooted from everything she knows to move to Delaware after their family inherits a home and cemetery called ‘Lay To Rest.’ Well, it really isn’t fun until a paranormal mystery is waiting for her to discover and unearth about their home, and the Underground Railroad.
The writing is fun, entertaining, and highlights strong young women, with a fun mystery to uncover. This was such a fun read that I devoured in one sitting and now my nieces are reading them and loving it too.
Do check this out for a fun read perfect for young tween / middle grade readers
Imagine a young California teen Sydney Mackenzie, an aspiring actress and filmmaker gets uprooted from everything she knows to move to Delaware after their family inherits a home and cemetery called ‘Lay To Rest.’ Well, it really isn’t fun until a paranormal mystery is waiting for her to discover and unearth about their home, and the Underground Railroad.
The writing is fun, entertaining, and highlights strong young women, with a fun mystery to uncover. This was such a fun read that I devoured in one sitting and now my nieces are reading them and loving it too.
Do check this out for a fun read perfect for young tween / middle grade readers
July 13, 2017
Callaghan, Cindy Sydney MacKenzie Knocks ‘em Dead, 244 pgs. Aladdin, 2017. $17.99. Language: G (0 swears 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
I was not sure what to make of this book - it had a hard time deciding what it was about. Is it about making friends? Learning not to be a stuck up brat? Moving to a new place? Is it a ghost story? A lesson in Delaware history? A mystery? I like Callaghans “Lost in” books, but this one was lost in plot ideas. I think I’ll stick with the Aladdin Mix series instead.
MS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
I was not sure what to make of this book - it had a hard time deciding what it was about. Is it about making friends? Learning not to be a stuck up brat? Moving to a new place? Is it a ghost story? A lesson in Delaware history? A mystery? I like Callaghans “Lost in” books, but this one was lost in plot ideas. I think I’ll stick with the Aladdin Mix series instead.
MS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
November 6, 2021
My daughter and I read this middle grade novel together. It is so funny and cute and the perfect spooky read for Halloween. We loved it. Such a unique premise, moving from one coast to the other and to a cemetery—culture shock. Sydney’s worried about fitting in, but she soon realizes her new friends don’t care about fashion and just might like her for who she really is.
June 24, 2019
I wish there were a sequel for this book. It was well-plotted with relatable characters I would love to meet on another mystery adventure. MG mysteries are my favorite genre. Congratulations to Cindy Callaghan for her two Agatha Awards for fun children's mysteries.
September 24, 2021
I would definitely recommend this tween-middle grade book. I've read almost every book by Cindy Callaghan, and I'd recommend every single one! After you finish this one, I'd send you to her "Lost in.." series!
October 12, 2021
Oh my goodness if I was tween I would absolutely LOVE THIS BOOK! Cali girl turn small town/cemetery living girl I absolutely loved! A fun read that made me smile! I definitely want more Sydney mysteries!
August 20, 2019
Amazingggg plzz read it a10000 times
This is amazing thanks Amazon Kindle
Great
Blooper it even has easy recipes 😊😊
Amazing buy it instantly 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇thanks amazinggg
This is amazing thanks Amazon Kindle
Great
Blooper it even has easy recipes 😊😊
Amazing buy it instantly 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇thanks amazinggg
August 14, 2020
Good, but sometimes you make mistakes
September 27, 2021
It is a really good book and it is really interesting.
October 23, 2021
A great middle grade story featuring a mystery, making new friends after moving across state, and references to the Underground Railway.
March 4, 2017
Sydney Mackenzie Knocks 'Em Dead is full of surprises. You start off with a fun story about a California girl who learns she has to move away from her great life...to live in a house overlooking a cemetery. Then she gets to her new home and things get spooky. I was sure we were headed for "ghost story" territory. But just when you're all into the seances and such, the book kicks into "Underground Railroad" territory. I love surprises and I really love Cindy's writing, so I can't recommend this one enough!
January 11, 2017
An Entertaining Friendship and Mystery Story
This is a tricky book and shifts around a bit before it settles in to what it wants to be.
At the outset we have Sydney being yanked from sunny California and dropped into an old Victorian house in the middle of a cemetery in the middle of Delaware. Sydney is not happy about this. The book opens with a lot of Valley Girl whinging and clothing brand name dropping, and I feared this would just be the same-old uppity-snot-gets-taught-a-lesson kind of book.
MILD GENERAL PLOT SUMMARY SPOILERS. Wrong. Sydney actually meets a bunch of fine potential friends at her new school and begins to get acclimated. Further, she comes around on the whole cemetery thing. She thinks her new friends will be creeped out, but they all actually think the cemetery angle is cool, and she begins to think so as well. So, we bypass the whole possible whining, moping, lonely, being difficult chapter and go right to having fun with hauntings.
By the halfway point it's all séances and mysteries, (and a touch of budding romance), as we explore the cemetery and the creepy house and get drawn into a mystery about someone named Ivy Shaw and the meaning behind her hidden locket. All of a sudden the kids are playing Hardy Boys, and instead of some half-hearted ghost story we have an actual historical mystery. Did not see that coming.
The resolution is rather pat, but I guess the fun is in getting there. This struck me as early middle grade. The writing is clear and direct and unembellished. There aren't any big surprises regarding plot or characters or action, and nothing that would strike one as edgy or thought provoking. It's fun and light and mostly about friendship and settling in. That's not a bad thing. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is a tricky book and shifts around a bit before it settles in to what it wants to be.
At the outset we have Sydney being yanked from sunny California and dropped into an old Victorian house in the middle of a cemetery in the middle of Delaware. Sydney is not happy about this. The book opens with a lot of Valley Girl whinging and clothing brand name dropping, and I feared this would just be the same-old uppity-snot-gets-taught-a-lesson kind of book.
MILD GENERAL PLOT SUMMARY SPOILERS. Wrong. Sydney actually meets a bunch of fine potential friends at her new school and begins to get acclimated. Further, she comes around on the whole cemetery thing. She thinks her new friends will be creeped out, but they all actually think the cemetery angle is cool, and she begins to think so as well. So, we bypass the whole possible whining, moping, lonely, being difficult chapter and go right to having fun with hauntings.
By the halfway point it's all séances and mysteries, (and a touch of budding romance), as we explore the cemetery and the creepy house and get drawn into a mystery about someone named Ivy Shaw and the meaning behind her hidden locket. All of a sudden the kids are playing Hardy Boys, and instead of some half-hearted ghost story we have an actual historical mystery. Did not see that coming.
The resolution is rather pat, but I guess the fun is in getting there. This struck me as early middle grade. The writing is clear and direct and unembellished. There aren't any big surprises regarding plot or characters or action, and nothing that would strike one as edgy or thought provoking. It's fun and light and mostly about friendship and settling in. That's not a bad thing. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
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March 31, 2017I received a copy of this book from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2017
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion.*
Well this book was just a fabulous, feel-good book. I literally loved it (and I must say I didn't think I would for some reason). What a great middle grade novel about realizing who you are and the importance of friendship. Great historical perspective and there were ghosts and friendships and growing. Overall, it was really well done. Like I said, I loved it.
And I loved the recipes at the end. They look delicious. I will for sure be trying the cocoa and the oatmeal! Well done.
Well this book was just a fabulous, feel-good book. I literally loved it (and I must say I didn't think I would for some reason). What a great middle grade novel about realizing who you are and the importance of friendship. Great historical perspective and there were ghosts and friendships and growing. Overall, it was really well done. Like I said, I loved it.
And I loved the recipes at the end. They look delicious. I will for sure be trying the cocoa and the oatmeal! Well done.
Want to read
December 6, 2016Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 2, 2017
Sydney has been working hard at maintaining her image and status at her southern California middle school even as family finances get tighter and tighter. Then her parents drop the bombshell -- they are moving to a small town in Delaware where her father just inherited a cemetery. Worse, their house is actually part of the cemetery. Sydney is surprised that she can't play up the "California cool girl" persona at her new school. When she finds out the kids like creepy things, she works with that instead, telling the stories about her house being haunted (which may or may not be true). Things start to escalate when her new friends want to hold a seance. Can Sydney find a way to fit in without stretching the truth too much? A delightfully creepy twist on the issues of trying to fit in in middle school, with a smidge of romance and a pinch of history. Also includes some delicious sounding recipes! Recommended for grades 5 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
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December 27, 2018Love this book! The characters were more complex than you find in most YA and the story took a few unexpected turns. This is not a predictable book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews