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Eddie Dickens Trilogy #3
Terrible Times
The riotous, raucous, and all-round inspirational conclusion to the rousing Eddie Dickens Trilogy (stoat and all!)
In the third installment of the Eddie Dickens saga, our poor hero Eddie finds himself on the way to America aboard the sailing ship Pompous Pig, along with a cargo hold full of left shoes, the world-famous Dog's Bone Diamond, and some of the most dangerous traveling companions anyone might have the misfortune to share a ship with. A mysterious stowaway and some familiar faces from Eddie's past only complicate matters, as does being tied up and set adrift in a leaky rowboat. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
Will Eddie ever reach America?
In the third installment of the Eddie Dickens saga, our poor hero Eddie finds himself on the way to America aboard the sailing ship Pompous Pig, along with a cargo hold full of left shoes, the world-famous Dog's Bone Diamond, and some of the most dangerous traveling companions anyone might have the misfortune to share a ship with. A mysterious stowaway and some familiar faces from Eddie's past only complicate matters, as does being tied up and set adrift in a leaky rowboat. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
Will Eddie ever reach America?
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Philip Ardagh
167 books175 followersOver six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 17, 2020
Zu Hause ist es doch am schönsten, selbst wenn dieses zu Hause Schlimmes Ende ist.
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February 4, 2016
I enjoyed this book a lot. I never felt bored. It was full of comedy, adventure, and (I guess) a bit of mystery. It wasn't exactly mystery, more like puzzle solving. But I guess a lot of books do that. I liked the characters. They were very unique. I also liked the way the author wrote. Sometimes he would explain word's definitions or the meaning of phrases which helped me understand the book better. It did say that Lemony Snicket's fans would enjoy this (and I did.) I read his "Series of Unfortunate Events" series (but I am not done with it.) This book (unlike Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events series) was not gloomy at all. I plan on reading the rest of this series (I accidentally started on the last book of the series.) I enjoyed this books' humor and adventure. The pictures were also unique and helped me understand the story a little more.
May 5, 2013
Eddie and all of his crazy family members return in Terrible Times, the third and final installment in the Eddie Dickens trilogy. In this book, Eddie is sent to America to look into the goings on at the offices of the Terrible Times, a newspaper owned by both his father and his Mad Uncle Jack. The editor of the paper had been in touch with the Dickens’ family, reporting on profits and the like every six months, but there’s been no news for some time now and someone needs to go and find out what’s going on. Mr. Dickens can’t go after hurting his back, and Mrs. Dickens is on crutches. It’s also impractical for Mad Uncle Jack or Even Madder Aunt Maud to go because, well, they’re both mad of course, so that leaves Eddie to represent the family.
Eddie is delighted to go. What an adventure this will be, sailing to America! This won’t, however, be his first time on board a ship. I won’t tell you about that though, you shall have to read about that for yourself.
Eddie will be sailing aboard the Pompous Pig, along with a cargo hold full of left shoes. Why just left shoes, you ask? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you! Also on board is the world famous Dog’s Bone Diamond and some traveling companions of a rather dubious nature.
It begins to look questionable whether Eddie will make it to America’s shores when things on board get very complicated with an unexpected stowaway.
Terrible Times was a delightful conclusion to the Eddie Dickens trilogy, and will appeal to readers of all ages.
---- DISCLAIMER! ---
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
---- FTC DISCLAIMER ---
As mentioned in this video, some of these books were sent to me for review and some were purchased with my own money. I was not paid to review them. Receiving review copies does not influence my review, all opinions in my reviews are my own.
Eddie is delighted to go. What an adventure this will be, sailing to America! This won’t, however, be his first time on board a ship. I won’t tell you about that though, you shall have to read about that for yourself.
Eddie will be sailing aboard the Pompous Pig, along with a cargo hold full of left shoes. Why just left shoes, you ask? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you! Also on board is the world famous Dog’s Bone Diamond and some traveling companions of a rather dubious nature.
It begins to look questionable whether Eddie will make it to America’s shores when things on board get very complicated with an unexpected stowaway.
Terrible Times was a delightful conclusion to the Eddie Dickens trilogy, and will appeal to readers of all ages.
---- DISCLAIMER! ---
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
---- FTC DISCLAIMER ---
As mentioned in this video, some of these books were sent to me for review and some were purchased with my own money. I was not paid to review them. Receiving review copies does not influence my review, all opinions in my reviews are my own.
March 5, 2009
Terrible Times, the last book out of three in Philip Ardagh’s
The Eddie Dickens Trilogy tells a fictional story about the humorous misadventures of Eddie Dickens on his voyage to America! The theme in this marvelous tale is anyone could be a hero.
In this final sequence, Eddie sets sail to America with a mission on figuring out what has gone wrong in the offices of Terrible Times. But his voyage to America seems to be delayed by some misfortunes at Awful End. Yet soon enough young Eddie Dickens a boards the Pompous Pig in which he encounters Swags, a convict he met in Dreadful Acts not only that but he soon discovers Even Madder Aunt Maud had somehow sneaked on board. Eddie schemes up a plan to get her out of hiding; they will use the Dog’s Bone Diamond to allure her but this being a story with misfortunes, one occurs at this moment and the precious jewel goes missing! The suspense gets higher as you soon come to find out Mad Uncle Jack and Mrs. Dickens come to the rescue and Lady Constance Bustle’s (Eddie’s companion on the voyage) reveals her true persona.
Terrible Times was indeed an entertaining story. The thrills made it seem a roller coaster ride, though I can’t explain for that would ruin the story. This book was very descriptive. Philip Ardagh has a way with details when it comes to informing his readers. I could visualize every event that happened especially with sketches provided within the pages. An issue this book relates to is how crimes can be conducted in secrecy but hopefully there is someone there to save the day.
I would recommend Terrible Times for children who would want some sense of adventure if their bored and have nothing better to do. If you liked A Bad Beginning by Lemony snicket, you’ll surely like this one because of the interesting plot followed in this book. Overall, this book was cool and a good read.
The Eddie Dickens Trilogy tells a fictional story about the humorous misadventures of Eddie Dickens on his voyage to America! The theme in this marvelous tale is anyone could be a hero.
In this final sequence, Eddie sets sail to America with a mission on figuring out what has gone wrong in the offices of Terrible Times. But his voyage to America seems to be delayed by some misfortunes at Awful End. Yet soon enough young Eddie Dickens a boards the Pompous Pig in which he encounters Swags, a convict he met in Dreadful Acts not only that but he soon discovers Even Madder Aunt Maud had somehow sneaked on board. Eddie schemes up a plan to get her out of hiding; they will use the Dog’s Bone Diamond to allure her but this being a story with misfortunes, one occurs at this moment and the precious jewel goes missing! The suspense gets higher as you soon come to find out Mad Uncle Jack and Mrs. Dickens come to the rescue and Lady Constance Bustle’s (Eddie’s companion on the voyage) reveals her true persona.
Terrible Times was indeed an entertaining story. The thrills made it seem a roller coaster ride, though I can’t explain for that would ruin the story. This book was very descriptive. Philip Ardagh has a way with details when it comes to informing his readers. I could visualize every event that happened especially with sketches provided within the pages. An issue this book relates to is how crimes can be conducted in secrecy but hopefully there is someone there to save the day.
I would recommend Terrible Times for children who would want some sense of adventure if their bored and have nothing better to do. If you liked A Bad Beginning by Lemony snicket, you’ll surely like this one because of the interesting plot followed in this book. Overall, this book was cool and a good read.
February 22, 2012
In this book, we find out that Eddie is going to North America to deal with the trouble about their newspaper - Terrible Times. Of course, he has to deal with his Mad Uncle Jack, Even Madder Aunt Maude, his parents, and a slew of other interesting characters. The saddest thing is that this is the end of the trilogy of Eddie Dickens. The story grew on me and I kept finding more and more things hilarious. The kids really liked listening to the book as well.
June 15, 2019
This is maybe my fave from the original trilogy. It is (like the other two) powered by nostalgia and would maybe get another rating if it wasn't for that, but it is still amusing and absurd. The family is on the one hand a hell of a bunch and I can't imagine how exhausting it has to be for poor Eddie to live with them, on the other hand they stick together and are carrying (in their ways) and loving of each others. Still a good book to hear while drawing or commuting.
September 16, 2011
Still as funny as the first two parts and I just love Even Madder Aunt Maud and her stuffed stoat Malcom (or is it Sally?). And for some reason I got the American edition of the books from Amazon Germany and there is this really delightful glossary for Americans in the back of the book (in all three parts actually).
February 19, 2019
Overall, I enjoyed this series, but it did get a bit repetitive at times. I found this one a bit more humorous than the others, but maybe because I was used to the characters and their stories by that point.
January 31, 2022
Eddie has more hilarious misfortune as he sets out to sail to America. The cast of characters are familiar but the twists and tangles of this story are original and strange. Philip Ardagh has a great ability to write comedy from Eddie's tragic circumstances.
October 14, 2008
very funny with weird scene
December 11, 2008
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
April 22, 2009
This was like the two before it in terms of being stupidly hilarious! It is a great book to laugh out loud, as I did many times. Very random humor from cover to cover.
April 7, 2011
This trilogy was a lot of fun, especially listening to on CD. Great sense of humor.
November 16, 2012
Terribly silly, great fun. What can I say? Any book with mad old relatives and stuffed stoats is bound to be a good read really. Perfect for all ages, physical and mental.
April 1, 2014
JUNE 2013:
*4.5* An amazing end to an amazingly funny series!
*4.5* An amazing end to an amazingly funny series!
February 22, 2015
I hate the narration with a passion.
August 5, 2021
I love how the book is so different instead with the word chapter it has episode
April 16, 2024
I read Terrible Times by Phillip Ardagh. It is a good book. I like how it feels like a little kid is talking to you, which is good because the main character is Edmund ( Eddie for short), a young boy who lives in Great Britain with his mom, dad, great uncle, and great aunt. He called his great aunt and uncle crazy, and for good reason. The book's layout helps me understand the concept and feel more connected to the story.
Terrible Times would be a great book for a young kid 9-11 because it has explanations for difficult words and is easy to understand. Especially if the reader is just starting to read more complex and higher-level books. I recommend it for them because it is easy to understand and connect with the character, it would also be funny to a young audience, and it is short ( so it would not scare the reader off).
Eddie’s parents both get into accidents, so he has to do a mission for them. During this mission he faces challenges, adventure, mystery, and awe. While learning about his mission he learns about his family ancestors. His trip also made him grow up and learn many important life lessons and skills.
This was a good read. Usually, I do not like reading, but I like reading Terrible Times.
I was able to laugh, understand, and could read even if I did not feel like reading and suddenly enjoyed it.
I would consider myself as someone who never gets excited about reading, at first I expected Terrible Times to be no exception. Surprisingly this book was completely different and my previous feelings. I would find myself randomly picking it up and reading it without realizing it. After reading this book I could see myself reading more of Phillip Ardagh's books. As well as more books from this series. Yep that's right there’s a whole series!
Terrible Times would be a great book for a young kid 9-11 because it has explanations for difficult words and is easy to understand. Especially if the reader is just starting to read more complex and higher-level books. I recommend it for them because it is easy to understand and connect with the character, it would also be funny to a young audience, and it is short ( so it would not scare the reader off).
Eddie’s parents both get into accidents, so he has to do a mission for them. During this mission he faces challenges, adventure, mystery, and awe. While learning about his mission he learns about his family ancestors. His trip also made him grow up and learn many important life lessons and skills.
This was a good read. Usually, I do not like reading, but I like reading Terrible Times.
I was able to laugh, understand, and could read even if I did not feel like reading and suddenly enjoyed it.
I would consider myself as someone who never gets excited about reading, at first I expected Terrible Times to be no exception. Surprisingly this book was completely different and my previous feelings. I would find myself randomly picking it up and reading it without realizing it. After reading this book I could see myself reading more of Phillip Ardagh's books. As well as more books from this series. Yep that's right there’s a whole series!
April 16, 2024
This book is very attractive to the human eye. Terrible Times shows how wacky and crazy some people can be. The way the author talks to the reader is just immaculate by explaining stuff multiple times and joking about what he is writing and how he describes characters. This book is entertaining, thrilling, and it knows how to get attention. This book is a very interesting book.
June 23, 2022
The last of this fun adventure story. Be sure to read these books in order!
January 18, 2010
Teil 3 der sonst so grandiosen Eddie Dickens Abenteuer war leider gar nicht so grandios. Dabei hätte alles so schön sein können.
Gleich zu Beginn wird Eddie bekannt gegeben, dass er nach Amerika reisen wird, was ich eine tolle Idee fand, was aber Seite um Seite und Kapitel um Kapitel partout nicht passieren wollte. Noch nie kam mir der Anfang eines Philip Ardagh Buches so langgezogen und beschwerlich vor, erschreckenderweise sogar nervig.
Als Eddie dann endlich, endlich auf dem Schiff ankam, bekam die ganze Geschichte wieder Schwung, vor allem, als ich erfuhr, dass die noch wahnsinnigere Tante Maud aus Versehen im Koffer mitgereist war. Definitiv das Highlight dieses Buches! Ab da lief die Story auch wieder flüssig. Eddies Reisebegleiterin stellte sich natürlich als böse heraus, es gab ein Wiedersehen mit einem Waisenhausjungen und einem Sträfling, von einem hundeknochenförmigen Diamanten war die Rede und als krönendes Highlight durfte Eddie sogar auf einer Schildkröte reiten. Nebenher bemalte Eddies Vater die Decke von Schlimmes Ende mit Leberwurst-gleichenden Dingen. Wunderbar. Warum konnte das nicht von Anfang an so laufen? Am Schluss fand ich es nämlich nicht mal schlimm, dass Eddie es selbst am Ende des Buches nicht bis nach Amerika geschafft hat.
Zum Glück habe ich Teil 4 der Eddie Dickens Reihe schon gelesen und weiß daher, dass der träge Anfang dieses Abenteuers ein Versehen war. Also kann ich mich bald auch freudiger Erwartung Teil 5 und 6 zuwenden.
Gleich zu Beginn wird Eddie bekannt gegeben, dass er nach Amerika reisen wird, was ich eine tolle Idee fand, was aber Seite um Seite und Kapitel um Kapitel partout nicht passieren wollte. Noch nie kam mir der Anfang eines Philip Ardagh Buches so langgezogen und beschwerlich vor, erschreckenderweise sogar nervig.
Als Eddie dann endlich, endlich auf dem Schiff ankam, bekam die ganze Geschichte wieder Schwung, vor allem, als ich erfuhr, dass die noch wahnsinnigere Tante Maud aus Versehen im Koffer mitgereist war. Definitiv das Highlight dieses Buches! Ab da lief die Story auch wieder flüssig. Eddies Reisebegleiterin stellte sich natürlich als böse heraus, es gab ein Wiedersehen mit einem Waisenhausjungen und einem Sträfling, von einem hundeknochenförmigen Diamanten war die Rede und als krönendes Highlight durfte Eddie sogar auf einer Schildkröte reiten. Nebenher bemalte Eddies Vater die Decke von Schlimmes Ende mit Leberwurst-gleichenden Dingen. Wunderbar. Warum konnte das nicht von Anfang an so laufen? Am Schluss fand ich es nämlich nicht mal schlimm, dass Eddie es selbst am Ende des Buches nicht bis nach Amerika geschafft hat.
Zum Glück habe ich Teil 4 der Eddie Dickens Reihe schon gelesen und weiß daher, dass der träge Anfang dieses Abenteuers ein Versehen war. Also kann ich mich bald auch freudiger Erwartung Teil 5 und 6 zuwenden.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2012
The conclusion (?) of the Eddie Dickens trilogy has Dickens off to America? Well...almost. In truth the Dickens family is not doing as well in this installment of the series. His mother was wounded when she tripped in the garden and dropped the artillery shell she had been carrying, his father is flat on his back and has decided to paint the ceiling, his Mad Uncle Jack has been stabbed in the buttocks by his Even Madder Aunt Maud and well...Eddie is the only one well enough and sane enough to sail to America and find out what's gone wrong at the offices of their newspaper the Terrible Times.
The family hires a governess to accompany young Dickens on his journey, but it would seem that most put in her care come to untimely ends...
Once at sail Dickens discovers not only that one of the escaped convicts he met in the moors in his last adventure is on ship with him, his Aunt Maud has also managed to sneak aboard in his trunk, and the ship is carrying a priceless treasure, a flawed diamond called the Dog's Bone Diamond (the flaw is in the shape of a dog treat).
Will Dickens survive his murderous travel companion? Or will the notorious villain silence him first? What will happen to Even Madder Aunt Maud and Sally/Malcolm the stuffed stoat? And will Eddie ever get to America?
The family hires a governess to accompany young Dickens on his journey, but it would seem that most put in her care come to untimely ends...
Once at sail Dickens discovers not only that one of the escaped convicts he met in the moors in his last adventure is on ship with him, his Aunt Maud has also managed to sneak aboard in his trunk, and the ship is carrying a priceless treasure, a flawed diamond called the Dog's Bone Diamond (the flaw is in the shape of a dog treat).
Will Dickens survive his murderous travel companion? Or will the notorious villain silence him first? What will happen to Even Madder Aunt Maud and Sally/Malcolm the stuffed stoat? And will Eddie ever get to America?
January 14, 2023
.More reviews like this one on my blog Snapdragon Alcove
Entertaining and funny yet, the mystery wasn't play out well. Eddie didn't get on to ship until near the end. It been awhile since I read the first two books in the Eddie Dickens Trilogy. I found that Terrible is the weakest in plot.
I understand why Eddie had to go to America and not his parents. That was done well but, there was not a lot of action. I am saying that the story could have been a little bit longer.
I like the interesting fact that I didn't know about. I like it when I learn from book whether their fiction or nonfiction.
What annoys me, and this is just the inner sailor in me. The fact that they called what stir the ship a wheel. A wheel. I'm sorry, the correct term is a helm.
Maybe the author is trying to bounce out his knowledge making realistic that not everyone knows everything in all the areas of expertise.
Entertaining and funny yet, the mystery wasn't play out well. Eddie didn't get on to ship until near the end. It been awhile since I read the first two books in the Eddie Dickens Trilogy. I found that Terrible is the weakest in plot.
I understand why Eddie had to go to America and not his parents. That was done well but, there was not a lot of action. I am saying that the story could have been a little bit longer.
I like the interesting fact that I didn't know about. I like it when I learn from book whether their fiction or nonfiction.
What annoys me, and this is just the inner sailor in me. The fact that they called what stir the ship a wheel. A wheel. I'm sorry, the correct term is a helm.
Maybe the author is trying to bounce out his knowledge making realistic that not everyone knows everything in all the areas of expertise.
February 15, 2012
The sequel of Dreadful Acts, very simple writing ideally more suitable for the younger reader but has some funny quirks within the pages so give it a read (to adult readers).
spoiler alert.
The books continues at Awful End (home) and the main character of Eddie. New knowledge to the reader is that his father owns half of a newspaper publisher and are sent checks every so often for owning the business however the money doesn't come and Mad Uncle Jack forces Eddie to go to America(where the publishing is done) to represent the family, ironically he never makes it to america or the reader is unaware of this fact. So on the ship a diamond is being transferred however a criminal on board steals it and then a woman steals it, eventual they get it back, you'll need to get the book and read it to find out more about the journey.
spoiler alert.
The books continues at Awful End (home) and the main character of Eddie. New knowledge to the reader is that his father owns half of a newspaper publisher and are sent checks every so often for owning the business however the money doesn't come and Mad Uncle Jack forces Eddie to go to America(where the publishing is done) to represent the family, ironically he never makes it to america or the reader is unaware of this fact. So on the ship a diamond is being transferred however a criminal on board steals it and then a woman steals it, eventual they get it back, you'll need to get the book and read it to find out more about the journey.
March 9, 2010
Terrible Times is about Eddie going to a printing office in America to see what is wrong with it. He has to sail on a ship with 2 villians and his great aunt (you wouldn't want to be on the same ship as her, her name, Mad Aunt Maud should tell you why). While Eddie is on the ship, he has to locate and recover the missing Dogbone diamond, and survive being thrown of the ship. In the end, the villians go to jail.
October 21, 2012
Několikrát jsem vyprskla smíchy, když autor činí narážky na různé "ještě neexistující" filmy a knihy(Pán prstenů - když tetička vykřikne Můj milášku), autory (Marxe). Různými oklikami autor vypráví o Edovi a jeho bláznivé rodině. Právě ty okliky jsou vtipné. Závěr se mi ale zdá příliš rychlý, snad jen aby jen tak skončil. Když jsem četla o tom, že jediný účetní na lodi odmítl připustit, že Eda není kufr, protože je tak vykazovaný v papírech, viděla jsem před očima konkrétního člověka.
August 3, 2016
La famiglia di Eddie è sicuramente la più pazza dell'intero universo! Oltre il Matto Zio Jack e l'Ancor Più Matta Zia Maud (che sono impareggiabili!), anche il signore e la signora Dickens non scherzano affatto, e anche il maggiordomo Dawkins e la domestica Gianna Farfuglia... insomma, leggere delle loro (dis)avventure è stato proprio divertente, mi mancheranno!!!
April 25, 2008
I read the first 2 books so I figured I should finish the trilogy and read the 3rd. It was alright, worth reading, but I'm not going out to buy the series for my collection. These books could become a fun movie.
June 3, 2008
this last book finishes off the story of eddie dickens whose journey was really hilarious in my opinion. i think this book to me was more funnier than the past previous two books. the pictures was also funny and help explain the plot by a little which is still ok.
December 4, 2008
Another funny installation of the Eddie Dickens series.
In this book, Eddie sails to America and has to deal with one of the escaped convicts from the second volume and the theft of a diamond.
This one was not quite as good as the first two, but still very funny.
In this book, Eddie sails to America and has to deal with one of the escaped convicts from the second volume and the theft of a diamond.
This one was not quite as good as the first two, but still very funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews