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Goldie Vance #2
Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax
Move over, Nancy Drew--there's a new detective in town! Inspired by the beloved comic series, Goldie Vance is ready to sleuth her way through never-before-seen mysteries in this second original novel by Lilliam Rivera featuring 16 full-color comic pages!
Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives and works at the Crossed Palms Resort Hotel in Florida with a whole slew of characters: her dad, Art, the manager of the joint; Cheryl Lebeaux, the concierge and Goldie's best friend; and Walter Tooey, the hired hotel detective. Her mom, Sylvie, works nearby at the Mermaid Club.
Prepare to be amazed by Goldie's second middle-grade adventure! The Crossed Palms is hosting the first ever League of Magical Arts Convention, bringing the world's most renowned and emerging magicians to the resort, including an overeager part-time magician and detective named Derek Von Thurston. When some of the magic starts to go awry, Goldie--and Derek--are on the case! Can Goldie uncover the saboteur before the final act goes live?
Based on Hope Larson and Brittney Williams's critically acclaimed Goldie Vance comic, this thrilling novel explores a never-before-seen caper and features 16 full-color comic pages essential to unraveling the mystery.
Text and Illustration copyright: © 2020 BOOM! StudiosGoldie Vance(TM) and © 2020 Hope Larson & Brittney Williams
Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives and works at the Crossed Palms Resort Hotel in Florida with a whole slew of characters: her dad, Art, the manager of the joint; Cheryl Lebeaux, the concierge and Goldie's best friend; and Walter Tooey, the hired hotel detective. Her mom, Sylvie, works nearby at the Mermaid Club.
Prepare to be amazed by Goldie's second middle-grade adventure! The Crossed Palms is hosting the first ever League of Magical Arts Convention, bringing the world's most renowned and emerging magicians to the resort, including an overeager part-time magician and detective named Derek Von Thurston. When some of the magic starts to go awry, Goldie--and Derek--are on the case! Can Goldie uncover the saboteur before the final act goes live?
Based on Hope Larson and Brittney Williams's critically acclaimed Goldie Vance comic, this thrilling novel explores a never-before-seen caper and features 16 full-color comic pages essential to unraveling the mystery.
Text and Illustration copyright: © 2020 BOOM! StudiosGoldie Vance(TM) and © 2020 Hope Larson & Brittney Williams
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First published January 5, 2021
8 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Lilliam Rivera
27 books551 followersLilliam Rivera is an award-winning author of children’s books including her latest Never Look Back, a retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice set in New York by Bloomsbury Publishing. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Elle, to name a few. Lilliam lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 15, 2021
What a fun middle grade mystery! I'm familiar with the Goldie Vance comics so I was so happy to work with Little Brown Young Readers and Pride Book Tours in reading and reviewing this book. All thoughts are my own.
It's been a while since I've picked up a Goldie Vance comic, but I was excited when I found out that it was becoming novelized into a middle grade mystery series. While I haven't read the first book, I was more than happy to pick up Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax. These books can be read as standalone, individual mysteries; however, I would recommend reading them in order so you have a better understanding of the character relationships. They are amazing relationships that are focused on friendship. There is a sapphic relationship that has made an appearance in the last book; however, we get the opportunity to see these two characters go out on their first date and it was so cute and charming.
One of the greatest things about this book is that it is fast paced. It is a classic "who dun it" plot that grabs the attention of the reader. When a magician conference is held at the hotel Goldie Vance and some of her other friends get excited to meet magicians and learn some things from their classes. Unfortunately, during the conference objects belonging to magicians begin to go missing. Goldie takes on the case and is followed (much to her dismay) by Derek, the son of a famous magician. I enjoyed following their thought patterns of who could be responsible for taking the objects. Goldie and Derek have a very strained relationship. Goldie finds him annoying and overbearing, but it is in this annoyance that she finds great character development. She has to take Derek's life and his experiences into consideration when evaluating his behavior and it honestly makes her into a much more empathetic person. While following the mystery, I didn't have a clue who could be responsible and I was genuinely surprised when the big reveal came.
This book has such a wide cast of characters in terms of diversity. It was great picking up a middle grade novel where the main cast was filled with BIPOC characters who weren't having to deal with racism or oppression. It literally was about having fun and enjoying the mystery. There is even a mini-comic at the end up the book that follows up the story. I will say that I think that the way in which this is written makes it a little hard to gauge the target audience. I had to do a little research to find out that the publisher markets it as middle grade, but it read a little more like younger YA and I believe that Goldie is supposed to be around 15/16 in the books. I'm hoping we get a little more clarity in future books, but so far I'm enjoying them!
It's been a while since I've picked up a Goldie Vance comic, but I was excited when I found out that it was becoming novelized into a middle grade mystery series. While I haven't read the first book, I was more than happy to pick up Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax. These books can be read as standalone, individual mysteries; however, I would recommend reading them in order so you have a better understanding of the character relationships. They are amazing relationships that are focused on friendship. There is a sapphic relationship that has made an appearance in the last book; however, we get the opportunity to see these two characters go out on their first date and it was so cute and charming.
One of the greatest things about this book is that it is fast paced. It is a classic "who dun it" plot that grabs the attention of the reader. When a magician conference is held at the hotel Goldie Vance and some of her other friends get excited to meet magicians and learn some things from their classes. Unfortunately, during the conference objects belonging to magicians begin to go missing. Goldie takes on the case and is followed (much to her dismay) by Derek, the son of a famous magician. I enjoyed following their thought patterns of who could be responsible for taking the objects. Goldie and Derek have a very strained relationship. Goldie finds him annoying and overbearing, but it is in this annoyance that she finds great character development. She has to take Derek's life and his experiences into consideration when evaluating his behavior and it honestly makes her into a much more empathetic person. While following the mystery, I didn't have a clue who could be responsible and I was genuinely surprised when the big reveal came.
This book has such a wide cast of characters in terms of diversity. It was great picking up a middle grade novel where the main cast was filled with BIPOC characters who weren't having to deal with racism or oppression. It literally was about having fun and enjoying the mystery. There is even a mini-comic at the end up the book that follows up the story. I will say that I think that the way in which this is written makes it a little hard to gauge the target audience. I had to do a little research to find out that the publisher markets it as middle grade, but it read a little more like younger YA and I believe that Goldie is supposed to be around 15/16 in the books. I'm hoping we get a little more clarity in future books, but so far I'm enjoying them!
January 18, 2021
I already know and love the Goldie Vance comics, but now it is also a middle grade novel series! The premise is that Goldie Vance is a sixteen year old girl who works as a part-time valet, part-time detective at a resort her father manages. She is the assistant to the hotel’s detective--which is apparently a thing?--and aspires to be a full-time detective when she’s older.
It has a 1950s feel, and Goldie is the plucky heroine we expect from a girl detective, except this one is a queer girl of colour! I love the comics, so I had to see how the novel versions compare. Although the main character is 16, she appears to be a little younger, which I think matches the 1950s aesthetic and definitely makes this work as a middle grade novel. When I worked in the children’s department of my local bookstore, I often wished there were more middle grade and YA mysteries--they are very popular for around 6-8 year olds and then inexplicably disappear--so I’m glad to see this will help fill that niche.
I was a bit worried about whether the queer relationship would be included in this middle grade version of the story--the comics are all-ages, but could easily be read by teens as well. Happily, it’s actually a big part of the plot in this volume.
This finishes with a short comic at the end, which was a fun surprise. We see Goldie and Diane finally get to have their date together, and it's adorable. I do think this translates well in the novel format, and I hope the series is long-running. This is technically the second book in the series, not counting the comics, but you don’t need to have read any of the other Goldie Vance books before this one: it’s a self-contained story.
It has a 1950s feel, and Goldie is the plucky heroine we expect from a girl detective, except this one is a queer girl of colour! I love the comics, so I had to see how the novel versions compare. Although the main character is 16, she appears to be a little younger, which I think matches the 1950s aesthetic and definitely makes this work as a middle grade novel. When I worked in the children’s department of my local bookstore, I often wished there were more middle grade and YA mysteries--they are very popular for around 6-8 year olds and then inexplicably disappear--so I’m glad to see this will help fill that niche.
I was a bit worried about whether the queer relationship would be included in this middle grade version of the story--the comics are all-ages, but could easily be read by teens as well. Happily, it’s actually a big part of the plot in this volume.
This finishes with a short comic at the end, which was a fun surprise. We see Goldie and Diane finally get to have their date together, and it's adorable. I do think this translates well in the novel format, and I hope the series is long-running. This is technically the second book in the series, not counting the comics, but you don’t need to have read any of the other Goldie Vance books before this one: it’s a self-contained story.
January 12, 2021
All seems well at the Crossed Palms Resort as they prepare for the League of Magical Arts Convention. It begins like every other event at Goldie's favorite place- with a lot of work! But when Goldie is finally able to enjoy the fruits of her magic convention labor she learns that magical items are going missing. Can Goldie reunite the magicians with their items, dodge a pesky magician/part-time detective, and save her first date with Diane?
After reading the comics/graphic novels and the first in the novelization series (The Hotel Whodunnit), I can safely say that Goldie is one of my favorite characters to follow to date. She's smart and spunky and doesn't take no for an answer when she has a hunch. Her relationship with her parents and her friends is so sweet, and we obviously can't forget about Diane. They are the actual cutest couple, calling it now!
One of my favorite parts about the comic series is the art and coloring and I worried I'd miss that in the novelizations but Rivera's writing brought the characters and the Resort to life in all their pastel glory. I also loved the tiny comic section at the end of the novel!
Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax is a fun and fast-paced mystery and I'm positive that Lilliam has created something fans of the series will adore, while also supplying an exciting mystery for new fans who may pick this up first!
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and the publisher for my copy of the book!
After reading the comics/graphic novels and the first in the novelization series (The Hotel Whodunnit), I can safely say that Goldie is one of my favorite characters to follow to date. She's smart and spunky and doesn't take no for an answer when she has a hunch. Her relationship with her parents and her friends is so sweet, and we obviously can't forget about Diane. They are the actual cutest couple, calling it now!
One of my favorite parts about the comic series is the art and coloring and I worried I'd miss that in the novelizations but Rivera's writing brought the characters and the Resort to life in all their pastel glory. I also loved the tiny comic section at the end of the novel!
Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax is a fun and fast-paced mystery and I'm positive that Lilliam has created something fans of the series will adore, while also supplying an exciting mystery for new fans who may pick this up first!
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and the publisher for my copy of the book!
January 24, 2021
If you’re a fan of teen detectives, you should absolutely get to know Goldie Vance. This is a delightful new series based on the Goldie Vance graphic novels–if you’ve read them, all the characters you love are here with all new mysteries, and if you’ve never read them, you are in for a real treat! This is the second original novel, and I will say that if you like character development and don’t mind the mystery starting at the halfway mark, start with the first book, Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit (Review), but if you need the mystery from the beginning, and a fast pace, start with this one–you won’t be lost, I promise.
This is a fun book set at the Florida beach resort where Goldie Vance works as a valet, but really she shadows the in-house detective and is always solving a mystery. Her parents are divorced–her dad manages the hotel, and her mom is a performing mermaid (!!)–her best friend also works at the hotel, and she’s finally asked out the girl she has a crush on and has a date set. But when a magician’s convention comes to the hotel, Goldie is forced to move her date to the convention and solve the mystery of who is stealing the magicians’ items–plus, deal with a pesky newcomer determined to solve it himself. Or annoy Goldie to death.
A first date, magic tricks, friendship, mystery, chaos, and a determined teen detective who lets nothing stand in her way of solving a crime adds up to a fun book to curl up with. I’m very much looking forward to there being more in this series.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
This is a fun book set at the Florida beach resort where Goldie Vance works as a valet, but really she shadows the in-house detective and is always solving a mystery. Her parents are divorced–her dad manages the hotel, and her mom is a performing mermaid (!!)–her best friend also works at the hotel, and she’s finally asked out the girl she has a crush on and has a date set. But when a magician’s convention comes to the hotel, Goldie is forced to move her date to the convention and solve the mystery of who is stealing the magicians’ items–plus, deal with a pesky newcomer determined to solve it himself. Or annoy Goldie to death.
A first date, magic tricks, friendship, mystery, chaos, and a determined teen detective who lets nothing stand in her way of solving a crime adds up to a fun book to curl up with. I’m very much looking forward to there being more in this series.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
January 10, 2021
4.5 stars
Updated review: posted 1/7/21
Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax by award-winning author Lilliam Rivera is the second book in the middle-grade series based on the BOOM! Studios comic series. This is a mixed media novel featuring a magical mystery and a gorgeously colorful eight page comic at the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters, especially Goldie. She is such a vibrant, optimistic, and positive-thinking character. I loved following her upbeat POV throughout the story.
There was so much to love about this book. I really appreciated how the LGBTQ themes were handled in this book. Goldie Vance is a queer character of color, but being queer is not what defines her. It’s just part of who she is, which I love to see. Most of the story centers on her friendships with Rob and Cheryl and the mystery she must solve at her father’s hotel. We get glimpses of her budding relationship with love interest Diane, which is a sweet aspect of the series.
I also loved that this wasn’t a coming out story. Her parents are supportive of her relationship with Diane, and this can be comforting and even hopeful for young LGBTQ+ readers.
The mystery itself was a cozy one with low stakes, plenty of fun moments, and a few twists and turns. This is the kind of mystery novel I would have loved to read growing up featuring a queer heroine who is smart, confident, and kind. This is a series I’ll save for my children to read when they’re both old enough for chapter books.
I am so glad to see the character of Goldie Vance continue in this middle grade novel series. I definitely consider myself a fan now, and I eagerly await reading more of this series. I also look forward to the film adaptation which will be directed by Rashida Jones and produced by Kerry Washington.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Posted 12/29/20
This was so much fun!
Full RTC.
Will be posted on January 7 here on Goodreads, on my blog, and on Instagram for the book tour.
Thank you Pride Book Tours and the publisher for the ARC.
Updated review: posted 1/7/21
Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax by award-winning author Lilliam Rivera is the second book in the middle-grade series based on the BOOM! Studios comic series. This is a mixed media novel featuring a magical mystery and a gorgeously colorful eight page comic at the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters, especially Goldie. She is such a vibrant, optimistic, and positive-thinking character. I loved following her upbeat POV throughout the story.
There was so much to love about this book. I really appreciated how the LGBTQ themes were handled in this book. Goldie Vance is a queer character of color, but being queer is not what defines her. It’s just part of who she is, which I love to see. Most of the story centers on her friendships with Rob and Cheryl and the mystery she must solve at her father’s hotel. We get glimpses of her budding relationship with love interest Diane, which is a sweet aspect of the series.
I also loved that this wasn’t a coming out story. Her parents are supportive of her relationship with Diane, and this can be comforting and even hopeful for young LGBTQ+ readers.
The mystery itself was a cozy one with low stakes, plenty of fun moments, and a few twists and turns. This is the kind of mystery novel I would have loved to read growing up featuring a queer heroine who is smart, confident, and kind. This is a series I’ll save for my children to read when they’re both old enough for chapter books.
I am so glad to see the character of Goldie Vance continue in this middle grade novel series. I definitely consider myself a fan now, and I eagerly await reading more of this series. I also look forward to the film adaptation which will be directed by Rashida Jones and produced by Kerry Washington.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Posted 12/29/20
This was so much fun!
Full RTC.
Will be posted on January 7 here on Goodreads, on my blog, and on Instagram for the book tour.
Thank you Pride Book Tours and the publisher for the ARC.
March 31, 2022
I began with Goldie Vance by reading the graphic novels released by Boom! Box and was pleasantly surprised at the middle grade storylines that seemed to cover everything that happens at an old timey hotel, but also managing to do a fantastic job at representation, discussing divorce in a somewhat lighthearted manner, and absolutely killing a sweet sapphic story with a queer protagonist. The whole reason I picked those up was because the novelization was on a list of books to read that I originally thought had some kind of a Jewish slant but in hindsight I am not entirely sure what the list was about... But this book belongs on a list of fantastic representation books for middle grade readers that is just so wonderful and lighthearted. I didn’t get what I expected (I knew nothing about the series before taking them out of the library) but I got something I really, really enjoyed.
It tells the story of Goldie Vance, a valet that moonlights in assisting her hotel’s private investigator in solving crimes on site. Usually they are small affairs, but of course the plot of these stories are the much bigger cases that come their way. When a magic convention shows up at the Palm Beach resort and some of the more important magicians props begin to disappear, it is up to Goldie to get to the bottom of the culprit before the grand finale is ruined, or someone gets seriously, seriously hurt. That is not to say that Goldie isn’t also trying to save a date with her crush Diane that keeps getting put off for official private investigator business.
Filled with cute adolescent moments of love, characters of different races and persuasions, and love storylines that reflect the world we live in, this is an awesome series that I am sure is going to really take off. As a fan of magic as a kid (and even an adult), I loved this short tale and look forward to reading more with my children.
It tells the story of Goldie Vance, a valet that moonlights in assisting her hotel’s private investigator in solving crimes on site. Usually they are small affairs, but of course the plot of these stories are the much bigger cases that come their way. When a magic convention shows up at the Palm Beach resort and some of the more important magicians props begin to disappear, it is up to Goldie to get to the bottom of the culprit before the grand finale is ruined, or someone gets seriously, seriously hurt. That is not to say that Goldie isn’t also trying to save a date with her crush Diane that keeps getting put off for official private investigator business.
Filled with cute adolescent moments of love, characters of different races and persuasions, and love storylines that reflect the world we live in, this is an awesome series that I am sure is going to really take off. As a fan of magic as a kid (and even an adult), I loved this short tale and look forward to reading more with my children.
January 18, 2021
3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and to Pride Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
In this second installment of the Goldie Vance novels, Goldie is faced with another mystery as the Assistant House Detective at the hotel her father manages--the case of the missing props. So named by Derek, the son of the famous magician who is the headliner of the magicians conferences that is being held at the hotel. Goldie has to figure out who is stealing props and why, all while balancing her first date with Diane and also trying not to blow up at the annoying Derek.
This book could be read without having read The Hotel Whodonnit first, all though you would be missing out on some background and would receive slight spoilers about Goldie and Diane's relationship.
Some of the strong suits in this book are the humor, the acceptance of diversity and diverse character cast, and the relationships between characters. There is also one section of full color comic panels at the end that are absolutely gorgeous and really add to the story.
Some of the problems I had with the book were much the same as the first one: very little character growth/change, writing that was a bit too in your face and obvious about things, and a predictable mystery.
I definitely still think these books are worth a read and would be a great way to diversify your Middle Grade collection.
Thank you to the publisher and to Pride Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
In this second installment of the Goldie Vance novels, Goldie is faced with another mystery as the Assistant House Detective at the hotel her father manages--the case of the missing props. So named by Derek, the son of the famous magician who is the headliner of the magicians conferences that is being held at the hotel. Goldie has to figure out who is stealing props and why, all while balancing her first date with Diane and also trying not to blow up at the annoying Derek.
This book could be read without having read The Hotel Whodonnit first, all though you would be missing out on some background and would receive slight spoilers about Goldie and Diane's relationship.
Some of the strong suits in this book are the humor, the acceptance of diversity and diverse character cast, and the relationships between characters. There is also one section of full color comic panels at the end that are absolutely gorgeous and really add to the story.
Some of the problems I had with the book were much the same as the first one: very little character growth/change, writing that was a bit too in your face and obvious about things, and a predictable mystery.
I definitely still think these books are worth a read and would be a great way to diversify your Middle Grade collection.
December 31, 2020
This was such a cute and fun read!
Same as with the first book in the series I guessed who the culprit was pretty early on but that didn't detract from my reading experience. The atmosphere of this book was positively magical! I loved the introduction of new characters and the way Goldie interacts with them.
Goldie seems like such a real person, she has traits that you would see in almost every kid out there. The only minimal issue I have with this book is that Goldie is supposed to be 16? She tends to act more on the younger side but can drive and is going out on dates. It is definitely a little odd but in no way detracts from the story.
Overall this is a really light quick read that left me feeling happy and hopeful!
Thank you Pride Book Tours for the ARC
Same as with the first book in the series I guessed who the culprit was pretty early on but that didn't detract from my reading experience. The atmosphere of this book was positively magical! I loved the introduction of new characters and the way Goldie interacts with them.
Goldie seems like such a real person, she has traits that you would see in almost every kid out there. The only minimal issue I have with this book is that Goldie is supposed to be 16? She tends to act more on the younger side but can drive and is going out on dates. It is definitely a little odd but in no way detracts from the story.
Overall this is a really light quick read that left me feeling happy and hopeful!
Thank you Pride Book Tours for the ARC
April 3, 2021
A fast-paced, fun, wholesome mystery!
I really enjoyed Goldie's spunky personality and her earnest drive to solve the Case of the Missing Props.
Her relationship with her friends feels genuine and the addition of Derek as the annoying side-kick was well develped.
Great saphic representation in Goldie's relationship with Diane!
I really enjoyed Goldie's spunky personality and her earnest drive to solve the Case of the Missing Props.
Her relationship with her friends feels genuine and the addition of Derek as the annoying side-kick was well develped.
Great saphic representation in Goldie's relationship with Diane!
November 5, 2021
Set in St. Pascal Florida and narrated by Marigold "Goldie" Vance, a valet and amateur detective.
Goldie lives and works at the Crossed Palms hotel, where a magician's convention is being held.
When props from the magician's shows go missing, Goldie decides to solve the mystery
Goldie lives and works at the Crossed Palms hotel, where a magician's convention is being held.
When props from the magician's shows go missing, Goldie decides to solve the mystery
September 13, 2023
3.5 rounded down -- while still delightful, this was the weakest in the Goldie Vance oeuvre. The character of Derek was way too present for the nothing he added to the story or to Goldie's character arc.
Want to read
March 30, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 22, 2021
This book was fun, but not as good as the comics.
January 15, 2025
Super cute middle grade novel about Goldie who is trying to solve a mystery featuring magicians while also trying to go on the perfect date with Diane. I absolutely would have adored this as a kid!
May 2, 2021
I can always count on Goldie for hijinks, cozy mystery, and some adorable sapphic moments.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews