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Potkin and Stubbs #1
Potkin și Stubbs
Cu ilustraţii de K.J. Mountford
Într-o metropolă sumbră și coruptă numită Peligan City, tînăra Lil Potkin stă tot timpul cu ochii în patru, în căutarea unei piste care s-o transforme într-un adevărat jurnalist de investigaţii, asemenea idolului ei, A.J. McNair. Într-o noapte ploioasă, după una dintre explorările ei obișnuite prin oraș, îl întîlnește pe Nedly Stubbs, fantoma amnezică a unui băieţel, pe care numai ea o vede. Cu ajutorul lui Abe Mandrel, un detectiv cîndva celebru căzut în dizgraţie, cei doi protagoniști încearcă să dezlege misterul morţii lui Nedly, dar ajung să scoată la lumină o poveste mult mai sumbră și cu ramificaţii mai importante decît se așteptau. Tinerii cititori vor fi repede cuceriţi de atmosfera cărţii, presărată cu momente de tensiune demne de un roman poliţist, dar și de personajele sale isteţe, amuzante și înduioșătoare.
Într-o metropolă sumbră și coruptă numită Peligan City, tînăra Lil Potkin stă tot timpul cu ochii în patru, în căutarea unei piste care s-o transforme într-un adevărat jurnalist de investigaţii, asemenea idolului ei, A.J. McNair. Într-o noapte ploioasă, după una dintre explorările ei obișnuite prin oraș, îl întîlnește pe Nedly Stubbs, fantoma amnezică a unui băieţel, pe care numai ea o vede. Cu ajutorul lui Abe Mandrel, un detectiv cîndva celebru căzut în dizgraţie, cei doi protagoniști încearcă să dezlege misterul morţii lui Nedly, dar ajung să scoată la lumină o poveste mult mai sumbră și cu ramificaţii mai importante decît se așteptau. Tinerii cititori vor fi repede cuceriţi de atmosfera cărţii, presărată cu momente de tensiune demne de un roman poliţist, dar și de personajele sale isteţe, amuzante și înduioșătoare.
328 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2019
16 people are currently reading
1740 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Green
3 books58 followersSophie Green Is the author of the Potkin and Stubbs trilogy. She has a degree in zoology and an interest in folklore and urban legend. She was born and still lives in East Anglia and works as a librarian for Suffolk Libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
May 24, 2020
The best way to describe this would be middle grade Noir-esque mystery with a setting reminiscent of Gotham City. I loved it!
Lil is a wannabe reporter waiting for her next big scoop - and boy does she get one when a boy appears in her bedroom one night with a missing person's case. Who is the missing person? Well, he is! He's dead, and he has no idea what happened to him or his body. Lil, surprised by having a new ghostly sidekick called Nedly, joins forces with an ex-police investigator named Abe to solve the mystery. But Nedly's death isn't the only happening, there are mysterious fires killing people in Peligan City, and there's some insidious mastermind behind it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed my ride with this one. Lil was so head-strong and determined and seeing her drive to solving the mystery of Nedly's death is truly a highlight in this. The atmosphere is pitch-perfect too due to excellent writing, I could feel the tension in this ominous city. Those old Noir movies with detectives and shady characters? Perfectly embodied in this brilliant middle grade novel. I can't wait to return to Peligan City to see what else could possibly happen!
Lil is a wannabe reporter waiting for her next big scoop - and boy does she get one when a boy appears in her bedroom one night with a missing person's case. Who is the missing person? Well, he is! He's dead, and he has no idea what happened to him or his body. Lil, surprised by having a new ghostly sidekick called Nedly, joins forces with an ex-police investigator named Abe to solve the mystery. But Nedly's death isn't the only happening, there are mysterious fires killing people in Peligan City, and there's some insidious mastermind behind it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed my ride with this one. Lil was so head-strong and determined and seeing her drive to solving the mystery of Nedly's death is truly a highlight in this. The atmosphere is pitch-perfect too due to excellent writing, I could feel the tension in this ominous city. Those old Noir movies with detectives and shady characters? Perfectly embodied in this brilliant middle grade novel. I can't wait to return to Peligan City to see what else could possibly happen!
April 17, 2023
I thought that this was a really solid middle grade, the descriptions were really well done I could imagine the characters easily and the city. It got going quickly and had my interest from the first chapter.
The characters were really likeable, our main character was bold, brave and feisty and the sidekick was just the opposite, shy, unsure of himself and fidgety and it just worked so well. The writing style was really nice. I have seen a review that said it had a Gotham City vibe and it is so accurate. The setting is grungy, run-down and grim yet it has that loveable feel to it still.
It would be such a lovely Tim Burton film. However, it was quite predictable even for a middle grade all the twists and turns became pretty obvious pretty quickly. A lot of the plot relied on convivence too which was a bit disappointing. I still did like this though it was cute, fast-paced and it kept my interest.
The characters were really likeable, our main character was bold, brave and feisty and the sidekick was just the opposite, shy, unsure of himself and fidgety and it just worked so well. The writing style was really nice. I have seen a review that said it had a Gotham City vibe and it is so accurate. The setting is grungy, run-down and grim yet it has that loveable feel to it still.
It would be such a lovely Tim Burton film. However, it was quite predictable even for a middle grade all the twists and turns became pretty obvious pretty quickly. A lot of the plot relied on convivence too which was a bit disappointing. I still did like this though it was cute, fast-paced and it kept my interest.
May 6, 2020
I just finished the 1st Potkin & Stubbs book, & WOW. The hype is justified! I am so blown away. This is my perfect MG detective/mystery story. This story just grabs you & doesn’t let go. I was engrossed in the book from the very beginning, & there was no point where that changed at all. It is amazingly spooky & awesome. The author is an awesome story teller for sure. I just loved it, & am so excited to jump into book 2 tonight!💜💜Of course the cover is AMAZING! There are also illustrations every now & then throughout the book by Karl also. He’s amazing!😍HIGHLY Recommend!!
Synopsis of 1st book in series: In the corrupt metropolis of Peligan City, Lil Potkin, a determined young reporter, is on the lookout for a scoop. One rainy night she meets Nedly, the ghost of a boy that no one else can see. Nedly has been looking for someone to believe in him ever since the investigation into his disappearance went cold. When they discover that his death is connected to a series of mysterious murders, Lil and Nedly set out to expose those responsible, with the help of a down-on-his luck private investigator, who might hold a clue to Lil’s hidden past.
Synopsis of 1st book in series: In the corrupt metropolis of Peligan City, Lil Potkin, a determined young reporter, is on the lookout for a scoop. One rainy night she meets Nedly, the ghost of a boy that no one else can see. Nedly has been looking for someone to believe in him ever since the investigation into his disappearance went cold. When they discover that his death is connected to a series of mysterious murders, Lil and Nedly set out to expose those responsible, with the help of a down-on-his luck private investigator, who might hold a clue to Lil’s hidden past.
December 28, 2019
Absolutely loved this, a new MG fave! Full review to come.
July 29, 2021
I enjoyed this sooooo much! Fantastic dark and spooky middlegrade and I need book two in my life!
January 10, 2022
I love that it's a Middle-Grade mystery with classic Film Noir vibes. What a combo! The atmosphere was definitely well done through the characters and the whole city. The case was quite fun to follow, and I just love kid detectives. Lil was a great protagonist, smart and caring.
Then there's a supernatural element, so what's not to love?
Though there's some closure by the end, it left me a bit sad. The themes are quite dark for MG, there are kids abandoned or murdered here. So be aware.
The illustrations by K.J. Mountford were gorgeous and added a lot to my enjoyment.
I will continue this series.
Then there's a supernatural element, so what's not to love?
Though there's some closure by the end, it left me a bit sad. The themes are quite dark for MG, there are kids abandoned or murdered here. So be aware.
The illustrations by K.J. Mountford were gorgeous and added a lot to my enjoyment.
I will continue this series.
October 9, 2021
Lil is a young reporter wannabe, always looking for the next scoop, until one shows up in the form of a boy looking for help for a missing person case. He's missing and would like to be found. Lil embarks on this crazy adventure through the corruption of Peligan City, with the help of disgraced former detective Abe, they set off to solve this mystery, which might be bigger and more sinister than they ever imagined.
I loved this read, the atmosphere is creepy and ominous, I can picture the grey city and all its run-down buildings perfectly, I think this is a testament to great writing. I'm super excited about book two because I have a couple of hunches and can't wait to see how the story continues to develop.
I loved this read, the atmosphere is creepy and ominous, I can picture the grey city and all its run-down buildings perfectly, I think this is a testament to great writing. I'm super excited about book two because I have a couple of hunches and can't wait to see how the story continues to develop.
March 7, 2021
Creepy, atmospheric and just utterly fantastic. A paranormal mystery that hooks you in from the start. Highly recommend!
September 1, 2023
Bardzo fajna, ciekawa i niespodziewana
November 28, 2019
Read for the Believathon, category is Creepy or Atmospheric Book. Gifted to me by the INCREDIBLE Jade, who always gifts me the best books that I never see coming.
Lil Potkins is a 12-year old wannabe reporter. She's always on the hunt for the next big story, to get her foot in the door with an underground newspaper in her city. The underground paper is the only publication willing to tell the truth about the corruption happening in her town.
Then one day, Lil stumbles across a story she wasn't expecting. She befriends a boy in a bus station, only to find out he's kinda dead. He's a ghost, with no memory of who he was pre mordem. It's up to Lil to find out what happened to Nedly, with the help of a former PI who was investigating his missing person case.
Soooo, when I first heard the plot of this book, I was a tad bit confused about the main character's name. Lil. Sure. Makes sense.
Except when you hear her referred to as Lil Potkin aloud, it sure does sound like L'il Potkin.
I hate my brain.
This book is REALLY cool. It's middle grade, and reads like middle grade, but it has the very real creep factor I would've lived for during my middle grade years. You're rooting for Lil, you want Nedly to find out who he is. You're even rooting for Abe, our detective who needs a good shave and a fresh pair of shoes.
My preferred middle grade seems to be the spooky kind, though I always judge it based on whether I would let my godkids read it. Victoria Schwab's Cassidy Blake series is a bit too much for them. This series is still scary, but it genuinely feels like middle grade scary, as opposed to a teeeeeensy bit older, as Schwab's are.
I really can't wait to read book 2 now.
Lil Potkins is a 12-year old wannabe reporter. She's always on the hunt for the next big story, to get her foot in the door with an underground newspaper in her city. The underground paper is the only publication willing to tell the truth about the corruption happening in her town.
Then one day, Lil stumbles across a story she wasn't expecting. She befriends a boy in a bus station, only to find out he's kinda dead. He's a ghost, with no memory of who he was pre mordem. It's up to Lil to find out what happened to Nedly, with the help of a former PI who was investigating his missing person case.
Soooo, when I first heard the plot of this book, I was a tad bit confused about the main character's name. Lil. Sure. Makes sense.
Except when you hear her referred to as Lil Potkin aloud, it sure does sound like L'il Potkin.
I hate my brain.
This book is REALLY cool. It's middle grade, and reads like middle grade, but it has the very real creep factor I would've lived for during my middle grade years. You're rooting for Lil, you want Nedly to find out who he is. You're even rooting for Abe, our detective who needs a good shave and a fresh pair of shoes.
My preferred middle grade seems to be the spooky kind, though I always judge it based on whether I would let my godkids read it. Victoria Schwab's Cassidy Blake series is a bit too much for them. This series is still scary, but it genuinely feels like middle grade scary, as opposed to a teeeeeensy bit older, as Schwab's are.
I really can't wait to read book 2 now.
September 28, 2020
"All it takes for injustice to prevail is for good people to look the other way"
This book follows Lil Potkin, an aspiring reporter. She has been reporting on small bits of news around Peligan City, until she meets Nedly and becomes involved in a missing person case
I enjoyed this gritty MG mystery but I think my hopes were too high for it. I've been reading a lot of MG recently so perhaps I'm being overly critical, but I found this entire story quite predictable. I know it's written for younger audiences than me, but I've found other MG more compelling as an adult
I liked Lil and her friendship with Nedly. I also enjoyed the introduction of Abe and his backstory, but found the twists and direction of the scary predictable from the beginning
*SLIGHT SPOILER* it's probably just a pet peeve of mine but I hate when "insanity" is used a reason for a character being an evil child murderer. It's a tired stereotype and it makes me roll my eyes in unoriginality every time
I will say I love this front covers for this series and really enjoyed the illustrations throughout. They helped add to the seedy atmosphere of the city
This book follows Lil Potkin, an aspiring reporter. She has been reporting on small bits of news around Peligan City, until she meets Nedly and becomes involved in a missing person case
I enjoyed this gritty MG mystery but I think my hopes were too high for it. I've been reading a lot of MG recently so perhaps I'm being overly critical, but I found this entire story quite predictable. I know it's written for younger audiences than me, but I've found other MG more compelling as an adult
I liked Lil and her friendship with Nedly. I also enjoyed the introduction of Abe and his backstory, but found the twists and direction of the scary predictable from the beginning
*SLIGHT SPOILER* it's probably just a pet peeve of mine but I hate when "insanity" is used a reason for a character being an evil child murderer. It's a tired stereotype and it makes me roll my eyes in unoriginality every time
I will say I love this front covers for this series and really enjoyed the illustrations throughout. They helped add to the seedy atmosphere of the city
September 2, 2023
I didn't know noir detectives were a thing in middle-grade fiction, but I'm so glad it is! Where else would I read such amazing senteces as "I wanna talk to the one they call 'Babyface'" and "Tell me more about this Wool character" (where 'Wool' is a missing toy).
This was just absolutely delightful. I'm glad I've got the second two books in already; I'm sure I'll binge the rest of this series before the month is over.
Also a shout out to Karl James Mountford, who designed the cover and did the illustrations; thye're lovely and really add to the overall reading experience!
This was just absolutely delightful. I'm glad I've got the second two books in already; I'm sure I'll binge the rest of this series before the month is over.
Also a shout out to Karl James Mountford, who designed the cover and did the illustrations; thye're lovely and really add to the overall reading experience!
October 3, 2020
I didn’t think I would like this but it was the middle grade monthly read for September so I dove in & I loved it!
A really good read with a few twists that I didn’t see and a couple I did.
I love the way the author has named her characters and places especially the Rorschach Asylum. The plot is tense at times and fun to read. Wood definitely recommend to any one who likes a spooky mystery with a sort of film noir feel.
A really good read with a few twists that I didn’t see and a couple I did.
I love the way the author has named her characters and places especially the Rorschach Asylum. The plot is tense at times and fun to read. Wood definitely recommend to any one who likes a spooky mystery with a sort of film noir feel.
June 22, 2021
Buy this book if you want your kids to turn into raging anarchists when they grow up 🤠
"(...)he shut down all the high schools. Probably he didn’t want people getting too clever and finding out about what was going on (...) Back when we thought that politicians were clean, law enforcement was fair and the press was free to report the news.’ He gave a grim laugh. "Turns out we were living in a dream"
"(...)he shut down all the high schools. Probably he didn’t want people getting too clever and finding out about what was going on (...) Back when we thought that politicians were clean, law enforcement was fair and the press was free to report the news.’ He gave a grim laugh. "Turns out we were living in a dream"
May 16, 2020
Lil is a great feisty character, the way she talks about scoops is like a reporter in an old movie.
It got very exciting and I had to keep stopping myself from reading ahead. And it's got a secret library so what more could you want?!?
It got very exciting and I had to keep stopping myself from reading ahead. And it's got a secret library so what more could you want?!?
October 26, 2023
An intriguing noir that takes you on a mini adventure across a rain soaked city and its corruption.
Lily Potkins is a young girl thirsty to be a reporter just like her icon, the renowned investigative reporter A. J. McNair. Fresh off her most recent case, the Case of the Stolen Bin Lids, she's looking for a big scoop when she spots a sad boy in the bus station. Unknown to her, he is going to be her biggest case yet.
This mini adventure was a great read, the character of the disheveled Detective Mandrel is very funny and wholesome, Lily is tenacious and curious and never gives up, and Nedly is a charming boy and helpful partner to Lily. I loved following this story and the illustrations were spot on for the vibe and themes. I'd recommend reading this, regardless of your age (I'm 32 and this book gave me the nostalgia of when I was 10 searching the library for the next read).
Lily Potkins is a young girl thirsty to be a reporter just like her icon, the renowned investigative reporter A. J. McNair. Fresh off her most recent case, the Case of the Stolen Bin Lids, she's looking for a big scoop when she spots a sad boy in the bus station. Unknown to her, he is going to be her biggest case yet.
This mini adventure was a great read, the character of the disheveled Detective Mandrel is very funny and wholesome, Lily is tenacious and curious and never gives up, and Nedly is a charming boy and helpful partner to Lily. I loved following this story and the illustrations were spot on for the vibe and themes. I'd recommend reading this, regardless of your age (I'm 32 and this book gave me the nostalgia of when I was 10 searching the library for the next read).
August 29, 2020
Cute enough, but not a series I will continue. I do like the idea of a noir-esque middle grade story, but this kind of fell flat.
September 20, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars!
November 13, 2020
Batman without the gadgets and make it middle grade. I really enjoyed this supernatural mystery. I will definitely be continuing!
October 17, 2021
I enjoyed this and it was a fun time!
3/5 stars! ✨✨✨
3/5 stars! ✨✨✨
January 19, 2022
I love these kinds of books but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I have others. It was a bit all over the place and didn’t really allow you to connect to the characters.
June 20, 2019
ghostly happenings
This is MG -- nine years upwards, ghost partner of a wannabe reporter.
Brilliant, exciting and fun. The characters really made me care about them, especially Lil and Nedly.
Might be a bit scary for some children of this age group. PG?
Me? I'm already looking at the next book which is out in september.
This is MG -- nine years upwards, ghost partner of a wannabe reporter.
Brilliant, exciting and fun. The characters really made me care about them, especially Lil and Nedly.
Might be a bit scary for some children of this age group. PG?
Me? I'm already looking at the next book which is out in september.
July 17, 2020
I loved everything about this book. It is so beautifully told. The best thing since murder most unladylike
November 20, 2021
4/5
wtf czemu wcześniej dawałam tej książce 3 gwiazdki, cool była finalnie
wtf czemu wcześniej dawałam tej książce 3 gwiazdki, cool była finalnie
May 11, 2019
This is the story of wannabe reporter Lil Potkin, and what happens when ghost Nedly Stubbs comes to her for help with solving his murder. First of all, I adored the setting of Peligan City- it was very noir-esque and reminded me rather of Blade Runner`s version of 2019, though this book is considerably less miserable and brooding in tone that than that film was, so I liked it far more. I really liked the titular duo and their bantering back and forth dialogues with each other, as well as how much how they came to care for each other and the main secondary character of Abe. I thought the pacing was fantastic- I was hooked to this and feel that the way the mystery came together was super satisfying. I did occasionally want more details in terms of the worldbuilding, though I`m hoping there may be some in the sequel, which I definitely plan to pick up due to some very intriguing enigmas that were hinted at towards the end. 4/5
March 20, 2019
I loved Potkin and Stubbs - A brilliantly written debut that is funny, tender, and so evocative that I could almost hear the blues music and persistent rain that mirrors the gloom of Peligan City. As well as a page turning mystery the interaction between the main characters is masterful.
November 11, 2019
3.0
This was much creepier than I had expected! Really spooky in some places, I enjoyed those parts a lot! The atmosphere was created really nicely. Unfortunately, I guessed the mystery reveal early on, also I found the main character Lil to be nosy and annoying. Some of the actions she took were just absolutely unrealistic or simply impossible for a 10-year old (driving a car, lifting a fire-extinguisher, etc.). I guess for someone of that age it has to be cool to read about a same-age badass, but I thought it was a bit overdone.
This was much creepier than I had expected! Really spooky in some places, I enjoyed those parts a lot! The atmosphere was created really nicely. Unfortunately, I guessed the mystery reveal early on, also I found the main character Lil to be nosy and annoying. Some of the actions she took were just absolutely unrealistic or simply impossible for a 10-year old (driving a car, lifting a fire-extinguisher, etc.). I guess for someone of that age it has to be cool to read about a same-age badass, but I thought it was a bit overdone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews