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Ronan Boyle #3
Ronan Boyle Into the Strangeplace
The third book in the hilarious New York Times bestselling middle-grade series set in the world of law-breaking leprechauns from actor and writer Thomas Lennon
Ronan Boyle may be the youngest detective of the secret Garda, but now that he’s saved the captain from a spooky cult, he’s also the only detective that has the head of an old Irish god in his vastsack! But his adventures are far from over. His parents are still on the run (he told them the prison break was a bad idea!), and he still has to turn over the corrupt wee folk to the leprechaun king and return to the Human Republic of Ireland to turn over the god’s head. Simple, right? VERY WRONG! Between having to get swallowed by a whale to take a short cut, avoiding a jar of hot pickle farts, and figuring out how he can prove his parents’ innocence, Ronan’s really got his hands full. Will our small, nervous hero be able to somehow save the day once again? Fast-paced, action-packed, and sidesplittingly funny, the third book in the New York Times bestselling series delivers strange creatures, heart-pounding thrills, and plenty of laughs.
Ronan Boyle may be the youngest detective of the secret Garda, but now that he’s saved the captain from a spooky cult, he’s also the only detective that has the head of an old Irish god in his vastsack! But his adventures are far from over. His parents are still on the run (he told them the prison break was a bad idea!), and he still has to turn over the corrupt wee folk to the leprechaun king and return to the Human Republic of Ireland to turn over the god’s head. Simple, right? VERY WRONG! Between having to get swallowed by a whale to take a short cut, avoiding a jar of hot pickle farts, and figuring out how he can prove his parents’ innocence, Ronan’s really got his hands full. Will our small, nervous hero be able to somehow save the day once again? Fast-paced, action-packed, and sidesplittingly funny, the third book in the New York Times bestselling series delivers strange creatures, heart-pounding thrills, and plenty of laughs.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published November 23, 2021
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 6, 2021
What worked:
Ronan is a human detective, but he investigates crimes related to faerie creatures. The first third of the plot finds him transporting rogue leprechauns imprisoned in a magical purse to a leprechaun king who will administer their punishment. This trip takes place below ground where Ronan encounters many other strange characters and beasts. However, the real story begins after the prisoners are delivered, as Ronan and a ladyship of female colleagues set out to capture Ronan’s nemesis, Lord Desmond Dooley. Dooley has enlisted the help of a world-famous entertainer who is bankrolling their evil deeds, and he always seems to be one step ahead of Ronan.
Ronan has a crush (or is he in love?) with his superior officer, and these feelings have been growing throughout the series. In a previous book, Ronan impulsively told her he loved her, so now he struggles to figure out if they might actually become a couple. Other characters notice which adds to the humor of the book. The thoughts pop up in Ronan’s mind more than necessary, but their relationship gains some clarity later in the plot.
This book is meant to be humorous, and it succeeds using bizarre mental images and wordplay. Picture a piece of cheese being the mayor of a town, Ronan wearing a pink wig during the adventure, and a villain having magical dancing feet as his superpower. Imagine a delegation of characters including the ghost of a toad wearing kabuki makeup, a Scottish cat wearing a soccer jersey, and a buff mythological Hawaiian dwarf wearing a grass skirt and lei of flowers. Ronan suggests his group should be called a ladyship, not a fellowship since most of the participants are female. They are captured in a tricky replica of a castle, and their escape requires a very unusual strategy.
What didn’t work as well:
This book requires a tolerance for silliness and crude humor, but thankfully, many middle-grade readers love these same qualities. The biggest issue is overly-descriptive details that are used to emphasize the humor. While funny, these descriptions slow down the plot and create distractions from what’s actually happening. The playfulness of the narrative is often strange, so readers need to balance their experiences with absurdity and the “seriousness” of the plot. The over-description is less noticeable during the mission to find Dooley.
The Final Verdict:
A hilarious adventure into the faerie world. The book will definitely be fun for readers with patience for the absurd. The descriptions and humor can be distracting, but the underlying story of the hero hunting down a notorious villain is easy to follow.
Ronan is a human detective, but he investigates crimes related to faerie creatures. The first third of the plot finds him transporting rogue leprechauns imprisoned in a magical purse to a leprechaun king who will administer their punishment. This trip takes place below ground where Ronan encounters many other strange characters and beasts. However, the real story begins after the prisoners are delivered, as Ronan and a ladyship of female colleagues set out to capture Ronan’s nemesis, Lord Desmond Dooley. Dooley has enlisted the help of a world-famous entertainer who is bankrolling their evil deeds, and he always seems to be one step ahead of Ronan.
Ronan has a crush (or is he in love?) with his superior officer, and these feelings have been growing throughout the series. In a previous book, Ronan impulsively told her he loved her, so now he struggles to figure out if they might actually become a couple. Other characters notice which adds to the humor of the book. The thoughts pop up in Ronan’s mind more than necessary, but their relationship gains some clarity later in the plot.
This book is meant to be humorous, and it succeeds using bizarre mental images and wordplay. Picture a piece of cheese being the mayor of a town, Ronan wearing a pink wig during the adventure, and a villain having magical dancing feet as his superpower. Imagine a delegation of characters including the ghost of a toad wearing kabuki makeup, a Scottish cat wearing a soccer jersey, and a buff mythological Hawaiian dwarf wearing a grass skirt and lei of flowers. Ronan suggests his group should be called a ladyship, not a fellowship since most of the participants are female. They are captured in a tricky replica of a castle, and their escape requires a very unusual strategy.
What didn’t work as well:
This book requires a tolerance for silliness and crude humor, but thankfully, many middle-grade readers love these same qualities. The biggest issue is overly-descriptive details that are used to emphasize the humor. While funny, these descriptions slow down the plot and create distractions from what’s actually happening. The playfulness of the narrative is often strange, so readers need to balance their experiences with absurdity and the “seriousness” of the plot. The over-description is less noticeable during the mission to find Dooley.
The Final Verdict:
A hilarious adventure into the faerie world. The book will definitely be fun for readers with patience for the absurd. The descriptions and humor can be distracting, but the underlying story of the hero hunting down a notorious villain is easy to follow.
January 20, 2022
This was me and my son's favorite book out of this trilogy, and definitely got more out loud laughs from my 9yo than the previous two. Strange, quirky characters abound and Ronan does a great job of talking plainly about problems that face every kid. I don't think it would be as beneficial for him to read it by himself (which he is capable of), only because there are *so many* references he wouldn't get otherwise: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Monkees, Dame Judy Dench, just to name a few. Makes it feel like it was written for adults to read to kids instead of an adventure they could take and explore on their own.
March 23, 2025
Such a great series! So funny and some great lessons too. Highly recommend audiobooks for roadtrips with kids (and awesome adults).
“Before I took the leap, I took a breath. I hadn’t had a moment to myself since I could remember, and maybe that was for the best, as it seems that most of my worry, most of my bad feelings about myself, came from my own thoughts. All of me thinking that I am an awkward, narrow klutz who never succeeded at anything – that was the voice in my head. The rest of my ladyship, Mum, Da… I think perhaps even Tim – seemed to like whoever I was quite a bit. Maybe I would try to see myself the way they do a bit more from here on.”
“Before I took the leap, I took a breath. I hadn’t had a moment to myself since I could remember, and maybe that was for the best, as it seems that most of my worry, most of my bad feelings about myself, came from my own thoughts. All of me thinking that I am an awkward, narrow klutz who never succeeded at anything – that was the voice in my head. The rest of my ladyship, Mum, Da… I think perhaps even Tim – seemed to like whoever I was quite a bit. Maybe I would try to see myself the way they do a bit more from here on.”
March 20, 2023
“Strange Place” is the third (possibly final?) entry in the fabulously enjoyable, laugh-out-loud experience which is the world of Ronan Boyle. As usual the basic story/mystery/comedy adventure is outlandish and a joy to read. The characters and situations continue to be ridiculous and ridiculously jam-packed with [bad, very bad] puns and other word play. Just wait until you meet the vacuum cleaner! Thomas Lennon – a great comic actor, and amazing author – please give us more!
January 7, 2022
Another excellent Ronan Boyle book! More of the same kind of things from before, but a few new bits added. One minor quibble is that it didn't have enough of my favorite character Log. But then, a little bit of Log goes a long way.,..
December 6, 2022
I really couldn't get into this one as much as the others. It's still had laugh out loud moments and charming (and not so charming) characters but it didn't have the flow of the first one in my opinion.
Read
December 1, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Kidnapping & captivity
Kidnapping & captivity
December 5, 2023
I’ve enjoyed this series. I wish they were more. I love the strangeness of it all.
September 3, 2024
4.5 stars
December 28, 2025
The one liners, similes, and writing makes this book hilarious. The audio is excellent because the narrator brings each character to life and does great accents
May 15, 2024
I just finished reading the whole series to my 5 year old son and he absolutely LOVED it. He was screaming with laughter at some of the sillier parts. He loved it so much that we are now starting over and reading it again.
Irish folklore, silly jokes and adventure—what’s more to ask for in a kids book? I love that it touches darkness without being as seriously dark as a lot of kids chapter books. The tone and depth is perfect for a kid in that age that is beyond Little Golden Books, but not ready for something like Harry Potter.
My son is begging me to write to the author and ask that he please continue the series. Please, Thomas Lennon? May we have another?
Irish folklore, silly jokes and adventure—what’s more to ask for in a kids book? I love that it touches darkness without being as seriously dark as a lot of kids chapter books. The tone and depth is perfect for a kid in that age that is beyond Little Golden Books, but not ready for something like Harry Potter.
My son is begging me to write to the author and ask that he please continue the series. Please, Thomas Lennon? May we have another?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews