The Caravan at the Edge of Doom

by Jim Beckett, Olia Muza (Illustrator)

The perfect summer read for fans of Terry Pratchett, David Walliams and Roald Dahl!
When her grandparents explode in their caravan toilet late one night, twelve-year-old Harley discovers a surprising truth: their toilet is a gateway to the Land of the Dead, and they are its Guardians. Well, they were. But there’s no time to mourn their passing. Because Harley’s baby brother has accidentally gone with them to the Land of the Dead. And Harley only has 24 hours to rescue him before he’s trapped there FOREVER!

This hilarious and heartbreaking debut features exploding grandparents, unexpected heroes and a truly EPIC adventure.

Genres: Middle Grade

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2021

About the author

Jim is the author of Buzz Sausage Wolf, The Caravan at the Edge of Doom and The Caravan at the Edge of Doom: Foul Prophecy.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story.
Harley is visiting her grandparents when they go to the toilet and then suddenly explodes.
Harley discovers they are guardians of the land of dead, now harley is the guardian, which is fine until her brother disappears.
This is a brilliant book, there are laugh out loud moments, and sensitive moments.
The illustrations are brilliant.

[Philip Dyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful story, laced throughout with genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Jim Beckett has a unique comic voice that really deserves to find an audience. Harley is a great protagonist that feels very real, classic yet very modern. I bought this for my 10 year old nephew and he also loved it. Highly recommended!

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old and I loved this book. Had us chuckling all the way through. Great one for reading out loud.

[Tasha Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read such a cute read. I loved that it was questing and magical beings but also about the importance of family, whether it be the ones you have or those special ones you choose. Definitely worth letting your kidlets check it out

[Sonia T]

Recommend for ages 8+.
I read this to my 8 and 10 year olds as our bedtime book and it had us all laughing out loud. What a quirky, original story with a great heroine. Really pacy and exciting too. We're definitely going to buy the sequel when it's out.

[Callum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha ha! this one really tickled me.
Its a mad adventure with great illustrations too

[Jemily Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww that was cute.

[Donna Burkert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley did not expect her grandparents to explode in the caravan toilet, but explode they did. This unexpected occurrence left Harley in charge of her little brother Malcolm; as well as having to take on the role of Gatekeeper of The Beyond, overseeing the pathway between this world and the next, the tea maker of lost souls. She didn’t feel quite ready to have this role thrust on her in such a way. She was even less prepared when her little brother accidentally crossed over into the next world, whilst playing hide and seek in his grandmother’s shopping trolley. That was all that Harley needed! Her parents had trusted her to look after him and she had allowed him to pass through the Portal of Doom! There was nothing else for it than for Harley to pass through herself and bring him back. Only it was never going to be that easy.

Jim Beckett takes us on a rip-roaring adventure through the perils and tasks facing those who pass through the Portal of Doom and who do not wish for Eternal Damnation. This madcap adventure sees us whizz through the manic adventures of Harley and her sidekick Oliver Poliver as she battles regrets and overcomes challenges before the time runs out. The question is, will she save her brother and get out in time?

[TL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither my class or I enjoyed this one at all. Their comments were that it was boring and repetitive. They said they didn’t find it made them feel anything - no suspense, happiness or empathy with the characters. They struggled to visualise any of the settings or characters for follow up tasks on our classroom.

I found it quite a chore to read. Even though it’s a children’s book, I felt that characters were very two dimensional and their were no real emotions of relationships portrayed within the novel. Made it hard to care what was going on when you didn’t connect with any of the characters.

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was the wired way and most crazy book I’ve ever read….but I genuinely couldn’t put it down!! Can’t wait to read the second one!

[Eva Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring, hard to get into, kinda funny, drones on

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Caravan at the Edge of Doom is a marvelous combination of exciting adventure, comic happenings and events, and important lessons on personal growth. The story moves along at brisk pace that's keeps the reader highly engaged. With each challenge Harley, the tale's heroine, faces on her adventure come new monsters, fantastical lands, belly laughs, and subtle, meaningful lessons on becoming a young adult in the modern world.

This book should appeal to all children with a taste for adventure, fantasy, and comedy.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for younger readers. Parts had me laughing out loud! This is one adventure I will not be able to forget for a long time. It is beautifully illustrated throughout and has your imagination on fire. It’s a whole new world when you enter the gateway through the toilet!
Absolutely loved it all. Got tense towards the end but it’s such a fun, exciting and fast paced adventure. Different. Unique. Loved all the characters and family. Would highly recommend to all children. If I enjoyed it at 27 years old they will love it. A well deserved four stars from me.