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The After School Detective Club #1
The Case of the Smuggler’s Curse
Lucy, Max, Charlie and Joe aren’t looking for new friends – they have too many of their own problems to worry about. But when the four of them, and Charlie’s faithful dog, Sherlock, spot a phantom figure on Southwold beach one winter’s night, they are thrown together to unravel a mystery that none of them expected.
The deeper they dig, the bigger the adventure becomes – motorboats and tracking devices, bedroom breakouts and daring sea rescues are all in a day's work for the After-School Detective Club. But when their investigations lead them into trouble with the police, there is only one thing left to do – they must go undercover for a final showdown with a ruthless gang of smugglers who will stop at nothing to get what they want.
The deeper they dig, the bigger the adventure becomes – motorboats and tracking devices, bedroom breakouts and daring sea rescues are all in a day's work for the After-School Detective Club. But when their investigations lead them into trouble with the police, there is only one thing left to do – they must go undercover for a final showdown with a ruthless gang of smugglers who will stop at nothing to get what they want.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
48 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 30, 2022
What a delightful book! Mystery, smuggling, and a new friendship blooming (though thankfully I liked that they weren't instant friends like some of these books, instead we see them trying to figure out things about each other and slowly become closer). Charlie I wasn't that much of a fan of, she was just so eh at times. Oh no, someone calls you by the wrong name, oh no, murder. *rolls eyes* Look, if they know, sure, but they don't know, no need to bite their asses off.
I loved the little dog! He was so cute and I already wanted a dog (can't wait for October to come when I finally have enough time in my schedule to search) and now I want it more. He was such a brave little fella!
The mystery was exciting and I loved reading about this little town!
I loved the little dog! He was so cute and I already wanted a dog (can't wait for October to come when I finally have enough time in my schedule to search) and now I want it more. He was such a brave little fella!
The mystery was exciting and I loved reading about this little town!
January 11, 2023
I so love middle grade mysteries! They're fun, fast paced, and usually involve great friendships. The mystery is interesting but not too complicated or drawn-out. The characters were pretty cute and I especially felt for Charlie, the girl with no friends except her loyal dog Sherlock. She's tough on the outside because she's used to being rejected or left out, but really wants some good friends to care about her.
The mystery was pretty short and I would have liked it to be a tad longer and more detailed. I also feel like we didn't get to really flesh out the kids, but hopefully that will come in the sequel.
I'm happy I stumbled on this series and will definitely be continuing.
The mystery was pretty short and I would have liked it to be a tad longer and more detailed. I also feel like we didn't get to really flesh out the kids, but hopefully that will come in the sequel.
I'm happy I stumbled on this series and will definitely be continuing.
March 17, 2023
A charming and action-packed kid mystery novel in the style of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five; fast-paced and fun throughout, this feels like a modern successor to those classic mystery novels aimed at a younger audience. The story is simple and the characters fit fairly standard roles, but there’s something endlessly charming about this kind of book. Certainly a series with a lot of potential.
Read
July 4, 2025Re-read it in July 2025 and loved it again. It’s such a nice children’s adventure story, with new friendships and a protective little dog.
July 14, 2022
The author usually writes spy novels and this is his first foray that I am aware of in the genre of children's fiction. This was mostly pretty fun. It reminds me of some of the stuff that I used to read when I was in grade school. It is kind of like "The Three Investigators." The main characters are some four kids (of indiscriminate age), but likely 12-14 years old. I am clearly not part of the intended audience for this, but I was curious, because I have read many of the author's other books.
I think that my 12 year old nephew and/or my 8 year old niece would enjoy this.
There were parts of this that strained credulity. And there were parts that seemed a bit formulaic and predictable more than they were realistic. But that really did not detract from the overall general positive tone.
This is kind of sort of like Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, but intended for a younger audience, I think. It seems likely that there will be more books in this series and I think they will do well.
I think that my 12 year old nephew and/or my 8 year old niece would enjoy this.
There were parts of this that strained credulity. And there were parts that seemed a bit formulaic and predictable more than they were realistic. But that really did not detract from the overall general positive tone.
This is kind of sort of like Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, but intended for a younger audience, I think. It seems likely that there will be more books in this series and I think they will do well.
December 8, 2025
4.5
Salah satu buku yg aku enjoy bacanya dari awal sampe akhir hehe, buku Middle grade yg menceritakan petualangan empat anak di kota pesisir Inggris menguak aksi tindak kriminal dari beberapa orang mencurigakan, untuk jalan ceritanya sendiri sebenernya simpel, maksudku dari petualangan anak2nya, gak sewow dan unrealistis dari mg lainnya, I like it, karna emg menunjukkan batas kemampuan anak anak dalam situasi bahaya yang melawan orang dewasa, cara mereka mikirin solusi'pun cukup sederhana dan realistis untuk anak umur segitu, plot misterinya juga sebenernya biasa aja dan gak berbelit belit atau penuh misteri, jd yg buat aku suka itu eksekusinya, masing masing anak punya karakter yg gak biasa dan lebih ekspresif di buku ini, gak serba merta positif dan happy kyk di MG yg biasa aku baca.
Setting di buku ini berdasarkan tempat nyata, ampe ke posisi bangunan2nya, karna emg based dari kampung halaman penulisnya, penulisnya jg bilang klo dia banyak terinspirasi dari seri lima sekawannya Blyton, walau menurutku yg agak mirip cuma charlie yg disandingin sama george, kepribadian sama2 garang, gak suka dipanggil nama asli, dan punya anjing lucu hehe, vibes pertemanannya gak begitu mirip karna perbedaan waktu, tp aku lebih suka cerita geng After school detective dari seri ini si, lebih my cup of tea aja.
Aku pertama tau buku ini karna nemu di Perpusnas, walau akhirnya gak bisa minjem bawa pulang krn suatu alasan, akhirnya dengerin versi audiobook via online, masih cukup immersive si agak kaget aja denger suara narator pertama kali yg gak sesuai sama suara dipikiranku baca bab2 awal pas di perpus.
Salah satu buku yg aku enjoy bacanya dari awal sampe akhir hehe, buku Middle grade yg menceritakan petualangan empat anak di kota pesisir Inggris menguak aksi tindak kriminal dari beberapa orang mencurigakan, untuk jalan ceritanya sendiri sebenernya simpel, maksudku dari petualangan anak2nya, gak sewow dan unrealistis dari mg lainnya, I like it, karna emg menunjukkan batas kemampuan anak anak dalam situasi bahaya yang melawan orang dewasa, cara mereka mikirin solusi'pun cukup sederhana dan realistis untuk anak umur segitu, plot misterinya juga sebenernya biasa aja dan gak berbelit belit atau penuh misteri, jd yg buat aku suka itu eksekusinya, masing masing anak punya karakter yg gak biasa dan lebih ekspresif di buku ini, gak serba merta positif dan happy kyk di MG yg biasa aku baca.
Setting di buku ini berdasarkan tempat nyata, ampe ke posisi bangunan2nya, karna emg based dari kampung halaman penulisnya, penulisnya jg bilang klo dia banyak terinspirasi dari seri lima sekawannya Blyton, walau menurutku yg agak mirip cuma charlie yg disandingin sama george, kepribadian sama2 garang, gak suka dipanggil nama asli, dan punya anjing lucu hehe, vibes pertemanannya gak begitu mirip karna perbedaan waktu, tp aku lebih suka cerita geng After school detective dari seri ini si, lebih my cup of tea aja.
Aku pertama tau buku ini karna nemu di Perpusnas, walau akhirnya gak bisa minjem bawa pulang krn suatu alasan, akhirnya dengerin versi audiobook via online, masih cukup immersive si agak kaget aja denger suara narator pertama kali yg gak sesuai sama suara dipikiranku baca bab2 awal pas di perpus.
April 16, 2022
I read this out of interest as I read a lot of Mark Dawson's novels. I’m a retired primary school teacher and have always looked for good books for that age range. The title made me think of Enid Blyton's Five go to smugglers Top. This book did not grab me like Enid Blyton’s but then I’m no longer 8yrs old!
The characters are introduced prior to starting the book which I think is a mistake. Descriptions of them within the main story would have been in my opinion.
The book lacked description of surrounding which gave it no atmosphere.
I would be interested to read the reviews given by children.
The characters are introduced prior to starting the book which I think is a mistake. Descriptions of them within the main story would have been in my opinion.
The book lacked description of surrounding which gave it no atmosphere.
I would be interested to read the reviews given by children.
December 6, 2020
This book, written for children by author Mark Dawson under a pseudonym, is a fast-paced fun read! The story focuses on 4 children and a dog who initially don't know each other very well, but form a special bond eventually. The children are inquisitive and get caught up in solving a mystery. This book reminds me of Enid Blyton's Mystery series, but where the children have access to modern amenities and gadgets! A well-written book, this is definitely a series that children will enjoy reading!
December 5, 2020
Who buys their clothes at Nerds-R-Us? In spite of this clothing faux pas. Four (or 5 if you count Sherlock) completely dissimilar children merge into one fighting machine. Who they were fighting or why, they couldn’t tell you – no matter what Sharkey or Dean do. I had to delete lots of sentences because I thought they gave away too much. thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend the book.
December 6, 2020
Great book for kids - or anyone who loves cute detective stories!
This is a very well written story of four British kids who become friends and solve a crime. Great character development, sense of place and fun. It has a bit of "Scooby-Doo" about it, but it's more realistic and has a much cuter little dog.
This is a very well written story of four British kids who become friends and solve a crime. Great character development, sense of place and fun. It has a bit of "Scooby-Doo" about it, but it's more realistic and has a much cuter little dog.
January 6, 2024
Fun mystery but I wasn't a huge fan of how the friends treated each other. Such as how one of them hounded the only fat character through the whole book that he needed to get into shape. The way he was portrayed wasn't great either – how he was ALWAYS thinking or talking about food, much to the comic relief of the others.
February 25, 2024
Dawson Destiny #1
The After School Detective Club #1
It's the famous five for the modern age - four kids and a dog in the club, one of the kids (Charlotte) who owns the dog only answers to Charlie.
All basically copies of The Famous Five.
But the story is great, the characters are more interesting than TFF and it keeps you engaged right to the end.
There is no lashings of ginger beer though!
The After School Detective Club #1
It's the famous five for the modern age - four kids and a dog in the club, one of the kids (Charlotte) who owns the dog only answers to Charlie.
All basically copies of The Famous Five.
But the story is great, the characters are more interesting than TFF and it keeps you engaged right to the end.
There is no lashings of ginger beer though!
December 24, 2020
Hurry for Sherlock
Delightful children's who dun it start to a promising new series. Even as an adult I enjoyed waiting to see how the children's friendship would evolve and how they would overcome obstacles to solve the mystery. There is great humor in this book as well.
Delightful children's who dun it start to a promising new series. Even as an adult I enjoyed waiting to see how the children's friendship would evolve and how they would overcome obstacles to solve the mystery. There is great humor in this book as well.
March 4, 2022
A charming middle-grade adventure story with fantastic illustrations. The characters easily slot into the typical archetypes for the genre, but each has an engaging personality all their own. I'll read this to my kids.
March 4, 2022
Just finished this fantastic book by Mark Dawson !! It was a fun read - totally agree with other reviews that call it a modern day Famous Five ! It’s a great story of friendship , mystery and bravery . Can’t wait to go in more adventures with The After School Detectives.
Highly recommend to all
Highly recommend to all
March 5, 2022
Great Mystery Adventure … Sherlock is the new Scooby!
A group of mis-fits find friendship and adventure together as they solve a major mystery! This promises to be an excellent adventure series.
A group of mis-fits find friendship and adventure together as they solve a major mystery! This promises to be an excellent adventure series.
August 7, 2022
Cute adventure story. Listed as being for 9-12, I believe, but reads more like an advanced 5-8. Would work really well as an alternative to boarding school mysteries, has more of a modern day Famous Five feel (lovable dog included) rather than a Murder Most Unladylike-type series.
September 5, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this title. I thought at first it was going to delve into climate change but thankfully it didn't. I didn't *love* it but it was still entertaining!
Found in L4M YT Volume 44.
Found in L4M YT Volume 44.
December 3, 2020
Move over Enid Blyton
As my title suggested a brilliant storyline and as with all of Mark Dawson writes beautifully keep it up Please
As my title suggested a brilliant storyline and as with all of Mark Dawson writes beautifully keep it up Please
December 14, 2020
Enjoyable
Fun adventure with just the right amount of danger. Each character has something to offer, but Sherlock stole the show.
Fun adventure with just the right amount of danger. Each character has something to offer, but Sherlock stole the show.
January 31, 2022
Joe wants friends and suddenly…!!! They can’t tell the truth!!! Who would believe them??? I really enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
February 4, 2022
From the very first page I was just drawn in. The twists, building of friendships and laughs were amazing! I can’t wait for the second one to come out!
May 31, 2022
Cute and entertaining story.
June 4, 2022
A lovely book for bedtime reading :)
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a fun read!
This was a fun read!
February 15, 2023
Smugglers beware.
This book is brilliant, even I an adult totally enjoyed it. I highly recommend it as a bedtime story for children.
This book is brilliant, even I an adult totally enjoyed it. I highly recommend it as a bedtime story for children.
April 14, 2023
A fun adventure, but it just feels a bit like just a group of kids snooping around and hanging out together after school.
October 15, 2023
A cozy found-family detective read. Perfect for the fall season.
November 19, 2023
what a fun story! great characters
Loved the camaraderie of the gang. The illustrations accompanied this book perfectly :) A wonderful book to get lost in.
Loved the camaraderie of the gang. The illustrations accompanied this book perfectly :) A wonderful book to get lost in.
November 26, 2023
Mystery was a bit lacklustre, but the characters were enjoyable, and the budding friendship too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews