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The After School Detective Club #2

The Secret of Ragnar's Gold

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The friends can't believe their luck when they get the chance to stay in a castle for their Easter holidays.

The castle is everything they had hoped for, with a moat and an ancient burial mound that gives it an air of mystery. But things are not what they seem and a treacherous discovery in the grounds reveals a 300-year-old treasure map.

The race is on. The After-School Detective Club is in pursuit of Ragnar's gold – a hoard of treasure said to have been buried by a Viking warrior and guarded by his demon hound... that is, unless someone else gets there first.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2022

24 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Mark Dawson

114 books1,858 followers
For news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:

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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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5 stars
53 (41%)
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48 (37%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for T.A. Beasley.
Author 7 books117 followers
May 2, 2024
The gang is at it again. Joe, Lucy, Max, Charlie, and Sherlock are not supposed to staying at a castle without adult supervision, but it hasn't stopped them before.

This time they find themselves in the middle of a crime in progress because someone is looking for Ragnar's Gold. Why the four of them decide to look for it too is beyond me. It puts them in danger.

This was an adventurous MG Mystery that had me turning pages. I love the way these friends think when in trouble. They're kids so some decisions are not great especially when they listen to Joe. They are wonderful characters and I'll be starting book three in this series soon.
Profile Image for Wil Carpenter.
208 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2023
The swashbuckling second instalment in this modern Enid Blyton adventure mystery series doesn’t miss a beat as it moves the now familiar characters away from their comfortable surroundings and placing them in a new and exciting location. The mystery is intriguing, the villains are dangerous and the tone is endlessly charming. A great continuation that keeps this series going from strength to strength.
Profile Image for Sean Harding.
5,829 reviews34 followers
April 12, 2024
Dawson Destiny #2
The After School Detective Club #2
Cracking yarn in second of this Famous Five inspired series, characters are developing well, you can see where future relationships may head, if they go down a romantic way, but a great yarn.
Not a great deal of mystery per se, with more adventure and shenanigans, and the clues were very obvious to well anyone really, but good fun story telling, which kept you interested until the final page.
136 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2022
This is a fun, quick read for kids of all ages. The plot and pacing are good and the mystery is satisfying if a bit obvious for older readers. The villains feel a lot like the ones from the first book in the series. The characters feel a bit static; it would be nice to see some growth by the end of the book. I look forward to the next book in the series.
135 reviews
February 27, 2023
A true treasure trove.

This is definitely another brilliant book that you need to read whether you be a young un or an adult. Yet again Joe, Max, Lucy, Charlie and Sherlock find themselves on another adventure but just like before all doesn’t go to plan. You’re going to have to read the book if you want to find out more about their wild adventure.
Profile Image for Mrs Walsh.
862 reviews6 followers
August 22, 2022
Yet again another amazing book in the series!! Beyond excited that there is going to be another one!
Profile Image for B.C. Collard.
Author 1 book
December 9, 2023
An exciting and modern Famous Five-esque adventure for children with some wicked baddies.
Author 1 book
February 7, 2024
it's good but if Joe keeps lying. The parents will be bound to keep their kids away from them.

123 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2024
Hard headed Joe and pals

This is a very nice story but not recommended for young ones to emulate. Times are different now.

But they all had fun!
4 reviews
February 5, 2025
Full of action and suspese. I was very scared
Profile Image for K.L..
Author 2 books16 followers
April 22, 2025
Really enjoyable little Enid Blytonesque mystery with a decently researched historical background. Characters were well developed and the writing enjoyable
Profile Image for Iraa ☘️.
121 reviews
January 1, 2026
I don't enjoy it as much as the first one, I think the novel experience has wear off or there's a tad difference in characterizations that I'm not a fan of, for example I don't remember Max love eating this much that he mentioned it a few times, his witty banter also lessen considerably, it just doesn't feel quite like him, likewise Lucy becomes a bit meek and not as firm and leader-like like in the first book, joe and charlie still the same.

The mystery still has the same style as first book, the antagonist direct in it's approach and not much complex mystery, it's okay but i prefer the first one
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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