Dubious Deeds: Further Adventures of Eddie Dickens

The Further Adventures of Eddie Dickens #1

by Philip Ardagh

The pint-sized hero of the best-selling Eddie Dickens Trilogy is back in Dubious Deeds, the first of his Further Adventures, and this time he's many miles from home. In this ridiculous tale of deceit and double-dealing, Eddie Dickens is away from Awful End in the highly unlikely highlands of Victorian Scotland. He finds himself amongst a group of vegetarian strangers living in Even Madder Aunt Maud's Scottish ancestral pile; embroiled in a plot that could rock the very foundations of the British monarchy; and in danger of being late for his tea.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.

Reviews

[Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, but less crazy than expected

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Ardagh is spot on his game in this entertaining continuation of the Eddie Dickens' saga. Eddie is sent to Scotland to check out a manor house that is owned by his great-uncle (Mad Uncle Jack) and his great-aunt (Even Madder Aunt Maud), to see what the family might want to keep before putting the property up for sale. But (given that this adventure involves the hapless Eddie Dickens) things are not always as they seem and things do not go precisely as planned. Like Ardagh's other books in this series, the writing is free-flowing, tongue-in-cheek, and often laugh-out-loud funny. A worthy addition that is recommended to anyone who enjoys humorous stories.

[Chris - Quarter Press Editor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Eddie Dicken's last trilogy, as the absurdity and cleverness throughout made them more than worth the short time it took to read them.

And while I was still entertained and amused with this addition to the series, I felt as if there were times that Mr. Ardagh was a bit TOO clever for his own good. Basically, the jokes and digressions in this one--while fun and funny--muddle the plot in Dubious Deeds more so than they have before.

That being said, if you liked the other books, there's nothing that will stop you from liking this book, too. As an added bonus, the art--as per usual for this series--is all sorts of wonderful.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herrlich schräger englischer Humor

[Beth Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the original trilogy as a child and discovered these in the school library whilst roaming around after book club one evening. Delighted by the discovery I immediately pulled my phone out and had them delivered ASAP.

As delightfully daft, utterly mad, and riotously funny as the originals, Philip Ardagh's humour appeals to all ages. Eddie Dickens is a book I will give to all my godchildren. Although to be fair they may get very bored of Auntie Beth bearing books. Tangents aside, brilliant book.

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute light read. Really enjoyed it!

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of the series. Eddie's adventures in Scotland are nowhere near as mad as they are at home.

[Miss Bookiverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy or book 1 in the further adventures of Eddie Dickens. This book deals with Eddie visiting Scotland to check out some property of his Mad Uncle Jack and his Even Madder Aunt Maud. He already finds another family living there who claim to be the rightful owners of the property. On top of that Queen Victoria is visiting Scotland at the same time and is invited to take part in a hunt where she almost becomes the victim of an assassination.

My boyfriend and me read this book together, taking turns in reading the story to each other. We often had trouble getting the huge piles of words in one sentences across our lips but we also had some marvellous fun. This book is so full of funny, absurd story twists, useless parentheses and quirky characters. It is so much more than just a children's book. I guess I would've loved it as a child but it entertains me even more as a young adult. On top of that there's the amazing illustrations that capture the spirit of the weirdest story ever perfectly.

Not much to add to this. Philip Ardagh knows how to work it and I'm looking forward to read about Eddie's other adventures.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love to read a book by this author! He is one of the wittiest that I have chanced upon and I think that he needs to be brought out of the obscurity of the kids book section. Although most of his books are written for a middle school aged audience I think that they are just as fantastic, if not more so, for the adult ones! His books often have odd illustrations on the front and "mad" characters- but don't let that upset you. Everything you ever thought you knew about the english language will be turned on its head if you read these books. I would recommend starting with the first book in the Eddie Dicken's Trilogy (of which this is an extension novel.) It is called the House on Haunted Hill. This book is another example of the charming and witty philip ardagh books populating my shelf at the moment :)

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes think the only thing better than Scots are vegetarian scots and this book offers plenty of those. As well as the other 5 books of the series it is highly enjoyable, every time again a pleasure to read and as for me having lived in Scotland for a while, holds a certain personal value as well. Recommendable to anyone of all ages that can handle a little bit of humor!

[Katy Larserfam · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny and original

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giggle, chortle, squeak, snigger, guffaw, snicker... need I go on? (o;

[mairywo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first of the Further Adventures Eddie Dickens travels to Scotland. Again, it's hilarious what he experiences with McFeeeeeeee, Queen Victoria and all the MacMuckles.

[UsefulCard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glad it was so short.

[Ala Janbek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, but I enjoyed it.
Funny as always.

[Omarove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly funny, but you'll encounter - er - some vapid jokes!