Based on the description the publisher provides, you might expect this to be an intense, spooky story. THe reality is not that. The story is rather silly, more based in the absurd than anything else. It would make a fun read-aloud in the vein of Bunnicula.

This is a fine middle grade mystery-Sid likes hanging out with her best friend Zen. They often go to the graveyard where Sid can talk to her mom, who died when Sid was very small. Sid's dad is busy making a scale model of the town so when she thinks she sees a pirate one day, it's not really a big surprise, except that this pirate is actually a ghost! Sid tries to figure out why the pirate only appears to her and then how she can get the pirate back where he belongs. It's a fun, creepy adventure.

4.5/5 ⭐️
After a night in the graveyard with her friend Zen, Sid realizes she has accidentally released a pirate ghost. After realizing he is pretty friendly, she agrees to help him find his treasure so that he can move on.

This was fun debut to what seems like it will be a series! I think it started a little slow but once Sid began helping Bones, it really picked up. The illustrations throughout were really cute, but there were a few times I wish we had an illustration for something that didn’t have one. Despite that, a fun middle grades read!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan is a delightful romp through the supernatural that will charm middle-grade readers and beyond. The story follows Sid Jones, a spirited young girl with a penchant for hanging out in graveyards with her best friend Zen, hoping to encounter a ghost. McLachlan deftly sets the stage for a whimsical adventure when Sid accidentally summons a 300-year-old pirate, thrusting her into a world where ghosts abound and the unexpected is the norm. The author's imaginative premise hooks readers from the start, promising a tale filled with humor, heart, and a touch of spookiness.

As Sid navigates the eerie and enchanting Halfway House, a magical inn teeming with lost souls from various eras, McLachlan brings to life a vivid cast of spectral characters. Each ghost has a unique story, adding layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative. The central mystery—Sid's unexpected role in saving these ghosts from their sinister landlord—unfolds with a balance of suspense and lightheartedness. Sid's disbelief and reluctance to embrace her newfound responsibility add a relatable element to her character, making her journey all the more engaging. McLachlan's prose is lively and accessible, making it an excellent pick for young readers.

However, it's not all smooth sailing for Sid and her spectral friends. McLachlan introduces an ominous observer whose displeasure with Sid's ghostly interactions adds a layer of tension to the plot. The ticking clock motif effectively heightens the stakes, pushing Sid and Zen to race against time to uncover the inn's secrets and free the trapped spirits. While some plot points may feel predictable to seasoned readers, the book's charm lies in its ability to weave humor and warmth into a ghostly adventure. Dead Good Detectives is a thoroughly enjoyable read, earning a well-deserved four stars for its engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and the delightful blend of the spooky and the whimsical.

A story of friendship, with a ghostly pirate twist. This was a wonderfully adventurous read with a nice twisty mystery! Middle grade readers will be completely entranced by the characters and quickly devour this story. I highly recommend this story.

5 plus

Are you WEIRD? If being weird means going on adventure, being curious, enjoying life, questioning things, and wanting to learn without being afraid of making mistakes or minding what others may think, then I want to be weird too. I love that Zen tells us weird (before) meant that it was someone who controls fate.

From the author of Land of Roar comes a fantastic and exciting treasure hunt adventure, a beautifully illustrated standalone that could also become an amazing series.

Sid (Sidonie) is becoming more shy and isolated, afraid of taking chances. She misses her mom who died when she was a baby, and can't stand up to bullies in school. Her best friend Zen (Zennor) is proudly weird but Sid doesn't want to be in the spotlight, she cares what others think. She prefers to spend time in the graveyard, drawing her map of Fathom (a town on the coast of east England) ... when, without knowing (her power) she releases a three-hundred-year-old ghost from his curse. This pirate is Captain Bones (Ezekiel Kittow) of the Black Gannett.

What I love the most is that Sid accepts to help the pirate break the curse by promising to find his treasure. He is not the only soul trapped by the eerie Old Scratch who starts hunting Sid down as well.

So much detail and creativity that makes the story so much fun to read. I couldn't put it down.

Sid grows so much. The quest not only helps her to come out of her shell and stand up for her beliefs, but she also connects with her late mom, recovers her friendship with Zen, and grows in the community.

I loved this adventure of pirates, ghosts, treasure maps, sunken ships, the Pirate Day celebration, the parade, and her father's miniature model city. Adding Zen's Museum of Curiosities, the treasure hunt, Elizabeth the Parrot, dressing up as a pirate, and playing games in a friendly competition.

thank you publisher for the e-arc.