Dotty has a new case! Her father recently brought her and her mother back a tea cup and a Japanese sword he purchased as gifts for them. Little does Dotty know that they both hold terrible and ancient secrets and that there are now not one but two Japanese families fighting to get these objects back, at any cost.

The whole mystery/supernatural portion of this was really well done, Dotty does some excellent research into Japanese folklore, and I definitely could have seen this story being in many anime.

That being said, something about Dotty and her family rubbed me the wrong way, and I found myself skipping through many scenes that included them. Dotty is the only kid in her friend group who seems to have a stable home life, and it hit me wrong. Especially when the theme seemed to be that the "bullies" all had bad home lives. And especially since Dotty was truly cruel to some people, she made some very cutting remarks and would just "apologize" by saying "Oops sometimes I can't control my mouth." And everyone would just accept it.

Overall, I had asked myself if my twelve year old came to me and asked for books in the supernatural genre for her age group. I'd recommend this, but it would be at the bottom of the list. Which is the only reason it's getting four stars instead of three. Because I'm 100% sure my kiddo would read it.

As always, thanks to In a Bind Books and NetGalley for the eArc!

The Case of the Zombie Ninjas is a thrilling middle-grade mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Dotty Morgan is a spunky and relatable protagonist, and her adventures navigating middle school drama while solving supernatural mysteries had me turning the pages eagerly. The blend of ancient conflict and modern-day challenges adds depth to the story, and I particularly enjoyed the themes of friendship, bravery, and acceptance woven throughout.

Hold onto your hats, young mystery lovers, because The Case of the Zombie Ninjas is one wild ride! Picture this: a twelve-year-old sleuth, a Japanese sword with a mind of its own, and a whole lot of supernatural shenanigans. Dotty Morgan isn't your average middle schooler – she's out there solving centuries-old murders while dealing with bullies, crushes, and, oh yeah, zombie ninjas! Trust me, this book is like Nancy Drew meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a dash of middle school drama thrown in for good measure. So if you're looking for a mystery that'll keep you guessing until the very end, grab a copy of The Case of the Zombie Ninjas and get ready for an adventure you won't forget!