This is a very fun middle grade ghost mystery with some really terrific characters. Charlie is a middle schooler who is relocating to Florida with her dad after her grandmother died. Charlie does not love the idea of living in Florida and the house where they are living doesn't help. It's over 100 years old and hasn't really been lived in for the last 100 years. It's still (barely) furnished with the orignal owners things and the rumor around town is that the house is both haunted and cursed. Charlie finds this interesting, because apparently part of the curse involves a giant diamond shaped like a skull. Charlie finds the town bullies right away but manages to make a friend, who is also interested in curses and ghosts. The mystery unravels in the most charming way and I think kids are going to like this one a lot.

The Curse of Dead Man’s Diamonds
by Christyne E. Morell

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

This one is perfect for spooky season

1. Middle grade – mystery/fantasy
2. Haunted house with ghosts
3. Wonderful message about friendship
4. Twist you will never see coming
5. Covers grief and loss

In this middle-grade mystery, eleven year old Charlie moves from NYC to Florida only to find herself in the haunted Winklevoss Manor. To her surprise, she’s not alone—she’s joined by three mischievous ghosts cursed for snatching a dead man’s diamond.

#TheCurseOfDeadMansDiamonds#TBRBeyondTours #ChristyneEMorell

The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell is a contemporary middle grade novel with themes of grief, regret, and legacy.

Twelve-year-old Charlie’s life has been completely uprooted following the loss of her beloved grandmother. While she’s still deep in her grief, her father moves them from New York City into Winklevoss Manor, a famously haunted house in Florida. Charlie struggles to adapt and fit into this small town where everyone seems to know her business.

Charlie is determined to move back to NYC and sets her sights on the lost “dead man’s diamond” believed to be hidden in her new home. With the infamous diamond, she and her father will have enough money to return to her beloved apartment and life in New York.

The chapters alternate between Charlie’s point of view and that of the ghosts who share her home. We learn that the ghosts are trapped in Winklevoss Manor and the hidden diamond is the key to their release. If they help Charlie find the stone, will she return it to the sea and lift their curse? Or will she selfishly keep it to fund a return to her old life?

While the book deals significantly with grief and coping with change, its key message focuses on regret. Morrell wants kids to know that they are not defined by their mistakes. Holding on to guilt and regret will only hold you back.

“Never define people by one mistake, one regret, one silly curse. They’re more than that.”

Charlie just recently moved into Winklevoss Manor which is brimming with secrets. Charlie had no desire to move but when she meets a girl named Sarah she learns that there might be a way to return home. Sarah tells Charlie the mysteries that lie in Winklevoss Manor and about a mystifying diamond that has magical powers. Charlie decides the diamond is her ticket back to her hometown. But when she meets the three ghosts who are trapped in her house, will she use the diamond to help the ghosts or herself?
Rating: 4/5
The relationships between the characters in this book were well developed and riveting to younger readers. Reading this with my daughter she loved how Charlie was able to overcome her fears. The plot was intriguing and age appropriate.

*Thank you to Christyne Morrell, Random House Children's | Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

✨💎✨ The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond ✨💎✨

Oh my gosh - this was absolutely spooktacular! Casper & The Goonies were basically my personality as a child and The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond is jam packed with all of their vibes! A father daughter duo starting over in a new town, moving into a haunted house with ghosts who have unfinished business?! A quest to help find a stolen diamond?? Immediately yes! Dealing with topics of grief, moving, honesty and friendship, this ghostly tale is perfect for spooky season and a great story for readers of all ages!

Thank you Random House Children's | Delacorte Press & TBR & Beyond Tours for sending a copy my way!

It’s that time of year to get our spook on. Give me an old manor, a few ghosts, a curse, and we have the making of a super spooky and fun story! The gist of the story is Charlie and her friends need to find the diamonds and break the curse so she can move back home to New York City. This was a great middle-grade mystery with fun and feisty characters. This is a book I would definitely recommend.

I loved the premise of The Curse of the Deadman's Diamond and loved the dual Point of Views. I have to be honest I was not impressed by Charlie at all and she was no better than Ben and I would of liked it if we saw more of Sarah she literally rocked he scenes in the book.

I admit I was feeling 3 stars even though I was enjoying the book but that was before Christyne sneaked in some twists which I was not expecting at all. I was like woah.

So if you want to read a mystery which has more to it than meets between the eye then The Curse of the Deadman's Diamond will be right up your street.

For all the above reasons The Curse of the Deadman's Diamond receives 4 stars.

A little scary and very funny, The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond is a great book for young horror lovers.

Eleven year old Charlie is forced to move from NYC to a weird little town in Florida named Casaluna. She hates everything about this move, especially the fact that her new house is supposedly cursed and inhabited by three ghosts.

The ghosts need her help. They're trapped in the home, unable to directly communicate with the living, due to a curse involving a skull shaped diamond. In Casaluna there has been a long held tradition that one is buried at sea with a token to enter the afterlife. When Arthur Winklevoss found a diamond washed up on the shore he didn't believe in the warnings about a curse, that diamond was going to solve all his problems. WRONG! It caused nothing but trouble.

If Charlie can find that diamond nearly 100 years later and return it to the ocean then the ghosts will be free to leave the house and move on into the afterlife. But, she could also sell that diamond to get enough money to move back to NYC and afford the rent on her old apartment. What will she do??


I really liked these characters and I honestly laughed out loud a couple of times from the dialogue. This book is accessible to young readers who want a story about ghosts without having the pants scared off of them.

This middle-grade mystery/fantasy charmed me from the very beginning because it felt like a cross between two of my favourite childhood movies: Casper (1995) and The Rescuers (1977). Okay so the references might be a tad outdated but I promise this book is not! We have a creepy haunted house, ghosts, tales of curses, making friends, and school bullies: all topics that a middle schooler (and adults) will find engaging or relatable.

The story is told in alternating POVs: one for Charlie and one for the three ghosts where we follow them before they were ghosts and how they cope with being ghosts in Charlie’s time. I enjoyed how the narrative mixed light and mysterious moments with heavier story beats as we got to know our characters better. We learn about the ghosts’ tragic past, and about Charlie’s grief and feelings of guilt—there’s a touching moment about midway through that made me tear up. But don’t worry, the dialogue also made me laugh several times, especially when the town’s medium, Madame Rayna was on the page. She and Cinco, an Argentinian boy with a satisfying character arc, are my favourite characters!

I loved how this book discusses what being a true friend means, especially because it’s aimed at an age group where kids might want to spend more time with friends than with family. It’s a natural part of growing up and finding independence and it doesn’t mean they don’t love their family but it can be tough to navigate. Charlie sometimes acts unkindly toward a new friend or behaves in a way her father doesn’t understand but I loved how the story allows her to process those things, and take ownership of her mistakes. The bullies in the story are not depicted as black-and-white and while it is clear that there is no excuse for bullying, it’s also equally clear that everyone deserves compassion.

4.5. They moved from NY to a strange town in Florida where they take their ghosts and curse quite seriously, but all Charlie wants is to go back to NY and doesn't try to understand what is around her. The ghosts living in her house need her help. If she finds the cursed demons hidden in her house and throws it into the ocean, they'll be free. But a Dimond can be the money they need to return to NY. A tale of ghosts but also of grief, of losing a grandparents, of moving away from all that is known, of forgiveness, new friendships, and doing what is right.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-ARC of The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamonds!

• 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐍’𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐒

1. If you love a good ghost story, you’ll enjoy this middle grade novel!
2. Ever had to move to a new place as a kid? Then you’ll relate well to Charlie!
3. Each ghost has a story to tell, so if you enjoy books with strong character development, then check this one out!
4. Trying to get your 12 year old to read more? Introduce this one to them! They’re sure to love it!
5. Lastly, if you love books with different POVs and differing time periods, read The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamonds!

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

After twelve-year-old Charlie moves from New York City to sweaty, sticky Florida, she’ll do anything to get back home.

Even if it involves ghosts.

Winklevoss Manor, Charlie’s new house, is a towering Victorian mansion famous for one thing—it’s haunted. Three ghosts—Ada, Arthur, and Guff—live there, and not by choice. They’re trapped, cursed for stealing a dead man’s diamond. A diamond that, just like the ghosts, is still in the house. And this gets Charlie thinking. . .

Maybe if she can find the diamond and sell it, Charlie’s family could have enough money to move back to the city. But lifting the curse isn’t that simple, especially when she’s pitted against the school bully and three unruly spirits. It’s frightening to think about, but what if the only way to get rid of the ghosts and curses is by doing what Charlie fears the most—confronting the past that haunts her?

Thank you! Downloaded and final feedback will be on instagram, Goodreads, and Amazon on 9/30 with scheduled tour with TBR and Beyond. So excited for this one!!!!

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne E. Morrell is a delightful blend of mystery, adventure, and the supernatural, making it an excellent pick for middle-grade readers who enjoy a good ghost story. The book follows twelve-year-old Charlie as she navigates the challenges of moving from New York City to a small town in Florida, where her new home—a grand Victorian mansion—comes with a spooky surprise: it's haunted!

Morrell excels at creating an intriguing atmosphere in Winklevoss Manor. The ghosts—Ada, Arthur, and Guff—are both endearing and mysterious, each with their distinct personalities and reasons for being trapped in the house. The curse involving the dead man’s diamond adds a clever twist to the traditional haunted house narrative, giving the story a fresh angle that keeps readers engaged.

Charlie is a relatable and determined protagonist. Her quest to find the diamond and break the curse is driven by her desire to return to the familiar streets of New York, making her journey not just about solving a mystery but also about finding a place where she belongs. Her challenges, including dealing with the school bully and overcoming her fears, are well-handled and contribute to her growth throughout the story.

While the pacing is steady, the book effectively balances moments of tension and humor, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish. The resolution is satisfying, tying up the story’s key elements while leaving room for readers to imagine what might come next for Charlie and her ghostly companions.

Overall, The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond is a charming and engaging tale combining a spooky mystery and heartfelt moments. It will entertain young readers and leave them with a smile. 3.5 stars.

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond is exactly the kind of book I would have loved to read as a kid. In this story you follow Charlie who has moved from NewYork City to Florida with her dad into what the local declare a haunted house. This Florida town is very superstitious and you are treated to their local legends. This story is told in a dual perspective one of them being Charlie's as she searches for this cursed diamond and what it might mean to her family if she finds it. The other perspective is the ghosts that haunt the house; how they deal with being cursed to live in the house and how they might one day be free. Dead Man's Diamond is fast-paced and the alternating points of view really pull the reader along - making you see the different sides to the story. I was equally interested in Charlie's story as she handles moving to this new town and the people she meets there, as I was learning about the ghost and the curse. It was the right balance of scary, adventure, and heart. This story, while is a mystery/treasure hunt at its core also handles topics of grief, bullying, toxic friendships, true friendship, and single parent homes.

CW: on page deaths (drowning and falling), physic medium/seance

Thank you Net Galley and Radom House Children for the ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review.