Shadowghast is a spooky, yet heartwarming, action-packed middle-grade just-in-time-for-Halloween adventure!

This is a very quick read and I mean really quick. I bet readers who read faster than I do could tackle this one in about 2 or 3 hours. The audience who this is meant for may not tackle it that fast, but it's still a pretty easy book to get through.

The author doesn't overwhelm with descriptions, plot, writing, length. That doesn't mean this is bland and boring. I was cackling at some of the expressions that would pop up on purpose to make the reader giggle, like our hero who was flummoxed, dunderfied and discombobulated in the same sentence. I found it very endearing.

While the plot itself was interesting, and there were plenty of moments where we were going through the dark with Violet and Herbie, running away from the Shadowghast, I found that I was the most interested in the relationship between Violet and Herbie. They are almost like brother and sister, and they have such love and devotion for each other even though they are so very young.

Since I unfortunately haven't read the first two books, I"m not sure if Herbie and Violet are connected more than by just being in the same town... I had a feeling the author was dropping some hints at the end of this book, but I could be mistaken.

Nevertheless, this is the perfect time to pick this one up, and honestly, the two books before this one. It's scary, spooky, perfect for Halloween, there's plenty of mystery to solve and clues to find, and you'll definitely get a good chuckle out of it!

The third instalment in a truly exceptional children's series. All the brilliant inhabitants of Eerie-on-sea return along with a few new ones for a typically haunting and ever-original mystery about what terrors lurk in the dark.

A wonderful Autumn read!

It’s Eerie-on-Sea, but not as you know it.

In Thomas Taylor’s third Eerie-on-Sea mystery, winter has not yet iced the shore; instead a new kind of chill casts shadows throughout the seaside town. To celebrate autumn’s Ghastly Night, a troupe of performers arrive to tell the story of the Shadowghast. The town is thrilled, but there’s a horrid truth in the old tale that threatens to snuff out the residents one by one.

Luckily, Herbert Lemon is here to save the day. Or is he? Enchanted by the possibility of finding his family and discovering his true name, Herbie bickers with best-friend Violet and the heroic duo’s friendship cracks. Can he see through all the illusion before it’s too late?

Without the seaside-saltiness, Shadowghast has a different vibe to earlier books Malamander and Gargantis. Here, theatre, tricks, magic, and sleight-of-hand flavour the language. I absolutely loved the Netherways chapters and hope Herbie and Violet return to these depths in future adventures.

Great fun! Highly recommended! The whole series is a deep-fried, golden treat from crispy bow to battered stern. Loved the wisps of metafiction too, and check out this beautiful sentence, just one of many:

“And no sound remained but the hiss of the lantern and the creak of the pier and the churn of the endless sea.” -p12

I really liked the third book in this series. It was very creepy and a bit darker in my opinion than the previous too. I love Herbie and Violet, their friendship is really sweet. And Erwin as always keeps them on the right track.

Loving the conspiracy development too.

A great installment in this top notch series.

*contains spoilers*

In this 3rd installment of The Legend of Eerie-on-Sea series we're one again following Lost-and-Founder Herbie Lemon and his best friend Violet Parma as they work together to solve yet another eerie mystery. Ghastly Night is approaching and the residents of Eerie-on-Sea are getting ready for their annual celebration. This year with the arrival of a theatre troupe and Calistra - who claims to know of Herbie's life before he arrived in the town - it's up to Herbie and Violet to save the town from the Shadowghast's grasp.

The friendship between the two main characters is something I really enjoyed reading about in this book especially. I liked how they had their disagreements but in the end they were there for each other when it really mattered.

Overall I really enjoyed being back in the world of Eerie-on-Sea with Herbie and Violet, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you #NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series, so when this third book appeared on Netgalley, of course I requested it! I will still try to get my hands of the physical copy though… because like I said: I love the series.

One of the things that makes this series so great is the setting. All of the stories take place in a seeside village called Cheerie-on-Sea… apart from that out of season two of the letters fall of the sign therefore the town is now called Eerie-on-Sea. And it is just perfect and I want to visit it. There is a book dispensary (where you get not necessarily the book you want, but the book you need), there is Mrs Fossil the beachcomber, there a wonderful museum, there is a great fish-and-chip shop on a pier… and there is Herbert Lemon who works as a Lost-and-Founder in the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Also, a talking cat and a clockwork hermit crab.

To all of that greatness, this book now adds another layer of atmosphere with it all being set around Ghastly Night (the towns version of Halloween) and the creatures and legends that come with it: the Shadowghast. And yes, he is creepy… making this the perfect read for upcoming spooky season.

We also get some developments on Herbie’s story and I cannot wait to see where that takes us, And we get to explore some new part of the town. As usual the stakes are high, and Thomas doesn’t make life easy for his heroes even though this book is written for kids. Herbert and Violet also get their friendship tested which was kinda nice to see.

My only (minor) issue with this book is with the villain, and a trope/trick that I’m not the biggest fan of in the first place done just a bit too often. But that might just be a personal irk.

This is one of those middle grade series that is very easy to enjoy by an older audience as well, and a perfect autumn read (especially this third book). So you should definitely pick these up soon!

I think this might be the best Eerie-On-Sea mystery yet! It had the best pacing and was action packed! I will admit that Gargantis was not my favorite book, so I was worried about this one, but I didn't need to! Herbie and Violet were in fine form, and are a dynamic duo, that I wish I could join and make a terrific threesome.

Shadowghast is a fantastic addition to the Malamander series with, I believe, the creepiest monster yet! I couldn't stop reading and wish I didn't have to wait yet again for the next installment! Thomas Taylor's writing is superb and has great appeal for a wide range of children.

I have been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to return to an end-of-season Eerie-On-Sea after enjoying the brilliant Malamander and Gargantis. What a spookily thrilling return! Mystery, darkness, danger and revelations are weaved in another of Eerie-on-Sea’s intriguing legends: Shadowghast is perfect to cosy up with on a dark evening as a spine-tingling tale unfolds from within its pages … just make sure you keep a candle lit!
The Grand Nautilus Hotel has some rather intriguing new guests: a theatre troupe who have been invited to stage the annual Ghastly Night Show, a shadow puppet show that promises to protect the inhabitants of Eerie-on-Sea from the Shadowghast: a creature of legend, or a dark entity hunting the living?
Imagine the surprise felt by the Hotel’s resident Lost-and-Founder, Herbie Lemon, when one of the guests discloses a startling revelation, a revelation that, if proven, will change his life …
As if getting life-changing news wasn’t enough for Herbie to deal with, he finds out from his best friend, Violet Parma, that her guardian, the owner of the Eerie Book Dispensary, has disappeared …
Herbie and Violet find themselves on an action-packed, thrilling race against time to uncover the truth behind the legend of the Shadowghast, a truth that looks into the past, takes them into dangerous situations and leads to shocking revelations. Will they be able to save the missing townsfolk before they are lost to darkness? Can they discover where the threat to the town is coming from before it is too late? Luckily, they have help from the mysterious and really rather wonderful cat, Erwin, and from a brilliant little clockwork creation that I absolutely adore.
This is a superb mystery that will take the reader on an exhilarating, edge-of-the-seat adventure to discover the truth of a deliciously dark legend: a fantastic addition to the legends of Eerie-on-Sea, and as always, I can’t wait for the next mystery to unfold.

These books really are the perfect thing to pick up as summer turns into autumn if you want something eerie but not horror-ish to get you in the mood. They're fast paced, funny, and generally all around enjoyable.

The summer season is just ending in Cheerie-on-Sea, the "C" has fallen off, and the "H" will soon, as the mists roll in and the monsters of legend stalk the streets once more. This time, we have a Halloween mystery - except in Eerie-on-Sea, it's called Ghastly Night, when a monster steals shadows from people, and whoever controls the monster controls the people. <em>Naturally</em>, no one believes the monster is real, so Herbie and Violet have to do it themselves.

Erwin the cat is back and in such a starring role that he gets a mention on the cover! I wasn't always sure if he could speak, or if he was able to convey meaning through gesture, as sometimes there are "Ne-ow"s and sometimes whole lines attributed to him. Either way, it fits the edge-of-the-map-where-rules-are-different feel to the book.

I love diving deeper into the secrets of the town (and once you've read the book, you might get why that phrasing makes me VERY pleased.) After the last book, there were hints at a big mystery wrapped around the town and Herbie. While we don't make progress in discovering what this mystery is, we do get confirmation that it's real - and that it will probably be the finale of the series.

For a series that is based in the same location throughout, the layout and places constrained by that very first map, it manages to keep the small town feeling fresh. Locations get added sparkles of meaning and returning to a location can add a semi-nostalgic feel. "I know this place." (Also very good for not needing to do a lot of description all over again, just pull up the main features to let the brain recall it.)

This book is another amazing story in the series.Herbie and Vi’s relationship goes from strength to strength.Finding out more about Eerie-on-sea and its wonders kept me hooked.A magical read. Thomas Taylor is a fantastic story teller,he hooks you in &makes you want to read more. I would recommend this to the children in my class, who have enjoyed reading the other books in the series.

This is one of my favourite children's series and in this story we find out more about Herbie and the mysteries of Eerie-on-Sea. Having enjoyed his Malamander and Gargantis, Thomas Taylor's next creation, the sinister Shadowghast, is just as good and there are some quite creepy moments as a result. The story itself is just like the previous two in that it's a well plotted adventure with great characters and a hugely imaginative setting. It was really enjoyable and i can't wait for the next in the series.

As Ghastly Night approaches, eerie and spooky tales fill Eerie-on-Sea. Legends speak of the Shadowghast, a mysterious shadowy being that eats shadows and shadow puppet shows retell the tale every Ghastly Night. However, that’s not all that’s strange and mysterious this October in Eerie-on-Sea, a stage magician and troupe have arrived and there’s something odd and strangely mesmerising about them. After Herbie begins to see shadows everywhere, it’s down to Violet and Herbie to solve the mystery – is the Shadowghast back and what does he want in Eerie-on-Sea?

I loved both Malamander and Gargantis and delighted in finding nerdy references throughout the tales, revelling in reading the mysterious stories. So I was absolutely delighted to be able to return to Eerie-on-Sea with the much anticipated Shadowghast – I waited anxiously and desperately wanted to be accepted! Thomas Taylor’s writing absolutely draws readers in and makes them feel a part of Herbie’s mysterious journey. From the first page, I was hooked and desperate to know more about Ghastly Night and the Shadowghast – what an opening! And Taylor continues to deliver throughout the tale with strange and creepy mysterious stories hooking the reader left right and centre.

I don’t want to spoil any of the story, but Herbie’s backstory seems to develop (at least a little!) throughout Shadowghast, even though I am still definitely left wanting more! Herbie’s mysterious past starts to unravel a little and the reader is kept guessing and hoping for any tidbit that is thrown! I absolutely love Erwin the cat who remains intriguing, but absolutely a life saver for Herbie and Violet. New addition to the story is the fabulous Calistra, mysterious and magical, and perhaps with her own connection to Herbie and Eerie-on-Sea.

Dark and spooky, Shadowghast is a must read that will delight and intrigue readers. 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for providing an e-book review copy.

Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma are back for another spine tingling, thrilling adventure in their creepy seaside town of Eerie on Sea. Perhaps the perfect summer tourist hot spot, in autumn the town turns eerie, creepy and full of spooky legends.
This adventure features the legend of the Shadowghast, a hungry shadow devouring man with creepy smile and horns on his head- the proper stuff of nightmares. Strange things begin to happen in the weeks before Halloween, or Ghastly Night as locals celebrate it. Missing friends, the arrival of a magician and her troupe, and a truth for Herbie to understand.
The same fantastic characters feature in this third book in the series, Jenny from the Book Dispensary, Erwin the entirely wonderful bookstore cat, and of course, grumpy Mr Mollusc, still looking for any reason to get rid of Herbie. Violet is still pushing Herbie out of his comfort zone and searching for new adventures, while the rest of the town carry on as normally as they can.
Amidst this tale of trickery, legend and truth, someone familiar makes a return to Eerie-on-Sea!
Herbie, at his very core, just wants some answers and truths about his life before the Grand Nautilus Hotel. He yearns for family and a sense of home- Will Shadowghast bring any of those for Herbie?
Thomas Taylor has an incredible style of writing in which the reader feels entirely a part of the story. We can see the action, hear the thoughts and predict what might happen next. We also root strongly for Herbie as he has been part of this story since book one, and I am certain I am not the only reader who has a special place in their heart for this lost and founder.
There is one spoiler I must provide….evidence of yet another spooky visit back to Eerie on Sea and another adventure for Herbie and Vi.

Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma are back in another creepy adventure that will send shivers down the spine and will leave the hairs standing up on the back of the neck. This is the third book in the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series and readers get to revel in a devilishly delicious narrative that will leave you never looking at shadow puppet shows in the same light ever again.

The summer season has come to an end in Eerie-on-Sea and the autumnal weather has well and truly settled in. Whilst the rest of the world is preparing to celebrate Halloween, Eerie-on-Sea is readying itself for its traditional Ghastly Night celebrations where townsfolk light manglewick candles in order to protect themselves from the legendary Shadowghast. Legend dictates that if the hungry beast does not get offered shadows then it will seek to feast on those of the living.

With a new troupe of performers in town, it could be the most spectacular celebration yet. But no sooner have the performers checked into the Grand Nautilus Hotel than people start disappearing. Violet and Herbie are sure it is no coincidence but can they see through the shadows and work out the magician’s dangerous secret before the Shadowghast unleashes havoc on the town…

I would like to say it was a wonderful holiday in Eerie-on-Sea but there’s never the opportunity to relax and unwind in the strange town that quickly turns from Cheerie to Eerie once the bucket and spade tourists have departed. For once, I was hoping to enjoy lunch in Seegol’s diner and spend a leisurely afternoon browsing Mrs. Fossil’s latest beach-combing finds before snuggling up with a good book chosen by the infamous mermonkey at Jenny Hanniver’s book dispensary. But no such luck, there’s a new act in town, a terrifying shadow-stealing spectre on the loose, residents going missing and the need to light a manglewick candle if you want to survive the night.

Luckily, Herbie and Violet were on-hand to keep my shadow safe but that did little to ease my fears or reduce my racing pulse. In a fast-paced adventure full of more twists and turns than the Netherways - a labyrinth of dark, abandoned passageways that run beneath the town, the brave duo find themselves in a thrilling race against time to unravel the mystery of the new performers before the shadows of all the townsfolk are captured and their lives controlled by the Puppet Master. Driving the story forward is a wonderful friendship, a desire to learn the truth and a longing for family, which in Herbie’s case may have finally presented itself although the sharp and prickly Violet thinks otherwise.

Despite all of the spine-tingling action, I delighted in being back in the town steeped in folklore and superstition. I love it when you step into a book and you immediately have that connection with the setting and the characters and journeying back to the strange seaside town was like catching up with old friends. It was a pleasure to reunite with the loveable Mrs. Fossil and her ocean treasures, Jenny Hanniver who always has a freshly baked treat to offer, it was even nice to hear the dulcet and grumpy tones of Mr. Mollusc. Above all, I was most excited to see Clermit the clockwork crab and Erwin the talking cat, both who had more prominent roles.

Thomas Taylor delivers all the story elements that make this series such a hit; suspense, mystery, intrigue, sinister goings-on, strange characters and legends from the past impacting those in the present. It all makes for another brilliantly gripping adventure from first page to last that I honestly could not stop reading. Just remember to light your manglewick candle before you begin.

With huge thanks to the lovely peeps at Walker Books Australia for an early sneak peek of this brilliant fantasy adventure.

Recommended for 9+.

Thomas Taylor's books have long been amongst my favourite Middle Grade reads so I was delighted to be approved for an advance copy. Thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for the ARC.

Shadowghast continues the story of Herbert Lemon from the two preceding volumes. Once again, Herbert and his best friend Violet are tumbled head-first into a new adventure to solve. However, the personal stakes are raised by the arrival of Caliastra - a charismatic but enigmatic magician - who claims to have answers about Herbie's unknown past. This time around, Herbie and Violet face off against the Shadowghast, a legend as old as Eerie-on-Sea itself and must race against time to save all of the town's inhabitants.

Whilst Gargantis - the second book in the series - could perhaps be said to retread some of the first book's structure, this book is cut from different cloth. Thomas Taylor has done a fantastic job of adding new layers to the mysteries in play and, quite literally, to Eeerie-on-Sea itself. With the introduction of Caliastra, both Herbie and the reader are forced to question what they think they know and the story never progresses in quite the way you think it will. Taylor’s strong descriptive language does such a good job of conjuring up images of his strange settings that there’s never any need for illustrations and, once again, he demonstrates how he’s an utter master of opening chapters.

All of the loveable Eerie-on-Seas residents are back this time around although some disappear from the plot for long stretches. Their subsequent slight lack of depth instead makes room for plenty of time for the central duo and the book is all the stronger for the character development Taylor makes room for.

Overall Shadowghast competes with Malamander for the strongest entry in the series to date. Regular visits to Eerie-on-Sea are still a wonderful, if slightly unsettling, treat and I’m very much looking forward to book four!

My yearly visits to Eerie-On-Sea in the off season have become the spooky gothic treats I look forward to every year. From the forboding sense of atmosphere, the kooky brilliantly name characters to the sense of family it’s building, I love returning to this world. Taylor writes with an intelligence and humour that is pitched perfectly at the intended audience, with plenty for the adults to enjoy as well.

Long may he continue to write about the town, these books make me nostalgic for the slightly dark tales from my own childhood (long long ago).

Welcome back to Eerie on Sea! Herbie and Violet are back in book three of Thomas Taylor’s fabulous series and the plot of Shadowghast is just as gripping as its predecessors. Betrayal, intrigue, a feeling of eerieness, and lots of mysteries - the new book has it all! It‘s deliciously creepy and perfect for the upcoming Halloween season.
Just like Malamander and Gargantis, Shadowghast is a captivating read that will not let you put the book down before you’re finished.

Another absolutely lovely edition to the Eerie-on-Sea series.
This series never fails to make me feel cosy and this latest book did not disappoint!
A great read for coming into the colder weather. This is one of the most well-written atmospheric middle grades I've read and the series as a whole is a firm favourite.

I really enjoy the whole host of characters from Eerie-on-Sea, the author manages to bring so much life to even minor side characters not just the protagonists.

It's a place I wish existed with its little bit of every day kind of magic.

Yes! Yes! Yes!
I was so fortunate to get this early, as a teacher. My son and I had been excitedly discussing the arrival of the next Thomas Taylor adventure, so we’re delighted to get it. It has not disappointed us at all.
Set in Eerie in Sea, with all the familiar faces, Violent Parma, Mrs Fossil, Dr..Thalassi, Jenny Hanniver, Herbert has been tracked down by a mysterious woman who claims to be related to him. As he has been apparently orphaned, he is of course keen to know more.
Violet is suspicious of her motives, and believes that there is a deeper, darker secret surrounding the mysterious woman and her presence in Eerie on Sea.
To be honest, we have read all the Eerie on Sea adventures, and this is full of amazing cliffhangers, leaving us gasping for more.
Well done Thomas Taylor for another epic tale. An easy 5 star winner.
We eagerly await the next book!!!!