This was such a fun middle grade that sucked me right in! I loved the setting of the town and the relationships between characters. It feels like there's a lot of things packed into this - Sid drifting from Zen and acknowledging why, Sid's mum etc - but nothing feels like it's forcing a lesson. It's just great openings for talking points.

I loved Zen's confidence and how he helps Sid learn she doesn't need to fit in and that "weird" is great. I just really enjoyed this.

I have always wanted to read this as big fan of Jenny McLachlan and the Roar series as well as Stink. The narrator for this audiobook version was absolutely fantastic and really brought the characters to life, with each one having their own clear "voice". Loved the short chapters leaving us on cliffhangers wanting to read the next one and as Sid and Zen solve this mystery they realise there are many more trapped souls to help and solve their mysteries thereby creating the Dead Good Detectives. Great for anyone who loves an adventure detective mystery with lots of humour and a few ghosts!!

After reading and really enjoying The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan, I was looking forward to reading another of her stories. I listened to the audiobook and the storyteller did a fantastic job in bringing the characters and story to life. It begins as the story of an outsider, with only one true friend, trying to fit in at school and be ‘normal’. This soon changes drastically as she inadvertedly releases the ghost of a long dead pirate who needs to find his long lost treasure in order for him and his crew to pass on to the afterlife. Will he be successful with the aid of the Dead Good Detectives? Read this amazing story to find out!

Sid's mum has died and so Sid visits her in the graveyard: where she mistakenly awakens a 300 year old pirate, Bones, who's lost his treasure.

Sid has to help Bones find his treasure so that he'll leaver her alone.....but there are so many more ghosts that Sid could ever have imagined and they all want her help.

It's a fun read for middle grade readers, mixing a detective story with a ghost story with a pirate tale!

DEAD GOOD DETECTIVES is full of ghostly, pirate-y fun. It has mystery, adventure, and a ghost parrot. What isn't there to love?

In order for a ghost to be freed, their 'unfinished business' needs to be finished - but if it's left too long, they can wither away into a mindless ghost. So it's up to Sid to help the ghost Bones find his missing treasure. Only trouble is, his memory is full of holes.

I really enjoyed following them on their mission. They traipse across the wonderfully quirky town of Fathom, which is preparing for its annual pirate day. With very few clues to go on, the mystery takes a winding path through dead ends and plenty of danger, which allows for plenty of time to set up the character relationships. Bones is a lot of fun as he discovers the modern world, constantly pestering Sid with "what is that?" questions.

But stalking them is Old Scratch, who maintains the halfway house. He is a lurker, a menace just with his presence, the sort of unnatural being you do not want to cross. His dog is also terrifying, able to hurt with a powerfully cold bite, delivering plenty of pain and damage without breaking skin.

This is also a book about the costs and benefits of being yourself vs trying to fit in. People keep labelling Sid "weird" and so she's altered her behaviour to try and avoid it (often not successfully.) This has a toll on her relationships, particularly once she has a big secret and is uncertain who to tell. It was nice to see her relationship to the word "weird" change over the book (and for the etymology to be brought up!)

There is a second book coming out later this year, and I look forward to joining Sid, Zen, and Bones as they try to solve more ghostly mysteries.

The audiobook is a lot of fun, bringing the world to life with a richness of accents. Catrin Walker-Booth really manages to breath life into 11 year-old Sid and her fears of standing out at school, and her journey to being bold and proud of herself.

A great adventure with ghosts, pirates, treasure hunting and an extremely creepy antagonist. I really didn't expect to have tears but some parts were so touching and heart-warming I couldn't help myself. I really liked the narrator too, great voices for all the characters.
I'm in luck because book 2, Ghost Rescue has just come out!

Super funny ! I liked the adventures of Sid Jones. It was cool and really interesting. So much actions, a lot of adventures. Great for kids.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Dead Good Detectives
Jenny McLachlan

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I know this is aimed at the 8+ audience but I enjoyed this book so much!

It is full of fun, excitement and mystery. There are pirates and ghosts, an evil innkeeper with his dog and two best friends who try and help save the day, solving clues and finding the treasure.

I loved all of the characters.
Sid and Zen have been friends forever but being different, they are often picked on at school. Sid is trying to fit in more and pulls away from Zen but soon discovers that being different makes you unique and that friendship means everything!
Bones, a 300 year old pirate ghost set free from the halfway house, enlists Sid to help him so that he doesn't turn into a wraith.

I loved the relationship that developed between Sid and Bones, going from fear to denial, changing gradually as they got to know each other to form a firm friendship.

There was a great sense of fun and humour throughout even though the plot had some more creepy elements.
Although Bones was a ghost, he was such a great character that you couldn't help love him.
The scary, evil innkeeper injected that bit of tension which kept us on our toes - but the great banter always relieved this.

The story was interesting and intriguing and although a longer read, it never felt boring or that there wasn't much happening.

The narrator was brilliant. They really conveyed the atmosphere of the story well - making sure all the characters personalities were both displayed and easily recognised.

This was a nice and easy read for someone my age - but equally, I think that it would be a great read for the younger readers too.
The chapters are nice and short which means it's easy to put down - easy to get a few chapters read before tea or bedtime or bigger chunks during library time or at leisure.

I loved this so much I'm keen to get hold of book 2 to continue Sid and Zen's story.





💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

This is definitely a wholesome book. It was so lovely! We follow Sid’s adventure as she navigates a world of ghosts, magic and treasure, and not to mention, a parrot with a potty mouth!

We meet partner in crime Zen, Bones the 300 year old pirate ghost and his trusty parrot Elizabeth. She’s on a race against time to save Bones before he disappears completely and must help him in his quest to finish his unfinished business. The story drew me in immediately and was fantastically written.

It’s a perfect children’s book and as an adult, a thoroughly enjoyable read too! Well, listen in my case as the audiobook provided all the entertainment for the format of this book. I’d thoroughly recommend the audiobook but can imagine the physical copy is an equally great format as it comes accompanied with illustrations.

Great book with great characters, a wonderful story and a lovely ending. A really enjoyable read!