The seaside town of Edge keeps its secrets to its chest. Freya and Lin live there and love combing the beach for treasures.

But they also know of the legends that say that the nearby cliffs are criss-crossed with smuggler's tunnels and that their treasures are hidden within. There are good reasons for staying away from those, however.

When a stranger unexpectedly arrives in town, everything changes...

Can Freya and Lin work it all out in time to save their town?

This is a charming adventure story with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers occupied. The clever mystery that lies at the heart of it all is eventually revealed, but not before Freya and Lin have a far more eventful time than they ever anticipated! This book gets 3.5 stars.

This was a joy. Goldilocks amounts of suspense vs sweetness, and truly such a fun read. Would read this author again.

I loved Looking for Emily, so was looking forward to Freya's Gold and the return to the sleepy seaside town of Edge didn't disappoint.

Freya lives in a B&B with her gran, Kate. One day, a new guest, Mrs Oleander, arrives claiming to want to buy the town's boardwalk for redevelopment. Freya and her friends are determined to find a way to save their homes and businesses.

This is a proper, good old-fashioned adventure, with a real Famous Five feel. It isn't hugely realistic and timelines are sped up (for example, the sale of the boardwalk seems to go through remarkably quickly) but it doesn't matter. It's a great story and the pace just adds to the excitement. Having said that, I found the relationships between the characters to be very realistic. At one point, Lin and Freya fall out and the way they both behave is far more like you'd expect in real life, rather than the instant "say sorry and forget about it" that you often see in books and films. The characters clearly have feelings and respond realistically.

It gets said quite a bit in reviews so I say it with caution but I really feel that this is a story perfect for the screen. It just has all the side plots, excitement and ups and downs that make a good kids' film.

Excellent book for children 9-12. The descriptions were really evocative and the story moved at a great pace. There was a diverse cast of characters and the mystery was revealed well. Themes of teamwork and facing fears that are really positive for young readers. Will definitely recommend!

Ah! This was brilliant! Just loved it so much! It’s a very short book at a couple of hours to read, absolutely jam packed with adventure.

I love stories set at the seaside, and this captures the seaside, tourist b&b setting perfectly (having spent my childhood holidays in these towns). I adored all of the characters- even the baddie was perfect.

An absolutely fantastic, fun filled, exciting book!

My thanks to Netgalley and Nosy Crow for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a delightful middle grade book that I flew through! Set in a sleepy but slightly mysterious seaside town called Edge, the story follows Freya as she tries to investigate a strange woman who has moved into her grandma's B&B. With her best friend Lin and her new friend Teddy, a strange boy she meets in a cave, they go on a mission to stop their town being sold to developers who will strip it of all its charm – but things aren't exactly as they seem on the surface. An exciting story, great friendships, and a fast-paced read for anyone age 8+!

I really enjoyed this book! It is a wonderful rounded story, centered around Fiona and her friends in a plot to save their small coastal town.

Fiona’s personal growth is an excellent storyline for younger readers, and there are mentions of non-binary students and a main cast featuring a lesbian and biracial couple. This LGBTQIA+ friendly book features a lovely story, a loveable cast, and a happy ending. What’s not to love?

Nosy Crow (publisher) recommend this for 9+ and I would agree. My only reason for a non-5-star-read is the fact that I never felt as if the town or the main characters were in any danger - but this could be a positive if you’re looking for a middle-grade level read.

Thanks NetGalley and Nosy Crow!

I enjoyed Freya's Gold and gave it 3 stars. This book is aimed at readers in the top end of middle grade.

The story was an interesting idea and I loved the fact there was an obvious baddie. The character of Freya was well written and showed she had both strength but also flaws. I loved the fact near the end she tackled her fears for the sake of the town. I liked her friendship with Lin it was well written.

The one thing I felt let the book down was the ending with everything major happening to the end of the book I felt it was quite abrupt.

Freya, a geeky, scaredy-cat twelve year-old, summons her inner lion and, with the help of her lovable, laugh out loud funny friends, outwits the deliciously evil, violet-scented villain to save her beloved seaside town from destruction.

What a wonderful read! Freya's Gold is a fast-paced tale, packed with mystery and suspense (not to mention pirate caves and hidden treasure), perfect for 8-12 year-olds. Warm and funny and frightening by turns, the tightly twisted plot keeps the pages turning and the vividly drawn setting bites as deep as the salt wind off the sea.

I can't wait for Fiona Longmuir's next visit to the Edge.

4.3 Stars
One Liner: Wonderful!

The seaside town of Edge flourishes in summer and goes into hibernation in winter. It is interesting legends about pirates, secret caves, and hidden treasures. A twelve-year-old Freya lives with her Granny Kate and runs a B&B in the town. She has a routine life and enjoys spending time with her best friend, Lin. Then, a mysterious stranger arrives that winter.
Soon, Freya has to face her fears or lose everything she holds dear. When it seems that the hidden treasure could be the only solution, Freya has to embark on an adventure to find it. But does the treasure even exist, or is she going on a wild goose chase?
The story comes in Freya’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’m always ready for an adventure with the kids. The cover has many elements related to the plot and offers an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead.
I like Freya’s characterization. Most kids in this genre tend to be brave (reckless) and jump into action without much thought. She is the opposite. She has many fears and struggles to even talk in front of a small crowd. This adds a layer to the narrative. I could empathize with her panic while urging her to give it a shot. The whole arc is kept quite realistic, which is a big plus.
Lin is a wonderful best friend! She is vibrant, fun, and understanding. Some side characters are well-defined, even if they are not detailed. It works well since the story is fast-paced and moves steadily.
The adventure has its share of risks, fears, danger, and panic. Yet, the kids do their best to overcome their fears and do what they can (the alternative isn’t good, after all!). There’s one worrying part with an injury (no details about how it was dealt with) that made me want to know more.
And there’s an instance where two friends fight. Quite common, obviously. However, only one of them apologizes when both are rude. That feels wrong. The other one also had to apologize for their behavior.
The setting is well done with a lighthouse, small-town charm, chilly winter winds, rain, and a generous hint of danger. There’s a nod to diversity too! I’m not surprised to find an Indian since our people do go to the remotest of places and live there. ;)

To summarize, Freya’s Gold is a fast-paced adventure filled with emotions, vulnerabilities, and kids trying to fight for the good. You can easily finish it in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Other links will be updated later.

Nosy Crow does it again, every book my daughter has read from this publisher has been a huge hit, she looks for the crow now in bookshops/libraries.

Thoughts from my 10 year old::

Freya's Gold was a brilliant story of mystery and secrets. I really liked the setting especially the sections in the cave. Freya and Lin were really good characters and I loved reading about them. This book was hard to put down, I read it way past my bedtime under the covers on my mum's kindle as I had to find out what happened.

I would recommend this to anybody who likes a mysterious story . Recommended for age 8+

Five stars, such a good read.

This is my second book by publisher Nosy Crow, and I'm a forever fan now. Freya's Gold is a perfect tale of adventure for middle graders, who will be entranced by the story of hidden gold in smuggler's tunnels in the seaside town of Edge. And what a cover! Highly recommended for readers age 9+ and adults still young at heart.