Shadowghast by Thomas Taylor

Shadowghast is a non-stop action mystery thriller and is the third in the Eerie-On-Sea mysteries. It pays to have read the previous stories, Malamander and Gargantis, to understand this tale about Herbie Lemon. Herbie is an orphan who works in The Grand Nautilus Hotel in the Lost and Found Department. His best friend Violet becomes very worried when Jenny, the proprietor of the Eerie Book Dispensary, goes missing. Violet is also very suspicious of a celebrity magician called Caliastra who arrives in town claiming to be Herbie’s aunt. This causes some friction between them because Herbie is desperate to discover what happened to his parents and is overlooking her flaws. Caliastra is taking over an important town event called the Ghastly Night which tells the legend of a terrible spirit called Shadowghast. The spirit will steal people’s shadows for evil ends. Who is the mastermind behind all the calamitous things which happen?  Fortunately, Erwin, a talking cat, and Clermit, a clockwork gadget, help them out. Herbie and Violet are in the thick of it when friends turn foe and they are stuck in a labyrinth of pitch-black tunnels under the town. Has Sebastian Eels reappeared? 

The plot is thick with events and there are many colourful characters to keep track of. It is more sinister than the previous two books in the series. Herbie and Violet are ideal heroes who seem to be the only children in town. They are curious, brave, and intelligent. The mime artists who work with Caliastra add a lot of humour. The tone is of a bygone world and full of tongue-in-cheek puns and nautical language. Thomas Taylor does a great job creating the seaside town of Eerie. His illustrations and map really enhance the quirky atmosphere. With 328 pages it is ideal for middle grade fans of fantasy who like a challenge. Shadowghast is followed by another in the series called Festergrimm. Watch the trailer, download an Activity Kit and the Discussion Guide.

Themes: Mystery, Magic, Fantasy.

Jo Marshall