The pulse-pounding sequel to Dead Good Detectives, from the UK’s bestselling author of the Land of Roar series. A hauntingly fun read!
Sid Jones successfully freed a pirate ghost named Bones from spending eternity trapped in a graveyard prison and, along with her best friend, Zen, helped Bones complete his unfinished business on Earth. But there are plenty more ghosts who are trapped in the in-between like Bones was. While they try to help the others, Sid, Zen, and Bones will have to avoid being caught by Old Scratch, the creepy specter who guards the prisoners.
When their ghost friends start disappearing bit by bit, the pressure is on to free them all before they disappear completely and become wraiths, never to be at peace. But Sid soon finds out that Old Scratch isn’t the only terrifying ghoul guarding the prisoners. With a mysterious figure tracking her every move, Sid will have to find the power within herself to save her friends—before she gets turned into a ghost, too.
- Pages: 384
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Imprint: Storytide
- Series: Dead Good Detectives
- Publication Date: 22nd July 2025
- ISBN: 9780063329874
Praise for Dead Good Detectives: "McLachlan infuses both the supernatural adventure and Sid’s emotional evolution with a charming earnestness. A series opener—big on heart and short on horror—that offers fun ghostly escapades." — Kirkus Reviews
"This upbeat piece by McLachlan (the Land of Roar series), the first in a series, boasts ghost pirates, puzzles, and buried treasure galore. It’s a lively nautical adventure and a celebration of owning one’s weirdness, standing up to peer pressure, and sticking by friends when the going gets tough." — Publishers Weekly
"Delightfully illustrated. [A] rollicking adventure." — Booklist
Praise for The Land of Roar: "McLachlan does an excellent job of establishing the sibling tension before introducing the fantasy elements, and Rose’s desire to grow up and fit in feels as familiar and accessible as Arthur’s yearning to remain a child. This narrative’s sheer inventiveness marks it as distinct. The text and Mantle’s illustrations go wild with creativity. A sweet adventure and a paean to imagination and childhood innocence." — Kirkus Reviews
"Mantle's whimsical black-and-white illustrations enhance this playful, Peter Pan–like tale of sibling rivalry and affection. A series starter with heart." — Booklist
Jenny McLachlan is the author of several acclaimed novels for children and teens. Before she became a writer, she was an English teacher. When she isn’t thinking about or writing stories, she enjoys living by the seaside, cycling, and running over the South Downs. Visit her at jennymclachlan.com.
Chloe Dominique is an illustrator and concept artist living in Norwich. When she’s not drawing, Chloe enjoys reading, walks along the coastline with her Dog of Mischief, Loki, and finding peculiar treasures in mysterious, old antique shops. chloedominique.com
The pulse-pounding sequel to Dead Good Detectives, from the UK’s bestselling author of the Land of Roar series. A hauntingly fun read!
Sid Jones successfully freed a pirate ghost named Bones from spending eternity trapped in a graveyard prison and, along with her best friend, Zen, helped Bones complete his unfinished business on Earth. But there are plenty more ghosts who are trapped in the in-between like Bones was. While they try to help the others, Sid, Zen, and Bones will have to avoid being caught by Old Scratch, the creepy specter who guards the prisoners.
When their ghost friends start disappearing bit by bit, the pressure is on to free them all before they disappear completely and become wraiths, never to be at peace. But Sid soon finds out that Old Scratch isn’t the only terrifying ghoul guarding the prisoners. With a mysterious figure tracking her every move, Sid will have to find the power within herself to save her friends—before she gets turned into a ghost, too.
- Pages: 384
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Imprint: Storytide
- Series: Dead Good Detectives
- Publication Date: 22nd July 2025
- ISBN: 9780063329874
Praise for Dead Good Detectives: "McLachlan infuses both the supernatural adventure and Sid’s emotional evolution with a charming earnestness. A series opener—big on heart and short on horror—that offers fun ghostly escapades." — Kirkus Reviews
"This upbeat piece by McLachlan (the Land of Roar series), the first in a series, boasts ghost pirates, puzzles, and buried treasure galore. It’s a lively nautical adventure and a celebration of owning one’s weirdness, standing up to peer pressure, and sticking by friends when the going gets tough." — Publishers Weekly
"Delightfully illustrated. [A] rollicking adventure." — Booklist
Praise for The Land of Roar: "McLachlan does an excellent job of establishing the sibling tension before introducing the fantasy elements, and Rose’s desire to grow up and fit in feels as familiar and accessible as Arthur’s yearning to remain a child. This narrative’s sheer inventiveness marks it as distinct. The text and Mantle’s illustrations go wild with creativity. A sweet adventure and a paean to imagination and childhood innocence." — Kirkus Reviews
"Mantle's whimsical black-and-white illustrations enhance this playful, Peter Pan–like tale of sibling rivalry and affection. A series starter with heart." — Booklist
Jenny McLachlan is the author of several acclaimed novels for children and teens. Before she became a writer, she was an English teacher. When she isn’t thinking about or writing stories, she enjoys living by the seaside, cycling, and running over the South Downs. Visit her at jennymclachlan.com.
Chloe Dominique is an illustrator and concept artist living in Norwich. When she’s not drawing, Chloe enjoys reading, walks along the coastline with her Dog of Mischief, Loki, and finding peculiar treasures in mysterious, old antique shops. chloedominique.com