Connect the Scotts: The Dead Kid Detective Agency #4

Evan Munday

Oct 2018 · Dead Kid Detective Agency Book 4 · ECW Press

About this ebook

Is the fourth time a charm for October and her ghost detective friends? While investigating the cause of the long-dead Tabetha Scott’s death way back in the 1860s, October and the Dead Kids discover that Sticksville, Ontario, served as an endpoint for the Underground Railroad, the secret network by which enslaved people escaped to free states and Canada. But October Schwartz finds herself with more detective work than she can handle after some new musically inclined chums are incriminated in a robbery at a school concert.

Fraudulent occult psychics, funeral home ambushes, band wars, the spooky Sticksville fairgrounds, and a history of prejudice all converge in a climactic conclusion that hints a secret society might be behind all manner of catastrophes in October Schwartz’s not-so-boring little town.

Ratings and reviews

I was surprised by how incredible this book was. American readers need to be aware that some words are spelled in a more European way. Depending on the age of the reader, you may want to explain to them that some words can be spelled two ways (color, colour) but it may not be the best idea to include the alternate spelling on a test. I hadn't read any of the previous works by this author and I feel a little cheated. There weren't any real "spoilers" for the kids but we were taunted with things like pirate ghosts. I want to read about pirate ghosts. There is definitely a larger arc to the story line that progresses with each book. We're shown that pretty clearly, but it doesn't seem that the books have to be read in any particular order. I would recommend it though. I'm going to go back and read them anyway so why not jump in at the beginning? There was fantastic information about the Underground Railroad as well as differences between the United States of America and Canada. Even as an adult, I found the information interesting. My daughter absolutely loved the book. Especially since the main character "October" was an outsider and considered to be a bit creepy. My kiddo hasn't gone goth yet, but she definitely loves things that fall on the morbid side. She just prefers them with a side of pink and lace. Lolligoth is her preference but sadly not featured in the book series. Overall, I think this book should definitely find its way into a classroom library as well as school libraries. Thank you to Evan Munday, ECW Press, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

About the author

Evan Munday is the author and illustrator of the Silver Birch shortlisted Dead Kid Detective Agency Series, which includes The Dead Kid Detective Agency, Dial M for Morna, and Loyalist to a Fault. Evan works as publicity manager for children’s books at Penguin Random House Canada. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.