This is one of my favourite children's series and in this story we find out more about Herbie and the mysteries of Eerie-on-Sea. Having enjoyed his Malamander and Gargantis, Thomas Taylor's next creation, the sinister Shadowghast, is just as good and there are some quite creepy moments as a result. The story itself is just like the previous two in that it's a well plotted adventure with great characters and a hugely imaginative setting. It was really enjoyable and i can't wait for the next in the series. My thanks to #NetGalley and Walker Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I became hooked on Thomas Taylor’s books during lockdown when I listened to the eaudiobooks from my local library app, so I was very happy to receive a review copy of the next adventure. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, then you need to devour them immediately to fully immerse yourself in the marvels of Herbie & Violet's startling life. The weird & wonderful history of Eerie-On-Sea continues to envelop our intrepid heroes and their unusual friends into another adventure that is suitably spooky and devilishly dangerous. Taylor has created such a sensational group of characters that linger in your mind long after the final page has turned. I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Our young protagonist and Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie Lemon is back in the third instalment of his series set in the spooky seaside town. If you are unfamiliar with the series then you need to start at the beginning with ‘Malamander‘ which will explain all about the young lad being washed up on the shore in a crate of lemons and his job at the hotel, plus this is where he meets his best friend Violet. In the third book, Herbert gets a surprise when a woman, a magician, turns up in Eerie-on-Sea, for the Ghastly Night celebrations that take place once a year at the end of the pier. She states that she is his aunt and that she has come to take him home, but whilst Herbert is sure she is telling the truth, Violet is not. Although she does have more pressing issues as her friend and boss Jenny from the book dispensary has gone missing and with the legend that is the Shadowghast instilled into the resident’s minds, it isn’t long before people begin to believe that the man who steals shadows has returned. Shadowghast is a fabulous book and brings together all the characters from the previous two stories and adds a few more to the mix. Eerie-on-Sea (originally called Cheerie-on-Sea but the first two letters fell off the sign), will capture the imagination of the reader with its amazing shops, including the book dispensary with its Mermonkey that chooses the right book for you. A talking cat, and a whole host of amazing and unusual residents. The plot is full of adventure and I love the nod to the 80s in the arcade, including the movie BIG!! This is the perfect book for this time of year with its creepy and slightly dark plot. It is engaging and keeps the reader entertained the whole way through and gives them a thrilling ride as they join Herbert and Violet once again.

The third instalment in a truly exceptional children's series. All the brilliant inhabitants of Eerie-on-sea return along with a few new ones for a typically haunting and ever-original mystery about what terrors lurk in the dark. A wonderful Autumn read

Another brilliant story from Thomas Taylor, set in Eerie-on-Sea. Once again Herbie and his friend Violet must defeat dark forces that seem to gravitate to this spooky seaside town. This is the perfect read for a Halloween night, as the town gears up for Ghastly Night, (their version of Halloween). A mysterious magician arrives to perform the Ghastly Night magic lantern show, a story of a shadow man who steals people's shadows, thereby enslaving their owners. Brilliantly creepy story-telling as per usual. This does not advance Herbie's story too much, and I don't think it would matter if you came to this book without having read Malamander and Gargantis first, although I bet if you haven't already read them, you'll want to read more once you've finished this! Can't wait for the next installment.