Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor
The Ghosts of the Manor is the first enchanting book in the Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries series.
Young Matilda Lockett lives with her charlatan Aunt Evelyn, ‘Signora Valentina’, who, with Uncle Barnabus, fakes séance shows in which Matilda plays the role of ‘Poor Dead Edna’, a ghost. They are approached by Baroness Beauchamp, who asks Signora to help remove a ghost from a folly at Beauchamp Manor. She accepts the challenge, and with Barnabus acting as their chauffeur, Matilda and Signora, along with the talking parrot, Colin, set off to help. Much to Matilda’s surprise, she discovers that she can see ghosts, befriending boy ghost, Edgar Wilde.
From the opening page, this is an entertaining and pacey story with exquisite humour throughout. Matilda is brave, lonely, loyal, and daring. Edgar is an excellent partner for Matilda as they work together to solve the mystery of the folly where an art assessor is valuing the stored paintings for Baroness Beauchamp.
All the characters are well drawn, and the plot covers issues such as the importance of family, friendship, and the fallout from sibling rivalry and betrayal. Although this is a ghost story, it is not frightening, but captivating and sensitively written suggesting credible differences between the existence of ghosts and wisps. It illustrates the importance of positive relationships and honesty, as well as the hurt caused by negative ones. The illustrations by Pam Smy from cover to cover add to the joy of holding and reading this carefully crafted storybook.
