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.

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.

You’ll never look for a shadow in the same way again!

This is another exciting adventure in Eerie on Sea. Having loves the previous 2 books, I was really looking forward to this and was definitely not disappointed.
It was great to be back with Herbie and Violet as they try to uncover the mystery of the Shadowghast.
As usual, strange happenings are taking place and it is up to Herbie and Violet to solve the mystery.
A great read, could not put it down!

Oh my word - what a book.

The long anticipated (by me, anyway!) return to Eerie-On-Sea was simply wonderful. I adored it. This is the 3rd installment of this wonderful series and it just keeps getting better and better. It follows Herbie Lemon, the Lost and Founder at the Nautillus Hotel in Eerie-On-Sea. In book 1, he was lost and found so it made sense for him to take on this role. He then met Violet Parma, who was also lost and found by him in book 1. These stories have been their adventures.

In this one, we think we learn more about Herbie and his backstory, of which he has no clue about as he doesn't have any memories prior to his life in Eerie-On-Sea. But a mysterious magician who arrives seems to have all the answers. During this time, the legend of the Shadowghast resurfaces as it is the Eerie version of Halloween. The Shadowghast is said to steal people's shadows and it makes people feel rather on edge. It also provides the backdrop for Herbie and Violet's trickiest adventure yet.

This story was wonderfully creepy and fabulous for the spooky season. Thomas Taylor has a wonderful, unique writing style and jumping back into the legends was simply a joy. I adored this book and cannot wait for book 4. My interest in the backstory of Herbie and Violet has now piqued and am extremely intrigued to find out more about this wonderful duo.

Thank you for the ARC - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yet another absolutely brilliant adventure in Eerie-on-Sea! As All Hallows’ Night approaches, the residents of Eerie-on-Sea prepare for the annual Ghastly Night celebration. However, this year looks set to be different with the arrival of the mysterious magician. And just like that, Herbie and Violet have found their next adventure. A page turner that will delight all of Herbie’s and Vi’s fans!
Thanks to NetGalley for this e-arc.

This is the 3rd book in the series. I started it eagerly, mistakenly believing I had already read the 2nd book, but found myself being slightly confused by some of the references, bringing me to the realisation that I had only actually read the 1st book (Malalander). I don’t think it mattered too much as I was able to follow the story with no problems, but your enjoyment of the book would probably be enhanced by having read both of the previous books!
However. I enjoyed the cast of characters, old and new, and the plot had lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
I think the series is going from strength to strength and I eagerly await the next instalment.

Is there a better way to spend a day then delving into the next Eerie-on-Sea adventure? I loved every minute of this latest adventure by Thomas Taylor.
The story centres around Eerie-on-Sea’s own Halloween tradition of the Shadowghast, a monster who steals people’s shadows. When a magician comes to town to perform a special Shadowghast show, but something is definitely not right about it, Herbie and Violet are off on their next adventure! Jenny, Erwin, Mrs Fossil and Doctor Thalassi all return for this adventure that had me on tenterhooks!
I absolutely love this series and really enjoyed this latest adventure- I was even delighted to read a sneak preview of the next book at the end of this one! I can’t wait for my next visit to Eerie-on-Sea!

Another deliciously dark and creepy tale in the Eerie-on-Sea series. Thomas Taylor has, once again, proved that he is a master storyteller with his latest offering, Shadowghast, which strikes the perfect level of spookiness for its intended middle grade audience.

In the third book in the series, we are once more reunited with our protagonist, Herbie Lemon, and his partner in crime, Violet. Another spine-chilling Eerie-on-Sea legend has raised its head, this time in the form of the soul-devouring Shadowghast. Can Herbie and Violet save the day or is their plan a little too transparent?!

I absolutely adore the writing of Thomas Taylor and the way he draws the reader into his stories; we become yet another character and it genuinely feels as if he is talking directly to us. I love the clever ways he uses word play and how he introduces just the right amount of comedy to break through what could be otherwise a very frightening tale for a young reader! Much like his fabled Eerie-on-Sea monsters, Taylor is sure to become a legend in the world of children’s literature.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC - I can’t wait to revisit Eerie-on-Sea with my next class of Year 5 pupils.

Eerie on Sea has its own quirky Hallowe’en tradition, where the residents light candles designed to deter the Shadowghast that can steal their shadows. Neither Herbie or best friend Violet really believe the legend, but when a fascinating guest arrives at the Grand Nautilus Hotel claiming to be Herbie’s long lost aunt, and Vi’s guardian Jenny disappears, the two find themselves embroiled in another mystery. Herbie is an engaging narration who recounts the bizarre events that befall him with characteristic humour in a vivid present tense which enables the reader to experience the mystery unfolding at the same time as he does. This is a fast paced and thrilling adventure story with a cast of eccentric and loveable characters. Suspense builds as those on whom the children can usually rely begin to behave in increasingly worrying ways, and Herbie and Vi are forced to unexpectedly confront an old enemy, seemingly returned from the dead.
The possibility of Herbie being whisked away by Caliastra forces the children to consider the importance of friendship and family, and where their loyalties really lie. Funny, exciting and vividly described, this is a thoroughly entertaining read and I eagerly await the next in the series.

Loved this book, didn’t initially realise it was part of a series however it works really well as a stand alone book, but makes a little more sense now I’ve been back and read the first 2. The story is really really good and I think it’s probably the best out of all 3.
It’s such a fun read for middle schoolers or anyone who just wants a break from heavier reads!

I looked forward to the next instalment in Herbie and Violet's adventures with several eager members of my class and I know they will not be disappointed when they get to read this latest update. Herbie and Violet are right up there among my favourite ever characters; you know a class have really engaged with a book and its stars when they talk about them like my group did about this pair! I'm so pleased to have found out more about their stories in this book, and seen their relationship grow as they have adventured further.
In terms of use for teaching - the descriptive quality of Thomas Taylor's writing is an incredible model for pupils, who can magpie, innovate and imitate, as well as enjoying immersing themselves in the encompassing image it creates. Eerie on Sea feels like a real place, although I'm not sure I would visit on Ghastly Night!
I can't wait to share this in class (and catch up with old pupils who I know will buy this, read it and love it), thank you for letting me access the preview

This is even better than Gargantis! And it works well as a stand alone book.
Herbert Lemon (Herbie) is the Lost and Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea. This is the time of year when the Town gets ready to celebrate Ghastly Night and try and scare away the Shadowghast (a ghostly horned man who is meant to appear and steal your shadows). But, when Jenny Hanniver goes missing and then with the appearance of Caliastra and her two assistants makes everything go a bit different than usual, and together Herbie and Violet Parma have to use their friendship, their intuition and skills to try and find their friend around the time of Ghastly Night.

This is a fantastic book that children and parents will enjoy. It has mystery and adventure, friendship and challenge. Violet and Herbert are both strong resilient characters and are people who readers will relate to. They don't let anything stop them, or anyone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Walker Books UK for the eARC. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I was lucky enough to be offered a very early read Shadowghast by Walker Books through NetGalley so settled down on my sunbed in a rather warmer and sunnier Ibiza to return to Eerie-on-Sea to find out what Herbie and Vi have been up to.

The summer season is over in Eerie-in-Sea and everyone is looking forward to Ghastly Night, Eerie’s own version of Halloween where the shadowy creature with horns is remembered. However, when a new magic act appears from nowhere with its main magician, Caliastra, claiming to be Herbie’s aunt, things take a dramatic turn in the town, especially when Jenny and then Mrs Fossil both go missing, and Herbie and Vi realise that it’s up to them to find out what is really going on.

Th Eerie-on-Sea series of books has captured my imagination and my heart from the very first book and so it was wonderful to be back in the town and to catch-up with Herbie and Vi. In many respects, nothing has changed: Herbie is still working the lost and found at the Gand Nautilus Hotel where Mr Mollusc is sill tormenting him, and Vi is firmly in place as Jenny’s assistant at The Book Dispensary. However, as you may imagine, many things have also changed, namely in the arrival of Caliastra who is claiming to be Herbie’s aunt and knows exactly what happened to him. As Herbie is so desperate to feel a sense of belonging and family, it’s no surprise that this news turns his head and has him wanting to know more; however, it also comes as no surprise that the very sensible Vi is much more sceptical. The pair work well together, both in the plot as well as characters that compliment each other and it was very good to be back in their company.

The plot itself is gripping and has all the elements of a good Eerie adventure: intrigue, mystery, a sense of trepidation, questions about the past as well as the present, not to mention just enough sinister goings on to give you the shivers!

As with Malamander and Gargantis, Shadowghast is a gripping read that will have you hooked from the first page and I guarantee you won’t want to put it down.

Shadowghast is due for release on the 14th September, I urge you all to head back to Eerie.

If you are looking for a fun and intriguing read look no further. Shadowghast is an amazing reading adventure continuing the journey of Violet Parma and Herbert Lemon at Eerie on Sea. Like Malamander and Gargantis before, the plot in Shadowghast takes the two protagonists to unveil some of the secrets of Eerie on Sea in an intent to save the town and its inhabitants from a fatal end.

Thomas Taylor does a great job in further developing the personality and traces of its most famous characters such as Clermit the clockwork hermit crab, Erwin the cat and Lady Kraken to name a few and to introduce new iconic players into the story of Erie on Sea. Expect the unexpected since there is a plot twist at the end!

Overall, it is very well written with plenty of descriptions and illustrations. That is also a good thing about Thomas being an illustrator besides an author, you get to picture how he imagined some of the characters and situations in the book.

What a joy to be back amongst the characters we know and love. Thrills, chills and fierce friendship abound in this perfect return to Eerie-on-Sea. We can’t wait to share it.

Shadowghast, the third book in the Eerie on Sea series has earned its rightful place alongside Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket. Enjoyable to the last page, it had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I'm very much looking forward to not only its release but also the fourth in the series, which is currently in the pipeline. Make sure you hunt out this great book in September 2021, it will definitely be worth it! A great gift for young readers 7+ in time for Halloween.

The author Thomas Taylor tells us the story of Herbert and his best friend Violet who investigate mysterious disappearances while the town prepares to observe its annual Ghastly Night. All of this begins when the Lovely Jenny going missing! I thoroughly enjoyed Malamader and Gargantis and I was not disappointed by this one.

Shadowghast is full of adventure, misadventure, magic and mystery. However, alongside this, it has remarkable warmth, courage, bravery and loyalty. Herbie and Violet's adventures are terrifying, parts of which truly test their own friendship.

After hearing Thomas talk about this at the Barnes Festival, I was looking forward to Sept 2nd and getting my pre-ordered copy. Imagine my delight to be allowed to read this pre-publication on NetGalley! The storyline is very dark and at points really scary. It’s very slickly put together. I loved that characters were re-introduced, but in a completely different way. Poor Herbie has his work cut out to overcome the Shadowghast -his hopes are high that a long lost relative has come to claim him - but is all that it seems? Brilliant. Already anticipating Book 4!

It’s October in Eerie-on-Sea and the nights are drawing in. Ghastly Night is approaching – a night when a shadowy story threatens to take control of the town. In this third book in the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series, Shadowghast is a monster you definitely don’t want to meet on a dark night!

Herbert Lemon is still busy in his post as Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel. It’s the end of the summer season and Cheerie-on-Sea is becoming Eerie once more. When a strange troupe of actors arrive to perform for the traditional Ghastly Night, Herbie ends up with more than he ever imagined. Why does this mysterious raven-haired woman know his name and why does she want to meet with him in Lady Kraken’s private rooms? It looks like Herbie’s life may never be the same again.

Spunky Violet Parma knows that a problem shared isn’t really a problem at all – it’s an adventure. She’s ready to help and shed some logical perspective on some shocking revelations about Herbie’s past. With question after question, she is ready to unpeel the layers of mystery and discover the truth within.

All of my favourite parts of Eerie-on-Sea return in this magical tale of the creepiest of folklore, dangerous villains and closely guarded secrets: the Eerie Book Dispensary with the imposing Mermonkey, Erwin the wise bookshop cat, Clermit the clockwork Hermit crab, the wonderful Jenny Hanniver and the irreplaceable Mrs Fossil. A suspicious magician, haunted arcade games and unexplored tunnels are added to the mix to reveal the deepest secrets of Eerie-on-Sea and a Ghastly Night shadow puppet show that will change the town forever!

I devoured this book in one afternoon as I was carried away with Herbie and Violet on an edge-of-my seat adventure. I gasped in shock and rushed on to find out what was going to happen to this wonderful pair, all the time not wanting the story to end. I can’t wait to go back and read it again with my children. I’m sure once it’s published, this will be an audible bedtime favourite for my three. We often hear the tell-tale words of Malamander and Gargantis drifting from their bedrooms as they settle down for the night – dreaming of Eerie-on-Sea.

Thank you to Walker Books for a sneak peek at this incredible book!

It’s the first weekend of the summer holidays and I’ve just come back from a mini-break in the quirky seaside town of Eerie-On-Sea. But there was no time for relaxation… forget lazy fish and chip lunches in Seagol’s diner, leisurely strolls around town mooching in Mrs Fossil’s Flotsam Emporium or browsing Eerie’s infamous Book Dispensory – oh no! Not when there’s a malevolent spirit on the loose!

I’m a huge fan of Malamander and Gargantis so Shadowghast was amongst my most highly anticipated releases this year. The third Eeerie legend has absolutely cemented my love for the series and made me even hungrier for more!

In this adventure, our favourite ship-wrecked orphan Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, must defeat a creature of town lore as he confronts a shadow from his past – are we finally going to get some answers to all those questions that were left hanging in the previous two instalments I hear you say?

It’s late October when we arrive in Eerie. The nights are drawing in and a mist has descended on the somewhat dilapidated seaside town. The tourists are long-gone and Halloween is on the horizon.

While other towns celebrate All Hallows Eve, in Eerie-on-Sea it’s Ghastly Night, and a vengeful spirit in an ancient lantern awaits its moment to wreak havoc. Local legend has it that if the townspeople fail to light manglewick candles on Ghastly Night, the Shadowghast will seize and devour the shadows of the living…it’s a seriously spooky story that will make your hairs stand on end!

In Eerie tradition, Dr Thalassi and Mrs Fossil are preparing to put on their shadow puppet show on the pier as an offering to the spirits as the locals huddle in the cold night air with toffee apples and sparklers. But this year, a professional theatre troupe has arrived to steal the show.

Head-lining the act is a raven-haired magician named Caliastra with startling news of Herbie’s past. But no sooner have the players checked into The Grand Nautilus Hotel than townspeople start vanishing into thin air, including Eerie Book Dispensory proprietor Jenny Hanniver, the guardian of Herbie’s best friend, Violet Parma.

It’s up to Herbie and Vi to solve the mystery of the Shadowghast lantern before darkness swallows them all… Adventure literally drips from every sea-soaked page! There’s concealed doors, secret smugglers tunnels and a crumbling theatre to explore.

Being back in Eerie-on Sea was like returning on holiday to a favourite resort with old friends. The cast of quirky characters are so well-drawn they feel like family and the setting so well crafted, Eerie becomes more like a real place with each stay. From the very first page, Taylor completely immerses the reader in Eerie life and allows us to discover new features of the town, whilst revisiting old haunts – a visit to Eerie-on-Sea wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the Mer-Monkey dispense at least one book!

Taylor’s trademark humour is ever-present (Dunderbrains don’t grow on trees don’t you know!!) and you’ll be pleased to know that magical Book Dispensory cat Erwin plays a central role in this adventure – a cat of few words, he delivers countless cracking one-liners. Hapless hotelier Mr Mollusc gets a hilarious tongue-lashing from kantankerous Lady Kraken on more than one occasion too.

This is children’s fiction at it’s finest – the way our protagonists Herbie and Violet spend most of their time coming and going as they please without much interference from adults is just the way a good old-fashioned adventure should be, absolute pure escapism. These are books I will re-read and enjoy over and over.

And finally, if you wondering…yes! There’s going to be a fourth Eerie adventure! (I nearly hyperventilated with excitement) My lips are sealed as to the details but we are teased with a sneak peek of what’s to come next at the end of Shadowghast.

If you haven’t yet visited Eerie-on-Sea, there’s plenty of time to do so before Shadowghast publishes on the 2nd September.

So check yourself into the Grand Nautilus Hotel for the summer (they do fabulous breakfasts!) and enjoy the previous two legends in the series.

With thanks to Walker books and Netgalley for approving me to read an e-copy of Shadowghast in advance of publication.

Having read, and loved, Malamander and Gargantis I was looking forward with great anticipation to read Shadowghast. A few pages in and I began to wonder if I was going to he disappointed, the start of the book was an enjoyable read but I didn't feel 'hooked' like I had with the previous two. A few pages later and I found myself sucked in and wheeling freely through Eerie-On-Sea, my heart racing, my breath catching.. Shadowghast might start in a slightly more relaxed way but by gosh when it gets going it is a rollercoaster!
Herbie and Violet take you on another fantastical journey, pushing, pulling and twisting you and finally spitting you out breathless and exhausted.
Brilliantly written and definitely, definitely one to be read on a dark winter evening, preferably by candlelight.

I’ve always been a reader. I still remember now the excitement I felt as a child when I was taken to visit the book department in Jarrolds – a large independent department store in Norwich – to buy the latest Dr Who title from publisher Target with my pocket money. Now – as an adult, and with my local bookshop within easy walking distance – going to buy books is no longer the huge adventure it seemed all those years ago and there are very few books for which I feel that same stomach-flipping, heart-rushing thrill.

Until now.

My love for the books which precede this – Malamander and Gargantis – is well-known, both on Twitter and in school, but this would mean little were it not for the joy that this series has brought not only me, but the classes I have taught over the last two years. Never in my teaching career have I known books to engage not only children like they have, but also a great many of their parents who have either read the books at home alongside their offspring, or have chosen to read them alone – just for the sheer pleasure of it. Taking my charges swimming this week, I was fortunate enough to have a parent accompanying us who took huge delight in telling me how she had pre-ordered Shadowghast from Waterstones and was bitterly disappointed that she would have to wait not only until the end of the summer break for it to arrive, but also for her child to read it before she could. Little did she know that I had been lucky enough to be granted early access through the wonders of Net Galley and that I was counting the hours until I could return to Eerie-on-Sea.

For anyone who is as yet unfamiliar with that small and curious seaside town, it has been the setting for our previous adventures with best of friends Herbie and Violet, who met in the first story. Together, they have spent much of the first two titles battling to stay safe from various threats, while solving a great many of the puzzles which have faced them, and it is again where we find Herbie – in his place of employment: The Grand Nautilus Hotel.

It is a special occasion at the hotel, and to celebrate all of the staff have been invited to a wonderful breakfast, including Herbie. Unfortunately for him, manager Mr Mollusc is in charge of deciding who eats when and for Herbie, it appears that his turn is unlikely to come. As he waits, he is startled by a female guest behind him asking him if he is worried he will be left out. After a pause, he turns around to see her getting into the lift with a couple of male guests and realises that she called him by his name. Puzzled, he returns to his cubbyhole, finding a message from Violet demanding his presence immediately without specifying why, but before he is able to attend he is summoned to the private rooms of the hotel’s owner, Lady Kraken.

Here, he is introduced to the mysterious woman who is called Caliastra and reveals herself to be a magician who has come to Eerie-on-Sea and appears to know rather a lot about our young hero. Overwhelmed, Herbie runs from the hotel to talk to Violet and is alarmed when she tells him that a mutual friend has gone missing – something totally out of character. Before they can investigate, a concerned Caliastra arrives having followed him, and tells him and Violet that she has come to the seaside town to give a special shadow puppet show as part of the town’s Ghastly Night celebrations – the local version of Halloween.

This tradition is based on the legend of the terrifying Shadowghast – a fearsome creature said to consume the shadows of its victims. As Ghastly Night approaches and other members of the community disappear, it appears that dark forces are in action within Eerie-on-Sea. Will Herbie and Violet be able to find their missing friends and just how is the Shadowghast linked to what is happening?

With the author now well into his stride in this series, Herbie and Violet are now well-established characters whose many fans will be delighted to see how their relationship continues to develop. As we have seen before, he is much less confident and less impulsive than she is but as the story unfolds we start to see a bolder and more decisive Herbie as he reacts to what is happening around him. With the threat of the balance of their friendship being thrown out of kilter, I’m sure I won’t be the only one wondering if Herbie will continue to blossom in this way and if he does, how will Violet react and will it impact on their relationship?

Although most of the action quite rightly involves the two of them, I was delighted to see the reappearance of some of the other residents to whom we have previously been introduced. While I like to pretend that I am more like the Book Dispensary’s Jenny Hanniver, I suspect my class would tell you I am far more similar in character to the eccentric beachcomber Mrs Fossil – both of whom I am extremely fond of and who feature again together with other familiar faces. The introduction of Caliastra and a few more figures connected to the Ghastly Night celebrations ensures that this as fresh to the reader as its siblings, and – as with Gargantis – it is entirely possible to read this as a standalone title with no knowledge of the previous stories.

If you haven’t read them though, I beg you to do so. This continues to be my absolute favourite series of books for younger readers, and while I would say they are perfectly pitched for my Year 5 class, they will be equally well received by children throughout KS2 and well into KS3 – such is the beauty of the writing and its power to engage those reading these stories. With a bonus sneaky peek of Book 4, Festergrimm, enclosed at the end to whet the reader’s appetite, I cannot wait to find out what happens next and I know that I am not alone.

The most enormous thanks must go to Walker Books and Net Galley for my early read, ahead of publication on September 2nd, and to Thomas Taylor for the joy that these books continue to bring.