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.