Tour review of The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine by Ben Guterson

 

Shadow of the World-Famous Nine

Author: Ben Guterson

Middle grade mystery

Release day: May 13th, 2025

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy and a NetGalley link for tour and review purposes. All view are my own.

SUMMARY

Zander and Natasha must reverse an evil spell threatening the Number Nine Plaza’s very existence in this puzzle-bending mystery—for fans of The Swifts. 
 
Summer is in full swing at The Number Nine Plaza, the world's largest and most fabulous department store, and best friends Zander and Natasha are looking forward to weeks of discovery after thwarting the vengeful Darkbloom's attempt to destroy The Nine. But has the danger truly passed? Store employees begin acting oddly, a long-lost clue to an ancient store mystery is uncovered, and Zander and Natasha themselves become targets for attack. When a devastating magic spell places The Nine under new peril, the two friends find themselves in a race against the clock to solve the store's ever-deepening riddles and preserve the world-famous Number Nine Plaza from destruction.
 
Featuring word puzzles, clues, and lavish illustrations, this enchanting, out-of-this-world mystery delivers an unforgettable read full of magic and adventure.

MY REVIEW

This is such a fun series. My two favorite mystery solvers, Zander and Natasha, are back in this intriguing mystery series.  I love the characters and the whimsical setting of the world-famous The Number Nine Plaza. This mysterious and enchanting department store has it all, including the dangerous and elusive Darkbloom who will stop at nothing to bring destruction to all who cross him. 

As much as I liked the first book, I enjoyed this book even more! Guterson does a great job of pulling the reader right in the story and keeping the mystery and the fun engaging right until the end. This book picks up right where the first one ends and the action and twists are non stop. I appreciate and enjoy how resourceful Zander and Natasha are, but sometimes it is to their peril. 

The stakes are high as the pair and others try to stop Darkbloom and I was all in. I absolutely love this genre and I hope there are more books in this series coming. 

Along with the great story, there are amazing illustrations throughout that bring the story to life! I enjoyed what those brought to the story. 

I received a hardcover and a NetGalley link, #gifted copy, from the publisher. All views are my own.

5 out of 5 stars.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon hardcover / Amazon Audible / Amazon Kindle


AUTHOR LINKS

Goodreads / Website / Instagram

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tour review of IT'S WATCHING by Lindsay Currie

 

IT'S WATCHING

Author: Lindsay Currie

Publisher: Delacourte Press

Middle Grade Horror/Ghost Stories

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy of the book from the publisher for tour purposes and a NetGalley link. 

DESCRIPTION

On Halloween night, Josie and her two best friends, Jackson and Alison, sneak into the infamously haunted Bachelor’s Grove cemetery. They are hoping to prove the existence of a famous ghost to secure coveted editorial spots on the school newspaper. Instead, they are chased out by a security guard before they gather any evidence…or so they think.

Later, a sinister meme appears on their phones. It’s an image of the “phantom farmhouse,” an evil apparition rumored to appear to unlucky visitors at Bachelor's Grove—luring them in…and never letting them out—with the words I’m watching dripping down the screen.

Soon, strange and scary things begin to happen all around them. When a second meme from the same number arrives, this time with a countdown, they realize they have only three days to figure out who is terrorizing them. As they investigate, the trio must use their journalistic skills to uncover the truth, or risk becoming a part of the graveyard’s sinister past forever.

REVIEW

I’ve decided middle grade horror is about the only horror I can handle. From an erie cemetery, moving dolls, mummy’s faces that change, haunted cottages, this book is full of surprises and twists and has some intense action. 

With all of those things, this book adds more examples to what I love about middle grade. Josie, Jackson, and Alison are kids that work together, aren’t perfect, and see the good in each other. Even when being haunted by ghosts, as are trying to figure out why. 

There are many exciting twists and I enjoyed trying to figuring out the craziness with the trio. As the story develops, their motivations change as they realize the danger involved. I like how they kept trying, but remembered they’re only human (and kids) too. 

This is my first book from this author and I’m exited to read more!

5 out of 5 stars. 

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon Kindle / Amazon Hardcover / Barnes and Noble

AUTHOR INFO

Amazon / Website / Instagram / Goodreads

Lindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and It’s Watching, She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale.  When she’s not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching  forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220 acre farm in downstate Illinois where she finally gets to see stars every night, and take hikes every day.

Coming soon:  THE HOUSE WITH NO KEYS (October 2025) and X Marks the Haunt (February 2026)!​​