Balancing the novel's comedy is an affecting, neatly crafted subplot that builds up to the emotionally charged revelation . . . From start to finish, this is a summer holiday to savor

It’s not so much what happens here (though unrequited love and a few close calls do play a role) as the way Birdsall tells it. Drawing readers right into the family, she enlivens the everyday matters and endows her characters with so much individuality it’s as though she’s erased the word generic from the dictionary. Particularly outstanding are her descriptions: the tiny Maine town of Point Mouette, with its rocky shores and heaven kissed sunsets, is so lovingly portrayed that readers will be longing to vacation there as well

If you’ve someone who’d like to be introduced into this world for the first time or someone who’s been reading the books straight through, it makes no difference. Both will enjoy this newest Penderwickian challenge. Both will be intrigued and pleased. Both will love it. You will too for that matter

This book is brilliant . . . I just wanted to be there, in the kitchen, hugging them all

Somewhere, there are families like the Penderwicks. Lucky them. The rest of us just get to read about them. Lucky us

One of those books you take with you to the bath . . . Packed with bloodcurdling spectral incident.

I have a particular terror of anything involving unfriendly ghosts and usually steer clear, but this one was just too tempting. Scare me it did, but the thrills were perfectly balanced by the intriguing plot twists and the humorous banter of the three main protagonists. It’s a little bit Sherlock Holmes, a little bit Skulduggery Pleasant, with a terrifying haunted house thrown in for good measure. You definitely won’t be disappointed

This was absolutely excellent. I loved the story, the amount of suspense and creepiness was exactly right to keep me reading page after page very quickly.

Stroud is one of the smartest and most talented writers around . . . Be prepared for lots of humour and some very creepy moments. You're going to be hooked.

It's a ripper! . . . With plentiful wit and good humour, more than a few chilling moments and, above all, refreshing creativity, Jonathan Stroud has constructed an energetic, fast paced narrative that trips nimbly back and forth from the present to the past as he first sketches and then deftly paints this fascinating landscape.

It's brilliant - that's all you need to know really so go and buy it now

It’s almost impossible to put down and all I have left to say is that I want more.