Embassy of the Dead

June 1, 2020
A case of mistaken identity leads to the summoning of a grim reaper. When Jake Green is given a mysterious package by a tall, distinctly odd stranger, it's only a matter of time before he opens it and discovers the grisly contents: a severed finger. And this isn't just any severed finger--this is the severed finger of a dark being intent on rebuilding himself and reclaiming the world for the forces of darkness. Suddenly, Jake finds himself up to his elbows in ghosts and ghouls. It's a good thing he is one of the few who have the special ability to commune with the dead. With the help of Cora, a somewhat recently deceased spirit, and the long-dead undertaker Stiffkey, Jake does his best to outrun evil's clutches and set things right. This series opener is delightfully spooky, complemented by scratchy black-and-white illustrations. Squeamish readers may not be up for this one: Each chapter heading boasts an image of a dead hand missing its pointer finger, for one thing. But for readers itching for some adventure and some scares, this will certainly do the trick. They won't be troubled by the slightly uneven pace and the serviceable but hardly revelatory subplot about Jake's parents' divorce. Jake, Cora, and Stiffkey are all rendered white--or livid, as the case may be. A creepy romp. (Horror. 9-12)

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September 1, 2020

Gr 4-7-When the world of the dead is coming for you, what do you do? Twelve-year-old Jake thought he had a lot on his shoulders dealing with his parents' divorce. But one afternoon, Jake is mistaken for the wrong living human by ghostly undertaker Stiffkey, who hands him a mysterious box and vanishes. Naturally curious Jake opens the box, which holds the severed finger of a dangerous Reaper, and brings down a terrible fate upon both himself and Stiffkey-banishment to the Eternal Void. Jake, Stiffkey, an assortment of unlikely ghosts, and their human allies set off on an adventure to secure the finger, save themselves, and stave off the power-thirsty Reaper seeking to be reunited with his finger to enable world (and afterworld) domination. While clearly replete with ghouls and ghasts of all stripes, this British import is creepy but never too scary, and packed with laughs. Occasional excerpts from ghostly guide The Book of the Dead catalog different types of spirits, and enticingly expand the world of this series-starter for curious readers. VERDICT Recommend for readers looking for a quick-paced, just-spooky-enough romp.-Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2020
The Embassy of the Dead has a problem. A cursed finger, longing to be reunited with its body so that the spirit within can wreak havoc, has been delivered not to the agent who was supposed to receive it but to a perfectly normal living boy. Jake's boring life is turned upside down when he mistakenly accepts this parcel of vital importance from a ghostly undertaker. He quickly finds himself pursued by spirits both nasty and helpful, doing his best to learn about the afterlife while running to preserve the one he has. A colorful cast of the undead, featured in atmospheric black-and-white illustrations, enlivens the plot. Stiffkey the kindly undertaker, Bad Penny the Undoer, Zorro the ghost fox, and even the insufferably posh poltergeist Cora Sanderford have very human traits that draw them to Jake as they aid in his quest. Not everyone is so lovely, though, and the villains that pursue our protagonist are truly ghastly. Frightful chases through the British countryside in a campervan, and the ins-and-outs of a ghost office, may seem fantastic, but Jake's struggle with his parents' divorce strikes a relatable chord and provides a nice opportunity for Jake to grow emotionally (in the few seconds he gets to catch his breath). The story is earnest, spooky, and cheerfully bleak. Those with a taste for dark tales will certainly enjoy following Jake on his gothic adventure.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2020
The Embassy of the Dead has a problem. A cursed finger, longing to be reunited with its body so that the spirit within can wreak havoc, has been delivered not to the agent who was supposed to receive it but to a perfectly normal living boy. Jake's boring life is turned upside down when he mistakenly accepts this parcel of vital importance from a ghostly undertaker. He quickly finds himself pursued by spirits both nasty and helpful, doing his best to learn about the afterlife while running to preserve the one he has. A colorful cast of the undead, featured in atmospheric black-and-white illustrations, enlivens the plot. Stiffkey the kindly undertaker, Bad Penny the Undoer, Zorro the ghost fox, and even the insufferably posh poltergeist Cora Sanderford have very human traits that draw them to Jake as they aid in his quest. Not everyone is so lovely, though, and the villains that pursue our protagonist are truly ghastly. Frightful chases through the British countryside in a campervan, and the ins-and-outs of a ghost office, may seem fantastic, but Jake's struggle with his parents' divorce strikes a relatable chord and provides a nice opportunity for Jake to grow emotionally (in the few seconds he gets to catch his breath). The story is earnest, spooky, and cheerfully bleak. Those with a taste for dark tales will certainly enjoy following Jake on his gothic adventure. Sarah A. Berman

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)