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lostwithoutabook's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lostcupofstars's review
3.0
Tia ughhh what an awful personality. This will be a cute series, kind of like the famous five books when I was a kid. I think this will be a good book for younger middle grade readers.
A lot of respectability politics, classism and maybe a few too many characters but I think it’s well paced for children.
A lot of respectability politics, classism and maybe a few too many characters but I think it’s well paced for children.
saccalai's review
4.0
As far as Fayson is concerned, she has loads of friends! All the characters in her favourite books are real enough to her, but her mother doesn't agree and sends her off for a holiday with the dreaded cousins. There she finally gets a real mystery to solve, just like in her favourite books.
This was really fun to read and there was lots of humour in the book. I was excited to get to the bit with lemon drops (a few arrived with my copy of the book... apparently I'm very easy to bribe!) and I loved the description of broccoli as a tiny tree.
It was interesting to read the group dynamics of the kids on the island, and Fayson having to learn to deal with all the different personalities. People aren't all as she expects them to be, and I expect there will be more developments in the future books in the series.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-case-of-lighthouse-intruder-by.html
This was really fun to read and there was lots of humour in the book. I was excited to get to the bit with lemon drops (a few arrived with my copy of the book... apparently I'm very easy to bribe!) and I loved the description of broccoli as a tiny tree.
It was interesting to read the group dynamics of the kids on the island, and Fayson having to learn to deal with all the different personalities. People aren't all as she expects them to be, and I expect there will be more developments in the future books in the series.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-case-of-lighthouse-intruder-by.html
hollygeorgia1998's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
richmondsc's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rina1986_reads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
miles's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A delightful first installment in a mystery series for children aged 7+. Fayson is a wonderful protagonist: a bookworm with a strong moral compass and a strong sense of justice whose dream it is to become a detective like her favourite book characters. She gets to experience and solve her first mystery while spending the holidays with her slightly estranged cousins in their island vacation home. The book also touches upon important topics such as classism and wealth, as Fayson comes from a poorer background and feels out of place on the island with her rich cousins and their even richer friends. Fayson's aunt and uncle also disapprove of her Patwah (Jamaican Creole language) and want to teach her 'proper' English and the reader gets an insight into how hurtful their comments are to Fayson, who simply wants to be herself and who likes the way that she is. I definitely think that through Fayson the book can teach young readers that it is important to stand up for yourself and for others and to stand up for what you think is right, to be kind to yourself and others, that wealth doesn't equal happiness, and that classism doesn't benefit anyone and that people should rather accept and respect each other the way that they are. I look forward to future installments in the series and how the characters will develop (I think there is a strong case for a Tia redemption arc, for example).
Lastly, Fayson reads as autistic to me and while that is not a topic explicitly explored in the book, I think that young neurodivergent readers may see themselves represented in Fayson and therefore find it even more important that Fayson stays true to herself and to her values and is 'triumphant' at the end.
(Fayson struggles with making friends and prefers imaginary book characters as companions and while she at first is the odd one out in the group, she ends up as an important part of said group.)
Lastly, Fayson reads as autistic to me and while that is not a topic explicitly explored in the book, I think that young neurodivergent readers may see themselves represented in Fayson and therefore find it even more important that Fayson stays true to herself and to her values and is 'triumphant' at the end.
(Fayson struggles with making friends and prefers imaginary book characters as companions and while she at first is the odd one out in the group, she ends up as an important part of said group.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Classism
catsncomics's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hyperbooktivity's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emmieanna's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was an exceptionally easy read, I would place at the younger end of middle grade (around 7-10 years old).
Set on an island off the coast of Jamaica, Fayson joins her estranged cousins during the holidays and soon learns of a case that needs solving, fulfilling her dream of being a secret agent/detective. She feels out of place with her cousins and their friends in their privileged lifestyle, and often wants to stand up for herself while also warring with the notion of being well behaved and doing her Mama proud. Ultimately, Fayson’s moral compass and superior detective skills prevail and all is right at the end.
I feel this is an important book for children to read, it challenges the way we view people, the concept of wealth vs happiness and highlights the importance of kindness and standing up for yourself. Fayson shows small signs of neurodiversity, even if this theme is not explored in the book, I feel children experiencing traits of autism and adhd could see themselves reflected in Fayson in small ways.
Overall, I would recommend this to young readers.
Set on an island off the coast of Jamaica, Fayson joins her estranged cousins during the holidays and soon learns of a case that needs solving, fulfilling her dream of being a secret agent/detective. She feels out of place with her cousins and their friends in their privileged lifestyle, and often wants to stand up for herself while also warring with the notion of being well behaved and doing her Mama proud. Ultimately, Fayson’s moral compass and superior detective skills prevail and all is right at the end.
I feel this is an important book for children to read, it challenges the way we view people, the concept of wealth vs happiness and highlights the importance of kindness and standing up for yourself. Fayson shows small signs of neurodiversity, even if this theme is not explored in the book, I feel children experiencing traits of autism and adhd could see themselves reflected in Fayson in small ways.
Overall, I would recommend this to young readers.