Gilda Joyce: The Dead Drop

Author: Jennifer Allison

Pages: 300

Published: Dutton, 2009

Genre: Mystery

Cover Score: A- (I love all of the cool details!)

Overall Grade: A-

Gilda Joyce, fourteen year old psychic investigator, is back! This summer, she's packing her awesome collection of vintage clothing and her old-fashioned typewriter and is jetting off to Washington, DC, as an intern at the International Spy Museum there. At first everything is great in the capital city, but when spooky things start happening in the museum after certain Cold War-era artifacts are donated, Gilda and her psychic radar are on the case! This time, the mystery involves Abraham Lincoln's ghost, a dead drop in a nearby cemetery, a possible traitor within the CIA, and a bloodstained ghost with a red star that haunts Gilda's dreams. It's going to be one heck of a summer....

My thoughts: Watch out, Nancy Drew, there's a new sleuth in town!

First, I love Gilda! She's funny, quirky, and just an all-around ideal main character. Her personality is awesome, and I love the originality of the mysteries that she delves into.

This book was by far one of the better ones in the series, if not the best (high praise, seeing as all of the books that I've read have been fantastic!). The good thing about these books are that you don't have to read them in order, so anyone can pick up any of the books in the series and dive right in!

This mystery was fast-paced, page-turning, suspenseful, and fun all at the same time. The author clearly put tons of work into researching all the espionage aspects of the story, and it showed. The story was bursting with fascinating information, and the mystery itself was spellbinding, chillingly spooky and amusing at the same time--I couldn't wait to see how it all worked out!

All in all, this refreshing series is highly recommended to readers ages 11 and older--perfect for a middle school library! I can't wait to see what's next for Gilda!

Must-Read! Check it Out Don't Bother