Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story, told around the fire at school
camp? Perhaps the story features strange and evil ageless creatures … or
perhaps the local ‘haunted house’ with its long history of weird happenings?
One story too many and suddenly everything around you takes on a
sinister tone – the random coin dropped at your front door; the stranger in the
brown suit who seems to be staring at you; the sound of wood being chopped in
the middle of the night …
Archie Coombes ‘knows’ none of this is real and tells himself its
probably his overactive imagination fuelled by too many horror movies. So – why
did the penny appear back on his doormat after he’d kicked it away? Why is the
brown-suited man still standing there? And what do the visions his friend Oliver
keeps having mean?
What’s more – why has all this only started happening since his father’s
construction company unwittingly opened up a hidden cave system in the
cliffside under the old Langdon house? Cue haunted happenings!
Archie’s most pressing issue, however, is the bombshell that his best
mate, Chris, is moving away from Seaham – just as they’re about to start high
school – so his focus is on enjoying their last summer together.
Determined to ignore the ‘weirdness’ going on around them, Archie is
looking forward to the ‘adult-free’ camping trip he has planned with friends
Chris, Oliver and Athena but, nothing ever goes to plan, and it quickly becomes
too weird – and too dangerous – to ignore all the signs.
Colin Meloy – who may be known to readers for his Wildwood Chronicles
series – has crafted an intricate plot, with twists and turns, red herrings
and time slips, that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat and wanting
to read just one more page.
Woven into Archie’s story is another sinister sub-plot whereby the
reader is kept aware of the background happenings of ‘the brown-suited men’ –
Lugg, Wart and Toff – who appear to have been awakened by the construction
blunder and are now on a mission to find an ‘item’ that will bring them great
glory. Unfortunately, it will also bring ruination to the small seaside village
and all its residents.
This mid-grade novel will appeal to readers who love things that go bump
in the night but may be a little too scary for some younger readers. Otherwise,
readers of all ages, mid-grade and beyond, will enjoy piecing together the
clues along with Archie and his mates.
Personally, I love a good thriller as much as the next person, but for
me, the build-up to the main action seemed a little laboured in some places.
However, the ending was action-packed, albeit a teensy bit unsatisfying for
readers who don’t like an open conclusion. Perhaps this paved the way for a
sequel to The Stars Did Wander Darkling, or perhaps even a new series –
as I’m sure there are more adventures to be had by this foursome.
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