Title: Goldie Vance Volume One by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Source: Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon, Book Depository
Summary from Goodreads: Move over Nancy, Harriet, & Veronica. There's a new sleuth on the block!
Sixteen-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place. Her mom, who divorced her dad years ago, works as a live mermaid at a club downtown. Goldie has an insatiable curiosity, which explains her dream to one day become the hotel’s in-house detective. When Charles, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery. Eisner Award-winning writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel) and artist Brittney Williams (Patsy Walker, A.K.A Hellcat!) present the newest gal sleuth on the block with Goldie Vance, an exciting, whodunnit adventure.
Book Review
I had a lot of fun reading this book. Marigold 'Goldie' Vance is a spunky girl ready to help do the right thing, even if it means doing a little bad. She wants to be a detective for the hotel her father works at. Her parents are divorced but she's a well-adjusted teen who has a close friend who also works at the hotel.The friend's a young lady who wants to be an astronaut which I also love. Also, books representing black people and African-Americans in a positive light is always appreciated. And you get to meet a variety of diverse characters, each with their own part to play. When the surprising mystery of a stolen necklace turns into a shocking kidnapping, Goldie is on the case. But when her sleuthing gets not only her but her father in hot water. Can she undo her mistakes and still find the victim in time? You'll have to read the book to find out and I highly recommend it. I think from pre-teens upwards will enjoy this read and it works for both boys and girls.
The only downside I can give this book is the sad stereotyping of Russians and Germans. The latter started fine but then it kind of went sideways with typical running from the government to savior United States. Yes, I get that there are times when espionage happens but when your first instinct is to use Russia or Germany (this also includes authors who automatically target Asian Countries), it kind of makes me think you're not that creative. Spies are in many countries. Not just a few that you can count on almost fully on one hand. For a book with a great representation of females and African Americans, it was sad to see this happen.
In the end, it is an amazing book with an intriguing would be detective lead that can draw in readers of various ages. I got an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Stars
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Overcome one stereotype, fall prey to another. An Australian spy would've been original.
ReplyDeleteGlad that this book had some diversity, though too bad that it still stereotyped. Interesting cover that almost suggests it's a MG story.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back and doing better and that you had such a good read in this one. ;)
ReplyDeleteMarigold 'Goldie' Vance. Now that's a great character name.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great rad!
ReplyDeleteWhat age level is this geared to? It's looks like middle grade, but the character's age is high, not that that can't be done. It just has me curious.
ReplyDeletewe hate it when they stereotype Russians and everybody else :(
ReplyDeleteI was a huge Nancy Drew fan and this sounds like a great update to the girl sleuth genre. It's kinda annoying how often Germans and Neo-Nazis are villains. I think Germany has paid the price for WWII enough. I have to admit I've used Russians as bad guys -- but they were used as the heroes too! Great review!
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