Book reviews – 'Dead Man's Cove' by Lauren St John

'Dead Man’s Cove' by Lauren St John

When orphan Laura Marlin is sent to live with her strange uncle in Cornwall she longs for excitement inspired by her favourite detective novels.

It isn't long before mysterious goings-on attract her attention. Why does her uncle, Calvin Redfern, forbid her to go to Dead Man's Cove? What's the truth about Tariq, the silent Indian boy who lives with the flamboyant Mukthars? Who left the message in a bottle for Laura to find?

This exciting detective story is the first book in the Laura Marlin mysteries.

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Your reviews

Review by Leon Williams

I thought this book was brilliant. An orphaned girl named Laura aged 11 finds out that she has an uncle willing to adopt her. The minute she gets there her uncle tells her she has complete freedom. But when she meets a silent boy called Tariq who works at the local corner store weird things start to happen. Why is her uncle so secretive, and why is everyone so scared of Dead Man's Cove?

My favourite character was Laura because whatever her uncle said about her being a detective, she still strives to be one. I also liked it when she was writing letters to the anonymous person, who seems in terrible danger.

I thought it was the one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I loved the way it was written and the second I finished the book I started to search for the second one! I would recommend it to anyone from the age of 7 to 12. Although it had no violence in it, there was some very minor scary suspenseful parts.

Review by Georgie Estall

This book is about a girl named Laura Marlin who unfortunately was orphaned at birth. She lived at a care home all of her life before discovering that she has an uncle living in St Ives in Cornwall. When she goes to live with her uncle Calvin Redfern, he seems to be away at work a lot and the mysterious housekeeper Mrs Webb seems very suspicious.

Laura's dream is to become a detective and she decides to investigate when she realises her new friend Tariq seems to dislike her according to his creepy uncle, a strange newspaper reporter is wandering around town and everyone thinks Dead Man's Cove scary.

This book was great. Laura was my favourite character because she always needs an answer. The story was gripping. I couldn't put it down! I think my brother would like it because he likes a good mystery story.

Review by Molly Casares

I thought this book was great. It is about a girl called Laura who goes to live with her uncle, because Social Services finally find out she has family (up to that point she had been living in a home). Laura is pleased she has an uncle and when she arrives in Cornwall, she soon begins to realise there is more to Dead Man's Cove than meets the eye. A mystery begins to unravel and soon Laura finds herself neck deep in trouble. Always remember – be careful what you wish for!

I liked Mrs Crabtree and Tariq. Mrs Crabtree likes to tittle-tattle and poke her nose into other people's business whenever she can. I like her because her character is funny, bouncy and uplifting. Tariq is a quiet and calm boy. I like him because he is gentle and selfless and I also like the mystery that surrounds him.

I thought Dead Man's Cove was a good story but I would have liked the book to have had more depth and encouraged the reader to work a lot harder to solve the mystery. However, I did enjoy the characterisation and the basic idea of the story. I think younger children perhaps aged 8 to 11 who like adventure stories with easy-to-solve mysteries would like this book.

Review by Molly Bates

I thought this book was brilliant. This story is about an orphaned 11-year-old called Laura Marlin who finds out she has an uncle (her dead mum's brother). He adopts her and she goes to live with him in St Ives in Cornwall. She has spent her life with her head in mystery stories and is determined to be a top detective. In St Ives she is faced with mysteries and clues – will she solve the mystery of Dead Man's Cove?

My favourite character was Laura because she is very inspirational and can be just like me. It is very enjoyable to read about someone my age. She's faced with so much she has such an incredible scary life!

I loved the story, I just wanted to read on and on. I was very sad when it ended. I'm going to buy the second book and hope that Lauren St John writes a third.

Anyone who enjoys mystery stories must read this incredible book, as well as people who don't read much but enjoy mystery movies. I'd say is it for children aged seven and over as a younger person wouldn't understand some of the words and might not be able to understand the storyline.

Review by Beccy Standen

This book was brilliant. I absolutely loved it, it was fantastic!

It is about a girl called Laura, who was orphaned as a child. She lived in Sylvan Meadows orphanage for 11 years before social services find out that Laura has a uncle called Calvin Redfern. They arrange for her to live with her uncle in St Ives. She feels quite afraid at first and that she doesn't fit in, then she meets a boy called Tariq who becomes friends with her and she thinks that everything is okay. But suddenly everything changes for the worse and Laura finds herself with so many questions.

My favourite character is Tariq, because he is quite inquisitive. He likes to keep himself to himself, just like I do, so I think that Tariq relates to me a lot. He feels trapped in his own world, if he takes a step out of line he is in big trouble. He is being tortured at the Mukthars. He has bruises all over himself, and he also falls over a lot – or so he says. He thought he might be a servant, but he is a slave. He feels that Laura is his only friend.

The writing is excellent. It has lots of mystery, good descriptions, vocabulary, fun, action and thrills. It makes you want to read more, which is exactly why I want to read the next book!

Somebody who enjoys mystery books, adventure and action novels would enjoy this book. Also somebody who is bored on a rainy day and wants to read something that is very powerful and will lift their spirits. Let me tell you, it certainly lifted mine!

Review by Ishika Ali

I thought this book was great. Laura Marlin is an orphan who discovers after 11 years that she has an uncle in Cornwall. The mystery of her uncle's past, the Mukthar family and some mysterious notes lead Laura to a thrilling adventure like she has wished for in her story books. But did Laura wish for a bad thing? Why is the housekeeper so nosy? Who is Tariq?

Laura is my favourite character because she's brave for spying on Calvin. She is smart for working out the blank note and kind for giving a home to Skye.

I think the story is superb because it doesn't give the plot away and it is thrilling. Boys and girls over the age of eight would enjoy it.

Review by Katie O'Neill

I thought this book was brilliant. I thought the story was very good and enjoyable to read.

Laura Marlin is an 11-year-old orphan girl who lived in Sylvan Meadows Children Home all her life. Her mother died when Laura was born and her dad ran away. She hasn't got any other relatives she knows about until Robbie, a care worker, finds an uncle called Calvin Redfern who lives in Cornwall. Laura moves in with her uncle and his dog Lottie. After one night, Laura had already met Tariq – but is he a true friend? Laura had strange thoughts about her uncle and his job and follows him and another lady to Dead Man's Cove where he had told her not to go. Letters in a bottle on the beach made Laura suspicious of people around her. Laura met a dog called Skye who saves her life. She absolutely adored him and decided to buy him before he was taken away to the dog kennels.

My favourite character is Laura Marlin because she is very adventurous and sounds fun to be with. She's forward going, laid back and is always busy or got something on her mind. She isn't a scaredy cat, she will do anything you wish for. The main reason I like Laura is her personality, caring and kind, loving and thoughtful. She is also cunning and a clever little girl.

The story includes so many adventures you can never stop reading it, you just want to carry on and find out what happens. Adventurous people would like it. It started to get confusing towards the end when they were on the ship, but once figuring out what had actually happened you understood it.

Most people would enjoy this story. It isn't particularly for anyone, girls and boys would like it, around the age of 10 as it is a little confusing and has hard words in it. I mark the story 4 and a half out of 5. Great book – would recommend this book!

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