Dead End

Raven Hill Mysteries #30

by Emily Rodda

Could a sinister crime spree finally spell the end of the Help-for-Hire gang? Another unpredictable adventure from the internationally bestselling author of Deltora Quest!

Hide your valuables and don't walk the streets alone. Six young troublemakers are on the loose in Raven Hill. Witnesses say the culprits look surprisingly familiar -- just like the Help-for-Hire gang!
If the real Help-for-Hire gang doesn't figure out who's trying to set them up, it could mean the end of their friendship forever. And once the kids begin disappearing one by one, Nick discovers that it could mean the end of a whole lot more.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.

Reviews

[Kat!e Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I did a bit of research, and it turns out that in the American reprint the books were retitled, the group was given a different name, and the books were printed out of order! Fortunately, with the six I read, this book still made sense. I would really like to get the others, though, in the Australian print and read them in their proper order.

I really liked this one a lot! It's probably one of my favorites.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent wrap-up to the series. Nick is often seen as hostile but his loving relationship with his parents comes through each time. He's blunt, and he's sharp, and he's well-written.
I always enjoy how much these kids annoy each other.
The ending was a little abrupt, and dark, which is what I find do fascinating about these books.

2024 reread: this weird series is too short to have so much lore. This is true to the series concept and first 24 installments, because Nick does believe the worst of the people who've proven to be friends. Greta makes another appearance, as does another character.
The end is optimistic and a conclusion while leaving the door open for more (which never came).

The recent audiobooks of the first six books changing from the 3rd reprint covers to some kind of cartoonish animation is perturbing as it's got the ABC logo on it. I am slightly hoping for a cartoon but also slightly dreading one. While this series could easily be modernised - Nick has a computer and a mobile in the books - it might lose some of its charm. TPI delivering The Pen on escooters (or would The Pen be digitised?). Playing Pokemon Go in the Glen.

While it would be great to see a revival of this long-forgotten set of children's books, I feel like it's better to let Deltora rule the roost for now.

The world isn't ready for Teen Power Inc.

[Gavin Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book for the most part. I liked the confusion and suspense of not knowing what is going to happen next. They end up having to figure out who is falsely accusing them or things that they did not do and why their friends start disappearing. I would highly recommend this book to any body who enjoys mystery books or is looking for a good mystery book to start with.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely my favorite installment of the Teen Power Inc./Raven Hill Mysteries series. The story isn't very predictable and it has a great story line! Of course, it wrapped up very fast, but the story as a whole is great.

This is a great series for children and I can't wait to read it to my own someday.

[Norah Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting, mystery adventure.

[Ashleigh]

The final book in a favourite childhood book series of mine, I'm glad I found this one on openlibrary.org because I've been looking for it for years.

[Bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best in the series must read awesome