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Sebastian Barth #4
Dew Drop Dead
Something strange is going on at the Dew Drop Inn.
The hand-lettered wooden sign dangles from a broken, rusty chain; the lawn is overgrown; the paint is peeling; the whole place looks forlorn and abandoned. But one of the boarded-up windows of the old inn has been forced open, and Sebastian and his friends decide to investigate.
What will they find?
Nervously, they follow the flickering beam of Sebastian's flashlight to the only open doorway. They huddle together as the light bounces eerily off objects in the room. Then it catches something...
There's a body on the bed!
But by the time the terrified sleuths bring the police back to see their horrifying discovery, the body is gone! A dead body can't disappear -- or can it?
The hand-lettered wooden sign dangles from a broken, rusty chain; the lawn is overgrown; the paint is peeling; the whole place looks forlorn and abandoned. But one of the boarded-up windows of the old inn has been forced open, and Sebastian and his friends decide to investigate.
What will they find?
Nervously, they follow the flickering beam of Sebastian's flashlight to the only open doorway. They huddle together as the light bounces eerily off objects in the room. Then it catches something...
There's a body on the bed!
But by the time the terrified sleuths bring the police back to see their horrifying discovery, the body is gone! A dead body can't disappear -- or can it?
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
James Howe
218 books461 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 24, 2017
I think of the 4 books in this series, this is the weakest in some ways. Yet, there are moments with this book that I was gripped and had to know what was going to happen.
This book is dealing with the homeless issue. There is a murder in an abandoned hotel and Sebastian is trying to figure out what is going on. Also Sebastian is having troubles with his parents. His father lost his job and will they have to move? I think it's that part of the story that drug it down and did not give us resolution.
James Howe has a clear voice and I appreciate his writing. I'm glad I read all 4 of these books. It was a worthwhile read.
This book is dealing with the homeless issue. There is a murder in an abandoned hotel and Sebastian is trying to figure out what is going on. Also Sebastian is having troubles with his parents. His father lost his job and will they have to move? I think it's that part of the story that drug it down and did not give us resolution.
James Howe has a clear voice and I appreciate his writing. I'm glad I read all 4 of these books. It was a worthwhile read.
November 21, 2016
November 21, 2016
Dew Drop Dead
James Howe
Dew Drop Dead is a book about three kids trying to solve a murder mystery. Sabastian, David, and Corrie are a little too curios and decided to investigate the Dew Drop Inn. When they walked up to a room they think they saw someone dead but it wasn't what they thought. The man they saw was wearing a red flannel. They started a homeless shelter to see if anyone was wearing that. Then they found a dead body and thought one of the people in the homeless did it. They got the cops and they uncovered the truth.
The theme to this book is too go with your gut. David was the kid that never got to say his idea. When Sebastian and Corrie made the idea the homeless guy murdered the other guy, David had another idea. He had the same idea since the beginning of the book and stuck with it at the end. Right before they went to the cops, David said his idea but they didn't believe it. Then the cops told them wat happened and he was right. That is why you always stick with your gut.
Dew Drop Dead
James Howe
Dew Drop Dead is a book about three kids trying to solve a murder mystery. Sabastian, David, and Corrie are a little too curios and decided to investigate the Dew Drop Inn. When they walked up to a room they think they saw someone dead but it wasn't what they thought. The man they saw was wearing a red flannel. They started a homeless shelter to see if anyone was wearing that. Then they found a dead body and thought one of the people in the homeless did it. They got the cops and they uncovered the truth.
The theme to this book is too go with your gut. David was the kid that never got to say his idea. When Sebastian and Corrie made the idea the homeless guy murdered the other guy, David had another idea. He had the same idea since the beginning of the book and stuck with it at the end. Right before they went to the cops, David said his idea but they didn't believe it. Then the cops told them wat happened and he was right. That is why you always stick with your gut.
November 2, 2017
Awesome Book!
I like this book because it is very funny, mysterious, and appropriate for my age group(9-13) I recommend this book and this author.
I like this book because it is very funny, mysterious, and appropriate for my age group(9-13) I recommend this book and this author.
October 13, 2017
This book was amazing and I was on the edge of my seat the whole entire time! It was a great book and I plan on reading more books from this author (James Howe). I loved most of the parts but some parts gave me the chills.
November 11, 2015
A great little mystery for my reluctant reader.
September 24, 2016
I loved this book
December 18, 2020
If you like a good mystery book i would recommend you read this it's crazy you think they solved the mystery but then an unexpected turn happened. It;s crazy how many twists and turns there are. I defanitaly recommend this book it is amazing!
January 3, 2021
I Liked it! i dont wanna spoil anything so im not gonna tell the summary. Great book for People who like a good mystery and/or suspense. I would recomend this to people who are fans of the Nancy Drew books. (sorry if this review was long, you don't have to read it.)
September 17, 2018
It was ok, a quick easy read. I found it pretty strange that the main characters were in 8th grade but acted and were treated like grown adults. I didn’t necessarily like it or dislike it.
December 30, 2021
Final installment - really well-done. The mystery payout is a bit of a letdown, but the them and message of the book is great. This was a fun series to revisit this fall/winter.
May 28, 2025
Once again this series impresses me. This book touches on homelessness, mental health, family and death. Such a delightful thing for kid’s books to be so real.
August 10, 2016
This was a nice mystery by James Howe. The mystery will appeal to students who love detective stories. Homelessness and some of it causes is the theme that carries the plot. A good book for elementary students.
October 10, 2017
This was an enjoyable read. The characters were vivid and the plot was interesting. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews