Dead guys talk: A Wild Willie Mystery

Joosse, Barbara M. Dead Guys Talk: A Wild Willie Mystery. Illustrated by Abby Carter. Clarion Books, 2006. ISBN 9780618306664. $15.00. Ages 7-10.

Dead Guys Talk is a bone-chilling tale about three curious children who are bored in the summertime looking for something to do. Willie, Kyle, and Lucy are known as the Scarface Detectives. They received a map to the town cemetery, along with a note asking for help. The next note tells them that someone wants to sell the graveyard and move the bodies. According to the note, the dead guys do not want to leave. The detectives find a way to stop the plans and they figure out who sent the notes to them. Small children will like this story, because it is mysterious and suspenseful. The imaginative story line will inspire children to become great detectives. The black and white illustrations make the books seem spooky and chilling at the same time. The illustrations were implemented in black colored pencil and wash. I thought this book was interesting and couldn’t put the book down. I wondered what these children were going to do to help save the graveyard. Children are amazing and have the best and most creative ideas and so did Willie, Kyle, and Lucy. It was mystifying and thrilling and a great book for children.

Desiree L. Reckner, BGSU student