Ghosts & Glittering Curses: A Review of "The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond"
- Kim Bartosch
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
When twelve-year-old Charlie is forced to trade the buzz of New York City for the steamy swamps of Florida, she’s not just struggling with the move—she’s on a mission to get back home. Christyne Morrell’s The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond is a deliciously spooky, action-packed middle grade mystery that’s bursting with clever humor, heartwarming friendships, and just enough chills to keep young readers turning the pages with wide eyes and eager hands.
Thank you to Delacorte Press and Publicity Prose for the book and my honest review. Read my full review and be sure to enter the giveaway for the book!
Title: The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond
Author: Christyne Morrell
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: middle grade, ghost story
Publishing date: Sept 17, 2024
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis:
After twelve-year-old Charlie moves from New York City to sweaty, sticky Florida, she’ll do anything to get back home.
Even if it involves ghosts.
Winklevoss Manor, Charlie’s new house, is a towering Victorian mansion famous for one thing—it’s haunted. Three ghosts—Ada, Arthur, and Guff—live there, and not by choice. They’re trapped, cursed for stealing a dead man’s diamond. A diamond that, just like the ghosts, is still in the house. And this gets Charlie thinking. . .
Maybe if she can find the diamond and sell it, Charlie’s family could have enough money to move back to the city. But lifting the curse isn’t that simple, especially when she’s pitted against the school bully and three unruly spirits. It’s frightening to think about, but what if the only way to get rid of the ghosts and curses is by doing what Charlie fears the most—confronting the past that haunts her?
My Review of "The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond" by Christyne Morrell
Winklevoss Manor, Charlie’s new (and haunted!) home, is a creaky Victorian brimming with secrets—and ghosts. Enter Ada, Arthur, and Guff: three spirits who aren’t just quirky housemates—they’re cursed to stay in the mansion after stealing a mysterious diamond from a dead man. A diamond that’s still hidden somewhere inside the house. Charlie quickly figures out that if she can find the gem and sell it, maybe—just maybe—she can buy her way back to the city life she’s craving.
What unfolds is part ghost story, part treasure hunt, part emotional journey—and entirely delightful. Morrell’s writing shines with sparkling prose and a pace that refuses to quit. The story zips along with suspenseful moments and laugh-out-loud lines, all grounded in Charlie’s earnest, determined voice. One standout moment? When Charlie and her friends dive into some good old-fashioned sleuthing using microfiche—which Charlie hilariously misnames as “Micro Fish.” It's a small detail, but it captures the author’s playful tone and pitch-perfect ear for middle grade humor.
And speaking of friends—this book has some really lovely ones. Charlie’s dynamic with the ghosts, as well as her interactions with classmates (even the school bully), are handled with nuance and warmth. Themes of facing your past, choosing bravery, and discovering where you truly belong are woven beautifully throughout. There's spooky fun, sure, but there’s also an emotional depth that anchors the story in something real and relatable.
The ghosts themselves are another highlight: not too scary, not too silly, but full of personality and backstory. They’re not just floating plot devices—they’re part of the heart of the tale. And their interactions with Charlie bring both humor and poignancy as she uncovers the truth behind their curse and her own buried grief.
If you're a fan of twisty middle grade mysteries, haunted house adventures, and stories that blend humor with heart, The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s perfect for fans of Lindsay Currie, Kiersten White, and Disney’s Haunted Mansion—though this book stands confidently on its own spooky legs.
Morrell has crafted a story that is not only thrilling and mysterious, but ultimately uplifting. It reminds us that sometimes, the scariest thing isn’t ghosts or curses—it’s confronting the memories we’ve tried to leave behind.
Whether you’re a young reader looking for a fun, ghostly adventure or an adult who enjoys middle grade with heart and humor, this one’s a diamond worth discovering. 💎
About the author:
Christyne Morrell writes middle-grade novels across a number of genres. Whether they take place in quirky seaside towns or fantastical, faraway kingdoms, her stories all have one thing in common: clever kids accomplishing extraordinary things, like conquering a curse, overthrowing a king, or taking down an evil, brain-hacking corporation. Christyne believes that middle-grade books should challenge, intrigue, and inspire young readers – but above all, never underestimate them.
Christyne is the author of the novels Kingdom of Secrets and Trex, which was named an Eleanor Cameron Notable Book for Excellence in Science Fiction and selected for the Sequoyah Book Awards Masterlist. Her third novel, THE CURSE OF THE DEAD MAN'S DIAMOND, comes out Fall 2024. She is also the author of the picture book, Abra, Cadabra, and Bob; poetry book, The Fool Catcher; and numerous poems and short stories that have appeared in children's magazines.
Christyne lives in Decatur, Georgia with her husband, daughter, and beagle. She can be found online at christynewrites.com and on Instagram at @ChristyneWrites.
Giveaway:
One (1) paperback of "The Curse of the Dead Man's Curse" by Christyne Merrell. USA only, ends on April 30, 2025, at midnight EST.
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