Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau (1)

I've been reading Dr. Mills since Ghost Hunter Adventurers Club: The Secret of the Ornate Emerald Staircase. And while his career has had its ups and downs no one can deny that Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills belongs in the same literary pantheon as Joyce, Lovecraft, R.L. Stine or Carolyn Keene.I met Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills at the Orlando Comic Con and he was nice enough to sign my copy of The Ivory Gate of Millbottom Manor. He smelled of liquor and he was crying but I could tell he was listening to what I was saying even if he refused to make eye contact with me.Anyways, this book is a fun read and it's pretty much what you'd expect if you saw the cover and were familiar with Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills previous novels, it's just a bit more aimed towards a young adult audience than his previous works. But it's clear Dr. Mills knows the young adult experience better than those ingrates who call themselves young adults. Now stop reading this review and buy the book already.

I got my copy today and already finished it. Quick run down of what I like:--Modern dialogue, entertaining and funny--Distinct characters--Cool adventure novel in the style of Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys--Little bits of philosophy here and thereI'm not here to criticize, really. But here are some questions and observations:--If you are a Game Grumps fan, this book sounds like a certain someone.--As a first novel, it is very concise, with the bulk of the story coming in at 200 pages.--The puzzles were interesting, the outcome of the mystery was obvious to me from very early. That said, I have written myself, and enjoy figuring the mystery out while reading, so I know what to look for.--Are we guaranteed more of the series?? I feel like we just got a peek behind the curtain, in a good way.Quality work, Dr. Mills.

I'm only halfway through this book and it's already made me audibly laugh out loud several times. Arin Ha-I mean, Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills is an absolutely fantastic and creative author. If you're looking for a goofy, fun story, this is a great one to pick up.

As someone who enjoys a good mystery, I definitely enjoyed this book. I think what I liked most was the almost snarky-ism (that’s a word) attitude of the characters, and that nothing ever felt like a lull. The dialogue made me exhale heavily from my nose, so you know is was good. I’m looking forward to another in the series, and I expect it chop-chop because to be honest, I finished the book in four hours and I’d like another (but that’s on me, I should’ve paced myself). I also appreciate the homage to early mystery novels like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, the illustrations and yellow book covering really took me back.

Fun, quick read that was fast-paced and as funny as you’d expect from the mind of Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills! I finished it in about 3 hours and I already want to read it again! Even though it’s a YA novel there are plenty of jokes and vocabulary for older readers. The breaking of the fourth wall reminded me a lot of other YA greats like Lemony Snicket, but with the Grumps humor I have known and loved for years. A well-crafted adventure that’s great for all ages! I really hope they continue this series.

Amazing. I finished it in one sitting. I couldn't stop reading it. It was an absolute fun ride from beginning to end.The plot was driving, the characters were fun, the dialogue flowed really well.I immediately wanted to read it again.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from “Ghost Hunters Adventure Club”, but so far I’m legitimately enjoying it. I haven’t finished it yet, but definitely will though I don’t expect my review to change in any substantive sense.It’s stylized in a fun and cheeky way. When interpreted as a quasi-surrealistic comedy with a mystery flavor the book works. At its absolute worst, it’s still fun and amusing. If you come into this as like an extended comedy bit from “Dr. Mills” then you’ll have an enjoyable experience. As a mystery, some of the process/physics aspects doesn’t necessarily add up. As for instance, the human ear would be functionally incapable of discerning the temporal sequence of a gunshot and glass breaking with the ranges alluded to with any realistic accuracy (cuz bullets fast, y'all), and it appears police procedure is tossed out the window entirely. That does not impact my rating at all since trying to read this with “gritty realism” in mind would be like getting disappointed over the Raimi Spiderman movies not being enough like "The Dark Knight" instead of enjoying them as their own thing.JJ is very much Danny, Valentine is Arin, and (like the show) the pairing functions well as a duet. The Sheriff reminds me of Markiplier though hard telling if that was intended or my own interpretation. Trudi is either someone I’m unfamiliar with or “Dr. Mills’” interpretation of a “strong female character” - but she’s fun as a contrast if not overly burdened by dimension (Snarky Velma).With as annoyed as I was over the “Soviet Jump Game” advertising campaign… I’m quite charmed by Dr. Cecil HH Mills. The author introduction feels like trying to circumvent the effort of having a strong first line, and I’m uncertain how much I think this works, but it’s funny and amusing even though I'm split on if this is born from insecurity or something more akin to "Dr. Mills" occasional penchant for anti-humor.The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars… There’s some linguistic strangeness in the narration. The dialogue is golden, but the narration can be clunky. Some language choices that new writers make, superfluous words, flow-breakers, description wonkiness, etc., that make me think “Dr. Mills” needs a better editor. Or an editor more likely to push back, less enamored with him, higher standards, or simply less agreeable. If “Dr. Mills” wanted, he could absolutely write for an audience outside the Game Grumps fan base. There’s legitimate gold in here, he’s absolutely got the talent for all the important things – character & dialogue, plotting, “fun”, etc.So I'm knocking off a star for his editor because of bits that needed tightened up but weren’t for whatever reason. Considering there aren’t any spelling or overt grammatical errors that I’ve found, I’m safely assuming he did have some form of professional editor, but he needed a more rigorous one for a book intended toward public consumption to really kick it up that last couple of notches into perfection.

I’m an adult reader and I find it very entertaining and indulging. Hoping for a sequel!

Dr. Cecil H H Mills is the single greatest writer of all time. He came to me once in a dream. He told me of great fortunes to come and signs to look out for. And just as soon as he slipped into my life he floated out, bathed in a glowing light, like the angel he is. When I awoke the next morning I burned my toast. Why is that significant you ask? Twas the face of one Dr Cecil H H Mills burned into toast!!Also the books pretty enjoyable.

Myself and my partner are huge Game Grumps fans and so we absolutely had to have this book, with it being written and produced by the Game Grumps team. It's actually a really good story and really funny throughout. It doesn't look like a comedy book and it's more of a parody. A great read all round for the lovelies.

This book is effortlessly charming, witty and more than a little clever. ̶A̶ ̶b̶r̶i̶l̶l̶i̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶d̶e̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶A̶r̶i̶n̶ ̶H̶a̶n̶s̶o̶n̶.̶ Legendary author Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills' dynamic entrance into the world of Young Adult Fiction is as grand as the chateau itself.

Well written, fun story and characters, very meta - I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Perfect amount of comedy and mystery absolutely loved it!From start to finish this book is amazing no dul moments very very entertaining.