This book is told by Gilda and her cousin Juliet. There are Scooby-Doo like explanations for everything that happens and it is up to the reader to decide which reason is the real one.

GJ, PI leaves it up to the reader whether or not Gilda is psychic and whether or not the ghosts or real. when kids and teens come in looking for mysteries, my first question to them is ghost-mystery or mystery-mystery? Unlike adult mysteries, the mysteries for teens and kids often have ghosts, making it less a 'kid solves a mystery' book and more a 'spooky things happen in the mansion' book. While this is about ghosts and psychic stuff, it is also about the reality of death and loss.Īs for the ghosts. Gilda's dad died a few years ago I like that this book isn't so much about his death, but is about the family recovering from that death. Gilda tells stories and as she investigates things around her, she writes them up (like any good investigator) as 'progress reports.' She says she is going away for the summer (lie), so when she finds out about a distant relative she gets herself an invite for the summer (now it's true.) And Gilda, by force of will, makes some of her lies come true. But as Gilda explains, 'it's not a lie if it comes true'. And developed a bit of a reputation as a liar. OK, sometimes Gilda does care in her effort to recast her ordinary life as something special and exciting, upon occasion, Gilda has told a lie. It's not just that Gilda has confidence she truly doesn't care what other people think.

But I would have loved reading about her and would have been inspired by her confidence, just as I was inspired by Harriet's love of adventure. The Good: Growing up, I was the total opposite of Gilda on the outside never would I have dressed up as she does, or drawn attention to herself as she does. But Gilda doesn't want to be ordinary so she dresses up in outrageous costumes as an investigator, practices her psychic skills, forces a distant relative to invite her to visit for the summer, and finds a mystery to solve involving a dead woman, a locked tower, an unknown cousin (Juliet) and a ghost. Plot: Gilda Joyce, aged 13, lives an ordinary life with her widowed mother and older brother. Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

Gilda joyce book series