The Coral Coffin [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael Dahl (Author)

Book Description

Series: Finnegan Zwake Mysteries

"WHAT IS THE TURTLE'S NAME?"

"MY NAME'S FINN," I SAID.

THE PIRATES GASPED.

THE GIANT PEERED DOWN AT ME. I FELT LIKE A BUG UNDER HER BOOT. "FINN," SHE SAID. "A GOOD NAME FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL JOIN THE FISH."

Swept overboard during a thunderstorm in the South Seas, thirteen-year-old Finn lands on a tropical island, with palm trees, nesting turtles, beautiful sunsets, and...a dead body. Finn and his famous mystery-writer Uncle Stoppard traveled to the Great Barrier Reef in search of Finn's long-missing archaeologist parents. Instead they are both picked up by a ship full of fierce modern-day pirates and their fearless female leader, Blue Jade.

No sooner are Finn and his uncle onboard when mayhem breaks loose: someone is secretly poisoning the crew members, one by one. Furious, Blue Jade gives Finn and Uncle Stop twenty-four hours to find the killer and prove their own innocence. Otherwise they will face her deadly pets Mittens and Fluffy, two man-killing blue-ringed octopuses....

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 In his fifth adventure, 13-year-old Finn Zwake and his mystery-writer uncle continue the search for his archaeologist parents who disappeared in Iceland eight years earlier, but who, according to their son, left clues as to their whereabouts. On his way to a remote island along Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where Finn hopes to find them, he is blown overboard in a storm. Washed ashore, the boy discovers that he is not alone. This desert island comes complete with a corpse, a mysterious stranger, and a band of modern-day pirates who have captured his uncle. Uncle Stoppard and Finn have 24 hours to find out who killed several members of the pirate crew and prove their own innocence. Although the story is melodramatic, far-fetched, and corny, mystery fans will have great fun with a plot that includes sharks, a sinister female pirate captain, deep-sea diving, and a sunken ship. The Coral Coffin ends with a cliff-hanger that leaves readers waiting for the next episode. -Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743416988
• ISBN-13: 978-0743416986
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,047,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Dahl is the author of more than 200 books for children and young adults. His nonfiction has won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award three times. His Finnegan Zwake mystery series published by Simon & Schuster won rave reviews and two of its titles were shortlisted for the Edgar and the Anthony Mystery Awards. He has written The Everything Kid's Joke Book as well as Gotcha Covered! (with Kathleen Baxter from School Library Journal) on nonfiction books that get kids excited about reading. Dahl is the Editorial Director for Stone Arch Books based in Minneapolis, where his books have won national design awards and been selected by the Junior Library Guild. His fantasy series, The Library of Doom, is the most-read series by hi-lo readers across the country. He has spoken at numerous schools, libraries, bookstores, and conferences inn the US and UK, including ALA, AASL, Renaissance Learning, TLA and IRA. He lives in a haunted house.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Coral Coffin Book Review, January 29, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Coral Coffin (Mass Market Paperback)

The Coral Coffin is about a boy named Finnegan Zwake and his Uncle Stoppard who is a famous mystery book writer. They go on an expedition to a remote island to find Finnegan's parents who had disappeared on an archaeological dig. On the remote island Finn and Uncle Stoppard get separated by a treacherous storm and drift away. They reunite after getting captured and are brought aboard a pirate ship and discover the mystery of the Coral Coffin. I would definitely recommend this book to a person who likes adventure and mystery.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series, but still good, March 25, 2003

By 

"strainor7" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Coral Coffin (Mass Market Paperback)

This truly is a good book. It's not only for kids though, I think adults would enjoy this series also. My personal favorites are:
1: The Ruby Raven (#3)
2: The Viking Claw (#4)
3: The Coral Coffin (#5)

I would HIGHLY recommend this series to everyone. It is kind of strange, I'll admit it, but worthy of reading.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Coral Coffin Book Review, January 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Coral Coffin (Mass Market Paperback)

The Coral Coffin is about a boy named Finnegan Zwake and his Uncle Stoppard who is a famous mystery book writer. They go on an expedition to a remote island to find Finnegan's parents who had disappeared on an archaeological dig. On the remote island Finn and Uncle Stoppard get separated by a treacherous storm and drift away. They reunite after getting captured and are brought aboard a pirate ship and discover the mystery of the Coral Coffin. I would definitely recommend this book to a person who likes adventure and mystery.