Review: Nightmare Detective: The Skeleton King by Monk Inyang

Terrifying nightmares and kid detectives hardly make for a likely duo but writer Monk Inyang, along with the artistic talents of illustrator, Elijah Isaiah Johnson, create a winning combination in Nightmare Detective: The Skeleton King, an imaginative and chilling middle grade adventure.

For two weeks now, twelve-year-old Uko Hill has been plagued by the same terrifying nightmare – that his house is being attacked by a bunch of skeletal hooded figures, led by an imposing reaper he calls The Skeleton King. In his nightmare, Uko tries to wake up his parents and his brother, Femi, but to no avail as he’s unable to rouse them from their deep sleep. Petrified and screaming at the top of his lungs, Uko finally wakes up. His parents offer emotional support but the nightmares just continue.

Things come to a head one night during a particularly terrible bout with the nightmare when Uko runs to hide in the closet but soon finds himself sharing it with Toni, a cool girl who introduces herself as a Nightmare Detective. She tells Uko that it’s her job to help him through his nightmare. However, nothing prepares him for Toni’s bombshell – that she wants to recruit him to be a Nightmare Detective to replace her. A Nightmare Detective’s job is to help dreamers through their nightmares, not solve them. Uko is soon thrown into the dream world of Pangea, a special world of sleep addresses, a Silk Road, the DreamHub and even rogue detectives…

Inyang has chosen his subject matter well in that he’s taken something that all children experience at least once in their young lives and has woven together a tale of empowerment, making nightmares not only less scary but actually intriguing. The story teaches children to confront their fears and take charge of their lives, which is a good message for anyone, and especially at a young age. However, the novel isn’t a veiled parable, it is an entertaining adventure with a very relatable young protagonist, and keeps its important messaging as subtext.

Diversity and the strength of friendship are also key concepts in Inyang’s story, with Uko and Manny the best of friends since the two became next door neighbors years earlier. The sibling relationship between Uko and Femi comes across as genuine, thanks to some brotherly squabbles and even some jealousy. For a work of paranormal fantasy, there is a good measure of realism, helping to give the fantasy elements an added heft.

Although the prose in Nightmare Detective contains some awkward turns of phrase, it still flows well, with Inyang never losing sight of his target audience. It’s complemented by age-appropriate dialogue, and while some scenes may be a little scary for younger readers, Inyang’s choice of words are more atmospheric than frightening. The carefully-crafted illustrations of Elijah Isaiah Johnson are detailed and give life and depth to the author’s words. Each illustration captures the unfolding story without overpowering it, and stand alone as powerful works even apart from the story.

All in all, Nightmare Detective is a richly realized work of middle grade fiction that will alternately empower and entertain young readers.