Goldie Vance

Sixteen-year-old Goldie Vance works as a valet at the Crossed Palms Resort in Florida during the 1960s. She dreams of becoming the hotel's in-house detective and frequently assists the current detective, Charles, with solving cases. When a guest's valuables go missing from the hotel, Goldie takes it upon herself to investigate. Her sleuthing leads her through the local drag racing scene and introduces her to an array of characters connected to the case. Through her investigation, Goldie navigates complex relationships with her divorced parents, her best friend Cheryl, and a new potential romantic interest. She must balance her detective work with her regular duties at the hotel while staying out of trouble with management. The story explores themes of determination and identity as Goldie carves out her own path in a time period of social change. Her pursuit of an unconventional career for a young woman of her era reflects broader questions about following one's dreams despite obstacles.

Readers describe Goldie Vance as a fun mystery series with a retro 1960s Florida setting. The graphic novel receives praise for its diverse cast of characters and Goldie's determination as a teen detective. Readers appreciated: - The bright, expressive art style - LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural - Fast-paced detective storylines - The friendship dynamics between characters Common criticisms: - Plot resolutions can feel rushed - Some found the mystery elements predictable - Secondary characters need more development Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (80+ ratings) Comic Book Roundup: 8.1/10 Notable reader comments: "Perfect for fans of Nancy Drew looking for something more modern" - Goodreads reviewer "The art is gorgeous but the story wraps up too quickly" - Amazon reviewer "Captures the fun spirit of classic teen detective stories while being inclusive" - Comic Book Roundup review

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin A teenage sleuth investigates a complicated inheritance mystery while navigating a cast of eccentric characters in an apartment building.

Pepper Zhang: Artist Extraordinaire! by Jerry Zhang A Chinese-American girl combines her artistic talents with detective work to solve mysteries in her neighborhood.

Friday Barnes, Girl Detective by R.A. Spratt An 11-year-old genius uses her deductive skills to unravel mysteries at her boarding school.

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson A Black girl pieces together historical clues to solve a decades-old mystery connected to her grandmother's civil rights past.

The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer Sherlock Holmes's teenage sister makes her way in Victorian London as she solves cases while defying society's expectations for young women.

🏆 Goldie Vance began as a comic book series before being adapted into a middle-grade novel, showcasing a unique crossover between graphic and traditional storytelling formats. 🏨 The story takes place in a retro-Florida resort setting inspired by the glamorous hotels of 1960s Miami Beach, bringing a vibrant mid-century aesthetic to life. ✍️ Author Hope Larson is an Eisner Award-winning creator, known for her graphic novel adaptation of "A Wrinkle in Time" which spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. 🔍 The character of Goldie Vance pays homage to classic teen detectives like Nancy Drew while adding modern sensibilities, including featuring one of the first openly LGBTQ+ teen detectives in middle-grade fiction. 🎬 The series has been optioned for a feature film by 20th Century Fox, with Kerry Washington's production company Simpson Street attached to produce.