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Dead investigation

Charlie Price

Cover of Dead investigation

Dead investigation

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Charlie Price

Reading Level 7 12ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

What if you could talk to the spirits of those who rest beneath the ground? Imagine living in a cemetery, where every whisper might hold a deadly secret. When a new murder strikes, Murray must decide if solving it is worth risking everything he cares about.

Themes

MysteryParanormal fictionFriendshipJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Murray Kiefer, a boy with the unique ability to communicate with spirits in a cemetery. After previously helping solve a murder, Murray faces new dangers when another brutal killing occurs. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of mystery and the paranormal with some suspenseful and potentially intense moments.

Why we rated Dead investigation 12ME

Dead investigation is written at a Level 7 reading level across 324 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dead investigation works for readers up to grade 9.0.

We rate Dead investigation as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Dead investigation explores mystery, paranormal fiction, friendship, and juvenile fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about mystery, paranormal fiction, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
6
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

324 pages
ISBN
9780374302276
Pages
324
Publisher
Macmillan + ORM
Published
2015
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

MurderSpiritsParanormal FictionHomeless PersonsCemeteriesInvestigationSupernaturalPsychicsParapsychology