Imagine if the Famous Five, at the end of a long and gentle summer chasing smugglers and finding treasure, solved a final crime by pulling off the mask of the janitor and discovered it was a Lovecraftian horror all along. That's what happened to the four children (and dog) in the background to this novel about grown-up "meddling kids". (I say Famous Five, but there are also hints of Scooby Doo in here, most obviously the 'Zoinx' River.)
Ten-ish years later, the Detectives Club have grown older, sadder and in one case deader, as the effects of a childhood encounter with a great old one have wreaked havoc on their psychology. The original tomboy of the team, Andy, who is as on the nose about her name preferences as George was, has decided she's had enough of living in the tentacled shadow. So she gathers what's left of the team, and the grandson of the original dog, for one final case, the same case that broke them apart first time around.
And then begins no small caper. It's much more of a horror than you would typically expect, but maintains an element of playfulness in its style. Everything in this has a personality and an opinion on the plot. Objects are depressed, surprised or killed, and one character's hair often disagrees with its owner. This is all in omniscient viewpoint, so thankfully is a stylistic choice rather than a series of different psychoses. That would be too much horror even for this. There are a few other odd viewpoints as well, in that sometimes the text drops into screenplay. Weird choice, but seems to work.
The gang of four (including the dog) have impressively deep personalities. The traumatic childhood has turned them into various levels of crazy (excluding the dog), and they're a compelling bunch. There are love triangles, insecurities and a surprising amount of personal growth.
And the villainy is also rather sharp. There's enough going on to keep you guessing until the traditional big reveal, with a decent spread of supporting cast. There are twists on all of the typical types you'd see in a young detectives novel, with the scary policeman, the helpful adult and the ever-important bully. I did wonder if Nancy Drew would pop up in the background.
Excellent story, very fun approach to writing, and an interesting twist on a type of story you don't see much of.
Highly recommended.
Tagged: Book Horror Lovecraftian Novel Print