What follows is a trip down the rabbit hole. Filled with pop culture references, quick wit, laughter, and lots of fear. This was edge of your seat reading. The beasts reminded me of something out of a Lovecraft novel, with ties to the ever elusive Necronomicon of pulp horror infamy. I loved the imagery splashed throughout. It was beautiful, frightening, alarming at times, but it painted a vivid landscape/portrait of the world the Blyton Summer Detective Club lived in. With side characters that begin as one-dimensional plot devices, who shift dramatically into developed characters that help to move plot forward and create more sympathy and empathy for our main characters. Favourite imagery goes to Kerri's hair, the amount of descriptors about her being a redhead were impressive, expressive and overpowering. The hair became an entity in and of itself by the end of the novel. The story made fun of itself, while portraying the realities of becoming an adult. The changes we all must face; returning to our past only to find it has shrunk, or that our minds have made it scarier, grander, or more protective than it really ever was. There were moments when the descriptiveness became too convoluted or too forced, which made me cringe, but was quickly offset by another funny or important moment meant to further the plot or break the tension. This novel was spot on, shifting the characters into something other than what you would normally find. No more tired, nerdy, unattractive girl (now we have an attractive and fashionable nerd), no more attractive and fashionable girl who plays arm candy to the rest of the team (now we have a self-professed tomboy, who can take care of business on her own, not afraid to throw down or 'woman up'), and finally we lose the lanky, drug addled teen (in favour of a geek, who can show strength and courage in the face of fear). And the jock everyone loves, easily replaced. The group dynamics have also shifted, bringing our tomboy to the forefront, and adding in her eternal love for the nerdy redhead, Kerri. A startling read, with a twisty plot that throws you for a loop a few times; and, when the final "mask" is pulled off, you cannot help but love these dysfunctional "meddling" kids. Book 50/50...doing a happy dance. Now on to book 51...
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