REVIEW: Goodnight Moo

Goodnight Moo
Author: Mollie Cox Bryan

My three favorite bookish cows are back! Petunia, Buttercup, and Marigold return in Goodnight Moo, the second book in the Buttermilk Creek cozy mystery series! Their owner, and amateur sleuth, Brynn Macalister and all the characters from Shenandoah Springs, VA are back, too. :)

This time, Brynn is excited about taking part in the annual summer fair. Buttermilk Creek Farm will be hosting a new event, a cheesemakers contest! But before the event even gets going, there is an accident. A local farmer runs over a summer farm worker with his tractor. The police investigate because the dead man had ties to the farmer's daughter. When another summer farm hand turns up dead, the investigation turns serious. Someone very close to Brynn is the top suspect, and she's determined to prove his innocence!

Great second book in this series! There is even character development for the cows! I love the mix of humor and investigation...plus the cows/cheesemaking theme. The book even includes recipes!

Fun, entertaining cozy mystery! I will definitely be reading more of this series! Mollie Cox Bryan never disappoints! Cute cover, too!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Knit of the Living Dead

Knit of the Living Dead

Author: Peggy Ehrhart

This is the first book in the Knit and Nibble Mystery series that I have read. It's the 6th book in the series. I don't often jump into a series in the middle....if fact, I pretty much always start at book 1 and go from there. But...I made an exception for this one! The front cover and the cute title sucked me right in....and I dove right in and read it! Glad I did...this was a fun Halloween theme cozy!

Arborville is having its annual Halloween parade. Costumes, candy, crowds of revelers....the festivities are all good fun until....

There's always an "until'' in a mystery novel....

Little Bo Peep is found dead....right in the middle of the party.....strangled with loops of yarn wound tightly around her neck. 

Who strangled the peep right outta Bo Peep??  Pamela and her bestie Bettina....and the rest of the Knit and Nibble gang.... are on the case!

This book was so much fun to read that I'm backtracking to start this series at the beginning! The characters are fun and I like the background theme. The book also includes knitting instructions and recipes! :) 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Death at High Tide

Death at High Tide

Author: Hannah Dennison

Evie Mead's life takes a huge turn when first her husband dies unexpectedly and then she finds she is the owner of a hotel in the Isles of Sicily. Evie travels with her sister Margot to have a look at the place. They are met with hostility from the man who states he owns the hotel and proclaims he never met Evie's husband. Then dead bodies start turning up....and unfortunately at high tide there is no way off the island. Immediately viewed as suspects in the murders, Evie and Margot investigate to find a killer. 

This is the first book I've read by Hannah Dennison. I love it when I find a new-to-me author that I enjoy! This book was an enjoyable read for me....a bit of a gothic type feel, a lovely setting, and an interesting mystery. Very engaging! The pacing was perfect....the characters engaging. I can't wait to read more of this series! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Catherine House

 Catherine House
Author: Elisabeth Thomas

Catherine House is a special school. Tucked away in rural Pennsylvania, many students attempt to get in...but few are accepted. There is no tuition....the 3 years that students study at the school are absolutely free. Tuition, room and board, clothing....all free. But there's a catch -- there is no going home, no visitors, no talking about life outside Catherine House. And...no television, no technology, no radio.....  Basically students at Catherine House are completely cut off from the world. 

Ines Murillo managed to get a spot. She's not sure how....she did do all the work to get in. But she's not sure she belongs there....or that she really wants to be. Then she discovers a secret.....the dark secret that hides behind the prestige of Catherine House. 

I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Narrated by Ines del Castillo, the audio is just over 11 hours long. Castillo reads at a nice pace and gives a great performance. Her voice is easy to understand and she does a wonderful job of voice acting. Enjoyable listening experience. 

I'm not sure how I feel about this book....I had to let the story sink into my head for a few days before I could write this review. The first 2/3 of the book builds up some nice suspense....and I kept waiting for something crucial to happen. And I guess....;it did....but it just seemed a bit of a let down. Maybe I expected more? And I didn't like the ending....it just seemed odd and unsatisfying. 

Others might feel differently. This is only my opinion. The book is well written. The premise is interesting. But the follow-through just fell a little flat for me.....and the ending was a dud. Maybe it's because the concept of a secretive school with a horrible secret has been done so many times before? Or maybe it's because I was expecting something a bit different and this story just wasn't for me? Not sure. But....I am very interested in reading more by this author. This book is well written....and I like Elisabeth Thomas' writing style. The plot just lost me in the last 1/3 of the book. 

REVIEW: Frog and Toad Together - Audio Collection

Frog and Toad Together: Audio Collection

Author/Illustrator/Narrator: Arnold Lobel

I have an old 1970s copy of Frog & Toad Together that sits on the top of the shelves in my home office along with two other children's books that I have loved since I was a little girl. It isn't my original copy from 1972...but one I bought later for my youngest son. In my opinion, every child should be friends with Frog & Toad....so I found an exact copy of the one I had as a girl and we read it many, many times when my littlest tot was still small. He's 16 and taller than me now....so Frog & Toad wait in the ready for grandchildren to visit the house. 

I got an email recently from Harper Collins that said: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frog and Toad with new and classic stories. I had no idea it was Frog and Toad's birthday!!!  Well -- Happy Birthday to my two favorite green buddies!!! (sorry Kermit....you come in 3rd, followed by Oscar the Grouch)

I logged into my library's site and checked out the Frog and Toad Audio Collection. This audio book gathers the stories from Frog and Toad are Friends, Frog and Toad All Year, Frog and Toad Together, and Days with Frog and Toad. 

My favorite story is still In the Garden. Toad learns that gardening requires patience. There are times when I have been tempted to stand next to my newly planted garden in the spring and yell "Now Seeds....Start Growing!!!'' .....just in case Toad had a good idea after all. :) 

The total running length of this audiobook collection is about 24 minutes. I listened while I cooked breakfast before going to work. What a nice start to my day! 

I had a lovely visit with two childhood friends! Kids (and older fans of the green duo) would love this audiobook either to accompany looking at the art in the books or just the audio alone. Lobel reads in a very entertaining manner. It reminded me of the elementary school librarian reading to us while we sat on our mats back in the day....  :) 

REVIEW: The Seven Dials Mystery

The Seven Dials Mystery

Author: Agatha Christie

What starts out as a practical joke between friends tragically backfires in this mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Published in the UK and US in 1929, the book features Inspector Battle and some of the cast of characters from an earlier book, The Secret of Chimneys.

 I like the female amateur sleuth, Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent), much better than Inspector Battle. She has an energetic personality and is determined to ferret out the truth by whatever means she finds necessary -- even hiding in cramped closets. Inspector Battle appears in 5 of Christie's novels. 

Friends are gathered at Chimmeys again and one of the crew, Gerry Wade, proves to be a late and very sound sleeper. The group decides to mess with him a bit, hiding 8 alarm clocks around his room after he's gone to bed. The clocks are set to ring, one after the other. The next morning they eagerly await the cacophony....and the clocks do start ringing.....but even an entire room full of jangling alarm clocks aren't enough to wake a dead man.....

This book was one of the first Christie novels I ever read. I bought a box set of Christie novels at a garage sale when I was 9, and for whatever reason, this book was grouped in with several Poirot novels. I remember thinking it was hilarious that they hid alarm clocks in someone's room because the person never got up on time. :) I spent an entire summer reading six Christie novels -- the font was entirely too small for a 9 year old to read quickly and I kept having to look up words in the dictionary or ask my father about 1920's vernacular that made no sense to me. In the end, I made it through every single one of those books....and a lifelong love of Agatha Christie's novels was born. 

I revisited this novel with a sense of nostalgia. :) I like Bundle and her group of friends (even the ones that seem upper class twits) and Inspector Battle's style makes for an enjoyable mystery. Battle seems a bit like Columbo....he pretends to be a bit simple or absent minded, while all the time he has an incredibly sharp mind. In the end, he pounces on the bad guys like a tiger with a badge. Christie is the queen of The Reveal, and Battle fits right into that scenario. 

Enjoyable read. The plot widens out into quite the conspiracy and complex dastardly deeds. What seems cliche in 2020 (group of nefarious criminals using disguise and complex sneakiness to commit international crimes) was new and daring at the time this book was written. It wasn't cliche when Christie came up with these plots....everyone imitating her made it old hat. So, I put any sense of reality out of my head and just enjoyed reading this story!

I listened to the audio book (Harper Audio) version of this book. Narrated by Emilia Fox, the audio is 8 hours long. Emilia has a pleasant voice and reads at a steady pace. She does a great job of voice acting....perfect narrator to bring Bundle to life! Enjoyable listening experience!

While I did enjoy this return to Chimneys and Inspector Battle....I really want to read the first Jane Marple book -- The Murder at the Vicarage. I like Christie's side characters for the most part....but Battle and Tommy & Tuppence just aren't Poirot or Marple. So.....while I am on a quest to read Christie's novels in order and doing my best to do so.....I'm going to take the liberty to skip the next book Partners in Crime (short stories featuring Tommy & Tuppence) temporarily.....and read Murder at the Vicarage first.  In my defense, Partners in Crime, is technically already out of sequence as it gathers short stories published in magazines from 1923-24, and gathered together in book form in 1929. Marple first.....then Partners in Crime.  :) 

 

REVIEW: Mums & Mayhem

Mums & Mayhem
Author: Amanda Flower

Mums & Mayhem is the third book in the Magic Garden Mystery series. I really love this series and look forward to each new book! I like the characters, the setting and the premise of a magical garden passed down in a family. 

I enjoyed this newest visit to Bellewick. Fiona Knox finds herself investigating the death of a famous fiddler player to clear her father's name. And, someone breaks into the magic garden, threatening to end its magic. I was glued to every word from start to finish -- there's a lot going on in this story! The plot is engaging and the storyline is perfectly paced. There is a lot going on, but it doesn't muddle up the main plot line. There is also some good character development in this newest story. I can't wait for the next book!! This series never disappoints me!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Sins of the Father

Sins of the Father

Author: JG Faherty

This story is a huge homage to H.P. Lovecraft. The setting is in Innsmouth...so the tale includes Arkahm, the Miskatonic River & the University....  Definitely Lovecraft's stomping ground. 

The Basics: Henry Gilman has lived under the stigma of atrocities committed by his father. His father was a doctor who descended into madness after Henry's mother died of cancer. His ultimate goal was to cure cancer, but the things he did in his madness were depraved and horrific. Henry does his best to make a life out of the tatters left behind after his father is put away in the asylum.....but given that he is in Innsmouth....well we all know a happily-ever-after is just not going to happen. Cue the undead, a monster lurking under the city, and other very Lovecraftian horrors. Turns out in order to save the one he loves, Henry might just have to share in his father's madness......

I enjoyed the first half of this novel better than the second half. There is a point where things switch gears a bit....and it just jarred me out of the story a bit too much. All in all, an enjoyable homage to Lovecraft. Very much in the horror genre. I loved the setting and the way the tale has a very Lovecraftian feel to it. Very dark and atmospheric. 

All in all, a good horror story. I enjoyed it. This is the second book by JG Faherty that I've read. I will definitely be reading more of his writing!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Stoker's Wilde West

Stoker's Wilde West

Author:  Steven Hopstaken, Melissa Prusi

I loved the first book in this series, Stoker's Wilde...so of course I had to read this new book.  Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and the Roosevelts fighting vampires in the Old West. Yee Haw! Wouldn't miss that sort of epic combination for any reason! 

The bare basics: A group of vampire outlaws rob a train. Bad things happen, dragging the guys into trouble again. The group finds themselves pursued by an undead bounty hunter. The story has the same vibe as the first novel -- action, humor and monster hunting craziness.....all told through letters and diary/journal entries. 

Awesomely, fun read! I'm not going to say anything more about the plot, as it's more fun to go into it without any knowledge above basic events. The humor is wonderful. The characters are incredibly entertaining. The action is over-the-top fun. And, it's a great homage to Dracula. 

Full stars from me again! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Apocalypse Strain

The Apocalypse Strain

Author: Jason Parent

I have to admit that I was hesitant to read this book, given the current situation. But I took a deep breath and jumped into this story by Jason Parent. I was pleasantly surprised....and totally sucked into this story from the start. This book is NOT about a pandemic.....it's about scientists who discover a new type of virus. Not only is it dangerous.....it's seemingly sentient. And it does not want to be contained.....

I think the best part of this story is the characters and their reactions to the situation. Some want the notoriety of publishing the first papers on a new virus....others are curious....some scared....and at least one is murderous. Different motivations. Difficult decisions. Deadly intentions. When faced with a virus that could end life on the planet, rough decisions would have to be made. 

I'm not going to talk much about the plot. This is a story readers have to experience without any spoilers. The one thing I want to stress is that this story is NOT NOT NOT about a pandemic. Don't avoid it like I did. It's more about science....human reactions to crisis....and what would happen if we discovered a virus that's so much more complex than the type that cause influenza or the common cold......or SARS. What if we were facing what could be the end of life for humanity? 

Great story! It definitely kept my attention from start to finish. This is the first book by Jason Parent that I've read. I will definitely be reading more!

**I  voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Rise of Zombert

The Rise of Zombert

Author: Kara LaReau

OMG....I had so much fun reading this book! When I get stressed (which is like all the time at the moment), I turn to children's books for some much needed entertainment and brain cleansing. When I saw the awesome cover art for this book, I knew I needed to read it..and just have a night immersed in a fun story!

This book was just what I needed!

Mellie and her best buddy, Danny, are working on Danny's latest horror movie idea. While filming outside the YummCo Factory, Mellie discovers a strange looking cat behind a dumpster. He looks half dead...and Mellie decides to bring him home. But she has to hide him in her room because her parents would never let him keep the cat. Bert has some strange behaviors....   For one thing, he eats animal heads. Like....only the heads. Danny thinks the cat is a zombie. Mellie wants to discover the truth about Bert who escaped from the YummCo Factory. Could Bert actually be an undead cat??

This book is fun, cute and entertaining! The front cover art is perfect. Some of the characters are a bit over the top...but I'm ok with that. Mellie and Danny are great main characters. And Bert is just himself....lol

Any middle grade kid who likes zany horror stories would enjoy this book! I look forward to more from this author! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Outsider

The Outsider

Author: Linda Castillo

The Kate Burkholder series is one of my favorites. I eagerly await each book in this series and hide myself away with a cup of tea and my cat to binge read it immediately. Covid19 and my insane work schedule made me have to wait awhile for my binge-session...but once I got a free evening, I was glued to my kindle savoring every single word of this book!

The Outsider is the 12th book in the series. It's best to read the books in order. There's a lot of background and character development that would be missed by reading out of order, in my opinion. 

The basics: Kate Burkholder grew up Amish in Painters Mill. After a horrific ordeal as a teenager, she left the faith and later became a police officer. Then she returned to Painters Mill as the area Police Chief. In this newest book, her past in training and as an officer in Columbus, OH come back to haunt her. A fellow officer and friend shows up in Painters Mill, but she's wanted for killing an officer in Columbus. Kate tries to investigate the incident, but meets with warnings and stonewalling, slowly revealing possible police corruption. 

I am never disappointed by this series. Great plot, awesome suspense and action, plus interesting character development. I enjoyed this book! I can't wait for the next novel or short story in this series! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne

The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne

Author: Elsa Hart

This story reads like a classic mystery. The pace is a bit slower....but the story is rich and well worth the wait.  Set in London in 1703, this tale centers around Collectors. Collectors are an elite, wealthy group who pride themselves on collecting bits of science and history, then display cabinets filled with the wonders they have curated. The best collection is owned by Barnaby Mayne.....rare rocks, plant samples, animal bones, archaeological artifacts....if it's odd, intriguing and interesting, Barnaby Mayne has it in his cabinets. His house is a chaotic yet mesmerizing place filled with his treasures....like a strange museum. Cecily Kay comes to the house to study Mayne's collection of rare plant specimens, but ends up investigating the murder of Mayne himself. 

I loved the atmospheric feel of this story. I could imagine myself in Mayne's house surrounded by the things he had collected over years. I could almost feel his pride in The Collection and the envy of the others whose cabinets of wonders just didn't quite match up to Mayne's. Elsa Hart writes a very descriptive story.....I could almost smell the dust and furniture wax. 

This story is slow paced like more classic mysteries. It has an almost Sherlock Holmes feel to it. There are plenty of suspects and sleuthing by two women determined to get at the truth....and some well-done plot twists. Definitely a must-read for those who enjoy classic mystery! This book would make an excellent movie....Mayne's house would be quite visual and engaging!

This is the first book by Elsa Hart that I've read. I will definitely be reading more! I've heard very good things about her Li Du series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Daughters of Foxcote Manor

The Daughters of Foxcote Manor

Author: Eve Chase

Foxcote Manor is slightly neglected and rundown, but its tranquil forest setting seems perfect for the Harrington family as they regroup following tragedy in 1971. Family secrets, choices, mistakes and consequences don't go away though. This tale uncovers the hidden secrets of the Harrington family and how the entire game plays out over time. 

I normally don't really like stories that jump back and forth in time, but for this tale, it's necessary. Dead bodies in the forest. Babies left just outside gates. Every action, every choice, every lie or omission has a price....

It takes a talented storyteller to pull off a multi-layered, emotional story like this. And Eve Chase does a superb job of it! I was glued to the page from start to finish, even through all the time jumps. I recommend readers try to avoid reviews and discussions that reveal too much of the plot. To get the full effect, it's really necessary to go in with only bare bones facts. This story develops slowly and is definitely character driven. Eve Chase chooses each word and description carefully, revealing the emotions, motivations and soul of each of her characters. 

A well told story with very deep characters -- enjoyable read! This is the first book by Eve Chase that I've read. I will definitely be reading more!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Penguin/Putnam. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Suicide House

The Suicide House

Author: Charlie Donlea

I am addicted to podcasts, especially ones that delve into creepy or unsolved mysteries and true crime. This book grabbed my attention not just because I'm always up for a "What evil lurks at the fancy prep school'' suspense story, but also because a podcast is central to the plot. If The Suicide House were a true story, I guarantee I would be a huge fan of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips! Rory and Lane have talents that make them notice details that others might miss. Rory is autistic and puts her senses to work as a forensic reconstructionist and Lane has a knack for analyzing serial killers. Together they are true crime podcast dynamos!

I discovered when I started reading The Suicide House that there is a prior book featuring Rory and Lane -- Some Choose Darkness. I read this novel for review without having read the first book...but I'm going to backtrack and read Some Choose Darkness and then revisit this novel. 

There is a lot going on in this book -- different story lines, the past case of students murdered at an abandoned boarding house near the grounds of Westmont Prep, and other students committing suicide, and more. There are also POV changes, lots of characters and events happening all at once. It's a bit chaotic -- but in reality wouldn't a case like this have about a million rabbit holes to make investigation a nightmare? I think the plot busy-ness added to the psychological feel of this story.....so much going on, so much hidden, so many things playing off each other. 

Great book! I already have the first book checked out from my local library's digital site. I think I might understand Rory and Lane a bit better if I read the first book and then revisit The Suicide House. 

This book definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I loved the podcast angle. The pacing is slow enough to build tension but not too slow, and there are definitely plenty of twists and turns. 

Loved it! I hope there is more Rory & Lane to come! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Wait, Rest, Pause

Wait, Rest, Pause:Dormancy in Nature

Author: Marcie, Flinchum Atkins

The audiobook version of Wait, Rest, Pause really needs to be paired with the picture book version. When accompanied by the pictures and text, this audiobook would be a great reading lesson for small children, as well as an awesome beginning science lesson about dormancy. 

The book talks about dormancy in a wide variety of living things from plants and trees to insects and animals. This would be a great book to read to little ones in the fall and winter when they are seeing the changes in the plants all around them and see the squirrels frantically gathering food or geese flying in their V formations. 

This book touches on a very important science lesson and simplifies it for younger children. I only had the audio, but looked up some of the photos from the print book online. Beautiful! For a preschool age child or for early reading lessons, this would be a beautiful audio book to pair with the full color photos of the print book. 

I will be honest and say it took me most of the book to get used to the narrator. I do understand the necessity of carefully pronouncing words to help young children who are new to sounding out words....but he goes a little overboard with it. I would never read to a child in such a slow, over enunciated fashion. But I'm not a child.....a younger child might like the narrator taking care to pronounce each word carefully. 

All in all, this audiobook could have great educational use with small children just starting to learn to read, or those who want to learn more about the seasons and the changes they bring. 

Great book! 

REVIEW: The Night Swim

The Night Swim

Author: Megan Goldin

Rachel Krall has finally made it as a true crime podcaster. She helps those who seek justice, and her success at getting a man freed from prison skyrocketed her into fame. Now she's looking to make the 3rd season of her show, Guilty or Not Guilty, even bigger....she heads to Neapolis. A town in turmoil. A local athlete is on trial for raping the daughter of the local police chief.As Rachel starts asking questions and researching for her show, she discovers that there might be a link between this case and the death of a 16-year old girl years before. Someone is following her....leaving notes on her car....begging for her to solve the cold case. What happened to Jenny? 

I enjoyed Megan Goldin's earlier book, The Escape Room, and looked forward to similar twisted, suspenseful awesomeness from this new book. I was not disappointed. OMG....this story is unsettling, disturbing, suspenseful.....and incredibly entertaining! I was glued to every word from start to finish. 

Every small town has....That Case.  A death, a disappearance, a secret. Something that never got solved, but nobody talks about. In Neapolis, it was Jenny. All it takes is one person willing to talk....wanting it solved....and someone willing to dig into the past. 

Another great suspenseful story! I can't wait for the next book by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Best of Jules De Grandin

The Best of Jules de Grandin

Author: Seabury Quinn

I love creepy, horrific tales...especially if they are the classic monster/supernatural sort. I had never heard of this author or these supernatural detective stories before reading a review copy of this story collection -- and now I'm totally hooked on these stories! Jules de Grandin was a character made famous in Weird Tales, a 20th century pulp horror fiction magazine. The 20 stories in this collection were published from 1920-1940. 

OMG...I am in love with this author! And I am ashamed that I, as a complete slave to classic horror, had never heard of Seabury Quinn before I read this collection! These stories are varied....de Grandin faces monsters, murderers, cultists, ghosts....all sorts of supernatural foes! 

I took my time and savored this collection one story at a time....and even re-read some of the stories several times. 

Great collection of classic horror. And now I'm collecting all the writing by Seabury Quinn I can get my hands on! 

Very, very happy classic horror fan here! I love it when I find an awesome new-to-me author, even if I'm 100 years late to the party! 

**I voluntarily (and completely happily and joyfully) read a review copy of this story collection from Simon & Schuster. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: MEG - Generations

MEG: Generations

Author: Steve Alten

I love this series! I am a huge fan of monster stories....books, movies, TV shows....if it has a monster in it, I'm a fan! When the movie The Meg came out, I discovered it was based on a book series....and I had to read the books....there was no way I was missing out on books about gigantic prehistoric sharks coming to chow down with extreme prejudice!

Generations is the sixth book in the series. It's really best to read these in order, especially this newest one. It starts up right where book 5, Nightstalkers, left off. 

I loved this book! It has plenty of action and suspense, and kept me glued to the story to the very end. There is lots of monster goodness and mayhem in this book ..... and more creatures than just The Meg. But that's isn't the entire plot....there is also a possible cancer cure, a daring rescue and several groups with their own agendas. No down time in this story! 

Great addition to this series! I'm definitely eagerly awaiting the next MEG book! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Macmillan/Tor-Forge. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: When Plants Attack

When Plants Attack: Strange and Terrifying Plants
Author: Rebecca Hirsch

What a fun (and informative) listen! From plants with poisonous defenses to those that trap & eat unsuspecting animals, this book delves into plants that aren't your grandma's petunias! And the best part -- this isn't an M. Night Shyamalan movie. It's real! These plants really exist! Just don't get too close....  :)

Rebecca Hirsch presents facts on these strange plants in an interesting manner, using true stories, humor and cool facts. This book would be an awesome addition to a science classroom or as supplementary reading for middle grade kids at school or at home. I could definitely see this book getting even reluctant readers interested in reading about science. I listened to the audio book version from Lerner Books. The book is a little over an hour in length -- perfect listening length for kids who only have a bit of time here and there to listen. The narrator reads clearly and keeps it interesting and upbeat. Definitely an entertaining listening experience!

This is the first book by Rebecca Hirsch that I've read. It was geared to middle grade kids, but I enjoyed it as well! I will definitely be reading & listening to more of her books!

**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Lerner Audiobooks. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**