Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Synopsis:
Author Edgar Cantero’s story might be familiar to anyone who
has watched a cartoon in the last four decades - A group of “meddling kids” (as
the title refers) and their dog spend their summers in a small community
solving elaborate crimes committed by someone in a rubber monster mask. What
if, though, their final mystery left behind unanswered questions and some real-life
monsters?
The “Case of the Sleepy Lake Creature” had been solved
during the summer of 1977. The kids of the Blyton Hills Detective Club made the
front page of the Blyton Hills, OR newspaper standing in front of the Deboën
Mansion with the unmasked criminal. However, the real mystery of the mansion
laid masked for thirteen years after leader Peter, brainy Kerri (and her Weimaraner
Sean), tomboy Andy, and nerdy Nate split up the club and seemingly moved on
with their lives.
Now 1990, Andy decides it’s time to bring the gang back
together, tracking down Kerri plus Tim, a direct descendent of her previous
dog, Sean, in New York City and breaking Nate out of an insane asylum. It would
seem that deceased Peter would be missing except for Nate seeing and speaking
to his ghost. The former detective club returns to the town of their summer
vacations to confront real life monsters and their own demons one last time in the
haunted Deboën Mansion.
Horror Elements in Meddling Kids:
·
The story builds up to the first, ominous meeting
of monsters, blob-like creatures with multiple
arms and sharp teeth.
·
Graphic language may be jarring particularly if
the reader is expecting a continuation based on Scooby-Doo.
·
The settings are described in rich detail
particularly Blyton Hills and the interior of Deboën Mansion.
·
Supernatural elements of magic and necromancy
pervade the story line.
·
The ending is rather vague implying there may be
more to come for the characters considering the reveal in the last few pages.
·
Distinctive writing style that uses traditional
third person narrative, script-like passages with stage direction, and breaking
of the fourth wall.
Read-Alikes:
·
The
Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero
o
Same author using similar writing style
o
Supernatural presence
o
Rich settings
·
The Lust
Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore
o
Witty premise with quirky characters
o
Monsters
o
Dark humor
·
Scooby
Apocalypse by Jim Lee/Keith Giffen
o
Nostalgia (similar premise)
o
Dark humor
o
Monsters
"'Meddling Kids' is that rarest of things: a brilliant idea wedded to beautiful and perfectly-pitched execution — this juxtaposition of primary-colored cartoon nostalgia with some seriously dark trauma-survivor subtext." - NPR Reviews
Did you enjoy Cantero's writing style? I liked it for the most part, but it was something to get used to, especially the script-like scenes. I enjoyed his rich descriptions, though, and the more graphic language, as they seemed to 'fit' the characters better than if they had stuck to cleaner language. I'm also going to have to check out Scooby Apocalypse out now, I had no idea it existed!
ReplyDeleteI actually did like his reading style. I had read the user reviews on Amazon where a lot of people were not impressed with the script style and some of his made up words. I liked how the script-like moments were dialogue heavy. One of the source inspirations was a television show, so it made sense that he would choose that style.
DeleteExcellent annotation! I LOVED this book. It was very unique and was executed very well. I liked that it was humorous as well. Great jobs breaking down the horror elements. Full points!
ReplyDelete