Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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336 Pages
Synopsis:
1990: The teen detectives once known as the Blyton Summer Detective Club (of Blyton Hills, a small mining town in the Zoinx River Valley in Oregon) are all grown up and haven’t seen each other since their fateful, final case in 1977. Andy, the tomboy, is twenty-five and on the run, wanted in at least two states. Kerri, the one-time kid genius and budding biologist, is bartending in New York, working on a serious drinking problem. At least she’s got Tim, an excitable Weimaraner descended from the original canine member of the team. Nate, the horror nerd, has spent the last thirteen years in and out of mental institutions, and currently resides in an asylum in Arkham, Massachusetts. The only friend he still sees is Peter, the handsome jock turned movie stars. The problem is, Peter’s been dead for years.
The time has come to uncover the source of their nightmares and return to where it all began in 1977. This time, it better not be a man in a mask. The real monsters are waiting.
Arghhh! This book! Never have I loved a story so much, yet at the same time, been left so frustrated. Meddling Kids is a brilliant combination of Scooby Doo and H. P. Hovercraft. It’s funny, creepy and poignant, and yet there were times that it slid completely off the rails for me.
The problem I ran into was the writing style. It was all over the place. The author switches continuously between a screenplay format, and that of a traditional novel. It was incredibly jarring, and I have no idea why Edgar Cantero and his editor thought this was a good idea. There were even stage directions for some unknown reason. Also, the author invents his own words like triviad, innerstruggled, and tragichuckled. I guess this was supposed to be witty, but instead it left me supremely irritated.
What kept me reading instead of figuratively tossing this out the window, was the ingenuity of the plot and my love for the characters. Andy/Thelma, Kerri/Daphne, Nate/Shaggy, ghost Peter/Fred, and Tim/Scooby are contemporary versions of the original Scooby gang. While in the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon, the villain always turned out to be flesh and blood, here, the members of the Blyton Hills Summer Detective Club have been haunted for years over what they witnessed during their last case. I loved each and every one of them, especially Tim, who like Scooby Doo, plays a central role in getting to the bottom of things.
The plot itself contains many twists and turns, and was thoroughly enjoyable, which is kept me turning the pages right up until the end. It’s an homage to not only Scooby Doo, but other nostalgic teen detective stories as well. Blyton Hills, is named obviously for Enid Blyton, author of the Famous Five series, and it even references Nancy Drew. I have no idea how or why Cantero dreamed up the winning idea of Scooby Doo meets Lovecraft, but it was brilliant!
Because of the writing style, I went back and forth over what to rate Meddling Kids, before I finally decided on my 3 1/2 Stars. If I was going to break it down, I’d give the plot and characters 5 Stars, and the writing format 2 stars. Despite my issues with it, this is still a book I highly recommend. Underneath the suspense, horror, and quirkiness, is also a poignant coming-of-age story, that takes an emotional look at overcoming your demons (both literal and figurative).
Angela said:
The first made up word would have had me tossing it aside…
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yeah. They were really annoying. But the story and characters were awesome!
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beetleypete said:
The combination of the unattractive cover, and the mention of Scooby-Do, was enough to put me off this one, I confess. (I actually hate that cartoon…)
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww. Pete. You’ve just crushed me! LOL!
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vinnieh said:
How can you hate Scooby Doo?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Hmph! No Scooby snacks for Pete!
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vinnieh said:
Haha, that made me laugh so much.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😁
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vinnieh said:
You have a cracking sense of humour.
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vinnieh said:
I don’t think of myself as witty, but many others say I am.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you’re quite witty Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the love.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😗💟
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vinnieh said:
You’re super wonderful.
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beetleypete said:
Just do. Maybe it’s an age thing mate. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
As I always say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
This sounds like so much fun! And I adore the cover. I don’t know if that writing style would work for though. At least it had some great points as well.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I really loved the cover too! Although the writing style was peculiar and annoying, the story was an absolutely blast!💁🏻
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jowensauthor said:
As a fan of the Scooby Gang, I’m adding this to my TBR list
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I am so glad Jeanne! I’d love to know what you think after you read it.💁🏻
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Carrie said:
This story sounds cute but I think I have less patience than you so I’d be a little leary of picking this one up due to the writing then.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think this is going to be one of my most frustrating reads of 2017. I mean, the story was sheer genius, and I loved the kids, but I don’t understand why Cantero would switch back and forth between formats, and make up these nonsensical words. And, why didn’t the editor stop it? If it wasn’t for that, I think Meddling Kids would have been one of the best books I’ve read this year. I’m sooo aggravated!😒😠
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Carrie said:
I was reading your review and it reminded me of Maze Runner with their weird language, that always rather aggravated me reading that one. I suppose though with both the format and language it would be something that might frustrate me in one read but not in another depending on how it’s done but if you are complaining that’s a red flag for me since we usually are pretty close in ratings.
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Literary Dust said:
I keep seeing this cover everywhere!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
The cover is definitely eye-catching!😊
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Literary Dust said:
It is!
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alexraphael said:
The word gah comes to mind ha.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ha Ha!😁
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vinnieh said:
Love the references to Scooby Doo. I adored that as a kid.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Scooby Doo was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. It’s funny how it’s become popular again.😊
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vinnieh said:
I think it’s something every generation can enjoy.
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Jen said:
Ohhhh I loved Scooby Doo growing up! And I haven’t ever run across a book that gives me the feel that that cartoon did. So I’m so glad you enjoyed the characters in this book! But stage directions, that’s just 🙄, I don’t even know why that would be done. So wierd. Wonderful review, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen ! This was definitely a frustrating read. I almost think it would have been easier if I had just hated the book, you know? There was just so much I liked, but the author’s writing style was so jarring.😒
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ignitedmoth said:
I absolutely loooove that cover! 😀 And the idea behind it sounds awesome. You had me at H.P. Lovecraft meets Scooby Doo. lol It sounds like a lot of fun, it’s too bad to hear that the writing style wasn’t as great from the sounds of it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Isn’t it awesome! And while I definitely had issues with the writing style, the story itself and its characters were awesome!😊
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
Oh my goddd, I somehow feel your frustration even if I haven’t read the book. The idea is WAYYY too awesome. I absolutely loved Scooby Doo as a kid and a mix with Lovecraft just sounds like toooo much fun!! But man… the writing style sounds so bad…. 😦 It would’ve annoyed me so much too! Great review, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I wanted so badly to give this 5 stars Lashaan.😠
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