I know, I know, girls. The cover of Edgar Cantero's fun novel, "Meddling Kids," looks like it is a YA (Young Adult) book. I actually found it in the adult fiction section at Shakespeare And Books, on the Upper West Side, and it intrigued me.
The reviews say the book abounds with many cultural references. While there are certainly some, I found not as many as I expected, though, unlike the earlier book, it is fast paced.
The plot owes something to Stephen King's "IT." Thirteen years ago, a group of children--Peter, Kerri, Andrea, Nate, and a dog, Tim, solved the Sleeping Lake Monster mystery--a burglar dressed up in a lizard costume. Thirteen years later, mysterious things are happening in the Oregon town, and they return to solve a mystery incorporating a haunted house laced with witchcraft and necromancy. The kids are now adults, but Peter has since died. Nate, who has been housed in Arkham, Massachusetts Asylum (nod to Lovecraft) breaks out, accompanied by hallucinatory advice from beyond by Peter. My hero of the story was Tim, the dog.
It is learned the lake was the product of an exploding volcano, that real monstrous creatures exist beneath in an underground city, that calls to mind Lovecraft and Cthulu.
Unlike "Lovecraft Country," this better honors that author, and is fast paced and fun!
I have a feeling this could become a series. I am not saying I am willing to commit, but as a single read, "Meddling Kids" is as fun and thrilling as a Winter read can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grab it while you can, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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