In 1977, four teenagers and a dog—Andy (the tomboy), Kate (the nerd), Kerri (the bookworm), Peter (the jock), and Tim (the Weimaraner)—solved the mystery of Sleepy Lake. The trail of an amphibian monster terrorizing the quiet town of Blayton Hills led the gang to spend a night in Deboën Mansion and apprehend a familiar culprit: a bitter old man in a mask.
Now, in 1990, the twentysomething former teen detectives are lost souls. Plagued by night terrors and Peter's tragic death, the three survivors have been running from their demons. When the man they apprehended all those years ago makes parole, Andy tracks him down to confirm what she's always known, they got the wrong guy. Now she'll need to get the gang back together and return to Blyton Hills to find out what happened in 1977, and this time, she's sure they're not looking for another man in a mask.
Does anyone of a certain age not love Scooby-Doo? How many of us grew up watching Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby run through spooky mansions catching thieving butlers and shady real estate developers? I own the entire series of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and my favorite episode of Supernatural is the one where they’re sucked into a Scooby-Doo cartoon. I even own all the Funko Pops! I’m saying all this to explain why, when I found Meddling Kids at Barnes & Noble, I bought it faster than a cat lapping chain lightning.
Based on the blurb, I was expecting a more adult version of the Scooby gang. I wanted a story that delivered the humor I’d expect, blended with some genuinely scary happenings. I wanted higher stakes and real monsters. What I wasn’t expecting was a full-on Lovecraftian horror story that was hilarious and still managed to make these “kids” feel fully human—flaws and all—rather than the cardboard cutouts this sort of story usually serves up. I mean, let’s face it: as much as I love Scooby-Doo, I’m not expecting a lot of depth from the gang while we’re all haunting out.
Stylistically, reading this was a fricking blast. It regularly switches between second and third person, slips from traditional prose into play format (complete with stage directions), and includes some brilliantly made-up words that the author seems to have invented on the fly. If that sounds like utter chaos—it is. And I loved every single word of it. If any book should be chaotic, it’s a violent Lovecraftian Scooby-Doo send-up that somehow had me laughing out loud and contemplating life, sometimes on the same page.
I had such a good time reading this book that it reminded me of being a kid again—curled up on the couch, watching Scooby and Shaggy get used, once again, as bait in one of Fred’s elaborate traps. It was both nostalgic and refreshingly new at the same time. I’m just hoping we either get a sequel or, even better, a movie. That’s one I’d absolutely be there for on opening night.
12 comments:
This sounds like brilliant fun! I loved Scooby Do and so did my kids. And you said the magic word too, 'Lovecraft'. I haven't watched Supernatural, I know I should because my grand-daughter was such a huge fan at one stage, so I got the first season. Must get to it.
Sounds like a food book, and good for the season too
"a violent Lovecraftian Scooby-Doo send-up that somehow had me laughing out loud and contemplating life, sometimes on the same page"
It sounds like this one accomplished a lot!
Everyone keeps saying this book is right up my alley and that I'll love it, but I've tried twice now and have not been able to get into it. I want to love it, I just can't seem to.
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I will put up with a lot of nonsense for a good Scooby Doo throwback! This sounds so fun and like one I'd really enjoy!
Well, that is a groovy coincidence if I ever saw one. I just finished Mark Norman's 'Zoinks!' and was in the mood for more Scooby Doo so I was considering this one on the library shelves. I get freaked out easily so when the Lovecraftian stuff seemed prominent, I passed. So glad to see your thoughts on it, though. Looks like it was a good time for you.
Supernatural isn't Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it's a lot of fun.
Perfect for the season.
It did, but mostly it was a lot of fun.
I'm sorry it didn't work for you. The best thing about this world is that we'll never run out of books to try.
I think you would. If you decide to give it a go, let me know what you thought!
I guess I need to look up Zoinks!
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