Who Would Like This Book:
If you grew up loving Scooby-Doo, Hardy Boys, or Nancy Drew - and secretly wondered what happens to kid detectives when they actually grow up - this book is your playground. "Meddling Kids" mashes up Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia with Lovecraftian chills and dark humor. Expect meta jokes, witty banter, quirky narration (including a very lovable dog), and a blend of horror and adventure that fans of genre-bending stories will appreciate. It especially shines for those who crave subversive, pop-culture-laden mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously - but still have heart.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone vibes with Cantero’s unique and at times chaotic style. Some readers found the frequent switches between prose and screenplay format distracting, while others felt the story dragged and could’ve used a tighter edit. There’s also criticism about problematic representations, including handling of mental health and gender/sexuality, which has put off some potential fans. If you’re sensitive to rushed or uneven character development and don’t enjoy novels that break the fourth wall with self-conscious meta asides, you might find it frustrating. And if you prefer straightforward mysteries over tongue-in-cheek, reference-heavy genre mashups, you may want to skip this one.
About:
"Meddling Kids" by Edgar Cantero follows the story of former kid detectives who reunite as troubled adults to re-investigate their last case, which is the root of their dysfunction. The narrative is a self-aware mishmash of genres, blending elements of teen detectives like Scooby Doo with Lovecraftian horror. The characters, damaged by their early experiences, embark on a journey filled with nostalgia, supernatural forces, and unresolved mysteries from their past, leading to a fast-paced and action-packed adventure.
The writing style of Cantero in "Meddling Kids" is described as unique and engaging, featuring meta-textual references, witty dialogues, and a blend of humor and dark themes. The author's ability to create compelling characters, incorporate nods to classic childhood mysteries, and infuse the narrative with elements of horror and humor makes the book an entertaining and captivating read for fans of the genre.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions of mental health issues, references to suicide, trauma, and some ableism.
Has Romance?
The book includes elements of romance, particularly focusing on queer relationships and complex dynamics between characters.
From The Publisher:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"The story proves as cleverly witty as its title. It's filled with high jinks both terrorizing and hilarious." -USA Today
In 1977, four teenagers and a dog-Andy (the tomboy), Nate (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 Blyton Hills leads 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 twenty-something 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 really happened in 1977, and this time, she's sure they're not looking for another man in a mask.
A mad scientist's concoction of H. P. Lovecraft, teen detectives, and a love of Americana, Edgar Cantero's Meddling Kids is a story filled with rich horror, thrilling twists, outright hilarity, and surprising poignancy.
Ratings (51)
Incredible (9) | |
Loved It (17) | |
Liked It (5) | |
It Was OK (13) | |
Did Not Like (7) |
Reader Stats (161):
Read It (53) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (63) | |
Did Not Finish (10) | |
Not Interested (31) |
2 comment(s)
I did not really know how I would feel going into this book, but I freaking loved it! This is now in my top 5 favorite books of all time. It was so gripping, fun, and hilarious! Also all of the characters had great development and there wasn’t one character I didn’t like! Read this!
This book is so strange
What can you read after
Meddling Kids?
About the Author:
Edgar Cantero is a writer and cartoonist from Barcelona working in Catalan, Spanish, and English. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Meddling Kids and The Supernatural Enhancements. He lives in Brooklyn.
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