Malamander, by Thomas Taylor with delightful illustrations that bring the story to life by Tom Booth, is a magical mystery steeped in a peculiar local legend. It takes place in Eerie-on-Sea with a quirky cast of characters. There’s a vindictive power-hungry villain, an eccentric beach comber, a cat that talks, an orphaned underdog, a dastardly man with a hook for a hand, and a Lost-and-Founder, all converging in this sleepy little seaside town. The mystery unfolds as the fabled sea monster seems to decide to make an appearance.

Violet, the orphaned underdog, is on a quest to find her lost parents and asking Herbie, the Lost-and-Founder of the local hotel, to help seems like a logical place to start. Little do they realize that the disappearance of her parents is linked to the mystery surrounding the local legend of the malamander, the fabled sea monster. As they set to find their answers, things start to get exciting in this quiet little village, taking the reader on an exciting adventure of mystery and suspense.

Author Thomas Taylor mixes the right amount of oddities, mystery, and folklore to make Malamander a thrillingly spooky read that will keep you guessing–as well as reading more just to find out what odd thing will happen next and just who has caught the attention of the malamander. Herbie and Violet are relatable characters who have fears and doubts, but they rely on their wits and each other to overcome them and solve the mystery. Just be sure to have the next book in the series ready because it ends in a cliff hanger with many unanswered questions as well.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  1 religious exclamation; 2 mild obscenities. 

Violence/Gore:  Man with hook for hand stabs a wooden chest over and over again thinking there was a person hiding inside; Person is attacked and bitten by a strange creature; Person grabs character by their collar and throws them to the side; Secondhand tale told of people being eaten by a strange creature; 2 characters chased by a man; Characters chased by a strange creature; Story told of how a ship was attacked by sea creature and some of the sailors die; Story told of man getting arm bit off by sea creature; Man threatens to kill a character; Man threatens to use a harpoon on characters; Man with hook chases 2 kids; Man shoots at 2 kids with a harpoon gun and one is hit but sustains no injuries; Man picks up character and pushes them out of the way; Man threatens to end someone’s existence; 2 characters chased by strange creature; Picture of strange creature (kind of creepy); Man pushes character into the water; Character deliberately harpoons a creature; Man is taken and killed by strange creature, picture shows man being grabbed by octopus like tentacles; Character pushes and kicks a character into the water; Creature grabs character and drags him under (death implied).

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Walker Books

Sex/Nudity:  Girl hugs a boy.

Mature Subject Matter:

Loss of parents; implied death.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Mention of whiskey bottles laying around.