Creepy Read: Trapped in the Horror Dome

Students win a trip of a lifetime to Earth Two, a research facility after winning the state science fair. Three students from one school join other students. Rowan and Tinker are friends. They are not friend with the third student - Amari. Because they three of them are from the same school, they are paired together for their volunteer work. 

In the swamp zone, they spy a small creature that's unlike anything they've ever seen before. The scientists don't believe the students saw anything out of the ordinary. Rowan and Tinker decide to uncover the truth...but they'll need Amari's help. Can the three uncover the truth about the creature?

My Thoughts: This book is part of the Monsterious series, which are stand-alone books about monsters and creatures. I really loved this one. I loved the idea of being in a research facility - that's really neat. I loved how it had different habitats. I wouldn't mind visiting a place like this - minus the monster of course. There was lots of action and danger in this book. I love how the three students became friends and understood each other better. Another great book from Matt McMann.

Cover Thoughts: Creepy!

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library collections 

Review: Beast of Skull Rock

Book 4 in the Monsterious books 

Simon and Jade are visiting their grandfather in Maine during the summer. Their grandfather runs a curiosity museum. The tourist town is having a bit of trouble with rumors of break-ins. Simon and Jade are curious about them, but their grandfather is being strangle tight lipped. 

Simon and Jade hear strange sounds at night. But their grandfather dismisses their fears. He warns them to stay upstairs rather than wander the museum at night. Simon and Jade feel betrayed, but they are also determined to get to the bottom it this mystery.

They go searching for the creature that could be stalking the town. They camp out in the museum. Nothing they do seems to change anything. The break-ins are getting worse. Can they solve the mystery?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy these books, even though I'm not a scary stories person. The books aren't connect except in the idea of spooky and monsters. I loved Simon and Jade - how they were determined to figure out the puzzle. I loved the moments in the bookstore. I enjoyed going through the museum. The ending was great. I do hope there are more of these books on the way. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for you school and public libraries! 

Honored to have been in the acknowledgements! 

Review: Escape from Grimstone Manor

 

Three friends are going on one last ride together before the amusement park closes. But the ride breaks down. One by one, they get out of the car. When the ride resumes, they can't scramble back to the car in time. Unfortunately, they are locked in the manor house for the night. The ride required them to leave their phones in lockers outside the ride. 

The three friends search for an exit, but nothing opens - including the emergency exit and the windows. Matteo discovers a secret passageway. And that's where things go sideways...

Could the creepy stories about local legend Hezekiah Crawly be true?

My Thoughts: Confession time: I wasn't sure I was going to like this because I'm not much for scary stories. BUT I needed to try it after meeting the author. And it was a great story! Of course, I didn't read it after dark, which might have helped. I'm a huge chicken.

But it wasn't too scary - a little gruesome with some creepy moments. 

I loved this debut novel. I loved the friendship. They were very different people and they bickered, but they also saved each other. They were brave when the moment came. 

The monsters were fun, creepy, and icky. Lots of action meant I kept turning the pages quickly. I would not want to be staying overnight in that mansion! Looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Creepy and wonderful 

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your school and public library's collection. 

Author Interview: Matt McMann

Today I'm chatting with debut author Matt McMann

This creepy book comes out tomorrow. 

What would happen if you and your friends got stuck overnight in The Haunted Mansion and monsters came to life?

Grab yourself a copy. 

What can you tell us about the Monsterious series?

Monsterious is my spooky middle grade monster mystery debut series. The books are short, and as each story is standalone thriller with a unique cast of characters, they can be read in any order. Escape from Grimstone Manor (Monsterious #1, coming May 9) is about three friends who are trapped overnight in a haunted house amusement park ride and discover the monsters are real. The Snatcher of Raven Hollow (Monsterious #2, also May 9) is about two friends who learn that a mysterious monster is behind the disappearance of infants in their small town—but no one believes them. Terror in Shadow Canyon (#3) publishes Aug 22, followed by The Beast of Skull Rock (#4) in January 2024.

How many books would you like to be in this series? 

A lot! I chose an anthology style series for Monsterious, where the books are tied together by a theme, spooky monster mysteries, yet each is a standalone adventure with a unique cast of characters. I did this partly because if the series finds a strong readership, I can write many Monsterious books, which would be a dream!

 What was the first horror book you remember reading? 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Even at a young age, I was enthralled. I can remember sitting on the couch in our family room, murmuring the words aloud as I read. After Dracula by Bram Stoker, I checked out every book in my elementary school library on vampires, werewolves, ghosts, Bigfoot, Yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster. I was hooked!

  What's your favorite monster? 

Bigfoot is a sentimental favorite from my childhood, and I have a soft spot for the Loch Ness monster as well. A few years ago, I had the chance to sail on Loch Ness, which was a thrill! I’m also fascinated by werewolves. There’s something about a monster who is a normal human most of the time that I find so intriguing.

   What draws you to write horror novels? 

My love of spooky adventures came from being a scared kid. I was afraid of all kinds of things—the dark, bullies, the basement, the woods. Reading those stories gave me a way to experience fear in a safe, controlled, and fun way. Seeing characters in books face their fears gave me courage to face my own. When I decided to pursue novel writing as an adult, those were the kinds of books I was drawn to write. I want to provide the same encouragement and inspiration for kids today that I had growing up. Besides, spooky stories are just so cool! 

Do you have favorite horror writers? 

In the middle grade space, I think Lindsay Currie is a stand out. She’s able to be genuinely scary without being gory or over the top. In young adult, I’m hooked on the new horror series The Luminaries by Susan Dennard. For classics, Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stoker all have staying power for a reason.

 Do you believe in ghosts? What do you think will happen if you catch the ghost lights? 

While I don’t know of any concrete evidence for the existence of ghosts, I believe many things exist that are currently outside of our scientific understanding. Does that include ghosts, spirits, non-material phenomena? It could.

 I did once chase a mysterious ghost light that appeared in the pre-dawn hours on a mountain behind our house over the course of a week. After several failed attempts and numerous scrapes and bruises from barreling along a rocky slope in the dark, I finally solved the mystery—a distant neighbor had set up a giant, nuclear-powered green spotlight in his backyard. The long throw through branches swaying in the wind created an amazingly compelling dancing ghost light!

What's a writing day look like for you? 

I’m an earlier riser, usually around 5:30 am. After some stretching, exercise, and meditation / prayer, I usually spend the morning drafting or editing one of my books, depending on my deadlines and publishing schedule. If I’m drafting, I write a minimum of a thousand words a day. My wife and I break for lunch around 1:00 pm and watch of few hours of reality TV to give our creative minds a break, then I do admin and marketing work for the rest of the afternoon.

What's the last book you read and loved? 

Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt, a powerful and eminently readable middle grade novel in verse about a neurodivergent girl who learns to embrace herself and find her place in the world. It really increased my understanding of and empathy for people who are neurodivergent.

 Quick Questions:

 Panster or Plotter?

I’ve written books both ways, but lean more toward plotter. With the rapid publishing schedule of the Monsterious series (the first four books all come out within nine months), outlining has helped me hit all my deadlines!

 Do you listen to music when you write? 

I find music distracting. As a former professional musician, I catch myself analyzing what’s happening in the music. I like streaming YouTube nature videos on our TV in the background while I write.

 Do you snack and write? Do you have a favorite snack?

I drink English Breakfast hot tea all day long even during scorching Phoenix summers. I love all kinds of salty-sweet snacks but not while writing!

Thanks for chatting with me today, Matt!  

Go grab the book tomorrow when it comes out. But if you're like me, don't read it in the dark!

Top Ten Tuesday: Horror Books

 This week's topic is audio books, but I can't listen to audio books because my mind wanders, and I miss things. So, I'm talking about horror books for kids instead. I'm not typically a fan of horror books, but there is one I'm waiting to read.

The One I'm Waiting to Read:

One of my favorite books from my childhood:

While You're Waiting for Matt's Book, Read These:

Nonfiction: