Festergrimm by Thomas Taylor

Festergrimm is the fourth and penultimate story in the Eerie-on-Sea mysteries. It is certainly worth reading the first three books in order to understand the references to previous adventures of Herbert Lemon and his partner in solving crime, Violet Parma. Herbie is still employed as a Lost-and-Founder at The Grand Nautilus Hotel and his own history is still a mystery. 

Herbie and Violet are sent to meet a VIP guest arriving by train and are horrified to realise it is none other than the arch villain Sebastian Eels. However, somehow Eels has hoodwinked most of the adult townsfolk into believing that he has honorable motives for reopening an old waxwork gallery. The gallery was originally set up by a genius inventor and toy maker called Ludovic Festergrimm. Legend has it that when his beloved daughter, Pandora, disappeared he invented a huge robot to find her. When the robot went out of control it was destroyed by the army causing odd occurrences in Eerie-on-Sea ever since, such as a damaged waxwork finger. Now Herbie and Violet seek the truth about the robot and in turn come into perilous conflict with Eels. 

Thomas Taylor has created another original and somewhat chaotic ripping yarn. Herbie has gradually become more self-assured and wiser throughout the series. Taylor creates an array of comical characters, like Colonel Crabwise and quirky creations like the Mermonkey, which selects books for people. Even the train is called Bethuselah! However, the story also has its darker elements and is therefore more suitable for middle years readers. The Netherways tunnel system beneath the town is seriously scary and Sebastian Eels is truly intent on killing our heroes. Similarities with the story of Frankenstein are alluded to and how the people misunderstood the monster. Herbie believes he has a connection with Pandora and mentions this several times. This is possibly flagging what will happen in the final story. Maybe we will finally discover the truth about Herbie’s past.

Themes: Inventions, Fantasy, Mystery.

Jo Marshall