In serious need of a vacation after their last laser-beam-filled exploit, Lily, Jasper, and Katie have dashed off in their Gyroscopic Sky Suite for a restful sojourn at the Moose Tongue Lodge and Resort, a stunning spot filled with roaring fires, Cocoa Splurges, and many fine displays of taxidermy. But in a bizarre turn of events, a number of other children’s book heroes also happen to be unwinding at the vintage mountain retreat, including the dim but well-built Manley Boys, the boy-crazy Cutesy Dell Twins, and Eddie Wax from the little-known classic Stumpy Rides to Glory. And then there are the adorable mystery-solving Hooper Quints, who, along with a wealthy heiress’s priceless diamond necklace and numerous mounted animal heads, have suddenly gone missing. Meaningless coincidence? Or could it all be part of a nefarious plot involving duct tape, some Bavarian folk pants, and a slew of counterfeit dinner coupons? Tough to say, but one thing’s for sure: Katie, Lily, and Jasper are the only swell youngsters around who can solve this spine-tingling mystery
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"This is the only M.T. Anderson book I have read so far, and I find his sense of humor quirky, slightly self-deprecating, and hilarious. This tale of three crime-solving friends working with a host of incompetent fellow hotel patrons to solve a ridiculous crime is highly humorous. M.T. Anderson definitely doesn't take himself to seriously, but this largely tongue-in-cheek novel is riddled with gorgeous passages of deep prose. This is a great novel for young adults, particularly boys in their early teens who may not be completely sold on reading."
— Amy (4 out of 5 stars)
“Never has the Hardy Boys-Nancy Drew axis been knocked further or more delightfully askew.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Underneath all the craziness, there is a subtle and surprisingly poignant message about growth, change, and friendship.”
— School Library Journal“Plenty of side-splitting humor will keep fans wanting more.”
— VOYA" Some funny moments, but not nearly as many as the first book. It was a bit of a letdown. I only found the bad guys funny, and we didn't meet them for a LONG time. "
— Heather, 2/18/2014" If I were younger, the age the book is meant for, I might have enjoyed it. Who knows? Not a book that crosses age groups. "
— Suzan, 2/16/2014" As unrelentingly clever and inventive as the first book. "
— Meghan, 2/16/2014" I liked this more that the first one. I still think that the target audience is unclear...it is about 13 year-old mystery solvers, but the language and references are more appreciated by adults (more specifically literature junkies). Still great! Weird, quirky, (sometimes totally nuts) and basically everything I have come to love about M.T. Anderson's writing style. "
— Catherine, 2/2/2014" As you might surmise, this is pretty silly. But recommended. "
— Elizabeth, 1/28/2014" I didn't love it as much as Whales on Stilts: M.T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales, which had the benefit of feeling fresh and surprising. But still, a fun read. Rather poignant, too, peopled with the characters of both popular and forgotten (imaginary) series. "
— Kaethe, 1/17/2014" More tongue-in-cheek adventures with a side of over-the-top bizarreness for Jasper, Lily, & Katie. Hilarious! "
— Brett, 12/27/2013" My enjoyment of this book would have been better if I had read it myself rather than listen to the audiobook. The character voices were fine but the timing...was off. It drove me a little crazy. But I really liked the ending and the asides. I wish I had started with book 1. "
— Beth, 12/25/2013" This series is so ridiculous and I love it (which is odd because I haven't been able to get into any of Anderson's YA books as much). This one is my favorite of the two because it pokes fun at all the classic kids series, like Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Goosebumps, and more. Very silly. "
— orangerful, 12/23/2013" I'm reading this out loud with my son and it's so funny I'm having to stop to get a breath and stop crying. My son and husband are loving this one, too. It's a GREAT read-aloud book. We'll have to try another one of these soon, like Whales on Stilts. "
— Brigid, 11/29/2013" I read this book, and then listened to the audio version. I think the books in this series are meant to be listened to, as the humor came through much better when I listened to it. "
— David, 11/1/2013" Lilly and her friends Jasper Dash and Katie are back solving another mystery, this time while they were supposed to be on vacation. "
— Victoria, 7/6/2013" Not quite as funny as the first one, but still hilarious. We'll be listening to the third one on our next long drive. The characters and situations are really zany... enough that I questions the author's sanity just a bit. "
— Jay, 10/16/2012" 3.5 stars. Not quite a brilliant as it's predecessor (Whales on Stilts), but still made me laugh. "
— Sandy, 9/5/2012" Whales on Stilts was epic. This was just fun. "
— Allison, 7/6/2012" 3 friends, one mystery, a kidnapping, a twist of events, a stolen necklace, quints, missing stuffed animal heads, a room in a room,a solved mystery, guns, a cave, a ventriloquist, a screamer, and determination. "
— Kimberly, 3/26/2012" Over the top is often good; too much over the top for me on this one... "
— Bill, 10/9/2011" I think I am in love with Jasper Dash, Boy Technonaut, by gum. "
— babyhippoface, 10/7/2011" This was a little too brim-ful of wacky for me. Sorry Mr. Anderson. I love your other work. "
— K, 9/3/2011" It wasn't as good as Whales on Stilts, but it was still funny and enjoyable. If you liked the 1st one, I'd definitely still read this 2nd "Thrilling Tale." I'm still insisting that the audio version is the way to go with these books. The narrator is fantastic! "
— Jackamo, 7/28/2011" this book is a serious threat to lemony snicket as my favorite humorous ya writer! "
— cubbie, 7/20/2011" I'm reading this out loud with my son and it's so funny I'm having to stop to get a breath and stop crying. My son and husband are loving this one, too. It's a GREAT read-aloud book. We'll have to try another one of these soon, like Whales on Stilts. "
— Brigid, 4/25/2011" This books interesting the writer like in whales on stilts, he tends to stick to katie the main character, you get to see her thoughts a little. He also sticks to first person throughout the book. Katie the crime fighting girl who wants to be normal and that's why she's at moose tongue lodge "
— Trysten, 1/18/2011" Lilly and her friends Jasper Dash and Katie are back solving another mystery, this time while they were supposed to be on vacation. "
— Victoria, 12/20/2010" More tongue-in-cheek adventures with a side of over-the-top bizarreness for Jasper, Lily, & Katie. Hilarious! "
— Brett, 11/11/2010" I really enjoy MT Anderson's satirical mysteries. "
— Dru, 3/30/2010" 3 friends, one mystery, a kidnapping, a twist of events, a stolen necklace, quints, missing stuffed animal heads, a room in a room,a solved mystery, guns, a cave, a ventriloquist, a screamer, and determination. "
— Kimberly, 10/26/2009" This series is so ridiculous and I love it (which is odd because I haven't been able to get into any of Anderson's YA books as much). This one is my favorite of the two because it pokes fun at all the classic kids series, like Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Goosebumps, and more. Very silly. "
— Sam, 8/29/2009" Not as good as Whales On Stilts. "
— Chris, 7/7/2009M. T. Anderson is the critically acclaimed author of many picture books and novels, including Feed, which was a National Book Award finalist and Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party, which won a National Book Award and was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, as well as many other books for children and young adults.
Marc Cashman, Earphones Award–winning narrator, was named one of the “Best Voices of the Year” by AudioFile magazine. His voice can be heard on radio, television, film, and video games. He also instructs voice actors through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques, in Los Angeles.