This book introduces a diverse new detective duo in Herbie and Violet, and is told with such neat storytelling and surprising phrases it would be a joy to read aloud
The Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week
Nobody visits Eerie-on-Sea in the winter. Especially not when darkness falls and the wind howls around Maw Rocks and the wreck of the battleship Leviathan, where even now some swear they have seen the slimy Malamander creep…
Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger…
Bought in a frenzied eight publisher auction, Malamander sold in 12 foreign territories before it was even published, and was a children’s bestseller on release. Sony Pictures have secured the film rights for the movie adaptation and Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen has lent his voice to the audiobook edition.
Reviews
Plots and twists
I really enjoyed this book and I would suggest it to anyone who likes adventure, mystery, plots and twists!
It takes you on an adventure
Malamander is an exciting book and it takes you on an adventure. All the characters had fantastic personalities and their names reflected them. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure because this book was overflowing with it. I thought this book was thrilling.
You want to know what happens next
I would recommend this book because it is exciting and you want to know what happens next. This book is great and I give it 5 out of 5, maybe even 6! It is probably one of my favourite books ever.
The adventure starts from the first page
My favourite book was The Malamander because the adventure starts from the first page! I has a lot of cliff hangers and I love the tension in it.
Provided me with some escapism
I found Malamander a very interesting book. IT was fun to read and provided me with some escapism from my brothers.
Exceedingly good and imaginative
I think that Malamander is exceedingly good and imaginative. I would strongly recommend this book to adventure readers and mystery finders.
Brave and very adventurous
My favourite character is Violet Parma because she is brave and adventurous. I think that this is a great book and it is a little bit scary. Recommended for people over the age of 8.
Lots of twists and turns
Malamander was a great book. I loved it because there were lots of twists and turns.
I love the names
I love the names in the book because Violet Parma sounds like Parma Violet and Herbert Lemon sounds like Sherbert Lemon.
I spent most of the night awake so I could finish it
I spent most of the night awake just so I could finish it. If I ever meet Thomas Taylor, I want to thank him for making my lockdown life a whole lot more exciting.
Exceedingly good
I think that the Malamander is exceedingly good and imaginative. The names of the characters are a real insight into their personalities.
It takes you on highs and lows
My favourite aspect of the book is that journey it takes you on the highs, the lows and the interesting situations that the characters get plunged into.
For anyone who loves adventure
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves adventure and wants to discover the impossible, and for anyone who is willing to go that one step further when everything in your body tells you to stop.
Everything a great book needs
This book has everything a great book needs. It is a mystery book about a boy and a girl who, together, solve many secrets.
Exceedingly good
I think that Malamander is exceedingly good and imaginative. It gives information about beach combing and the joys of being by the sea.
It made me feel like I was standing in the story
I enjoyed this book because it made me feel like I was standing in the story. It was full of mystery and adventures. It was one of the best books I've ever read.
Lots of adventure, action and suspense
I loved Malamander because it has lots of adventure, action and suspense. I didn't want to stop reading.
About The Author
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor is an award-winning author-illustrator for children. He illustrated the cover for the very first Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and has since gone on to write and illustrate several picture books and young novels; most recently he illustrated Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter, written by Marcus Sedgwick. Malamander is his first middle grade novel, which was published to huge acclaim in 2019. He lives on the south coast of England and can be found on Facebook and Twitter: @ThomasHTaylor
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