Skip to content

MEDDLING KIDS

Written By:

Christian Bone
Meddling Kids

Scooby Doo meets Stranger Things meets H.P. Lovecraft in this inventive tongue-in-cheek horror adventure. 13 years on from their final case, the all-grown-up Blyton Summer Detective Club have returned to their sleepy Oregon hometown in order to put their demons to rest. Unfortunately, some real demons will rise up from the depths of the sinister Sleepy Lake to meet them…

First of all, the obvious big hook with Meddling Kids is how it acts as an adult love letter to children’s detective stories, following in the grand tradition of Hanna-Barbera’s classic canine-themed cartoon and The Famous Five. Cantero wears his influences on his sleeve, frequently including neat references (the book’s set by the Zoinx River – named after Shaggy’s catchphrase) for fans to enjoy.

Where the book comes to life, though, is in its inversion of the usual tropes and the decision to slam the memory of these children’s favourites together with full-blooded horror like Lovecraftian ancient monsters. Cantero has fun poking holes in the old formula – why do the team always split up? They’re more vulnerable that way! – and exploring the irresistible idea that maybe the monsters weren’t all just some old guy in a cheap Halloween mask.

The IT-like jump forward in time allows Cantero to explore the titular meddling kids as three-dimensional characters beyond just being parodies of famous characters. Perhaps the one who benefits this best is Andy, a loose meld of Scooby Doo’s Velma and Enid Blyton’s George. As an adult, Andy gets to step up as the new leader of the team, growing from a tomboy to an ex-military action hero – and exploring her long-held insecurities about her sexuality in the process.

On the other hand, Cantero’s chosen prose style may prove contentious. The writer clearly intends to have some fun with his readers as he smashes through the ‘fourth wall’ throughout e.g. referring to things that happened ‘on the last page’ and switching to a script layout for extended periods of speech. Some might think it suits the playful tone of the story, but it can also be distracting and take you out of the narrative.

All in all, however, Meddling Kids is as fun and as thrilling as chasing a ghost through a haunted house with your best pals. Happily, there are hints that a follow-up could be on the cards, so we are looking forward to more spine-tingling, rib-tickling adventures for the BSDC to come.

MEDDLING KIDS / AUTHOR: EDGAR CANTERO / TITAN BOOKS / RELEASE DATE: APRIL 3RD

Christian Bone

You May Also Like...

andy and barbara muschietti, aka the muschiettis, teaming with skydance for horror label nocturna

The Muschiettis Launch Horror Label NOCTURNA With Skydance

The It-team are joining forces with Skydance to launch a brand new horror division named Nocturna, THR reports. The brother-sister filmmaking duo known as the Muschiettis – Andy and Barbara
Read More
patty jenkins returns to the star wars film rogue squadron

Patty Jenkins Returns With STAR WARS’ ROGUE SQUADRON Film

Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins has given an encouraging update on what was presumed to be a dead project, stating that she’s back in active development on her Star Wars
Read More

Comic Book CAPITAL P Launched

Capital P Book One is the first part of a twelve-issue comic book maxi-series from writer Sam Gardner Jr and artist Jerome Canty. The official tag line is “A hero
Read More
neve campbell as sidney prescott in scream

Neve Campbell Returns To SCREAM Franchise

In an unexpected turn of events, Neve Campbell is confirmed to be returning to the Scream franchise, after several upsets to the production of Scream VII. It’s particularly surprising news
Read More

The First Trailer for THE CROW is Here

The highly anticipated remake of The Crow has its first trailer, which you can check out below. The film stars Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven and FKA Twigs as Shelly
Read More

Submit Your Film to THE RAY HARRYHAUSEN AWARDS

The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation is once again holding an awards programme to recognise excellence in the field of stop-motion effects. This year’s submission fees have also been reduced!
Read More