The Darkling Curse: Something Wickedly Weird, vol. 4
Grade 4–6—Mould whips up another concoction of morose humor blended with suspenseful mystery. Young Stanley Buggles now has to fight the marauding Darkling family as they try to usurp his home, moving into Candlestick Hall on the basis of a legal technicality. The Darklings descended from a man who was bitten by a werewolf and passed along doglike tendencies to his offspring, including lupinelike faces. Like the Wicked Witch of the West summoning her menacing winged monkeys, Mr. Darkling cries out in loud howls to signal crows to swoop down and peck and claw at Stanley and his friends. He even tries charming a two-headed snake into killing the boy. With help from a crystal-ball-gazing Gypsy and the use of secret passageways at Candlestick Hall, resourceful Stanley finds the ways and means to battle the Darklings and send them packing. Meanwhile, he and his faithful friend Daisy uncover clues hidden inside an ancient silver casket, guaranteeing more eerie adventures to come. Comically creepy illustrations harmonize with the macabre tone. The book doesn't really stand alone, but fans of the series will enjoy it.—James K. Irwin, formerly at Salt Lake County Library Services, UTEND