The Smugglers' Mine (Something Wickedly Weird)
When plucky young Stanley decides to trust the retired pirate who appears on the doorstep of his mansion, they begin an adventure that takes them into the island's subterranean tunnels. Above ground, tensions mount when the dreaded werewolf returns. Stanley's small band of co-conspirators must keep its discoveries secret to protect the (relatively) innocent islanders. Mould creates a moody, macabre atmosphere through the fine black-and-white drawings and silhouettes that appear throughout the book. The fifth entry in the Something Wickedly Weird series, this fast-paced story will keep readers guessing as it sweeps them along to the offbeat yet satisfying conclusion. Grades 3-6. --Carolyn Phelan