Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset

Tom Angleberger's latest, loopiest middle-grade novel begins when M'Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset (it's never been loosened before!), thereby setting off a chain of events in which all the strict rules of Smugwick Manor are abandoned. When, as a result of the Loosening, the precious family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump (quite literally a lump), goes missing, the Luggertucks look for someone to blame. Is it Horton Halfpott, the good-natured but lowly kitchen boy who can't tell a lie? Or one of the many colorful cast members in this silly romp of a mystery. Praise for Horton Halfpott "A positively gleeful historical mystery farce. Short chapters, a fast pace and plenty of linguistic and slapstistic humor will have young readers hoping that a sequel is planned. The scribbly pen-and-ink chapter-heading cartoon illustrations are just icing on the cake--or pickle éclair. A romp from start to finish." -Kirkus Reviews "Exaggerated black-and-white drawings emphasize the often wacky humor in this goofy faux-British mystery. Sprawling, outlandish tale." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Readers will enjoy Angleberger's penchant for the absurd as well as his many droll asides. With Angleberger's many eclectic characters, his wild-and-witty storytelling, and a lighthearted but perplexing mystery--involving a "lump" of diamonds, a couple of wigs, and a bust of Napoleon--readers are in for a treat." -Publishers Weekly "From the author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, here's an amusing romp of a mystery that balances skulduggery with just rewards." -Booklist "Much like Dickens or Dahl, an opinionated narrator with a strong sense of the ridiculous directs this story." -School Library Journal