Meddling Kids: A Novel (Blyton Summer Detective Club Adventure)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A mad scientist's concoction of teen detectives, H. P. Lovecraft, and a love of Americana, this is a story filled with rich horror, thrilling twists, outright hilarity, and surprising poignancy. "While this is obviously an ode to Scooby Doo... fans will love the idea of a group of mystery hunters coming back together after leaving the business." --Bustle "Filled with high jinks both terrorizing and hilarious." --USA Today In 1977, four teenagers and a dog--Andy (the tomboy), Nate (the nerd), Kerri (the bookworm), Peter (the jock), and Tim (the Weimaraner)--solved the mystery of Sleepy Lake. The trail of an amphibian monster terrorizing the quiet town of Blyton Hills leads the gang to spend a night in Deboën Mansion and apprehend a familiar culprit: a bitter old man in a mask. Now, in 1990, the twenty-something former teen detectives are lost souls. Plagued by night terrors and Peter's tragic death, the three survivors have been running from their demons. When the man they apprehended all those years ago makes parole, Andy tracks him down to confirm what she's always known--they got the wrong guy. Now she'll need to get the gang back together and return to Blyton Hills to find out what really happened in 1977, and this time, she's sure they're not looking for another man in a mask.
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Community Reviews
3.5/5
i thought this book was really fun but it seemed to dragggggg on forever. the concepts introduced were interesting and im really glad the blurb didn’t spoil any of the plot. wasn’t sure about the script (???) format throughout the books, it was introduced at odd times and didn’t really seem to fit but overall this was a fun read, however i think this might be a one and done type of deal for me
i thought this book was really fun but it seemed to dragggggg on forever. the concepts introduced were interesting and im really glad the blurb didn’t spoil any of the plot. wasn’t sure about the script (???) format throughout the books, it was introduced at odd times and didn’t really seem to fit but overall this was a fun read, however i think this might be a one and done type of deal for me
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5) | Audiobook via Libby
A wild, genre-bending ride that blends horror, mystery, and paranormal fantasy with a wink to Saturday morning cartoons—Meddling Kids is what happens when childhood sleuths grow up and realize the monsters were real all along.
Set in the eerie town of Blyton Hills, the story follows the surviving members of the Blyton Summer Detective Club (Andy, Peter, Kerri, Nate, and their dog, Tim) as they reunite years after their final case. Haunted by trauma, fractured friendships, and a lingering sense that something was left unfinished, they return to the scene of their last mystery to confront a darkness that’s far more sinister than they ever imagined. What begins as a nostalgic reunion quickly spirals into a Lovecraftian nightmare, complete with ancient evils, cryptic rituals, and a talking dog (sort of).
Cantero’s writing is sharp, irreverent, and cinematic—perfectly suited to audiobook format. The characters are flawed, funny, and deeply human, and the Scooby-Doo parallels add a layer of bittersweet charm. I especially loved the magical and paranormal elements that twist the familiar mystery tropes into something fresh and unsettling.
If you love horror with heart, found-family dynamics, and a dash of queer representation, this one’s for you. I’m already looking forward to whatever Cantero conjures up next.
A wild, genre-bending ride that blends horror, mystery, and paranormal fantasy with a wink to Saturday morning cartoons—Meddling Kids is what happens when childhood sleuths grow up and realize the monsters were real all along.
Set in the eerie town of Blyton Hills, the story follows the surviving members of the Blyton Summer Detective Club (Andy, Peter, Kerri, Nate, and their dog, Tim) as they reunite years after their final case. Haunted by trauma, fractured friendships, and a lingering sense that something was left unfinished, they return to the scene of their last mystery to confront a darkness that’s far more sinister than they ever imagined. What begins as a nostalgic reunion quickly spirals into a Lovecraftian nightmare, complete with ancient evils, cryptic rituals, and a talking dog (sort of).
Cantero’s writing is sharp, irreverent, and cinematic—perfectly suited to audiobook format. The characters are flawed, funny, and deeply human, and the Scooby-Doo parallels add a layer of bittersweet charm. I especially loved the magical and paranormal elements that twist the familiar mystery tropes into something fresh and unsettling.
If you love horror with heart, found-family dynamics, and a dash of queer representation, this one’s for you. I’m already looking forward to whatever Cantero conjures up next.
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