Let’s start with the illustrations. They are fantabulous! They are what drew me to the books initially. If you’re a fan of Tim Burton or Edward Gorey, you’ll fall in love with these characters before reading a single word.

On to the story. It is a riotously fun, silly, touching tale, littered with disgusting details one would expect from a world populated by monsters. The attention to detail in the characters, their clothes, homes and food is astounding and endlessly entertaining. You can feel the joy the author must have had creating it all.

A gothic romp full of wit that will please anyone that wishes Halloween could be year round.