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The Children’s Book Review | October 1, 2019
Written by Edward Torba
Age Range: 9-12
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: All Points Press, LLC (October 15, 2019)
ISBN: 978-0985082789
What to Expect: Mystery, Hauntings, Friendship, and High School Setting
In Matt Monroe and the Secret Society of Odontology, Matt discovered a set of mysterious wooden tablets and a mystical ring right before he and his friends were selected by a secret society to save mankind from an evil elf. Matt Monroe and the Haunted House is the follow-up novel that continues the saga of the secret society.
In this sequel, the gripping prologue sets the scene with the frightening disappearance of siblings Nathaniel and Annabelle in 1901. Moving forward to present day, Matt Monroe is being plagued by dreams and mysterious things are taking place around town—including cows being found slaughtered on Tom Sherman’s farm. Matt’s older brother Josh has a gash on his side from a previous encounter with a dragon that just isn’t healing; there must be a reason. While out on his newspaper run, Matt discovers that the Payne mansion (which has been sitting empty and for sale since the death of Dr. Steel, the previous occupant) appears to have been purchased. Here he meets a boy and a girl named Nathaniel and Annabel and the spooky elements of this book begin to heat up. The upcoming high school Halloween Dance is looking to be the pinnacle of events. The haunted house finale includes a treacherous villain and a room of mirrors that presents life or death circumstances.
Author Edward Torba sets the scene with solid, eerie descriptions:
“Thick fingers of low-lying fog floated toward Matt. Curiosity urged him to walk forward, but what lay ahead? He couldn’t see a thing through the odorless vapor. As if on command, the mist lifted and silhouettes formed; trees and shrubs materialized. The outline of a building soon came into view—the Payne mansion.”
With elements of mystery, fantasy, and drama, combined with a wild cast of characters, Torba has written a compelling story with chapters that end with mini cliffhangers that propel readers onward. There are struggling high school friendships and romance, quirky family members, and teachers and a librarian to loathe and love.
If reading a book about kids with special powers, who reside in a town that is home to a haunted house with a portal, sounds thrilling to you, then Matt Monroe and the Haunted House could be exactly what you are looking for. It can be read on its own, but, if you like to really get to know your characters, we recommend starting off with Matt Monroe and the Secret Society of Odontology.
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About the Author
Edward Torba
Edward Torba is the founder of All Points Press and the author of the Matt Monroe series. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in biology in 1973 and a D.M.D. in 1977. He has been a general dentist for more than 35 years, practicing in Latrobe, PA.
Learn more at www.EdwardTorba.com.
Be sure to check out all of the book reviews and interviews from the Matt Monroe and the Haunted House book awareness tour.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This non-biased review of “Matt Monroe and the Haunted House,” by Edward Torba, was sponsored* by New Shelves. Learn more about getting a book review …