I really enjoyed reading Fiendish Deeds, Book One in the three-book series “The Joy of Spooking”. Written by P.J. Bracegirdle ( a real name or is this another Lemony Snicket?), this book was perfect fare for any kid who knows that a thinking mind is too good to waste on stupid concerns like popularity or status — but who, once in awhile, feels maybe just a bit lonely on the outskirts of the in-crowd.
Spooking is a town just up the hill from Darlington: the kids from Spooking are Spookys and the kids from Darlington are Darlings and rarely the twain shall meet — except in school, where the perfectly conformist Darlings torment the Spookys. Our heroine Joy Wells, with her up-turned nose and blonde hair and that name of hers, may appear to belong in Darlington but in fact she is Spooky and proud of it. She is also the number one fan of E.A. Peugeot, a gothic writer who disappeared years ago, leaving behind spooky tales reminiscent of another E.A.P., i.e., Edgar Allen Poe.
Poe himself is quoted at the beginning of the book: “From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were– I have not seen As others saw.“ Joy also sees things in a distinct way, and also through the eyes of a pre-adolescent, with shadings of angst, self-absorption, indignation, and decency, and we are observe her and the two towns she must negotiate with great interest. She is a true individual, from her leash-bearing toad to her choice in clothes (musty old things she finds in her basement) to her taste in books: the scarier the better.
This book is scary at times, dark but also funny, and very accurate when it comes to what kids Joy’s age really do think about: status, identity, other kids, destiny, and Halloween. Joy is a smart kid who knows that the world is her oyster, if only she didn’t have to wait to grow up. She is perceptive, critical, but also absolutely a middle schooler: she believes that she can right wrongs if only she points the wrongs out to the right people.
She does vanquish a certain threat in the end, leaving the question of whose dismembered arm was found in the swamp for others to investigate. The book is a cliff hanger of sorts: will Phipps, himself from Spooking, prove to be friend or foe? Why are so many Dads disappearing? And will Madame Portia’s rest home be a success? The madam’s idea of a rest home for free thinking, non-conformist old people got me thinking: why doesn’t anyone open a Country Club for the non-conformist, rock ‘n roller types? Ramones by the pool, that kind of thing.
Speaking of punk, Bracegirdle (this cannot be his real name) vilifies Punk Music, and that is my only complaint about this otherwise perfect book for kids eager to get out of Kansas. I will read the next two books in the series not only to satisfy my curiosity about the swamp and the true identity of Peugeot and where all the dads have gone, and not only because Joy was a girl after my own heart with her comments and complaints and bravado and moments of total utter insecurity, but also because I love the way this guy writes: he gets you caught in the net of mystery and suspense, gore and gothic details abounding, and the chills keep on coming right until the end.
Given the attempted and successful murders, the small town corruption, and the beastliness of certain Darlings, I would call these books appropriate for anyone over the age of ten and right on up to one hundred and ten. Enjoy.
