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