Synopsis
Araminta thinks something horrible is hiding in the deep, hidden passages of Spookie House—could it be a werewolf? Add to that the arrival of Uncle Drac's creepy nephew, Max, and Araminta knows things will never be the same. Max is Wanda's new best friend, and Araminta finds him annoying. She comes up with a plan to figure out what Max is up to—and also to capture the werewolf. But will it work?
Children's Literature
Araminta Spookie believes that she has encountered a vampire in the deep recesses of Spookie House. All ready to assemble her Spookie Werewolf Trapping Kit, Minty is interrupted by an invasive visitation from relatives, resulting in the depositing of a cousin, Max. Soon Araminta believes Max to be a dangerous vampire. Her suspicions result in much spying, creeping, observing, and finally adding the necessary items to her investigative techniques to create a combined Werewolf and Vampire Trapping Kit. First losing the support of Wanda, her best friend in Spookie House, and then regaining her allegiance, Araminta tracks and traps Max with surprising results. Flights into the dark unknown, ghostly lights, turrets inhabited by domesticated bats, the appearance of wolf cubs, and shadows of bunny slippers each add their own bit of humor and adventure to this lighthearted unearthly tale. Araminta makes a new friend and comes to understand Cousin Max a bit better. Spidery pen-and-ink illustrations add to the otherworldly feel of the story. This is title four in the "Araminta Spookie" series. Reviewer: Janice DeLong