Today I’m featuring debut author Matt McMann and the first two spooky mystery adventure books in the MONSTERIOUS Series, both of which release on May 9th. These books can be read in any order, so kids can feel free to pick up whichever title tickles their imagination. (I’m one of those people who usually can’t stand to read a series out of order, but I read this one and then the first book, and found that I missed out on zero things by doing it that way since all the characters and stories are different.) Read on to see what I thought…
And make sure you scroll down to check out Matt’s Top Ten Addictions. He shares some fascinating info about his family!
Escape from Grimstone Manor by Matt McMann Series: Monsterious #1
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on May 9, 2023
Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Mysteries
Pages: 160
Source: The Publisher
Cover Artist: Ryan Quickfall
Here's the first book in a new series of spinechilling tales that combine monsters + mysteries, perfect for fans of Goosebumps.
In a mansion on a hill, lived a man no one could kill.Raised the dead with magic darkto rule the world and make his mark.
Zari has always been fascinated by creepy stories about Hezekiah Crawly, the real-life inspiration behind her local amusement park's haunted house attraction, so she's thrilled when her friends Mateo and Taylor agree to go on the last ride of the day before the park closes.
But when the ride breaks down, the three get trapped inside the haunted house for the night! As if that weren't scary enough, the kids stumble onto a hidden staircase leading to a dark, cobwebbed crypt that doesn't seem like part of the ride--and by the looks of it, they aren't alone down there. Is it possible the stories about Hezekiah Crawly and his monstrous experiments are true? And if so, can Zari, Mateo and Taylor make it through the night in one piece?
Buy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org
Terror-filled fun! This book will put kids in mind of all their worst nightmares. Imagine being stuck in a haunted house amusement ride for the night and then finding a creepy crypt underneath, filled with dangers beyond what you could even imagine. That’s what happens to our trio of unlucky and unlikely heroes. The three fight their way out of an impossible situation and discover that true courage is the only thing that can save them.
Perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and any kid who likes a truly terrifying tale!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Snatcher of Raven Hollow by Matt McMann Series: Monsterious #2
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on May 9, 2023
Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Mysteries
Pages: 160
Source: The Publisher
Cover Artist: Ryan Quickfall
My rating:
Here's the second book in a new series of spinechilling tales that combine monsters + mysteries, perfect for fans of Goosebumps.
When her small town is rocked by a series of baby kidnappings, Teo vows to spend her summer break solving the mystery, and convinces her friend Logan--who would much rather spend his vacation relaxing--to help.
Their search for answers soon leads them to the woods at the edge of town, and Teo fears some kind of supernatural creature might be behind the snatchings. What else could explain the creepy figure they see moving through the trees, or the bloodcurdling screams coming from the forest at dusk?
Logan has his doubts, but when another child is taken, there's no time to waste. Can he and Teo get to the bottom of the kidnappings and rescue the missing babies before it's too late?
Buy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org
Middle-grade horror based on spine-tingling folklore, with a twist kids will love!
I read this book on a plane ride, and it was the perfect travel distraction. The story follows two kids who attempt to solve the mystery of local babies who’ve mysteriously gone missing. When they start to suspect something supernatural is at play, they know that no one will believe them. Their quest takes a terrifying turn, and they have to act fast before the babies are lost forever. MG horror fans will be satisfyingly spooked and love the creepy ending!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
About the Author
As a professional musician, MATT MCMANN played an NFL stadium, a cruise ship, and the International Twins Convention. Now he writes the kind of spooky mystery-adventure books he loved as a kid. He’s hiked the Pacific Northwest, cruised Loch Ness, and chased a ghost on a mountain. While he missed Bigfoot and Nessie, he caught the ghost. He enjoys brainstorming new books with his wife, New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann; viewing his son Kilian McMann’s artwork; and watching his daughter, actor Kennedy McMann, on television.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads
Matt’s Top Ten Addictions
1. Walking: My wife and I live in a walkable city in Arizona and our morning walks are a great way to start the day.
2. Quiet: Taking daily time alone to meditate, think, and pray is the cornerstone of my mental, spiritual, and emotional health routine.
3.Tea: I’m a huge fan of black tea and drink it straight in the morning, then with heavy cream and organic Stevia powder in the afternoon.
4. Reality TV: Survivor is a long-time favorite, and The Great British Baking Show is my go-to relax-and-be-happy show.
5. Travel: My wife and I love going to visit our kids and see new places around the US and the world. The southern coast of France is a favorite, and the movie props museum in old town Lyon is a must!
6. My son’s art: Our son Kilian McMann is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. His quirky illustrations and craft beer label designs amaze me!
7. Watching my daughter act: Our daughter Kennedy McMann is an actor, best known for playing Nancy Drew on the CW network show Nancy Drew. Seeing her become a different person on screen is mesmerizing.
8. Pie: Pumpkin is my favorite, followed closely by triple berry. Warmed up with copious amounts of whipped cream is the best!
9. Reading: Fantasy, horror, thrillers, classics, spooky short story collections, adventure, love it all! Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, and Pride & Prejudice are personal favorites.
10. Writing: It may sound cliché, but as someone who started my writing career in my fifties after a twenty-six year music career, being able to write the kinds of spooky mystery adventures I loved as a kid is still a thrill.
Wow, Matt has a very talented family! Music, art, acting, writing… they can do it all! (He doesn’t mention it here, but I found out from his bio and website that his wife is author Lisa McMann.) I just love learning trivia like this about the authors I feature here on FYFA!
I’m super excited to start this series and will feature Matt on my blog too next week. I’m really glad you enjoyed the first two books in the series. It makes me want to read them even more. Loved seeing Matt’s addictions.
Hope you love them!!
Glad the books were fun and spooky. I could see my nephew liking them. I did know Matt and Lisa were married, and I knew about their daughter too – but not their son. That’s so cool they are all very creative people. I love it! 🙂
-Lauren
I thought it was so fun to learn about his ultra-creative family! So much talent!
‘ve been a MONSTERIOUS Series fan for a long time. Therefore, I decided to go to the UK to feel the atmosphere of this adventure. Although I am not in the Middle Ages now, I had a wonderful time: I hired a car at Rental24.co.uk and drove around the famous places of old England.
Ooh, this sounds like a fun series! I also love that the author is a Survivor fan, as I am too. Thanks for sharing this!