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Monsters
A blackly comic tale about two children you would never want to meet - from the script writer for Killing Eve Season Two and director of Promising Young Woman
Set in the Cornish town of Fowey, all is not as idyllic as the beautiful seaside town might seem. The body of a young woman is discovered in the nets of a fishing boat. It is established that the woman was murdered. Most are shocked and horrified. But there is somebody who is not - a twelve-year-old girl. She is delighted; she loves murders. Soon she is questioning the inhabitants of the town in her own personal investigation. But it is a bit boring on her own. Then Miles Giffard, a similarly odd twelve-year-old boy, arrives in Fowey with his mother, and they start investigating together. Oh, and also playing games that re-enact the murders. Just for fun, you understand...
A book about two twelve-year-olds that is definitely not for kids.
Set in the Cornish town of Fowey, all is not as idyllic as the beautiful seaside town might seem. The body of a young woman is discovered in the nets of a fishing boat. It is established that the woman was murdered. Most are shocked and horrified. But there is somebody who is not - a twelve-year-old girl. She is delighted; she loves murders. Soon she is questioning the inhabitants of the town in her own personal investigation. But it is a bit boring on her own. Then Miles Giffard, a similarly odd twelve-year-old boy, arrives in Fowey with his mother, and they start investigating together. Oh, and also playing games that re-enact the murders. Just for fun, you understand...
A book about two twelve-year-olds that is definitely not for kids.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2015
About the author
Emerald Fennell
6 books286 followersEmerald is a writer and an actress (Call the Midwife, The Crown). She was show-runner for series 2 of Killing Eve, and was the first British woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for directing (Promising Young Woman). She lives in London with a very quiet ghost. She is the daughter of jewelry-designer Theo and author Louise Fennell. Her sister is fashion designer Coco Fennell.
Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2193504/
Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2193504/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
April 23, 2017
"What do two monsters do when they pass each other in the forest? Smile."
Murder mystery meets middle grade. The wittiness of Roald Dahl's children's fiction meets the macabre darkness of Roald Dahl's adult fiction. I highly recommend this!
*4.75/5.
Murder mystery meets middle grade. The wittiness of Roald Dahl's children's fiction meets the macabre darkness of Roald Dahl's adult fiction. I highly recommend this!
*4.75/5.
October 10, 2015
Monsters is a wonderfully unusual read. It has left me with a sort of stunned smile on my face and a teeny weeny sensation of pure horror.
I’m finding it slightly hard to categorise. I guess a ‘darkly comic mystery thriller’ is probably reasonably accurate. Some have referred to it as Young Adult, which I can understand, as the main character is a 12 year old girl, but as someone who isn’t a huge fan of YA, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so deem it perfectly suitable for aging adults like myself.
I found myself reading this, taking things quite seriously, then the next sentence would make me gasp with surprise or smile with humour. I saw a tiny bit of me in the main character early on in the book, so I couldn’t help but smile to myself at some of the things she said.
To give you an idea of her personality and the style this book is written in, here are a couple of quotes:
“My parents got smushed to death in a boating accident when I was nine. Don’t worry - I’m not that sad about it.”
Describing her Granny - “…she lets me sit up with her and watch gory films while she picks the polish off her nails and feeds it to her dog, John. John is permanently at death’s door but never actually hobbles through it.”
I also absolutely loved her description of people. For example - “He is as round and oily as a doughnut, with toasted brown cheeks from standing over the oven.”
I loved the Cornish setting and the variety of quirky characters. Living in Cornwall myself, I related to the community feel of Fowey. It was lovely to see Daphne du Maurier get a mention too.
This book gets darker as you turn the pages, so I wouldn’t recommend this if you fancy a happy read about Cornwall, but I do think it will appeal to those who enjoy dark twisted thrillers, and fancy something a little lighter than their usual read.
I would like to thank the publisher, Bonnier Publishing, Hot Key Books for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m finding it slightly hard to categorise. I guess a ‘darkly comic mystery thriller’ is probably reasonably accurate. Some have referred to it as Young Adult, which I can understand, as the main character is a 12 year old girl, but as someone who isn’t a huge fan of YA, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so deem it perfectly suitable for aging adults like myself.
I found myself reading this, taking things quite seriously, then the next sentence would make me gasp with surprise or smile with humour. I saw a tiny bit of me in the main character early on in the book, so I couldn’t help but smile to myself at some of the things she said.
To give you an idea of her personality and the style this book is written in, here are a couple of quotes:
“My parents got smushed to death in a boating accident when I was nine. Don’t worry - I’m not that sad about it.”
Describing her Granny - “…she lets me sit up with her and watch gory films while she picks the polish off her nails and feeds it to her dog, John. John is permanently at death’s door but never actually hobbles through it.”
I also absolutely loved her description of people. For example - “He is as round and oily as a doughnut, with toasted brown cheeks from standing over the oven.”
I loved the Cornish setting and the variety of quirky characters. Living in Cornwall myself, I related to the community feel of Fowey. It was lovely to see Daphne du Maurier get a mention too.
This book gets darker as you turn the pages, so I wouldn’t recommend this if you fancy a happy read about Cornwall, but I do think it will appeal to those who enjoy dark twisted thrillers, and fancy something a little lighter than their usual read.
I would like to thank the publisher, Bonnier Publishing, Hot Key Books for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2017
This book has to be one of the big surprises of the year for me. I saw it at the library the other day and was drawn to it by it’s quirky cover. By the time I’d got it home and was two chapters in, I knew I’d found something a bit special. Chapter Two, for the record, ends with the following sentence:
Jean doesn’t approve of twelve-year-old girls drinking coffee, but truly, Jean can get fucked.
Monsters is the story of two children who you really wouldn’t want to meet on your summer holidays. The girl (we never get told her name) who narrates the story is an orphan who lives with her Granny and spends every summer in Fowey, Cornwall, with her detestable uncle and quivering aunt. She has a fairly obsessive interest in murder, which tends to disturb most other people and means that she has no friends. Imagine her delight, therefore, when Miles and his mother turn up at her aunt and uncle’s hotel.
Miles is a sociopath, also with an unsavoury interest in murder. He and the girl hit it off immediately and decide to investigate a spate of murders that has just sprung up in Fowey.
If I were to list all the things I loved about this book, it would be a very long, tiresome list and also wouldn’t make much sense because so much of what I enjoyed is taken within the context of the story. Suffice to say that Emerald Fennell manages to make sociopaths sound like a right laugh, ordinary people sound like a bunch of hypocritical wankers and Fowey (which in reality is a beautiful town) sound utterly terrifying.
For me, this book has the Big Three: great plot, great characters and great writing. The plot doesn’t let up for one second: it’s in turn a curious character study and a gruesome murder mystery. Miles and The Girl are terrifying and the narrative itself had me laughing out loud.
Plus, never before has an author made a dead cat sound so amusing. Jerome K Jerome came close with his description of a dead dog floating down the Thames, but Fucko the cat knocks Jerome’s dead dog into a cocked hat (box).
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this book before. Seriously, I can think of absolutely nothing about this book that I would change. The humour is so sly, dry and dark and the plot is so intriguing. Just brilliant.
Recommended for anyone with a taste for very dark comedies.
Jean doesn’t approve of twelve-year-old girls drinking coffee, but truly, Jean can get fucked.
Monsters is the story of two children who you really wouldn’t want to meet on your summer holidays. The girl (we never get told her name) who narrates the story is an orphan who lives with her Granny and spends every summer in Fowey, Cornwall, with her detestable uncle and quivering aunt. She has a fairly obsessive interest in murder, which tends to disturb most other people and means that she has no friends. Imagine her delight, therefore, when Miles and his mother turn up at her aunt and uncle’s hotel.
Miles is a sociopath, also with an unsavoury interest in murder. He and the girl hit it off immediately and decide to investigate a spate of murders that has just sprung up in Fowey.
If I were to list all the things I loved about this book, it would be a very long, tiresome list and also wouldn’t make much sense because so much of what I enjoyed is taken within the context of the story. Suffice to say that Emerald Fennell manages to make sociopaths sound like a right laugh, ordinary people sound like a bunch of hypocritical wankers and Fowey (which in reality is a beautiful town) sound utterly terrifying.
For me, this book has the Big Three: great plot, great characters and great writing. The plot doesn’t let up for one second: it’s in turn a curious character study and a gruesome murder mystery. Miles and The Girl are terrifying and the narrative itself had me laughing out loud.
Plus, never before has an author made a dead cat sound so amusing. Jerome K Jerome came close with his description of a dead dog floating down the Thames, but Fucko the cat knocks Jerome’s dead dog into a cocked hat (box).
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this book before. Seriously, I can think of absolutely nothing about this book that I would change. The humour is so sly, dry and dark and the plot is so intriguing. Just brilliant.
Recommended for anyone with a taste for very dark comedies.
January 13, 2023
This is the story of two teens investigating the recent murders during a summer vacation and their obsession that followed.
Told entirely from the perspective of a 13 year old girl who remains nameless throughout we start to see how her mind works as each body is discovered.
When she teams up with Miles, who is also visiting the town for his holiday, their obsession and fascination with murder grows.
This was ok. Writing from a teen perspective is a tricky business and I didn't feel convinced by this work. Storyline was good, the overall premise was fine but the characters let it all down.
Two stars.
Told entirely from the perspective of a 13 year old girl who remains nameless throughout we start to see how her mind works as each body is discovered.
When she teams up with Miles, who is also visiting the town for his holiday, their obsession and fascination with murder grows.
This was ok. Writing from a teen perspective is a tricky business and I didn't feel convinced by this work. Storyline was good, the overall premise was fine but the characters let it all down.
Two stars.
January 29, 2016
Can I give this book more than 5 stars??? This book is so insanely good and so creepy! PLEASE READ THIS! I highly recommend this!
November 6, 2015
This book has one of the most interesting protagonists I have ever read. It is thrilling and disturbing; exploring the darkest corners of humanity. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2015
YES. Bloody marvellous.
I sort of ended up reading this book by accident and I am so glad I did because it was bloody wonderful.
Monsters by Emerald Fennell was made available to everyone on Hot Key Books’ blogger mailing list when they joined NetGalley recently. I hadn’t heard of it before and so I didn’t really have any plans to read it anytime soon but after finishing Night Film by Marisha Pessl (which was fantastic, but quite a serious book) I was in the mood for something a bit lighter so I decided to take a chance on it. As it turns out it isn’t particularly light at all, – in fact it is pretty grim in places – but it was still a very quick, enjoyable read.
The story follows our nameless 12-year-old narrator who is spending the Summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s hotel in Fowey, Cornwall. A few years before the book starts her parents are killed in a freak accident and she has become obsessed with murder and all things macabre. During her stay the body of a young woman washes up on the beach and naturally she can’t help but get involved. She befriends the molly-coddled son of a hotel guest and together the two (slightly odd) children set out to solve the murders on their own.
I appreciated the fact that we don’t know the main character’s name- presumably a nod to Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca, as Monsters is set in the town where the author lived and she is also mentioned several times. In that book we never find out the name of the narrator and it only added to the mystery and suspense of the novel. I think that Emerald Fennell did a pretty good job of recreating that feeling in Monsters. You never really warm to the girl telling the story and she always feels like a bit of an enigma, which is fitting as it’s often hard to tell if you are supposed to be sympathetic towards her or not.
This book is not for children. Usually when the main characters in a story are 12 years old you would expect that the target reader is a similar age. That is definitely not the case with Monsters, as the sentences are peppered with bad language and the book has some pretty dark undertones.
“Jean doesn’t approve of twelve-year-old girls drinking coffee, but truly, Jean can get fucked.”
Yeah, not really something for the little ones. It’s quite a strange reading experience because the way it is written makes it feel like a children’s book but then the content is far too mature for younger readers. I’d recommend it for older teens and adults- I’m 28 and I loved everything about it. It’s dark and disturbing but it’s also very funny. I found myself smirking to myself at some of the observations the protagonist makes about the people in the village.
“Everyone keeps saying ‘God rest her soul’ every time they talk about the dead woman, especially when they say something rude about her… She was a bit of a trollop (God rest her soul), according to something I overheard in a conversation.”
If you appreciate dark humour and are intrigued by sociopaths and the minds of truly messed up individuals then I really urge you to check out this book. The characters are all despicable but so interesting and well-developed that it doesn’t matter that there isn’t really anyone for you to side with. I didn’t like the protagonist or Miles at all but they were both really fascinating people to read about and quite unlike any that I have come across before. That said, the tone of this book did remind me a little of The Savages by Matt Whyman which I read (and loved!) a few months ago. I’m not sure what it says about me that most of my favourite books are pretty dark!
Overall this was a fantastically creepy read and it deserves every single one of those five stars. Highly recommended!
I sort of ended up reading this book by accident and I am so glad I did because it was bloody wonderful.
Monsters by Emerald Fennell was made available to everyone on Hot Key Books’ blogger mailing list when they joined NetGalley recently. I hadn’t heard of it before and so I didn’t really have any plans to read it anytime soon but after finishing Night Film by Marisha Pessl (which was fantastic, but quite a serious book) I was in the mood for something a bit lighter so I decided to take a chance on it. As it turns out it isn’t particularly light at all, – in fact it is pretty grim in places – but it was still a very quick, enjoyable read.
The story follows our nameless 12-year-old narrator who is spending the Summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s hotel in Fowey, Cornwall. A few years before the book starts her parents are killed in a freak accident and she has become obsessed with murder and all things macabre. During her stay the body of a young woman washes up on the beach and naturally she can’t help but get involved. She befriends the molly-coddled son of a hotel guest and together the two (slightly odd) children set out to solve the murders on their own.
I appreciated the fact that we don’t know the main character’s name- presumably a nod to Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca, as Monsters is set in the town where the author lived and she is also mentioned several times. In that book we never find out the name of the narrator and it only added to the mystery and suspense of the novel. I think that Emerald Fennell did a pretty good job of recreating that feeling in Monsters. You never really warm to the girl telling the story and she always feels like a bit of an enigma, which is fitting as it’s often hard to tell if you are supposed to be sympathetic towards her or not.
This book is not for children. Usually when the main characters in a story are 12 years old you would expect that the target reader is a similar age. That is definitely not the case with Monsters, as the sentences are peppered with bad language and the book has some pretty dark undertones.
“Jean doesn’t approve of twelve-year-old girls drinking coffee, but truly, Jean can get fucked.”
Yeah, not really something for the little ones. It’s quite a strange reading experience because the way it is written makes it feel like a children’s book but then the content is far too mature for younger readers. I’d recommend it for older teens and adults- I’m 28 and I loved everything about it. It’s dark and disturbing but it’s also very funny. I found myself smirking to myself at some of the observations the protagonist makes about the people in the village.
“Everyone keeps saying ‘God rest her soul’ every time they talk about the dead woman, especially when they say something rude about her… She was a bit of a trollop (God rest her soul), according to something I overheard in a conversation.”
If you appreciate dark humour and are intrigued by sociopaths and the minds of truly messed up individuals then I really urge you to check out this book. The characters are all despicable but so interesting and well-developed that it doesn’t matter that there isn’t really anyone for you to side with. I didn’t like the protagonist or Miles at all but they were both really fascinating people to read about and quite unlike any that I have come across before. That said, the tone of this book did remind me a little of The Savages by Matt Whyman which I read (and loved!) a few months ago. I’m not sure what it says about me that most of my favourite books are pretty dark!
Overall this was a fantastically creepy read and it deserves every single one of those five stars. Highly recommended!
July 28, 2017
Very nearly a 5 star! This one genuinely surprised me. Sinister, original, and creepy as shit.
A young adult story centred around a troubled, spiteful child, witnessing a string of murders whilst spending the holidays by the sea with her aunt and uncle. This book is hard to categorise as although I guess it's aimed at older children, it's almost adult in its execution.
I really enjoyed the writing. The fact that such disturbing things are thought of by a young girl, but are written about so nonchalantly, really worked in this books favour. The characterisation of our protagonist was very well done. Her relationship with Miles - a similarly troubled boy of the same age - added a whole lot more depth to the already eerie narrative.
Honestly, even though I was enjoying the story, I thought I had the mystery all figured out - but the twist at the end was a good one. Having said that however, I still feel like the ending was wrapped up far too quickly, it felt rushed and could have been developed a little more for greater impact.
Especially loved the quiet English seaside setting, and pleasantly surprised by this read regardless!
A young adult story centred around a troubled, spiteful child, witnessing a string of murders whilst spending the holidays by the sea with her aunt and uncle. This book is hard to categorise as although I guess it's aimed at older children, it's almost adult in its execution.
I really enjoyed the writing. The fact that such disturbing things are thought of by a young girl, but are written about so nonchalantly, really worked in this books favour. The characterisation of our protagonist was very well done. Her relationship with Miles - a similarly troubled boy of the same age - added a whole lot more depth to the already eerie narrative.
Honestly, even though I was enjoying the story, I thought I had the mystery all figured out - but the twist at the end was a good one. Having said that however, I still feel like the ending was wrapped up far too quickly, it felt rushed and could have been developed a little more for greater impact.
Especially loved the quiet English seaside setting, and pleasantly surprised by this read regardless!
January 26, 2016
I'm sorry to say, I really, really didn't like this book. It reminded me of how I felt reading the first 80 pages of 'The Wasp Factory', before I got too grossed out to carry on. Not for me, but if you're looking for something gritty and slightly mentally scarring, look no further than 'Monsters'.
(I love Emerald Fennell, though.)
(I love Emerald Fennell, though.)
January 30, 2018
Maybe I just don’t get it, but I did not like this book. When I bought it, I expected something like ‘Flavia de Luce’…a teenager who solves crimes but what I got was something completely different: a story about two very disturbed and morbid kids! So sorry to say that neither story nor characters appealed to me and to be honest, I was glad when the last page of this novel was read!
March 21, 2024
'I felt a bit dizzy, but I couldn’t stop looking. It was even more gruesome than the Ripper girl with her guts pulled out.'
‘And we all know what happens to little crabs who get caught, don’t we? They get their claws twisted off.’
3.5 🦀🦀🦀
‘And we all know what happens to little crabs who get caught, don’t we? They get their claws twisted off.’
3.5 🦀🦀🦀
October 26, 2016
Since her parents died in a boating accident the (unnamed) narrator has been living with her Granny, but every summer, she is sent to her aunt and uncle who own a hotel in a small town in Cornwall.
She has sleeping problems:
One day a thirteen-year-old boy named Miles arrives at the hotel. Superficially, the two couldn't be more different. She has short cropped hair, like a boy, whereas he has shoulder-length hair, 'like Goldilocks'. She is pretty much left to her own devices, while he is being mollycoddled by his overprotective mum. But they soon discover they have a shared interest in true crime and grisly things in general.
It soon becomes clear to the reader, if not to the smitten narrator, that Miles is a bit of a sociopath. Also, after the hilarious dark humour of the first chapters some truly dark themes begin to emerge, which give a whole new meaning to a few throwaway remarks earlier.
On the whole, I thought the book was great, but I was unhappy with the ending, because apart from 'whodunnit', nothing is really resolved. I was left with several questions I would have liked to see answered. I'm not sure if this can even be called YA.
She has sleeping problems:
Sometimes I'm so tired I can barely move or think straight. But it gets better after I've had a couple of strong coffees from the buffet. Jean doesn't approve of twelve-year-old girls drinking coffee, but truly, Jean can get fucked. (p. 26)The blurb on my edition says 'Two children you would never want to meet' but I don't think that's being fair on the narrator. Yes, her language can be crude, and yes, she holds little respect for the grown-ups around her. But I really can't blame her. The adults are at best ineffectual and at worst sadistic creeps.
One day a thirteen-year-old boy named Miles arrives at the hotel. Superficially, the two couldn't be more different. She has short cropped hair, like a boy, whereas he has shoulder-length hair, 'like Goldilocks'. She is pretty much left to her own devices, while he is being mollycoddled by his overprotective mum. But they soon discover they have a shared interest in true crime and grisly things in general.
'My parents got chopped up by a ship propeller.'And so a friendship forms. Together they start investigating the murders of a couple of young women, and also play games such as re-enacting the murders.
'Cool.'
It soon becomes clear to the reader, if not to the smitten narrator, that Miles is a bit of a sociopath. Also, after the hilarious dark humour of the first chapters some truly dark themes begin to emerge, which give a whole new meaning to a few throwaway remarks earlier.
On the whole, I thought the book was great, but I was unhappy with the ending, because apart from 'whodunnit', nothing is really resolved. I was left with several questions I would have liked to see answered. I'm not sure if this can even be called YA.
August 23, 2015
Is this a story of two budding sociopaths or just a couple of kids with an interest in the macabre? That’s up to you to decide. I thought Miles showed more signs of sociopathy than the narrator (I apologise if she has a name but I can’t for the life of me remember it). The fact that the narrator hasn’t the same social constraints as the adults, and shares some of her less savoury thoughts, means the pages are scattered with a dark humour.
The story feels as if it’s from a different era. I think sometimes seaside tourist towns can seem trapped in the past, but there’s a clear lack of internet and mobile communication going on. It harks back to the days when children had to make their own entertainment over the summer. It helps that there is a real drama here, but you can imagine it as a game they would make up. Indeed, Miles does invent a rather disturbing game of Murder where our narrator must play the victim. However it does need to at least be in the late nineties as The Lost Gardens of Heligan are no longer lost.
If you need to like the characters in order to enjoy a book, you might want to pass on this one. However I had a lot of sympathy for the narrator. It didn’t sound like her parents had a lot of time for her when they were alive and now she is a victim of abuse. My heart bled for her when her period starts and no one has ever really told her about it. At times I felt the monsters weren’t the children but the people around them.
Some of the people of the town come across a bit caricature like but it kind of adds to the charm. The styles is a little like that of a “cosy crime” mystery even if the main characters aren’t all that cosy. I’ve seen a few reviews saying it’s not for younger readers but I loved Point Horror as a pre-teen and I don’t think this is any grizzlier, though perhaps better written!
Review copy provided by publisher.
The story feels as if it’s from a different era. I think sometimes seaside tourist towns can seem trapped in the past, but there’s a clear lack of internet and mobile communication going on. It harks back to the days when children had to make their own entertainment over the summer. It helps that there is a real drama here, but you can imagine it as a game they would make up. Indeed, Miles does invent a rather disturbing game of Murder where our narrator must play the victim. However it does need to at least be in the late nineties as The Lost Gardens of Heligan are no longer lost.
If you need to like the characters in order to enjoy a book, you might want to pass on this one. However I had a lot of sympathy for the narrator. It didn’t sound like her parents had a lot of time for her when they were alive and now she is a victim of abuse. My heart bled for her when her period starts and no one has ever really told her about it. At times I felt the monsters weren’t the children but the people around them.
Some of the people of the town come across a bit caricature like but it kind of adds to the charm. The styles is a little like that of a “cosy crime” mystery even if the main characters aren’t all that cosy. I’ve seen a few reviews saying it’s not for younger readers but I loved Point Horror as a pre-teen and I don’t think this is any grizzlier, though perhaps better written!
Review copy provided by publisher.
September 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is described as darkly comic. It is certainly dark. It is not comic. The first few chapters were entertaining, and I thought I was going to enjoy it, but as it progressed I found it more and more disturbing. I'm really not sure who this book is for. The main protagonist is age 12 but it certainly isn't for that age group, despite the retro cover reminiscent of Enid Blyton type books. Fundamentally my concern is this: the main character is a vulnerable and lonely 12 year old girl who subjected to what can only be described as abuse, as is her aunt - that isn't a comic subject. Animals are killed, as well as people. None of the characters are likeable. The themes are similar to We Need to Talk About Kevin, but at least the disturbing subject matter of that book was clear. Judging by the positive reviews perhaps this simply wasn't for me, but I'm surprised that it hasn't caused more concern. My least favourite book for quite some time, misjudged and unsettling,
but it was well written.
This book is described as darkly comic. It is certainly dark. It is not comic. The first few chapters were entertaining, and I thought I was going to enjoy it, but as it progressed I found it more and more disturbing. I'm really not sure who this book is for. The main protagonist is age 12 but it certainly isn't for that age group, despite the retro cover reminiscent of Enid Blyton type books. Fundamentally my concern is this: the main character is a vulnerable and lonely 12 year old girl who subjected to what can only be described as abuse, as is her aunt - that isn't a comic subject. Animals are killed, as well as people. None of the characters are likeable. The themes are similar to We Need to Talk About Kevin, but at least the disturbing subject matter of that book was clear. Judging by the positive reviews perhaps this simply wasn't for me, but I'm surprised that it hasn't caused more concern. My least favourite book for quite some time, misjudged and unsettling,
but it was well written.
August 16, 2016
Written like a children's book, looks like a children's book, definitely not a children's book.
March 28, 2023
My favourite level of f’d - up!
September 29, 2018
I didn’t know what to expect from Monsters when I started it. I’ve had it on my review pile for a while.
I loved the setting of Fowey. I imagined the quintessential seaside town with the little independent boutique shops and local museums. I loved the idea of Mr Queen’s sweetshop, I could feel my poor teeth rotting at the thought of it! But this little unassuming coastal town is packed with rather interesting characters from the mayor down to the local business people and beyond.
The main character is slightly disturbing, an unusual outlook on life. Even from an early age, she perturbed me, whether this is her actual nature or her way of getting her parents’ attention.
“Everyone is always describing me as ‘peculiar’”
I was intrigued who was the killer but this isn’t really about the investigation, it’s about how murders in a seaside town affects the town and our protagonist. And it’s about this odd young lady finding possibly the one person her age who gets her. Many of the characters are shocked how interested the children are in the murders but I wasn’t much older when I developed my fascination for true crime which has dwindled over the years and my love for adult crime fiction has grown.
I wasn’t entirely sure who this book is aimed at. The main characters are two 12/13 year olds but the writing isn’t what I’d expect for a book aimed at that age or possibly even as a YA book. It’s a strange book. There isn’t a pace to this tale, there isn’t blood and gore but that didn’t seem to matter, I kept clicking through the pages to the end.
I loved the setting of Fowey. I imagined the quintessential seaside town with the little independent boutique shops and local museums. I loved the idea of Mr Queen’s sweetshop, I could feel my poor teeth rotting at the thought of it! But this little unassuming coastal town is packed with rather interesting characters from the mayor down to the local business people and beyond.
The main character is slightly disturbing, an unusual outlook on life. Even from an early age, she perturbed me, whether this is her actual nature or her way of getting her parents’ attention.
“Everyone is always describing me as ‘peculiar’”
I was intrigued who was the killer but this isn’t really about the investigation, it’s about how murders in a seaside town affects the town and our protagonist. And it’s about this odd young lady finding possibly the one person her age who gets her. Many of the characters are shocked how interested the children are in the murders but I wasn’t much older when I developed my fascination for true crime which has dwindled over the years and my love for adult crime fiction has grown.
I wasn’t entirely sure who this book is aimed at. The main characters are two 12/13 year olds but the writing isn’t what I’d expect for a book aimed at that age or possibly even as a YA book. It’s a strange book. There isn’t a pace to this tale, there isn’t blood and gore but that didn’t seem to matter, I kept clicking through the pages to the end.
March 1, 2024
okay well that was weird
July 15, 2023
I loved this. It's the little cousin of Bones & All. In that book, it was unhinged teenagers, in this one, it's unhinged children. A mix of small town mystery, macabre happenings and two children that are a little psychotic. Short chapters, fascinating main character, fun to read. Definitely one of those books that I wanted to pick up again when I had to put them down for some time.
tw/cw: death, murder, animal cruelty, manipulation, gaslighting, domestic abuse, emotional abuse
tw/cw: death, murder, animal cruelty, manipulation, gaslighting, domestic abuse, emotional abuse
April 16, 2022
So that certainly is monstrous. Not sure what Du Maurier would think of this Fowey.
But she would applaud the cleverness of the reader never knowing Miss Protag's name. Rebecca has this, by using protag's married name Mrs Weston. In the Skin of a Monster uses 2nd person POV. A few of my fav books with my fav literary device. Emerald Fennell does it the best I've ever read. Our protagonist deserves so much more than no one ever using her name. She is not a monster.
But she would applaud the cleverness of the reader never knowing Miss Protag's name. Rebecca has this, by using protag's married name Mrs Weston. In the Skin of a Monster uses 2nd person POV. A few of my fav books with my fav literary device. Emerald Fennell does it the best I've ever read. Our protagonist deserves so much more than no one ever using her name. She is not a monster.
September 6, 2017
Zwei Fast-Teenager verbringen ihren Sommer in einem beschaulichen Küstenort, der plötzlich Tatort mehrerer Morde wird. Doch kein Grund Angst zu bekommen, die beiden leiten lieber die Ermittlungen ein.
In Monsters wird zwar niemand offiziell diagnostiziert, aber für mich sind die beiden 13-jährigen Protagonisten definitiv kleine Soziopathen. Auf den ersten Blick wirken sie nur ein wenig makaber, so wie man sich Tim Burton vielleicht als Kind vorstellt, mit einer Vorliebe für berühmte Morde und einem Hang zum Morbiden. Immer wieder gibt es aber Szenen, in denen alles einen Schritt zu weit geht. In einem Nebensatz werden da Gedanken oder Handlungen geschildert, die einen beinahe nicht schockieren, weil sie so banal dahin erzählt werden. Wer beim Lesen aufpasst, dem weiten sich hier und da vor Schreck die Augen. Dabei war ich stets hin- und hergerissen, denn manchmal habe ich Mitleid für die Protagonistin empfunden, weil sie von grauenhaften (und liebenswerten, aber feigen) Erwachsenen umgeben ist und ihr viel Schlimmes widerfährt. In anderen Szenen hat mich ihr Verhalten schnell wieder an diesem Mitgefühl zweifeln lassen. Am Ende werden die Morde schließlich ziemlich überstürzt aufgeklärt. Die Auflösung war mir zwar zu platt, aber der endgültige Ausgang der Geschichte konnte mich ganz gut darüber hinwegtrösten.
Die Geschichte verbreitet fast unbemerkt eine unangenehme Atmosphäre des Grauens und lässt die Leserin oft zwischen Mitleid und abgrundtiefem Misstrauen den Figuren gegenüber schwanken. So oder so entsteht dabei eine widerwillige Faszination. Definitiv mal was ganz anderes.
In Monsters wird zwar niemand offiziell diagnostiziert, aber für mich sind die beiden 13-jährigen Protagonisten definitiv kleine Soziopathen. Auf den ersten Blick wirken sie nur ein wenig makaber, so wie man sich Tim Burton vielleicht als Kind vorstellt, mit einer Vorliebe für berühmte Morde und einem Hang zum Morbiden. Immer wieder gibt es aber Szenen, in denen alles einen Schritt zu weit geht. In einem Nebensatz werden da Gedanken oder Handlungen geschildert, die einen beinahe nicht schockieren, weil sie so banal dahin erzählt werden. Wer beim Lesen aufpasst, dem weiten sich hier und da vor Schreck die Augen. Dabei war ich stets hin- und hergerissen, denn manchmal habe ich Mitleid für die Protagonistin empfunden, weil sie von grauenhaften (und liebenswerten, aber feigen) Erwachsenen umgeben ist und ihr viel Schlimmes widerfährt. In anderen Szenen hat mich ihr Verhalten schnell wieder an diesem Mitgefühl zweifeln lassen. Am Ende werden die Morde schließlich ziemlich überstürzt aufgeklärt. Die Auflösung war mir zwar zu platt, aber der endgültige Ausgang der Geschichte konnte mich ganz gut darüber hinwegtrösten.
Die Geschichte verbreitet fast unbemerkt eine unangenehme Atmosphäre des Grauens und lässt die Leserin oft zwischen Mitleid und abgrundtiefem Misstrauen den Figuren gegenüber schwanken. So oder so entsteht dabei eine widerwillige Faszination. Definitiv mal was ganz anderes.
September 2, 2015
This review was written for The Review Diaries
You can read the full review here
Thanks to Netgalley and Hot Key Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
The blurb intrigued me, but sadly it seemed to vastly over-estimate the comedy in this book. It wasn’t a dark comic tale, it was just dark. And twisted. And quite frankly horrific in places.
I am obviously not the intended audience, but with characters that have no redeeming qualities and aren’t even remotely likeable I’m struggling to work out who the intended audience might be. It’s most definitely not a story for children, but the voice (despite intended to be a thirteen year old girl) comes across as that of an eight year old, so it’s not quite the right fit for adults either.
As I said the characters have no redeeming qualities. They’re dark and twisted and horrible. The subject matter tackled is at times utterly horrific. Trigger warnings for rape, sexual abuse, paedophilia, emotionally and physically abusive relationships and death. All things that are good to see tackled in fiction, but not in this throwaway fashion. The handling of the subject material was what I objected to most and I ended up feeling physically ill at several points in the book.
Why did I keep reading you ask? Well a) it was a short book, b) I had some vague hope of a good ending (spoiler alert, it’s not satisfying in the slightest) and c) it was kind of like watching a car accident, or when you accidentally start watching a horror movie and you can’t turn it off.
The writing is good though, which is a strange contrast to the subject matter. So if nothing else, it is definitely well written, it just really was not the book for me. It’s not one I would recommend, and I had to scrub my brain clean with another book before even attempting to sleep after finishing this one.
You can read the full review here
Thanks to Netgalley and Hot Key Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
The blurb intrigued me, but sadly it seemed to vastly over-estimate the comedy in this book. It wasn’t a dark comic tale, it was just dark. And twisted. And quite frankly horrific in places.
I am obviously not the intended audience, but with characters that have no redeeming qualities and aren’t even remotely likeable I’m struggling to work out who the intended audience might be. It’s most definitely not a story for children, but the voice (despite intended to be a thirteen year old girl) comes across as that of an eight year old, so it’s not quite the right fit for adults either.
As I said the characters have no redeeming qualities. They’re dark and twisted and horrible. The subject matter tackled is at times utterly horrific. Trigger warnings for rape, sexual abuse, paedophilia, emotionally and physically abusive relationships and death. All things that are good to see tackled in fiction, but not in this throwaway fashion. The handling of the subject material was what I objected to most and I ended up feeling physically ill at several points in the book.
Why did I keep reading you ask? Well a) it was a short book, b) I had some vague hope of a good ending (spoiler alert, it’s not satisfying in the slightest) and c) it was kind of like watching a car accident, or when you accidentally start watching a horror movie and you can’t turn it off.
The writing is good though, which is a strange contrast to the subject matter. So if nothing else, it is definitely well written, it just really was not the book for me. It’s not one I would recommend, and I had to scrub my brain clean with another book before even attempting to sleep after finishing this one.
September 23, 2015
Ten Second Synopsis:
A loner girl with an interest in murderers meets a loner boy with a similar interest in the macabre. Together they half-hearted lay attempt to solve the mystery of multiple murders in a seaside town, while surrounded by creeps of all persuasions.
Monsters gives you exactly what it says on the tin: Murderous minors, suspect elders and some seriously twisted behaviour. The unnamed young narrator is reasonably unlikeable – although as the story progressed I did gain a smidgeon of sympathy for her – and her new friend Miles is one of those kids that you would definitely NOT want to have to sit next to at school (even if he wasn’t homeschooled). The tone is very matter-of-fact and the tale baldly told which suits the highly suspicious goings-on perfectly. Contrary to what you might expect from the blurb, there isn’t a great deal of gore and blood-splatter here, but there is definitely an undercurrent of mind*uckery. The ending also hit me for six – it was unexpected and quite fitting, to say the least.
There are references to sex, abuse, violence and even some quite ribald language, so this is not a book aimed at a middle grade audience. Similarly, if you don’t like seeing animals harmed in books (never mind about the people), there are some parts of this story you will need to avoid.
I had been anticipating Monster’s release since I first heard about it, way back when it didn’t even have a cover. I can’t say that this is a book I “enjoyed” – it was too uncomfortable a read for that – but I was certainly impressed with this change in direction from Fennell’s earlier works. It reminded me a lot of Rotters by Daniel Kraus, a book that was similarly creepy and stomach-churning, with elements that made it highly memorable and compelling, if not necessarily agreeable to a tender constitution. I will be hugely interested to see what else Fennell comes out with if Monsters and the Shiverton Hall books are any indicator of her talent.
A loner girl with an interest in murderers meets a loner boy with a similar interest in the macabre. Together they half-hearted lay attempt to solve the mystery of multiple murders in a seaside town, while surrounded by creeps of all persuasions.
Monsters gives you exactly what it says on the tin: Murderous minors, suspect elders and some seriously twisted behaviour. The unnamed young narrator is reasonably unlikeable – although as the story progressed I did gain a smidgeon of sympathy for her – and her new friend Miles is one of those kids that you would definitely NOT want to have to sit next to at school (even if he wasn’t homeschooled). The tone is very matter-of-fact and the tale baldly told which suits the highly suspicious goings-on perfectly. Contrary to what you might expect from the blurb, there isn’t a great deal of gore and blood-splatter here, but there is definitely an undercurrent of mind*uckery. The ending also hit me for six – it was unexpected and quite fitting, to say the least.
There are references to sex, abuse, violence and even some quite ribald language, so this is not a book aimed at a middle grade audience. Similarly, if you don’t like seeing animals harmed in books (never mind about the people), there are some parts of this story you will need to avoid.
I had been anticipating Monster’s release since I first heard about it, way back when it didn’t even have a cover. I can’t say that this is a book I “enjoyed” – it was too uncomfortable a read for that – but I was certainly impressed with this change in direction from Fennell’s earlier works. It reminded me a lot of Rotters by Daniel Kraus, a book that was similarly creepy and stomach-churning, with elements that made it highly memorable and compelling, if not necessarily agreeable to a tender constitution. I will be hugely interested to see what else Fennell comes out with if Monsters and the Shiverton Hall books are any indicator of her talent.
October 17, 2015
Monsters is a young adults book but is also a great read for adults.
I have to say I found Monsters a very surprising read. In a good way.
As the story is told from the point of view of a 12 year old girl and as an adult, some parts actually shocked me but yet had me laughing as I just loved how blunt she was. Having lost her parents, she doesn't hold anything back when she tells people how they died.
I don't actually remember seeing the girls name mentioned once in the story, which is quite bizarre but nether the less I was really drawn to how different she is from many children her age. Saying that Miles the boy she meets and makes friends with is just as strange. They both have a fascination with murder and death and decide to try and solve the recent murder themselves.
The story to a certain extent reminded me of the famous five but darker, way much darker.
This novel is such a good read and I really hope the author writes another book with the girl and Miles in as it left me with so many questions, as by the end, there is something very dark and to be honest bordering on evil about Miles and there is certainly a lot more to his character that needs to be known.
Monsters really is an enjoyable read which will shock you, yet have you smiling.
Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say I found Monsters a very surprising read. In a good way.
As the story is told from the point of view of a 12 year old girl and as an adult, some parts actually shocked me but yet had me laughing as I just loved how blunt she was. Having lost her parents, she doesn't hold anything back when she tells people how they died.
I don't actually remember seeing the girls name mentioned once in the story, which is quite bizarre but nether the less I was really drawn to how different she is from many children her age. Saying that Miles the boy she meets and makes friends with is just as strange. They both have a fascination with murder and death and decide to try and solve the recent murder themselves.
The story to a certain extent reminded me of the famous five but darker, way much darker.
This novel is such a good read and I really hope the author writes another book with the girl and Miles in as it left me with so many questions, as by the end, there is something very dark and to be honest bordering on evil about Miles and there is certainly a lot more to his character that needs to be known.
Monsters really is an enjoyable read which will shock you, yet have you smiling.
Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2017
A great read, even if the ending felt a little unrealistic and rushed.
July 30, 2016
You can see the full review at Chocolate Chunky Munkie blog
My, what a dark and intriguing book this was. Loved the narration through the eyes of the girl who is 12 year old. It had the most darkly comical moments, I just had to finish this to see where the story was going to end, and find out who had committed these murders. I was not disappointed!
I'm not going to delve into the plot too much as I just don't want to spoil anything about this gem of a book. It makes you forget just how old these two twelve year old children are, as you see the world through the eyes of curious, yet sociopathic children. How the minds unfold with the morbid curiosity of the murders going on around them.
The way the fishing town, characters and surrounds are described are just the right amount of detail. I'm usually put off by flowery and poetic books, I love to feel my way around a book without having too much described in a way that puts me off the plot. There was a great feel to this book and it was full of colourful characters.
Clearly this is not a book for young readers, as it does contain some adult themes and murder.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more. She draws you in and then gives a totally unexpected and wonderful ending. I'm still thinking about the story and the characters days on from reading this book. I'm sure if I read this again I would notice more and more about the behaviour and characteristics of the characters.
Overall: This was such a good darkly, twisty and comical book. I've not read anything quite like this.
My Thoughts on the cover: Yes it does capture elements of the book, however I can't say I'm so keen on it.
Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review
My, what a dark and intriguing book this was. Loved the narration through the eyes of the girl who is 12 year old. It had the most darkly comical moments, I just had to finish this to see where the story was going to end, and find out who had committed these murders. I was not disappointed!
I'm not going to delve into the plot too much as I just don't want to spoil anything about this gem of a book. It makes you forget just how old these two twelve year old children are, as you see the world through the eyes of curious, yet sociopathic children. How the minds unfold with the morbid curiosity of the murders going on around them.
The way the fishing town, characters and surrounds are described are just the right amount of detail. I'm usually put off by flowery and poetic books, I love to feel my way around a book without having too much described in a way that puts me off the plot. There was a great feel to this book and it was full of colourful characters.
Clearly this is not a book for young readers, as it does contain some adult themes and murder.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more. She draws you in and then gives a totally unexpected and wonderful ending. I'm still thinking about the story and the characters days on from reading this book. I'm sure if I read this again I would notice more and more about the behaviour and characteristics of the characters.
Overall: This was such a good darkly, twisty and comical book. I've not read anything quite like this.
My Thoughts on the cover: Yes it does capture elements of the book, however I can't say I'm so keen on it.
Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review
September 6, 2016
Well, safe to say I adored this book! Absolutely not for children though. It was dark and twisted and therefore highly appealing to my own slightly twisted mind.
Right from the first quote before the story, I was intrigued 'What do two monsters do when they pass each other in the forest? Smile' It set the entire tone for this one, and throughout the book I couldn't help remembering it. There are monsters within!
While the protagonists are young, this didn't detract from the story at all. I rarely connect with a 12 year old, but this unnamed girl was mesmerizing. I admit, I read far too much crime fiction myself, and I was around 12 when I started it. I didn't develop this crazed obsession though! I don't want to spoil a single thing in this review, because this book needs to be read, so everyone can enjoy it.
My one regret is that it sat so long on my to-read pile, I should have read it the day I bought it. Beyond brilliant in a terrifying way, five stars!
Right from the first quote before the story, I was intrigued 'What do two monsters do when they pass each other in the forest? Smile' It set the entire tone for this one, and throughout the book I couldn't help remembering it. There are monsters within!
While the protagonists are young, this didn't detract from the story at all. I rarely connect with a 12 year old, but this unnamed girl was mesmerizing. I admit, I read far too much crime fiction myself, and I was around 12 when I started it. I didn't develop this crazed obsession though! I don't want to spoil a single thing in this review, because this book needs to be read, so everyone can enjoy it.
My one regret is that it sat so long on my to-read pile, I should have read it the day I bought it. Beyond brilliant in a terrifying way, five stars!
September 26, 2016
This was one hell of a page turner. It starts with a great hook that established the main character really well. The whole murder mystery/detective thing was great and the ending went where I thought it was going but ended on a note I didn't quite expect. I really enjoyed it.
It's dark, showing a side of people they usually like to keep hidden, what they get up to behind closed doors. Despite the main character's obvious apathy toward anyone but Miles, you do come to feel sorry for her and understand her motivations. Though it doesn't mean you have to like her. You don't need to like anyone and I have a feeling that might be one of the main reasons I appreciated it.
There is more depth to this story than meets the eye and more going on than is immediately visible. Definitely recommended for anyone who doesn't mind a murder mystery told from the perspective of a 12-year-old who has many of her own problems.
It's dark, showing a side of people they usually like to keep hidden, what they get up to behind closed doors. Despite the main character's obvious apathy toward anyone but Miles, you do come to feel sorry for her and understand her motivations. Though it doesn't mean you have to like her. You don't need to like anyone and I have a feeling that might be one of the main reasons I appreciated it.
There is more depth to this story than meets the eye and more going on than is immediately visible. Definitely recommended for anyone who doesn't mind a murder mystery told from the perspective of a 12-year-old who has many of her own problems.
May 1, 2024
it's giving penance on a budget
▪️i bought this one solely because it was written by the director of saltburn so i thought this could have the potential to be a quirky weird read, but it just gave i'm not like other girls energy
▪️the protagonist is a 12 year old girl, but the themes covered range from pedophilia to murder, and therefore i'm still confused as to who the intended audience for this book is?
▪️the whole thing felt unnecessary grotesque and desensitised to the topics at hand and whilst i do understand this was supposed to be a 'comical' take, it just felt uncomfortable and i just can't get behind the previously mentioned topics being used for comedic purposes, especially in the voice of a child?
weird concept and even weirder execution
▪️i bought this one solely because it was written by the director of saltburn so i thought this could have the potential to be a quirky weird read, but it just gave i'm not like other girls energy
▪️the protagonist is a 12 year old girl, but the themes covered range from pedophilia to murder, and therefore i'm still confused as to who the intended audience for this book is?
▪️the whole thing felt unnecessary grotesque and desensitised to the topics at hand and whilst i do understand this was supposed to be a 'comical' take, it just felt uncomfortable and i just can't get behind the previously mentioned topics being used for comedic purposes, especially in the voice of a child?
weird concept and even weirder execution
August 4, 2024
3.5 stars
This reads like a Roald Dahl book but for “grown ups.” Quirky characters, quip dialogue. I totally believe it is told from a pre teens mind.
So many wonderful elements. I do think though, the problem I had with Saltburn too, also by Fennel, is that some moments are meant to shock, and it’s not subtle at all, that it comes across as the author trying too hard, and I think with all the bad things that happen, I would have liked some resolution for our MC. You can tell she has a heart. Miles is just vile. I enjoyed the contrast of their character and what it meant for the MC, her longing for acceptance anywhere!
Well worth the read.
This reads like a Roald Dahl book but for “grown ups.” Quirky characters, quip dialogue. I totally believe it is told from a pre teens mind.
So many wonderful elements. I do think though, the problem I had with Saltburn too, also by Fennel, is that some moments are meant to shock, and it’s not subtle at all, that it comes across as the author trying too hard, and I think with all the bad things that happen, I would have liked some resolution for our MC. You can tell she has a heart. Miles is just vile. I enjoyed the contrast of their character and what it meant for the MC, her longing for acceptance anywhere!
Well worth the read.
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