Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrills and chills as long-forgotten secrets come to light.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
FESTERGRIMM sees the return of the evil Sebastian Eels to the town of Eerie-on-Sea. And what's worse to Herbie and Violet is that their nemesis is being welcomed like a VIP. Townsfolk are hopeful that Eels' plan to refurbish and reopen the long-forgotten wax museum will bring more tourist dollars to town. But Herbie and Violet know Eels better than that, and determine to find out what he's really up to. As they uncover secrets from long ago, they begin to suspect connections to their own stories. But how can they get to the truth and stop the villain from getting what he so desperately wants?
Is It Any Good?
This fourth installment in the fantasy-mystery series keeps the charm, suspense, and adventure of the first books, along with heaping doses of creepy atmospheres and a spine-tingling legend. Colorful, eccentric townsfolk from the earlier books are back in Festergrimm, and of course the dynamic duo of Herbie and Violet, too. The short chapters with cliffhanger or surprise endings keep the pages turning, and Herbie's quirky, sometimes funny, and always sincere voice make it a great choice for reading aloud.
Big kids and tweens will relate to Herbie and Violet as their friendship grows and they learn to rely on each other's strengths. Hints of an even deeper, darker secret and Herbie's possible connection to it, as well as the growing knowledge that stopping the villain is up to them, will have fans eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and scariness in Festergrimm. When is it sometimes fun to be a little bit scared? What can you do to feel better when you're scared?
How do Herbie and Violet shoe empathy and compassion? What do those mean? How do their curiosity and teamwork help them solve problems, and get out of danger?
Have you read the other books in this series? If you have, which one is your favorite? If you haven't, would you like to now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Tom Booth
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Robots
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Walker Books U.S.
- Publication date : April 25, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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