Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Less quirky, darker, more absorbing mystery sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Shadowy, highly trained dogs are attacking London police officers at the full moon, and Darkus Knightley has spotted them sniffing around his house. As Darkus follows the trail into the depths of Hampstead Heath -- a huge, and sometimes wild, park in the middle of London -- he learns that lots of pets have gone missing recently. Rumors start to fly that London has a werewolf on its hands. Helping Darkus follow the scent is Wilbur, a military service dog recently returned from the Middle East. Can Darkus and Wilbur track down the real culprit?
Is It Any Good?
There are still some funny moments, but the series takes a slightly darker turn here. As a sequel that picks up a few months after the events of Knightley and Son, K-9 spends less time establishing interesting and quirky characters. Author Rohan Gavin concentrates more on the eerie atmospherics surrounding a werewolf mystery and on the friendship between Darkus and his canine companion, Wilbur.
The strong writing will keep readers absorbed, and the tight plotting and steady pace will keep the pages turning. The ending will not satisfy all but definitely will keep readers in high anticipation of the next planned installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of mysteries. Why do we enjoy them so much?
Did you know that dogs have been used in battle for centuries? What about dogs makes them so helpful in war? Are they the same qualities that make them good pets?
Have you ever had a pet dog or known someone who has had one? Was the relationship like Daruis and Wilbur's? What was different about it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals , Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloomsbury Children's Books
- Publication date : February 17, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 15
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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