Horton Halfpott

A hero who refuses to step out of line, even though he is employed by the worst sort of people.
A nefarious, wickeder than wicked set of villains.
A bumbling, larger-than-life detective.
Bring them together, and you get a rollicking, delightful mystery story.

From the moment I looked at the cover, I was curious–because Horton Halfpott is just one of three wordy titles. It is Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M’lady Luggertuck’s Corset. I had to read the book!

Arguably, the loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s corset starts the whole story off. A precious heirloom is stolen. A famous detective is summoned. And Horton Halfpott falls in love.

The range of unlikely events coming together in this hilarious book makes it a fun, unpredictable read, bringing to mind writers like Roald Dahl and David Walliams. Brief chapters add pace to the story, and the charming characters draw us in as we attempt to solve one mystery after another. Light, dramatic and full of heart, Horton Halfpott is a book I’m very glad I stumbled upon!