Boo Humbug (The Boo Series #4) [Hardcover]

Rene Gutteridge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2007

It’s Christmastime in Skary, Indiana, but the holiday season has been hijacked by maverick director Lois Stepaphanopolis as she attempts to bring her horror-ific vision of A Christmas Carol to life. But the holly-decked path from page to stage is a thorny one, as Lois attempts to rally her skeptical cast, including new father Wolfe Boone, and then she learns that her reluctant marketing director, Alfred Tennison, is truly a Christmas Scrooge.

Alfred’s grassroots marketing plan proves more than successful as the buzz builds that Skary should anticipate an overflowing audience for their opening night– but a crucial miscommunication leaves the visiting theatergoers expecting of a very different Christmas production. As chaos ensues, can the actors pull off an improv miracle — and can the Skary community convince their own Scrooge to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Move over Dickens, there’s a new Scrooge in town. Of course, this one may be heading for a straitjacket. With Boo Humbug, Rene Gutteridge serves up a romping good read that alternately had me scratching my head and chuckling. And just when I thought the tale had reached its peak--a surprise ending that delivers the Christmas message with feeling.”
–Tamara Leigh, author of Splitting Harriet


“A touch of eccentric, a measure of Dickens, and a generous dollop of love, and you have the perfect recipe for Christmas. Boo Humbug!”
–DiAnn Mills, When the Nile Runs Red


“What fun!  I enjoyed Boo Humbug from the first page to the last.  With characters that come alive and a storyline full of clever turns, it had me chuckling, cheering, and even reaching for a tissue at the end.  I think I’ll have to start a new Christmas tradition — reading Rene Gutteridge’s Boo Humbug.  I loved it!” 
–Marlo Schalesky, author of 5 books, including Veil of Fire


“Only in Skary, Indiana, would a simple production of The Christmas Carol devolve into a hilarious disaster. With her trademark blend of insight and wit, Rene Gutteridge’s return to Skary is funny, heartwarming, and an absolute delight to read.”
–Melanie Dobson, author of Together for Good and Going for Broke


“In Boo Humbug, Rene Gutteridge and her loveable cast of characters present a story of Christmas unlike any other. Charming, witty, and fun, this tale promises to delight readers for years to come.”
–Diann Hunt, author of fourteen novels, including Be Sweet

About the Author

Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels including Ghost Writer, the Boo series, and the Occupational Hazard novels. She is a published playwright with a degree in screenwriting and a decade of experience writing, directing, and publishing church comedy sketches. Rene is married to Sean, a musician, and is the mother of two. She is a fulltime novelist who lives and writes in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400073537
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073535
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels, including The Boo Series, The Storm Series, and My Life as a Doormat, a Women of Faith selecton for 2006. She has a degree in screenwriting and ten years of experience writing, directing and publishing church comedy sketches. She writes in both comedy and suspense genres, and enjoys meeting other writers and teaching at writers conferences. She is married to Sean, a musician, and lives in Oklahoma City, where she raises her children and works as a full-time novelist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Holiday novella not up to the standards of the rest of series, November 13, 2007

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Boo Humbug (The Boo Series #4) (Hardcover)

Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge is the new holiday book in the ongoing Boo series about former horror writer Wolfe Boone and the denizens of Skary, Indiana. First off, let me say that I love Rene Gutteridge. I've read most of her other books and they are fantastic (read my reviews, I really mean it!). But I was very disappointed in this addition to the series. Wolfe and his wife Ainsley have had their first child, as has his friend Ollie and wife Melba. The two mothers' obsessions with their babies send the men into a ill-conceived version of Dickens' Christmas Carol directed by Lois Stepaphanopolis, one of the town's many kooks. Skary is populated with quirkly, hilarious characters who through their actions teach about the presence and love of God. Gutteridge has used them to great effect in previous titles. But here they move from quirky precious to annoying. Ainsley and Melba are paranoid about their children past humor into psychosis, and I found myself completely sympathizing with Wolfe. Maybe because of the few pages allowed in a novella, the story had to be compressed, but I missed larger appearances by other characters, and if you haven't read the previous books, I think you would be completely lost. Gutteridge pulls it back together for a satisfying conclusion about forgiveness and thankfulness and the true meaning of Christmas.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it takes a village (idiot) to change a classic, September 11, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boo Humbug (The Boo Series #4) (Hardcover)

Encouraged to think outside the box by her theatre teacher Professor Watson, Lois Stepaphanolopolis dreams of a special production of A Christmas Carol for the Skary, Indiana theatre. Her plan is turn the Dickens' classic into a horror thriller.

She writes a play, but everyone involved with the Stepaphanolopolis rendition struggles to understand it; perhaps because several films have adhered to the original classic and those that took some license did not stray anywhere near afar as Lois is pushing. Still the residents of Skary want to rally around their playwright that is if they can comprehend the message of her strange version that has Charles Dickens would haunt Stepaphanolopolis if he could come back from the grave.

Rene Gutteridge's "Boo" tales are some of the best inspirational stories on the market today (see BOO and BOO WHO). The latest winner BOO HUMBUG focuses on the Skary townsfolk rallying in support of Lois although many think her concept is dumb and those who do not for the most part cannot understand what she is doing. Readers will appreciate this fine novel as it takes a village to change a classic.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved Gutteridge's trademark humor, September 17, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boo Humbug (The Boo Series #4) (Hardcover)

In this charming and inspirational novel, Rene Gutteridge makes sure that Christmas will never be the same in Skary, Indiana.

When Lois Stepaphanolopolis comes up with a crazy spin on the familiar Dickens Christmas tale, the citizens of Skary, Indiana had better watch out. She dreams of creating a play that will wow her community and showcase her writing and directing talent. Now all she needs are some actors and promoters.

Alfred Tennison absolutely hates the Christmas season. Can't stand it. Between the lights, carolers and shoppers, he can't seem to escape its cheer. When he gets roped into promoting a Christmas play for the nutty Lois, he believes he's hit rock bottom.

Wolfe Boone feels like the walking dead from helping his wife Ainsley care for their new baby, Abigail. All Wolfe really wants is a decent night's sleep and a change from the never-ending dirty diapers. A friend talks him into a temporary reprieve in the form of Lois' play-he can spend several hours a night relaxing away from home. But Lois' writing leaves something to be desired, and Wolfe isn't sure he can stick it out.

Will these three be able to pull off the Christmas play that the community expects? Can Alfred overcome his past and find the peace he's been looking for? Will Wolfe?

Gutteridge has a great recipe for creating an engaging read. Take one part colorful characters, a dash of humor and witty dialogue, and fold all this into a small town setting that sparkles. Add in a cast of kooky but fun supporting characters, and you'll come up with Boo Humbug, a warmhearted novel full of Christmas cheer.

The spiritual thread in this novel is visible but not preachy. Gutteridge's trademark humor shines and readers will get a kick out of this book.

Armchair Interview says: Highly recommended.