Heir of Mystery 2 (Unlikely Exploits) [Paperback]

Philip Ardagh (Author)

Book Description

Series: Unlikely Exploits

A cross between Dickens and Monty Python, this is the second book in the "Unlikely Explots" trilogy chronicling the adventures of the McNally family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Young Fergal McNally died in The Fall of Fergal (Holt, 2004), and in this sequel, his preserved brain has been stolen and it's up to his siblings to get it back. Unfortunately, this is no easy task as it's being held by the terrifying Mr. Maggs in a dilapidated mansion located in the heart of Fishbone Forest, from which no one has ever emerged alive. Ardagh's meandering narrative, loaded with deadpan humor and macabre details, and the many events and characters will make this entry hard to follow without having read the first book. Excellent black-and-white illustrations add to the book's creepiness.–Heather Ulesoo, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'Ardagh's writing is completely off the wall and steeped in black humour. Destined to win hearts and minds of eager readers.' The Scotsman 'A wacky, playful, entertaining and well-structured tale... My squeamish 10-year-old took all in her stride and pronounced it terrific.' Niall MacMonagle, Irish Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 145 pages
• Publisher: Faber Childrens (April 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571210945
• ISBN-13: 978-0571210947
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,922,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, December 20, 2010

By 

Lauren Roswell (Kansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heir of Mystery: The Second Unlikely Exploit (Unlikely Exploits) (Hardcover)

I love this book and all of the ones in the series. His humor is just awesome. I think he has really changed the way I think a book should be written because he's gone out of the box with this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Horror and black humor blend in this inviting survey, January 3, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heir of Mystery: The Second Unlikely Exploit (Unlikely Exploits) (Hardcover)

Philip Ardagh's Heir Of Mystery is the second "Unlikely Exploit" title but needs no prior familiarity to prove engrossing to newcomers. Fergal McNally's brain resides in a pickling jar in a hospital: it's stolen, and the remaining McNally children are drawn to a mysterious mansion where a dangerous teddy-bear-clutching Mr. Maggs plans on changing the world. Horror and black humor blend in this inviting survey.

5.0 out of 5 stars The New "Villain", September 18, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Heir of Mystery (Unlikely Exploits) (Hardcover)

This book is about the four remaining McNally children trying to find their brother's brain inside the dreaded Fishbone Forest. There, they meet the otherworldly Mr. Maggs. Mr. Maggs was a very odd "being", as told of his unhumanlike teddy-bear-clutching habit and his strange enters and exits. The McNally children saw the horrible death of Mr. Maggs. The McNally has saw another death in their life. Mr. Maggs has, oddly, seem that he was HAPPY to be dying (Which, is that he fell in a huge, deep hole that has not been excepted) and he sang. It's the "Me and my Teddy Bear" song. Which is rather unlikely, isn't it?