Customer Reviews

Time to Smell the Roses: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure (Hermux Tantamoq Adventures)

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Hermux Tantamoq is back in a wonderful new adventure! The watchmaker and occasional detective is busily planning his wedding to the beautiful and adventurous Linka Perflinger when wealthy Androse De Rosenquill summons him to Thorny End to find his estranged son. Meanwhile, amoral cosmetics magnate Tucka Mertslin plots the downfall of her business rival by hiring a brilliant, but lazy and unprincipled scientist. Murderous insects and arachnids, an elusive and combative homeless teenager, the wanton destruction of a garden, and an unindentified body all add to the mystery and suspense, and help this story reach its very satisfying conclusion.

Michael Hoeye has a real gift for creating distinct and memorable characters, including those who make relatively brief appearances, like Thirxen Ghoulter, the taxidermist and part time coroner. The plot moves briskly, and features several elements that made me laugh out loud.

This, his fourth book about Hermux Tantamoq, is a worthy addition to the series. (For the uninitiated, the first three books are Time Stops for No Mouse, The Sands of Time, and No Time Like Show Time.)

Pinchester is a fairly average town --- except all of its residents are rodents, insects and other animals. However, that doesn't mean they don't have their share of trouble. Just ask Hermux Tantamoq. From corporate scandals to town gossip and breathtaking adventures, life in Pinchester and beyond is never boring.

Professional watchmaker and part-time mouse-detective Hermux Tantamoq has his work cut out for him. First, there's his growing business; then the seemingly never-ending plans (and budget) for his impending wedding to adventuress and pilot Linka Perflinger; and now comes the renovation of an historic clock tower for the wealthy Androse deRosenquil of Thorny End.

Meanwhile, cosmetics tycoon Tucka Mertslin is facing a dilemma of her own. How can her company be number one in the market again, after her former partner Reezor Bleesom has launched his own successful fragrance line that consumers can't get enough of? The answer: by hiring his former employee, Dr. Killium Wollar, to help her. Killium considers himself to be a genius and doesn't like hard work, instead preferring to have fun in the form of practical jokes, some of which are quite mean (his "perfume" that Reezor picked as his unique new product cost him his job). However, his creativity is just what Tucka is looking for when she is (not so) pleasantly surprised by his invention dubbed the Luscious Lip-Fix; she's determined to increase her profits as well as destroy Reezor's business by ruining his party. Killium might have the solution if he can just figure out what it is, amidst the frantic matter that threatens his chances of enjoying a wealthy lifestyle.

When Hermux is stung on the nose, he painfully realizes that the offending bee is far from normal. There are more surprises when, during his appointment with Androse deRosenquil, Hermux is impressed by the older squirrel's family rose business but is concerned by Androse's violent outbursts. He meets Androses's daughter Primm and learns of the family's troubled past and Primm's hope of bringing them together again. Hermux takes on the role of detective and discovers that there is indeed more than meets the eye, such as when he meets taxidermist Thirxen Ghoulter, who also happens to be the local coroner with an unusual missing persons case --- a dead squirrel. And just what is going on at the former Institute for Positive Thinking? With help from Linka and talented pet ladybug Terfle, Hermux just might have time to enjoy another cherry-rosehip-peanut cruller.

At first glance, Michael Hoeye's series (which consists of TIME STOPS FOR NO MOUSE, THE SAND OF TIME and NO TIME LIKE SHOW TIME) might seem to be just for younger readers, but because of the engaging writing, unusual characters and sly humor, older audiences will enjoy the Hermux Tantamoq adventures as well. With surprising revelations, mystery and breathtaking action, fans and newcomers alike will enjoy reading TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

Watchmaker and part-time detective Hermux Tantamoq is preparing for his wedding to aviator Linka when he receives a mysterious summons from Androse DeRosenquill. DeRosenquill wants Hermux to find his son Plank who disappeared years ago. Meanwhile the body of a squirrel has washed up on shore covered by bee stings and cosmetic maven Tucka Merslin has hired a shady scientist to create a formula that will kill the rose gardens of her chief perfume rival. Hermux tries to untangle multiple mysteries with the help of Linka, a surly runaway and his pet ladybug Terfle. Much of the fun comes from Hoeye's ability to create a sophisticated world wherein mice and squirrels are artists, businessmen, and criminals. The story is fast paced and exciting as Hermux and Terfle escape from killer bees and vicious spiders. The dialogue is meant to appeal to adults as well as young readers and Tucka is a supremely selfish and vain villainess. My only reservation (and it is a very small one) is I don't know how well these adventures may appeal to younger readers.

A Time to Smell the Roses: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure
I've read all the Hermux Tantamoq books and wish they would make a movie of his adventures. The description is detailed and specific and the adventures are exciting and interesting.
The villainess is devious and willing to do anything to achieve her goals. Herman, his fiance and his pet ladybug get into tight places trying to solve the crime and prevent further disaster.
Maybe I am a child at heart, but I really enjoy Michael Hoeye's books and would love to see them animated on the big screen.

My daughters and I love this author's style. A little mystery, a little romance, fanciful characters. We can't wait for his next installment. We've read them all.