Book Review: The Legend of Ghost Dog Island by Rita Monette
Behind every legend lies the truth…
About The Legend of Ghost Dog Island:
Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crabbing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels something is watching her from a nearby island.
Nikki learns of a local legend about something sinister inhabiting those swamps, stealing the souls of dogs…which would explain the strange howling sounds. Papa reassures her there’s nothing on the island but gators and snakes. He should know. He’s spent his whole life trapping and fishing those bayous and swamps…But maybe there’s something Papa doesn’t know.
Nikki and her new friends begin to uncover strange happenings from years ago that may have started the old legend…and town folks aren’t talking.
Then her beloved beagle goes missing.
Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the real truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island…before it’s too late.
Book Details:
Title: The Legend of Ghost Dog Island
Author Name: Rita Monette
Series: Nikki Landry Swamp Legends #1
Genre(s): Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery
Tags: Adventure, mystery, middle grade, louisiana, bayou, dogs
Length: Approx. 204 pages
E-book: 978-1-987976-00-7
Paperback: 978-0-9947490-9-3
Re-Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Mirror World Publishing
Book Review: The Legend of Ghost Dog Island by Rita Monette
The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is the story of ten year old Nikki Landry who has just shifted to a mysterious bayou full of tales of a mysterious werewolf and the unknown but very frightening howling sound that pierces the calm often here. Intrigued by the stories but also afraid, Nikki is trying to adjust to a new place when her beloved dog goes missing. Determined to find him, she will have to uncover the truth about the myths of the Ghost Dog Island first!
Is there really something mysterious and dangerous out there?
Are the myths true?
Where is her beloved beagle?
Can she find it before it’s too late?
This book reminded me of Enid Blyton’s mysteries that I really loved as a child and do even today. The cover and title is reminiscent of those old childhood favourites and because of this, I got attracted towards the book initially. Then the blurb had me captivated and eager to read the book!
This is my first book by Rita Monette and I loved her writing. She describes the bayou in a lively yet mysterious light and had me visualizing the eerie sounds and atmosphere there. The culture and lifestyle of people in 1950s who spoke Cajun French was a novelty to me and I thoroughly enjoyed their language, the intricate details about their lives in 1950s (time span in which the story is set) and salivated over the delicious sounding food. The author has included a glossary telling us about some Cajun French words and I loved knowing about a new language.
The characterization is reminiscent of the Famous Five, Secret Seven and other Blyton’s bestselling mysteries. I loved Nikki. She is strong, inquisitive, daring, loyal and yet has the innocence I loved in my characters as a child. Her curiosity mingled with fear of the unknown over the mysterious happenings near her had me feeling like I was living each and every moment in the story with her. The thrill of trying to solve a mystery, the strength to take risks and the eagerness to know what happened next had me sitting at the edge of my seat throughout.
Nikki’s family is sweet and I liked her father who told her stories of legends, myths and even some fiction just to entertain her! Her mother is strict and yet loving while her brother had me smiling at his cutesy, baby talk.
The sketches included in the book are lovely and added more appeal to the story. The whole atmosphere of mystery is maintained and the pace moderated admirably to keep the reader entertained.
All in all, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is a lovely and very entertaining mystery that will be loved not only by children but also adults. 4 out of 5 stars to it and recommended to all Enid Blyton style mystery lovers. I loved the author’s style and will be checking out her other books too. She is talented and an author you should checkout.
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Meet the Author:
Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. She loves to write stories set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state.
Her middle grade series, The Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, is based on tales told by her father—who made his living in those bayous—of reasons to stay out of the swamp.
She currently lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee. Besides writing and illustrating, she loves watching the many birds that make their habitat on the Cumberland Plateau, working in the garden, and frequenting waterfalls.
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