Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark...

Therefore, at what conclusions might they arrive? What truths are revealed by the Book of Chaos? Could Gregor, the gargoyle add any light to the story, or might he just doubt either of their accounts? Furthermore, what danger might Agatha and Lenny be putting themselves into, as they continue their research? After all, there are Transylvanian gargoyles out there, at the very least! There must be some inevitable creative disagreements – surely? Any funny writing quirks you’ve discovered about each other? I wanted to really enjoy this book but I didn't think much of it. I found the writing and story were OK but not so amazing that I'd want to tell everyone about the book like other of Sam's books. I think the book would appeal to children with the silliness of it and the humour within the story but I would have preferred some more serious or realistic topics intertwined within it or something that we could learn from. I loved how both of them thought the other was an assistant. Didn’t speak it out loud.. well until the end. Oh Lenny, you shouldn’t have said that. Both voices were fabulous loved Agatha and Lenny equally, would definitely love to read another adventure with these characters.The ending was exciting, fun, but I also foresee some trouble on the horizon given that last illustration. Spy-detective Agatha Topps is determined to find out. She’s the only person who doesn’t forget the Strangeness as soon as it’s over. At least, until new boy Lenny Tuchus turns up and remembers too. Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... Ik zei tegen juf Appelgat dat Ralph de Maltesers van Thomas had opgegeten en toen ze uitgegild was en snapte dat ik het over chocoladesnoepjes had en niet over kleine hondjes…”

Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit de perspectieven van Agatha en Lenny. Deze karakters zijn uniek neergezet en op zijn zachtst gezegd zeer eigenzinnig. Agatha komt uit een groot gezin waar chaos heerst en haar ouders weinig tijd voor haar hebben. Lenny woont alleen met zijn moeder en hoopt elke dag dat zijn vader er is wanneer hij uit school komt, maar zijn vader heeft het druk met zijn spionnen werk. Later on we also get a new character in the group. Gregor. I won’t tell you more than that, but I did love this character and I do hope that we will see more him in the next books.

Retailers:

Their spy-detectoring leads them to the Book of Chaos, an ancient text which has been hidden away in the Room of Forbidden and Dangerous Books. THE UNDERPANTS OF CHAOS is first in the Tuchus and Topps series co-written with superstar author Jenny Pearson. Jenny and I write alternate chapters in this series, so you can play a fun game and decide who the better author is! (Hint: it’s me. I’m the better author.) I was worried that we would never get to the underpants of Chaos, I wouldn’t have been surprised if it hadn’t happened. Given how Sam Copeland’s previous series had a running gag that the MC would never really change into the being on the cover/title. XD But thankfully, it did happen. It was a short section, but I am happy that it happened. I do hope that Lenny learned something about changing his underwear. XD

Heel leuk is ook dat er veel illustraties in het boek staan, die alles nog wat levendiger maken. Die werden getekend door Robin Boyden en Katie Kear. Wie de boeken van Sam Copeland over Kasper gelezen heeft, weet dat je soms nogal moet zoeken naar de zaken die in de titel vermeld worden. Maar jawel hoor, in dit boek komen op een bepaald moment echt boosaardige onderbroeken voor!

Sam:It is remarkable that in two books we haven’t had a single disagreement. And likewise, I trust Jenny completely to allow me to have full and total creative control. Jenny:We write a chapter each and then edit each other’s chapters as we go. We’ll plan a little bit before we start and meet over Zoom at regular intervals. We’ll also both go over the final draft several times and chat about that once it’s done. In Het raadsel van de boosaardige onderbroeken volgen we Agatha en Lenny, die zichzelf spiondetectives noemen en de mysteries van de Vreemdstedeschool proberen op te lossen. Zij zijn immers de enigen die de RILLING kunnen voelen die af en toe op school door de lucht gaat, waarna er ineens vreemde dingen gebeuren, zoals leerlingen die beginnen te dansen, de schoolkippen Mary Poepins en Frida Kakel die in de aanval gaan, de stenen waterspuwers die tot leven komen,… En het vreemde is dat alle leerlingen daarna alles weer vergeten zijn, behalve Agatha en Lenny. Het raadsel van de boosaardige onderbroeken van Sam Copeland en Jenny Pearson is een echte aanrader voor alle jongeren én hun ouders die houden van een spannend, grappig verhaal.