Another brilliant venture into the shadowy and quirky world of Eerie On Sea! Herbie and Violet solve another Eerie mystery- what did happen to Festergrimm the inventor and what secrets lie beneath the town? I always recommend this series for reluctant readers as I know they will fall in love with the characters and the pacy, clever, funny plot twists. Can’t wait for number five!

This series just gets better and better. I have devoured all the books in this collection and this one is no different. I cannot wait to read more by Thomas Taylor. The hotel to the village, everything is so eerie and fun.

I’m going to be honest, I didn’t get to download this before it archived but I DID manage to pick it up from the library and….I just love this series.

I kind of want it to never end? Which isn’t possible but I just love waiting to see what creature is going to pop up next!

Festergrimm is another well paced, hard to put down instalment in a brilliant series that’ll have you binge reading it to find out what happens next! I love the characters, they’re relatable and easy to root for, and I love all of the twists and turns that keep me on my toes as I read!

I can’t lie, I also got Iron Giant vibes a little bit!

Thomas Taylor sends us on another fast-paced crazy adventure to unravel a mystery. Solve the clues along with Herbie & Violet in Eerie-on Sea.
Lots of action, adventure and humour to be had. Enjoyable for all ages.
My thanks go to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing this arc in return for a honest review

Another brilliant installment in what is unquestionably one of the best Middle Grade series of recent years.

Eerie & truly haunting at times, yet full of wit & charm, populated by wonderful characters and stuffed full of adventure & excitement.

Eerie-on-Sea is the place to be!

FESTERGRIMM is another mystery in the seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea, where legends (unfortunately for the leads) tend to come to life. This time, they're up against a very creepy waxwork parlour (and consistently go in after dark leading to some unnerving sequences!) and also giant robots.

Sebastian Eels is back and all the adults of the town are willing to give him a second chance (or don't believe he needs one as it's surely all just rumours.) But of course, the adults have all only been their for the end of Herbie and Violet's adventures, which means the pair are on their own save for some animals companions.

Erwin also returns and more actively involved in the story than ever. And the trio gain some assistance from another animal source (though they also get as much frustrating thwarting too, particularly where food is involved!)

FESTERGRIMM contains the most unresolved items by the end of the series so far. While the main "what is Eels up to?" and "how is this legend going to play out?" questions are solved, there are hints that there might have been someone else around and also the "great treasure" at the heart of Eerie-on-Sea is mentioned more and more this book. I have a few theories of how these elements might play out in the next book (MERMEDUSA) and I do hope that one day the central mysteries that are in the periphery of the books will be solved, particularly as it feels like they're gaining more prominence.

Another great book of the Malamander series. I have enjoyed them all and all of the children I know who’ve read them have really enjoyed!

I only have to see the name Thomas Taylor and I KNOW I need to read the book. Malamander drew me in when I first read it, I wasn't sure how it could be followed, but each time a new book in the series comes out I am drawn in and blown away. Fabulous writing, intriguing storylines that hook you completely and wonderfully eclectic characters that you can relate to (even if the thought does make you giggle)
Brilliant story, will recommend again and again and again..

Festergrimm is a glorious mix of big iron monsters, familiar villainous faces and legend that just had me from the get go.

This series is one of my favourite childrens book series out at the moment, and each book is proving better than the previous. I'll be very sad when I finish the last book!

Great characters and settings Festergrimm continues Herbie and Violet's story with a fascinating mystery that explores more of the strange Eerie on Sea!

Another great addition to this series. I just finished it and am longing to read the next one already! Favourite characters return, there’s a new adventure and new spooky goings-on in Eerie on Sea. Plenty of mystery and peril, but nothing too scary. Would recommend this series to ks2 pupils.

Each visit I take to Eerie on Sea is full of legend, stories and adventure and it must be said, each adventure gets better and better.

Herbie and Violet are still the only ones who truly know of the danger Sebastian Eels poses to their seaside town. The grown ups seem to be somewhat oblivious and forgiving of the dangers he has caused, especially for Herbie and Violet.

When a VIP guest turns out to be Eels, Herbie and Violet know another adventure led by them is coming. Knowing what they know about Eels, they are certain his new venture is hiding a more sinister activity. They will just need to prove it but Eels is on to them and this story gets quite dangerous for our favourite lost and founder.

The legend of Festergrimm stirs a lot of local secrets up for some families and it is not welcome. The possibility of the wax works museum opening is one the town may be excited about but with Eels behind it, the kids are sure he is up to no good. There is more to his arrival and plans than anyone knows!

This is a fantastic and legendary series bringing Eerie on Sea’s best legends to life and keeping the reader completely enthralled and engaged!

The series goes from strength to strength and I cannot wait for Mermedusa!

I didn't think events in Eerie-on-Sea could get any more creepy after the shadow monsters of Shadowghast, but here in Festergrimm we have antique waxworks that apparently move by themselves and the legend of a giant, clockwork robot which once terrorised the town. This middle grade series goes from strength to strength. Always exciting, sometimes scary. Each story a self-contained mystery, but running through the series is the question of how Herbie came to Eerie-on-Sea (washed up on the beach in a box of lemons), and the puzzle of what happened to Violet's parents, both mysteries which have yet to be solved. I don't know how many tales the author is planning, but am happy to see the first chapter of the next book at the end of this one! Hugely enjoyable. I recommend them to everyone!

Another excellent addition to the Malamander series. I love slowly finding out more and more about Herbie’s potential history. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.

4.5 Stars
Festergrimm, by Thomas Taylor: The return of an old foe launches Herbie and Vi into another adventure deeply linked to the tale of Festergrimm and his waxworks.

Ahh, so Shadowghast may have taken this series to the next level, and Festergrimm grabs this momentum and continues running with it. Taylor’s prose is, again, atmospheric and engaging.

Taylor manages to impress again with his expansion of what we think we know about Eerie-On-Sea. From the Festergrimm legend, to the Waxworks, and to more about the town and it’s resident’s history. Prior to this book we learn there is a special secret in Eerie-On-Sea and it is somehow connected to Herbie, and this book seems to take this further by tying together that which we have learnt and by giving us more pieces as to where the story might go next!

With this being the penultimate book in the series a lot of things start coming together and yet there is still a lot to be unravelled! Festergrimm is a heart-felt story that is still impressively twisty, and it has left me desperately wanting the final book so that I can return to Eerie-On-Sea and learn even more!!

I truly adored this story, I absolutely loved seeing how the characters have grown over the course of the series, and cannot wait to see what Taylor brings us next!

I highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers of all ages! Especially those who enjoyed A Series Of Unfortunate Events, and/or Professor Layton’s Games!

*I received an eARC via Netgalley from Walker Books*

Thomas Taylor doesn't disappoint with yet another addition to the 'Eerie-on-sea'' series. I love joining Herbie and Violet on their adventures and this one was just as exciting as the last. I loved the links to a waxwork museum and the way the tale of Pandora and her father was interwoven throughout the middle section of the book. The beginning of the novel begins with the return of a key character which was unexpected and the twists just kept on coming from there. I love the friendship between Herbie and Violet (and the other residents in Eerie-on-sea) and the way they work together to put a stop to any dangerous characters. There were some brilliant cliffhanger chapters (which I know I would enjoy as a class teacher - I could imagine the groans of the children and the 'you can't stop there moments!) and the description of Festergrimm was brilliant. I can really picture Eerie-on-sea and the different places that Herbie and Violet visit on their adventures. The ending was definitely left with another book in mind but I don't mind that as I always enjoy returning to Eerie-on-sea for another adventure.

It might be because it was just what I needed for a Sunday afternoon but I think Festergrimm is my favourite visit to Eerie-on-Sea yet. It’s a madcap and often gruesome adventure and while the word dastardly is certainly not misplaced it is also incredibly funny. As a side note, I loved the idea of NOPE-vember and am currently plotting a much-needed NOPE-tember and NOPE-tober too! I think Year 6 will love this and it would be popular further down the school too. Can’t wait to get a copy and looking forward to catching up with Herbie and Violet in Mermedusa.

Another cracking adventure for Herbie and Violet in the mystery town of Eerie-On-Sea. Another mystery to solve with all of our favourite characters back once more. I can't wait for the next in the series.

Does Thomas Taylor ever disappoint? His latest adventure in Eerie-on-Sea is another joy to read. Striking the perfect balance of fear, mystery and entertainment, the latest instalment, Festergrimm, is sure to be a huge hit with fans of the series.

Herbie, Violet and co find themselves immersed in yet another battle with the dastardly Sebastian Eel; this time over an abandoned wax works and a deadly robot. Festergrimm is a deliciously dark read and could be enjoyed as a stand-alone book if you’ve missed the rest of the series. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another great visit to Eerie on Sea with thr friends Herbie Lemin and Vioket Parna as they solve yet anothet mystery in the strange seaside town. The return of the baddie had us turning pages to find out if they would finally defeat him. Each adventure in Eerie on Sea reveals more about the town, its history and its inhabitants. Cannot wait for the next book. You could read it alone but it is best enjoyed after Malamander, Gargangis and Shadowghast