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The Misadventures of Edgar & Allan Poe #1
The Tell-Tale Start
Meet Edgar and Allan Poe -- twelve-year-old identical twins, the great-great-great-great-grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They look and act so much alike that they're almost one mischievous, prank-playing boy in two bodies. When their beloved black cat, Roderick Usher, is kidnapped and transported to the Midwest, Edgar and Allan convince their guardians that it's time for a road trip. Along the way, mayhem and mystery ensue, as well as deeper questions: What is the boys' telepathic connection? Is Edgar Allan Poe himself reaching out to them from the Great Beyond? And why has a mad scientist been spying on the Poe family for years?
With a mix of literary humor, mystery, and a little quantum physics, this series opener is a perfect choice for smart, funny tweens who love the Time Warp Trio, Roald Dahl, and Lemony Snicket.
With a mix of literary humor, mystery, and a little quantum physics, this series opener is a perfect choice for smart, funny tweens who love the Time Warp Trio, Roald Dahl, and Lemony Snicket.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2013
30 people are currently reading
912 people want to read
About the author
Gordon McAlpine
32 books95 followersGordon McAlpine (who sometimes writes as “Owen Fitzstephen”) is the author of Mystery Box (2003), Hammett Unwritten (2013), Woman With a Blue Pencil (2015), Holmes Untangled (2018), and After Oz (2024) –- all shape-shifting novels that play fast and loose with the mystery genre, as well as a middle-grade trilogy, The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe. He’s also the co-author of the non-fiction book The Way of Baseball: Finding Stillness at 95 MPH. He has taught creative writing and literature at U.C. Irvine, U.C.L.A., and Chapman University. He lives with his wife Julie in Southern California. “Owen Fitzstephen,” by the way, is the name of a character, a dissolute, alcoholic writer, in Hammett’s The Dain Curse.
Gordon McAlpine has been described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a gifted stylist, with clean, clear and muscular prose.” A native Californian, he attended the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at the University of California, Irvine.
Once Upon a Midnight Eerie is Mr. McAlpine’s latest book and is the the second volume in his middle-grade trilogy, “The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe”. Publisher’s Weekly describes the book as a “gumbo of jokes, codes, treasure, history, mystery and assorted literary references.” It was published by Viking in April, 2014.
The Tell-Tale Start, published in 2013, is the first book in “The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe”. Publisher’s Weekly writes in a starred review of the award winning audio version of The Tell-Tale Start: “Entertaining and original….Endlessly fun and ultimately very satisfying on every level.”
In February 2013, Seventh Street Books published Hammett Unwritten, a literary mystery novel that revolves around the life of the great detective novelist Dashiell Hammett. Reviews of the novel have been stellar and the novel has appeared on top ten lists for the year.
The Los Angeles Times called Mr. McAlpine’s first novel, Joy in Mudville, an “imaginative mix of history, humor and fantasy…fanciful and surprising”, and The West Coast Review of Books called it “a minor miracle.” Joy in Mudville was re-released in a new e-book edition in late summer 2012.
The Way of Baseball, Finding Stillness at 95 MPH, is a non fiction book and was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2011 to outstanding reviews. Written in collaboration with Major League All-Star Shawn Green, the book illuminates the spiritual practices that enabled Green to “bring stillness into the flow of life.”
The Persistence of Memory, his second novel, was published by the distinguished British publisher Peter Owen Ltd., and his young adult novel, Mystery Box, was published by Cricket Books to critical praise.
Mr. McAlpine has published short stories and book reviews in journals and anthologies both in the U.S.A and abroad. His short story “The Happiest Place” appears in the Akashic Press anthology, Orange County Noir. He has chaired and taught creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts Program at Chapman University in Orange, California, as well as fiction writing classes at U.C.L.A and U.C. Irvine. In his twenties, he developed video games and wrote scripts for film and television.
He is a member of the Author’s Guild and PEN, and he is president of the board of directors of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation. He lives with his wife Julie in Southern California.
Gordon McAlpine has been described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a gifted stylist, with clean, clear and muscular prose.” A native Californian, he attended the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at the University of California, Irvine.
Once Upon a Midnight Eerie is Mr. McAlpine’s latest book and is the the second volume in his middle-grade trilogy, “The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe”. Publisher’s Weekly describes the book as a “gumbo of jokes, codes, treasure, history, mystery and assorted literary references.” It was published by Viking in April, 2014.
The Tell-Tale Start, published in 2013, is the first book in “The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe”. Publisher’s Weekly writes in a starred review of the award winning audio version of The Tell-Tale Start: “Entertaining and original….Endlessly fun and ultimately very satisfying on every level.”
In February 2013, Seventh Street Books published Hammett Unwritten, a literary mystery novel that revolves around the life of the great detective novelist Dashiell Hammett. Reviews of the novel have been stellar and the novel has appeared on top ten lists for the year.
The Los Angeles Times called Mr. McAlpine’s first novel, Joy in Mudville, an “imaginative mix of history, humor and fantasy…fanciful and surprising”, and The West Coast Review of Books called it “a minor miracle.” Joy in Mudville was re-released in a new e-book edition in late summer 2012.
The Way of Baseball, Finding Stillness at 95 MPH, is a non fiction book and was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2011 to outstanding reviews. Written in collaboration with Major League All-Star Shawn Green, the book illuminates the spiritual practices that enabled Green to “bring stillness into the flow of life.”
The Persistence of Memory, his second novel, was published by the distinguished British publisher Peter Owen Ltd., and his young adult novel, Mystery Box, was published by Cricket Books to critical praise.
Mr. McAlpine has published short stories and book reviews in journals and anthologies both in the U.S.A and abroad. His short story “The Happiest Place” appears in the Akashic Press anthology, Orange County Noir. He has chaired and taught creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts Program at Chapman University in Orange, California, as well as fiction writing classes at U.C.L.A and U.C. Irvine. In his twenties, he developed video games and wrote scripts for film and television.
He is a member of the Author’s Guild and PEN, and he is president of the board of directors of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation. He lives with his wife Julie in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
December 28, 2016
what a delightful, light, fun and quick read! two boys with one mind. both geniuses and great-great-great-great grandnephews of the Edgar Allan Poe. it was fun to read, the way these boys mind worked and what they thought about the world around them. also you get read about Edgar Allan Poe in the great beyond & his attempts to look after them, made it brilliant.
September 14, 2022
I read the second book in this series first, and that one is a bit better than this first one. Both are really cute and funny. Edgar and Allan Poe are twins, related to the famous writer, and they’re so in sync with each other that an evil scientist is obsessed with them and wants to study them, which includes killing one of them to see what happens. The light tone of the book keeps any of this from feeling serious or disturbing or scary in any way.
Most of the book is the twins rescuing their cat (Roderick Usher) from the villain, holed up in a Wizard of Oz theme park in Kansas. It is a bit odd, and that’s what’s great about it.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
Most of the book is the twins rescuing their cat (Roderick Usher) from the villain, holed up in a Wizard of Oz theme park in Kansas. It is a bit odd, and that’s what’s great about it.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
June 27, 2017
I read this with my boys a while back, then forgot to review - doh!
This was a very well-plotted, novel idea for a kids book. In particular, my two loved the 'what the Poe twins didn't know' sections at the end of each chapter, plus the chapters with Edgar Allen Poe's ghost (Mr Shakespeare was particularly amusing!).
One minor quibble - the language and sentence structure was very sophisticated throughout, and in places, this made it a little dry. However, that aside, it was an absolutely genius concept, very quirky and original. We liked it!
This was a very well-plotted, novel idea for a kids book. In particular, my two loved the 'what the Poe twins didn't know' sections at the end of each chapter, plus the chapters with Edgar Allen Poe's ghost (Mr Shakespeare was particularly amusing!).
One minor quibble - the language and sentence structure was very sophisticated throughout, and in places, this made it a little dry. However, that aside, it was an absolutely genius concept, very quirky and original. We liked it!
October 21, 2017
A comical middle grade mystery. Edgar Allan Poe is my favorite Gothic author and so naturally I had to pick up and own this trilogy by Gordon McAlpine. Giving this book 3.5 stars.
I read this book to my two boys 10 and 12, over the course of a week and they quite enjoyed it. My oldest liked the snarky dialogue and the way the twins made jokes and acted silly in front of their Aunt, Uncle and all adults. My youngest liked the drawings and the cat's name Roderick Usher.
The Tell-Tale Start is about twin boys Edgar & Allan Poe, who just so happen to be the great-great-great-great grandnephews to the famous Edgar Allan Poe, novelist and poet. When we start the book the boys are sent to the principal's office for what they think is another infraction. This is something they are used to. They are always pulling pranks and jokes at school. This time however, it's not pranks that they are in trouble for, but cheating! The twins deny cheating. It's impossible! Especially since they were separated by an entire school, as they sat on opposite sides of the building. But this is actually all a farce, they are actually wanted by an evil genius who plans on ruling the world! MUAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!
The boys quote their uncles stories constantly in this book and even go so far as to cause an entire bookstore to quiver in fear when the cashier complained about Poe's writing to be unrealistic. The love their great-great-great-great granduncle's writing and are very proud of him.
What the boys don't know is that their dead uncle watches over them in the in between where he works at writing fortunes for fortune cookies.
The whole book is very silly and lots of fun to read. I really enjoyed that the cat was named after the main character Roderick Usher from the short story 'Fall of the House of Usher'. My children are unfamiliar with that story, so I started reading it immediately after finishing this one. I'm reading the illustrated edition 'Tales of Mystery and Madness' illustrated by Gris Grimly.
Overall I recommend picking this middle grade up if you like Poe as much as I do.
I read this book to my two boys 10 and 12, over the course of a week and they quite enjoyed it. My oldest liked the snarky dialogue and the way the twins made jokes and acted silly in front of their Aunt, Uncle and all adults. My youngest liked the drawings and the cat's name Roderick Usher.
The Tell-Tale Start is about twin boys Edgar & Allan Poe, who just so happen to be the great-great-great-great grandnephews to the famous Edgar Allan Poe, novelist and poet. When we start the book the boys are sent to the principal's office for what they think is another infraction. This is something they are used to. They are always pulling pranks and jokes at school. This time however, it's not pranks that they are in trouble for, but cheating! The twins deny cheating. It's impossible! Especially since they were separated by an entire school, as they sat on opposite sides of the building. But this is actually all a farce, they are actually wanted by an evil genius who plans on ruling the world! MUAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!
The boys quote their uncles stories constantly in this book and even go so far as to cause an entire bookstore to quiver in fear when the cashier complained about Poe's writing to be unrealistic. The love their great-great-great-great granduncle's writing and are very proud of him.
What the boys don't know is that their dead uncle watches over them in the in between where he works at writing fortunes for fortune cookies.
The whole book is very silly and lots of fun to read. I really enjoyed that the cat was named after the main character Roderick Usher from the short story 'Fall of the House of Usher'. My children are unfamiliar with that story, so I started reading it immediately after finishing this one. I'm reading the illustrated edition 'Tales of Mystery and Madness' illustrated by Gris Grimly.
Overall I recommend picking this middle grade up if you like Poe as much as I do.
May 29, 2013
fun book for gradeschoolers. Introduces a few scientific and literary concepts. My favorite parts were the sections in which a deceased Edgar Allen Poe is toiling away in the afterlife writing fortune cookie slips with William Shakespeare as his boss.
February 8, 2024
This Book was a fun literary romp with an enjoyable premise even if it is, unfortunately, a historically inaccurate one.
The story revolves around twin boys who claim the title of Edgar Allan Poe's Great-great-great-great-grandnephews. But I couldn't find any record of Poe's Brother or sister having children.
Regardless do not let little things like historical detail stop you from enjoying this middle grade ode to classic American literature. Poe puns abound and literary references populate the pages of this quirky adventure.
Edgar and Allan Poe are your typical boy geniuses, too smart for school and ten steps ahead of every adult. The one unique thing about them is that they don't just twin speak or telepathy, they actually share a mind. And their quantum improbability has attracted the attention of a very unethical scientist.
For anyone who enjoyed Artemis Fowel, thought Ghostwriter was the height of 90s entertainment, and just has a general love for American literature. Oh and Shakespeare, he's there too.
The story revolves around twin boys who claim the title of Edgar Allan Poe's Great-great-great-great-grandnephews. But I couldn't find any record of Poe's Brother or sister having children.
Regardless do not let little things like historical detail stop you from enjoying this middle grade ode to classic American literature. Poe puns abound and literary references populate the pages of this quirky adventure.
Edgar and Allan Poe are your typical boy geniuses, too smart for school and ten steps ahead of every adult. The one unique thing about them is that they don't just twin speak or telepathy, they actually share a mind. And their quantum improbability has attracted the attention of a very unethical scientist.
For anyone who enjoyed Artemis Fowel, thought Ghostwriter was the height of 90s entertainment, and just has a general love for American literature. Oh and Shakespeare, he's there too.
August 25, 2013
I love it when an impulse check out from the library turns out to be a real winner. Extremely imaginative, clever and witty, The Tell-Tale Start was a delight. Identical twins Edgar & Allan Poe are the great, great, great, great, grand-nephews (and namesakes) of the famous poet. The boys, highly intelligent and quite mischievous, live with their aunt and uncle after their parents died in an unfortunate space accident. They also share a telepathic connection - almost like two boys with one mind. They've always been a bit strange, but after some stranger than normal occurrences - the boys don't believe in coincidences - their beloved cat Roderick Usher goes missing. The ensuing road trip to retrieve him is part mystery and part adventure where Edgar and Allan come to learn more about their past, their parents, and themselves.
If you are an EAP fan, there are many references, both obvious and rather sophisticated, to his works. This plus plenty of other literary references made this a fun read for me. I especially enjoyed the parts with EAP and the fortune cookie messages - just wait until you read about his annoying boss! Listed for ages 8 and up, grades 2-6, which I think is appropriate. The twins are 12 years old. Overall, a very smart and well-written story that will appeal to kids and adults. I can't wait for the next book!
If you are an EAP fan, there are many references, both obvious and rather sophisticated, to his works. This plus plenty of other literary references made this a fun read for me. I especially enjoyed the parts with EAP and the fortune cookie messages - just wait until you read about his annoying boss! Listed for ages 8 and up, grades 2-6, which I think is appropriate. The twins are 12 years old. Overall, a very smart and well-written story that will appeal to kids and adults. I can't wait for the next book!
November 21, 2012
I love me a good middle grade and The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine is as good as they come. It was quirky, fun, and one heck of a tale. I had so much fun reading The Tell-Tale Start!
The adventures of Edgar and Allan were too awesome. I loved the wit they brought with every page. They made every day occurrences into an adventure, which made The Tell-Tale Start that much more enjoyable.
The characters were pretty awesome as well. I loved how big of a role Edgar and Allan's cat played in the book - it was like he was an actual person. Aunt Judith and Uncle Jack were complete hoots - I would love to have them as an aunt and uncle!
The illustrations in the book were awesome - they served as such a nice guide and companion to the story line, enhancing it with every appearance. They were so fun!
Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, this fun new series will sweep you off your feet. It's fun and it's charming. I read straight through this one in one sitting, just loving every page.
The adventures of Edgar and Allan were too awesome. I loved the wit they brought with every page. They made every day occurrences into an adventure, which made The Tell-Tale Start that much more enjoyable.
The characters were pretty awesome as well. I loved how big of a role Edgar and Allan's cat played in the book - it was like he was an actual person. Aunt Judith and Uncle Jack were complete hoots - I would love to have them as an aunt and uncle!
The illustrations in the book were awesome - they served as such a nice guide and companion to the story line, enhancing it with every appearance. They were so fun!
Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, this fun new series will sweep you off your feet. It's fun and it's charming. I read straight through this one in one sitting, just loving every page.
November 4, 2023
Edgar and Allan Poe are very intelligent twins with bright minds and a strange strong bond. They are great-great-great-great grand nephews of the great writer Edgar Allan Poe. They live with their aunt Judith and uncle Jack because their parents disappeared in a weird space accident a few years ago. They also have a very clever black cat named Roderick Usher.
Favorite characters: I liked Jack and Judith Poe for being so patient and caring with their nephews.
Least favorite characters: Perry and Archer.
Favorite part: I liked the nods we get throughout the book about the different works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Nice and entertaining book. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
Update:
I read this book last year but this time I read it with my son, and I liked it better. I know he liked it because he asked for book number 2 in the series.
Favorite characters: I liked Jack and Judith Poe for being so patient and caring with their nephews.
Least favorite characters: Perry and Archer.
Favorite part: I liked the nods we get throughout the book about the different works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Nice and entertaining book. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
Update:
I read this book last year but this time I read it with my son, and I liked it better. I know he liked it because he asked for book number 2 in the series.
May 8, 2013
In this book by Gordon McAlpine, twins Edgar and Allan Poe (the great-great-great-great grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe) find that their cat, Roderick Usher, has mysteriously disappeared without a trace of evidence. The distressed twins are relieved when they learn that their cat is in Kansas with a theme park owner. But while the boys drive out to Kansas to get Roderick Usher, someone is out to get the boys. Will the boys find him, or will they end up as another mysterious disappearance?
This was a great read, I just couldn't put this book down!
The story was well written and all of the pieces fell together perfectly.
Sam Zuppardi's illustrations went very well with the book.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series!
Try it out, you'll be glad you did!
This was a great read, I just couldn't put this book down!
The story was well written and all of the pieces fell together perfectly.
Sam Zuppardi's illustrations went very well with the book.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series!
Try it out, you'll be glad you did!
December 2, 2014
A lovely and subversive little gem of a book. Full of wry humor for kids and adults (especially those with a literary bent), and the plot places high value on intelligence and wit. The characters of Edgar and Allan Poe are lovingly done, and making them two boys who share thoughts all the time was a great choice for this series. The book is chock full of literary references, making it a rewarding read for book lovers. Can't wait to read more about the Poe twins, and this book makes me want to reread favorite Poe stories too.
February 5, 2018
Super cute book, and the narrator did a wonderful job.
September 2, 2018
Twins Edgar and Allan Poe are descendants of Edgar Allan Poe. They think alike, because they're twins with a shared mind. A mysterious organization is after the twins for a nefarious purpose. From the Great Beyond...Edgar Allan Poe tries to send clues to his ancestors but they're garbled up. Can the twins figure out the meaning before danger captures them?
Delightful read!
Delightful read!
February 27, 2015
The Tell-Tale Start was such a boring and awful book that I wish I could give it no stars. As a 22 year old-kid at heart, whose a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's work, I thought giving this book series a chance would be worth it. Buzz! Wrong.
There were some long words used from the author that are incomprehensible to a child's mind, so there was not really any use for them in the book. My thoughts of Edgar and Allan being incredibly smart throughout the book made me quite bored of their characters; not everybody likes know-it-alls.
I felt like McAlpine actually weakened (or destroyed) E.A. Poe in the book. He is probably rolling in his grave right now for misinterpretation of who he really was. (No pun intended for later references in the book that I will not spoil even though you all could possibly guess what happens.) Yes, I know its a kids book, but I just thought it was an awful interpretation of Poe.
Then there was Shakespeare, Dickinson, Whitman and Sherlock Holmes. Now come on, really? Who makes Shakespeare talk like he is in the modern age? You could have at least tried to make him old-worldly and said old sayings that could refer to this day and age. I felt the other authors personas were messed with to even though they hardly played a role in the book. Ugh, just dreadful.
Oh, and then off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard(criminal) of Oz! And the ever fun trip to Dorothy Gale's original house. How much more pain do I have to go through with McAlpine using older authors stories to create his own? Have a little bit more creativity and imagination please.
And then FINALLY, the end of the book was near and my pain had ended. So, if you do not want to read something so boring just steer away from this book. Most of the kids who will read this series of stories won't understand how great Poe was as a poet, or who the heck Shakespeare or L. Frank Baum is. Please just stop writing these now while you're at it.
There were some long words used from the author that are incomprehensible to a child's mind, so there was not really any use for them in the book. My thoughts of Edgar and Allan being incredibly smart throughout the book made me quite bored of their characters; not everybody likes know-it-alls.
I felt like McAlpine actually weakened (or destroyed) E.A. Poe in the book. He is probably rolling in his grave right now for misinterpretation of who he really was. (No pun intended for later references in the book that I will not spoil even though you all could possibly guess what happens.) Yes, I know its a kids book, but I just thought it was an awful interpretation of Poe.
Then there was Shakespeare, Dickinson, Whitman and Sherlock Holmes. Now come on, really? Who makes Shakespeare talk like he is in the modern age? You could have at least tried to make him old-worldly and said old sayings that could refer to this day and age. I felt the other authors personas were messed with to even though they hardly played a role in the book. Ugh, just dreadful.
Oh, and then off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard
And then FINALLY, the end of the book was near and my pain had ended. So, if you do not want to read something so boring just steer away from this book. Most of the kids who will read this series of stories won't understand how great Poe was as a poet, or who the heck Shakespeare or L. Frank Baum is. Please just stop writing these now while you're at it.
April 22, 2013
Edgar and Allan Poe are identical twins and great (great-great-great...) grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They are in fact so identical that people have a hard time telling them apart. Even the twins have some trouble determining if they are different people or one in the same. Their cat Roderick goes missing and the twins learn that he's in Kansas at the Dorthy Gale farm. They devise a plan to go rescue their cat, but something about the situation seems a bit suspicious. The boys don't see anything funny, but their is someone watching over them and if they can get his messages, things might just turn out all right.
What a fun start to a series. I think these are going to be a big hit. This was a nice quick read with a nice little mystery snuggled in between the covers.
The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the Halloween part. It seemed elaborate and didn't really seem to serve a purpose. It could have been removed and given a few more pages for the mystery. The mystery was a bit easy to solve, but it was still interesting because with a mystery you never know if you've actually solved it until the very end. Even at the end there are usually new things that you find out that you couldn't have deduced.
I think this will appeal to younger audiences, perhaps reluctant readers. It is a short read and I think kids will enjoy the mischief that the brothers get up to. The science stuff is neat too, but may or may not be appealing to kids depending on what they are into. I look forward to the next installment with the twins.
First Line:
"Edgar and Allan Poe sat beside each other in the back row of their homeroom class, asleep."
Favorite Line:
"The twins looked around the room for whatever wasn't hidden. The problem was the everything they saw wasn't hidden."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz2RDx...
What a fun start to a series. I think these are going to be a big hit. This was a nice quick read with a nice little mystery snuggled in between the covers.
The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the Halloween part. It seemed elaborate and didn't really seem to serve a purpose. It could have been removed and given a few more pages for the mystery. The mystery was a bit easy to solve, but it was still interesting because with a mystery you never know if you've actually solved it until the very end. Even at the end there are usually new things that you find out that you couldn't have deduced.
I think this will appeal to younger audiences, perhaps reluctant readers. It is a short read and I think kids will enjoy the mischief that the brothers get up to. The science stuff is neat too, but may or may not be appealing to kids depending on what they are into. I look forward to the next installment with the twins.
First Line:
"Edgar and Allan Poe sat beside each other in the back row of their homeroom class, asleep."
Favorite Line:
"The twins looked around the room for whatever wasn't hidden. The problem was the everything they saw wasn't hidden."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz2RDx...
December 18, 2014
I picked this book up on a whim while browsing in the library for a different book. It drew my eye because of the Poe connection, and then it looked like it could be fun. I debated about whether I would add it to my gr list, though, being a bit embarrassed by it - though I couldn't really say why, considering some of the things I've read. ;)
Anyway -
It ended up being an entertaining little book. The idea that Edgar and Allan are so alike as to almost be one mind in two bodies was interesting - and I did like how they went to pains that they were unique, and how this wasn't just because they were identitcal twins.
Also, the various Poe references were fun - though sometimes it did feel like a bit much, and sometimes felt gratuitous. It could be an interesting way to introduce the target age-group to the material, though.
I was intrigued to see the author's take on the man, himself, as a sort of ghost, sending messages to the boys. I'm not sure what I think of the portrayal but, for the tone and type of book, I think it worked.
The story itself is pretty typical adventure type story - a group of people, lead by the main villain, has nefarious plans for the duo and must be thwarted through cunning and bravery.
Not sure whether I'll continue the series or not (as I only saw the first book at the library and don't know if I'm inclined to go out of my way to get it) - but it was a fun little story, and a decent way to pass a few hours.
Anyway -
It ended up being an entertaining little book. The idea that Edgar and Allan are so alike as to almost be one mind in two bodies was interesting - and I did like how they went to pains that they were unique, and how this wasn't just because they were identitcal twins.
Also, the various Poe references were fun - though sometimes it did feel like a bit much, and sometimes felt gratuitous. It could be an interesting way to introduce the target age-group to the material, though.
I was intrigued to see the author's take on the man, himself, as a sort of ghost, sending messages to the boys. I'm not sure what I think of the portrayal but, for the tone and type of book, I think it worked.
The story itself is pretty typical adventure type story - a group of people, lead by the main villain, has nefarious plans for the duo and must be thwarted through cunning and bravery.
Not sure whether I'll continue the series or not (as I only saw the first book at the library and don't know if I'm inclined to go out of my way to get it) - but it was a fun little story, and a decent way to pass a few hours.
March 28, 2016
The descendants of the renowned horror writer, seventh-grade twins Edgar and Allan are not only consummate pranksters, but geniuses with a telepathic connection. Unfortunately, such extraordinary children are bound to come to the attention of evil geniuses, and one such (who has been monitoring them for years, and wants to see if communication with the afterlife is possible once one of the twins is killed) gets them expelled from school and kidnaps their cat. Following a series of clues (mostly planted by their hapless ancestor, Poe himself, writing garbled fortune cookie messages from beyond the grave, much to the displeasure of his supervisor, Shakespeare), they track the cat and the bad guy to the professor’s Oz-themed park, knowing it is a trap but sure their superior intellect will win the day. Written for intelligent kids, this book makes adults and other authority figures generally incompetent or ineffectual, and celebrates the twins’ somewhat malevolent pranks. The plot is over the top, the humor is dark, and some of the danger is hinted at between the lines, so it isn’t too scary for the kids. Both students and I enjoyed its madcap silliness, and are eager for a sequel.
February 14, 2017
This is a really cute series for kids and parents who are fans of Poe will get a kick out of all the references to Poe's works. Smart, wise cracking and fun!
July 18, 2016
DNF at pg. 64(36%)
I got this book because one thing popped out that intrigued me immensely: Edgar. Allan. Poe. For those of you that don't know, Edgar Allan Poe is, probably, my favorite writer/poet of all time; a guy before his time with a life as tragic and dark as his stories.
As an avid reader, I tend to keep an open mind when a writer puts a twist on a classic work or author. With the names "Edgar" and "Allan" used in the case of twin brothers, Edgar AND Allan Poe, I couldn't help myself, regardless of plot.
However, the writing and general storytelling seemed a bit too elementary for my taste. Nothing against the author(s), but I believe I'm just a bit too old.
I got this book because one thing popped out that intrigued me immensely: Edgar. Allan. Poe. For those of you that don't know, Edgar Allan Poe is, probably, my favorite writer/poet of all time; a guy before his time with a life as tragic and dark as his stories.
As an avid reader, I tend to keep an open mind when a writer puts a twist on a classic work or author. With the names "Edgar" and "Allan" used in the case of twin brothers, Edgar AND Allan Poe, I couldn't help myself, regardless of plot.
However, the writing and general storytelling seemed a bit too elementary for my taste. Nothing against the author(s), but I believe I'm just a bit too old.
June 26, 2017
A great gothic tone - this book give the Poe boys some great antics they scare up. They share each others thoughts. There is a scientist trying to kidnap the boys for that special connection. They are who you want to call to decorate your home for Halloween. This story was pure fun. I'm so glad I gave it a try.
March 28, 2013
My son read this tale to us in the evening. He and my wife enjoyed the adventures of Edgar and Allan Poe as much as I did. Having the illustrations helped in regard to some plot points.
December 4, 2014
Just a cute little story, funny and light, though with a very bittersweet thread running through of loss and family. My favorite character was probably Mr Shakespeare. ;)
September 18, 2015
Clever and cute
December 3, 2016
The Tell Tale Start is the opener of the Misadventures of twelve year old twins Edgar and Allan Poe, not just namesakes, but also the great, great, great, great grand nephews of the late and great and spooky Edgar Allan Poe, and also bear a striking resemblance to him as well. Believed to possess above normal intelligence which often leads to them being severely misunderstood, Edgar and Allan are often mixed up in quite a bit of mischief. To their belief, it's all to the good of looking out for their friends and relatives. Orphaned at a young age when their rocket scientist parents are "accidentally" launched into outer-space, the twins are now in the custody of their loving but unassuming aunt and uncle, Judith and Jack. Their parents space tomb can occasionally be seen floating around in space, still in orbit. Shortly before this accident, Mal and Irma gave their twin sons a kitten who they named Roderick Usher. Like his new owners, Roderick also possessed a superb level of intelligence beyond that of the normal feline. He can play statue (dead) and even untie knots! Completely normal stuff. It’s no surprise how dear the cat must be to the Poe family. The boys have been in the custody of their aunt Judith and uncle Jack since their parents tragic accident. So when Roderick disappears, the Poes gas up the family vehicle and head to Kansas to retrieve him, unaware that they are headed for disaster.
Along the way, they attempt to decode secret messages. Identical secret messages. These identical twin boys aren’t just mirror images of one another, afterall. They act, think, eat, breath, smell, and do just about all there is to do the same. They are essentially two boys with one mind!
This was a great introduction into the Misadventures series written by Gordon McAlpine. I sped through the novel and found it to be filled with age appropriate humor. Edgar Allan Poe's involvement cinched it for me. I loved his continual efforts to attempt to get warning messages to his great grand nephews from the great beyond. It was a good story, with the potential to be great. However, when I think about the targeted audience, I feel it was written perfectly to cater to younger age levels.
Along the way, they attempt to decode secret messages. Identical secret messages. These identical twin boys aren’t just mirror images of one another, afterall. They act, think, eat, breath, smell, and do just about all there is to do the same. They are essentially two boys with one mind!
This was a great introduction into the Misadventures series written by Gordon McAlpine. I sped through the novel and found it to be filled with age appropriate humor. Edgar Allan Poe's involvement cinched it for me. I loved his continual efforts to attempt to get warning messages to his great grand nephews from the great beyond. It was a good story, with the potential to be great. However, when I think about the targeted audience, I feel it was written perfectly to cater to younger age levels.
January 11, 2018
3.5 rounded off to 4.
This story is about the Poe twins- Edgar and Allan poe who are none other than the great-great-great-great grandchildren of one of the greatest literary writers of the era, Edgar Allan Poe. Though they have quite similar facial features with their legendary ancestor, they starkly differ from the former in many ways when it comes to their character and attitude. The Poe twins are gifted with an exceptional sense of perception and they have an unquenchable thirst/appetite for knowledge and information. If you could list down their fields of expertise, it would be several pages long.
But on the flip side, they have the knack of getting themselves into trouble by fooling around the school, making use of their skills in the best interest of their peers. Thereby making them one of the most renowned and respected persons in their friend circle.
But unlike other twins, the Poe twins share something unique. When you've got something quite valuable, you're prone to face people with nefarious intentions right?
Likewise, the Poe twins have been targeted by a mysterious Professor who wants to exploit the abilities of the Poe twins for his own evil purposes.
How the twins foil the professor's plan forms the rest of the plot.
Also little do the twins know that they are being guided throughout their journey by an unlikely source.
.
This story is about the Poe twins- Edgar and Allan poe who are none other than the great-great-great-great grandchildren of one of the greatest literary writers of the era, Edgar Allan Poe. Though they have quite similar facial features with their legendary ancestor, they starkly differ from the former in many ways when it comes to their character and attitude. The Poe twins are gifted with an exceptional sense of perception and they have an unquenchable thirst/appetite for knowledge and information. If you could list down their fields of expertise, it would be several pages long.
But on the flip side, they have the knack of getting themselves into trouble by fooling around the school, making use of their skills in the best interest of their peers. Thereby making them one of the most renowned and respected persons in their friend circle.
But unlike other twins, the Poe twins share something unique. When you've got something quite valuable, you're prone to face people with nefarious intentions right?
Likewise, the Poe twins have been targeted by a mysterious Professor who wants to exploit the abilities of the Poe twins for his own evil purposes.
How the twins foil the professor's plan forms the rest of the plot.
Also little do the twins know that they are being guided throughout their journey by an unlikely source.
.
October 2, 2017
I don't normally give such low reviews, but I was bored with this book nearly from the beginning. I'm not sure how this made it to the point where it was actually published. I'm surprised someone along the line didn't say, "Hey, the idea is interesting. Let's ask if the author can't write a more interesting story." If it hadn't been so short, I wouldn't have bothered finishing it. The idea of two children with the same mind was intriguing, and the uses of it could have been even more interesting, especially considering there was some nefarious plot to misuse this ability, complete with criminal organization and evil mastermind.
Sadly it wasn't interesting.
Everything that happened away from the boys knowledge would have been much better told as part of the story WITH the boys. Or not told at all.
And the things that the boys could do? As a computer programmer myself, it made me cringe. I try not to take badly written computer scenes too seriously, especially from a children's book, but this was pretty over the top bad. I think the aunt and uncle banned them from computers not to protect society but to protect readers.
I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan. And I like myself a good middle grade romp.
I just wish this was that.
Sadly it wasn't interesting.
Everything that happened away from the boys knowledge would have been much better told as part of the story WITH the boys. Or not told at all.
And the things that the boys could do? As a computer programmer myself, it made me cringe. I try not to take badly written computer scenes too seriously, especially from a children's book, but this was pretty over the top bad. I think the aunt and uncle banned them from computers not to protect society but to protect readers.
I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan. And I like myself a good middle grade romp.
I just wish this was that.
September 10, 2021
The Tell-Tale Start, by Gordon McAlpine, is a juvenile fiction novel that follows identical twins who happen to be the great x4 nephew of Edgar Allen Poe named Edgar and Allen.
In their first misadventure Edgar and Allen are expelled from school for allegedly cheating on a test because their answers were identical, despite being separated. The twins have a unique ability that they don't yet understand that allows them to know and do what the other is thinking/doing. They're identical in not only appearance but also in their actions.
This has caught the eye of an unknown organization who seek to use Edgar and Allen's unique ability to rule the world.
The book was quite entertaining and I actually discovered it by chance while searching through the humor section on Libby. In the end I've decided to give the book a 4 out of 5.
In their first misadventure Edgar and Allen are expelled from school for allegedly cheating on a test because their answers were identical, despite being separated. The twins have a unique ability that they don't yet understand that allows them to know and do what the other is thinking/doing. They're identical in not only appearance but also in their actions.
This has caught the eye of an unknown organization who seek to use Edgar and Allen's unique ability to rule the world.
The book was quite entertaining and I actually discovered it by chance while searching through the humor section on Libby. In the end I've decided to give the book a 4 out of 5.
May 24, 2017
This book is funny-I laughed throughout- and provides many scientifically based excuses for what could be perceived by adults as misbehaving... what's not to love? I love the classical literature references- I picked the book up originally as way to introduce Edgar Allan Poe to students. This action packed book is definitely going in my classroom library. (Editing notes: There were a few errors in the last half of the book. Only a few of which could cause confusion in some student readers. These maybe edited out in other printings. This is just something to be aware of as an adult if reading with the intended age-audience.)
August 18, 2017
I give this book 2 1/2 stars. It was kind of meh to me.
First, most of the book was telling. I don't feel like the author showed much at all. I was excited for a bit because the twins live in Baltimore, but then the setting wasn't really important, so it disappointed me. Second, I didn't like the parts with Poe in the afterlife. It didn't make any sense. Third, the writing was kind of mediocre.
However, I did like the twins. They were fun. Their aunt and uncle were great too. A half star for that part. It's an okay book, but I don't think a lot kids would enjoy it, especially since most of them aren't old enough to read Poe.
First, most of the book was telling. I don't feel like the author showed much at all. I was excited for a bit because the twins live in Baltimore, but then the setting wasn't really important, so it disappointed me. Second, I didn't like the parts with Poe in the afterlife. It didn't make any sense. Third, the writing was kind of mediocre.
However, I did like the twins. They were fun. Their aunt and uncle were great too. A half star for that part. It's an okay book, but I don't think a lot kids would enjoy it, especially since most of them aren't old enough to read Poe.
June 25, 2024
This book was mid. The book has a good idea about the two kids' ability with shared minds, but the execution of the story with the evil scientist didn't make me laugh at all. The cat, Roderick Usher, could be used in a better way but the relationships between the boys and the great-great-great-great granduncle is something I appreciated about this book. The beginning was not dramatic enough. It did improve in interest in the middle of the story but the ending felt like a fail. It was funny sometimes but not enough to give it more than 3.5 stars. All in all, I would recommend it to kids between 9-11.
Im Groot ;)
Im Groot ;)
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