Castle Gout and the Peculiar Petunia: Trussel and Gout: Paranormal Investigations No. 4

Trussel and Gout: Paranormal Investigations #4

by M.A. Knights

It's finally time to break the curse.Clementine Trussel must follow her master, supernatural investigator, Mr Theophilius Gout, to a location marked on a map by a dying man. Once there, they hope to find the ancestral home of the Gout family and uncover the source of the curse that has plagued Theophilius for decades.But it soon becomes apparent they've found more than they bargained for.With something evil lurking in the abandoned mansion, and locals who are less than thrilled to see them, Clementine still thinks she knows what she is getting herself into. But then the secrets begin to be revealed.She's been lied to, and what she discovers could change everything.This is a novella or short read and can be read in around 3 hours.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

188 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2023

Reviews

[Rebecca Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be my favourite book in the series so far. I love that it's become a "found family", one of my favourite tropes in fantasy! All the characters felt even more fleshed out. Answers to questions, but in the end, you end up with more questions than answer. I can not predict where this series will end, and Im very much looking forward to it.

Im now eagerly awaiting the next book! The title sounds very intriguing.

[Chelsea Reining · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say, I am a sucker for M.A. Knights' weird stories that will leave you both disturbed and happy....at the same time! Knights has mastered this mix of cozy and paranormal and creepy and heartwarming that I truly can't describe - and he does it in so few pages! His novellas are just some of my absolute favorites and I've never read anything like them. They're weird and fun and will just make you happy, even while you're startled by dead rabbits and zombies and kobolds and man eating plants...

Seriously, this whole series is so much fun and this newest installment is no exception. If you want some very quick, easy, unique reads I can't recommend this series highly enough!

[Chris Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t written up many reviews of late, but I feel the need to ensure I support new authors. Especially ones I like.

Full disclosure, I have been following Martin on booktok for a considerable time and he is a very good, fun, balanced reviewer of books that are up my street.

I knew he had written these 4 novellas, but it was only when I wanted to support him by purchasing a signed copy of his first full length novel The Lord of Misrule that I (ashamedly) took notice.

So being in a slight reading slump (as you can see) taking weeks to read single books, that I decided knock off Martin’s first novella The Pig in the Derby Hat. Pleasantly surprised is an understatement. These are very, very good.

Martin is clearly influenced by Pratchett, and that is fine with me, but I’d argue that it is more accessible. This is cosy fantasy with an eloquent simplicity that makes it a far more enjoyable read; at least for me.

I write this review on the last of the 4 in the current published series (next one on the way) because these are not fully independent stories. There is a running thread that links each book, which is the cause of my dropped star. With slight tweaks this could easily be a single novel, and I wish it was.

Aside from that, this is solid work, that on the surface is cosy fantasy, but there is a darkened edge that gravitates this beyond mediocrity.

You can tell from my reviews that I don’t fuck about with ratings, and I will be honest when I review. So when I tell you this is 4* I am not being sycophantic because I follow Martin online. I could easily have not rated it and left it there. But to do so would not give this series the respect it deserves. It is a genuinely enjoyable series that deserves to be out there and widely read.

Bravo!

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curiouser, curiouser

We have a few answers surrounding Mr Gout, but now so many more questions, who is this mystery friend. How many more strays will Mr Gout collect on his way to finding answers ? If more, how many will be human ?

[Emily Lonsdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great to see these characters develop looking forwards to the next one.

[TreeFlower · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

🐈‍⬛ 🌱🏰

This is the 4th in a series. Start with “The Pig In The Derby Hat”.

Trussel & Gout are off again but this time it’s personal. Instead of picking up another case they’re determined to figure out Mr. Gout’s past. Through a stroke of luck and a few inquiries they manage to figure out where Mr. Gout used to live. When they get there they find no shortage of chaos and mystery. This may be their toughest problem yet.

These are witty, funny, and a little spooky. I love their cozy, familiar feel.
On to the next!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Great Book!

Castle Gout is another great addition to the adventures of Gout and Trussel! I’m thrilled we got more of Gout’s backstory and the addition of Grub is wonderful. Loved seeing the party exercising their powers with Gout’s help. Lots of Custard! I also enjoyed to Easter Eggs to Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Going to reread to see if I missed anything others!

[Charly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read the next book and finding out about the life of Mr Gout, Clementine and the others. I still very much love the characters - especially the fights and sarcastic discussions of Mrs Winchester and Klous - from the beginning of this series.
Keep up writing so more people can enjoy this wonderful cozy fantasy world and I can go on growing to love the characters even more. ^^

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I love this series. This one just felt rushed, in part because so much of it is flashback/backstory. Which we needed! I wanted it! This was the first installment, however, where the brevity felt like a disservice to the story. Then again, if you've read this far, you're probably like me and already looking forward to Book 5. If you're reading it out of context, friend, you will be confused.

[Kyran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book. Still has those beloved cozy vibes from the first three books. The development in the mystery of Mr. Gout's past is enveloping. Though I do wish there was a short afterward for Mr. and Mrs. Ham once the curse was listed.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and loved the abandoned house vibes in this one and any Custard content is appreciated.

Hopefully Grub stays with them and they can add to their little found family.

Looking forward to the next book (which I only just found out about - it was a lovely surprise)

[Emmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

another banger from trussel and gout. i think this one was my fave from the series so far

[Sarah Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like this story quite as much as the other stories in this series. It was longer than the others, but it felt like less actually happened.

[Thalipauriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I recommend it to anyone who likes a cozy supernatural mystery.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.

Really loving these short fantasy reads!

[Joseph Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bloody loved this one, answers. I got answers!!

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always rate these short stories by M.A Knights 5 stars because I have loved all of them. I love these characters and their adventures!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 I find these books awful fun and I enjoy seeing the author in TikTok. They are cozy and short which is sometimes just what you need. I love the supernatural element, too.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I continue to enjoy this cozy historical paranormal mystery, and this 4th installment gets more into the nitty gritty, further explaining the hows and whys of Mr. Gout’s curse and revealing some surprising things about Ms. Trussel herself.

The found family vibes are taking hold, and I’m invested in this series now as each story grabs the reader just a bit more!


Trussel and Gout: Paranormal Investigations
1. The Pig in the Derby Hat - 3.5 Stars
2. Something in the Wood Shed - 3.5 Stars
3. The White Owl of Thicklewood Hall - 3.5 Stars
4. Castle Gout and the Peculiar Petunia - 3.5 Stars

[Kasey Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castle Gout and the Peculiar Petunia (Trussel & Gout Paranormal Investigations 4) by M. A. Knights

genre: paranormal mystery novella

Clementine and Mr. Gout have finally solved the mystery of Mr. Gout's origins; unfortunately, the terrible curse is even stronger so close to home. Things quickly begin to unravel like a worn-out sweater, as they are wont to do around Mr. Gout and secrets start spilling all over the wooden floor of the abandoned Gout-family mansion. Solving one mystery only leads to more mysteries and Clementine is beginning to wonder what the truth really is. And has she gotten herself in over her head. And what about the magic stuff she wanted to learn about?

And what kind of petunia has tentacles?