The Chupacabra

The Cryptid Files #2

by Jean Flitcroft

Vanessa found herself looking straight into a large, salivating mouth with razor-sharp fangs. Above it, two glowing red eyes pulsed to the sound of her heart…





When Vanessa visits a friend's family on their ranch in Mexico, she's expecting a relaxing summer. Instead, she enters a shadowy world of mysterious animal death, magical curses, and dark family secrets.





Vanessa's hosts are in trouble. Their ranch is struggling; there's been no rain, and animals are being killed by an unidentified predator. Could it be the mythical creature mentioned in her mother's cryptid files—the bloodsucking Chupacabra? Or do the ranch's misfortunes have something to do with the family's painful past?





As Vanessa tumbles headlong into the mystery of the Chupacabra, she discovers that nothing is quite what it seems.

Genres: Young Adult

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Jean Flitcroft, born in 1964, is an Irish author who lives in Dublin with her husband and three boys. She attended Holy Child School, Killiney and studied science in University College Dublin. On being awarded a Welcome Scholarship she went on to Magdalen College, Oxford University where she obtained her doctorate.

Jean started as a script writer for medical and scientific films and later became a travel writer when her obsession with travel won out. It was on these journeys around the world that she started writing books for children.

Reviews

[Random Scholar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly stumbled upon this book at a local library when I was searching for good children's literature. I had never heard of the series before (nor the author) yet I was pleasantly surprised. Vanessa visited her friends family in Mexico and learned of many superstitions before encountering some on her own. The story opened up with a short scene of Vanessa running from a monster (presumably the Chupacabra) which helped build anticipation of the story. Even though I had never read the previous book in the series, I was able to understand Vanessa's goal of being a cryptozoologist right away. This was evident when she repeatedly referenced her notebook to go over the details of each creature. Based on the story and the age of the characters I think this story would be most suitable for students ages 9 to 15.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great family drama mixed with local lore. Wasn't expecting what it turned out to be! Never before heard that take on the legend; very interesting.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

the Mexican devil book was a good book.

Vanessa is on a trip with her cousin when out comes this weird vision of elchupracabra a Mexican myth. so she is horrified but she finds out in the end that it is a nagwal not the elchupracabra. the nagwal are shape-shifters of Aztec decent. Vanessa and her friend go and have fun and then fly back to Scotland.

i recommend this book for children of all ages it is a good fiction mystery book.

[Clifford Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected but entertaining

I like the unknown and myths. This book does not draw me in right away, but towards the middle it was a fast read. Not bad for a quick leisurely read about cryptids. Facts are brief and go with the chapters.