Secrets of the Purple Pearl

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science #2

by Kate McKinnon

A New York Times bestseller!

From Saturday Night Live legend Kate McKinnon comes the highly anticipated second book in her #1 New York Times bestselling series about mad science, three peculiar sisters, and the mysterious Millicent Quibb! The Porch Sisters are in trouble. It’s summertime in Antiquarium, and everyone has flocked to the majestic lakeside Purple Pearl Hotel, including the Krenetics Research Association, a nefarious group of mad scientists. They haven’t given up on resurrecting their fearsome leader, Talon Sharktūth, and now they’re hot on the trail of the legendary Purple Pearl, a source of power that is rumored to be lost at the bottom of Lake Kagloopy.  But Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee are on to them, plus their mentor, Millicent Quibb, has a plan! Is it a good plan? Hard to say! But it does involve finding a mysterious creature called a Shrimpmaid, boiling the lake (and everything inside it), and retrieving the pearl before the KRA gets its evil hands on it! While Millicent and the gang work together to prevent the second coming of Talon Sharktūth, the sisters discover more secrets than they bargained for—including where they came from and who they truly are... This is one mad-science summer vacation they’ll never forget!

Genres: Middle Grade, Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Science Fiction

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY LITERALLY EVERYONE (regardless of age or status of child-having) IS NOT READING THIS SERIES IS BEYOND ME.

And when I say reading, I mean reading-via-audiobook because even the closing credits of this audiobook are more entertaining than 90% of audiobooks on the market (this is my hill I’ll die on it if I want to).

[Florrie Nuttall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my petition to have these books made into a Netflix series. Probably the best audiobook I have ever listened to.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gawwwd Kate McKinnon is SO GOOD!! As usual, I listened to audiobook while I read along and Kate narrated again! So much fun! And so hilarious!!! This is one series where I would say you have to listen to the audiobook as you read because it adds so much to the reading experience! Couldn’t stop laughing!!!

More please!!

[Shelby Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny!! Kate McKinnon is incredible & her narration can’t be beat. Can’t wait to gift these books to my nieces and nephews!! Would be such a fun road trip listen for kids!! Or anyone really!!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so fun even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense. It is funny and bizarre and exactly what I would think Kate McKinnon would write. The audiobook is top notch although she does narrate at a fast pace! Her voices and the all around weirdness are definitely entertaining though!

[Lex Hewson · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my god, it was such a perfect sequel and book!! my fiance asked me for the ten cent summary, so I gave it to him and he probably thinks that I had a stroke. but I have my next tattoo planned and my heart is so full. thank you, G Edwina, and thank you Kate McKinnon for so perfectly transcribing her story while she got the wasps under control. 💙🌹

[Madeleine Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deliciously stupid and hilarious. Given that it’s Kate McKinnon, you’d be insane not to listen to this on audiobook: it’s a masterpiece. 11/10 no notes.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's my much anticipated "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science: Secrets of the Purple Pearl." Written by Kate McKinnon...sort of. ;) This Millicent Quibb book is technically by G. Edwina Candlestick (and "as told by" by Kate).

["It’s summertime in Antiquarium and everyone has flocked to the majestic lakeside Purple Pearl Hotel, including the nefarious group of evil mad scientists, the Krenetics Research Association. They haven’t given up on resurrecting their fearsome leader, Talon Sharktüth, and now, they’re hot on the trail of the legendary Purple Pearl, a source of power that is rumored to be lost at the bottom of Kagloopy Lake. All they need to do now is find a mysterious creature called a Shrimpmaid, boil the lake (and everything in it) away, and pluck up the pearl!

But Millicent, Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee are onto them, and they are determined to stop the KRA, even though they are now full pariahs in Antiquarium society. While Millicent and the gang work together to prevent the second coming of Talon Sharktüth, they discover more secrets than they bargained for– including where they came from, and who they truly are...

It's a mad science summer vacation they'll never forget!"]

I loved this book as much as the first. It was just as quirky and weird and fun and science-y. It was about sticking out when everyone is telling you to fit in. It's about research and found family and self-exploration. It's about science (mad science) and kindness and saving the world.

This series is fabulous and beautiful, and I really do thing everyone needs to read it. It's glorious!

#themillicentquibbschoolofetiquetteforyoungladiesofmadscience #secretsofthepurplepearl #gedwinagandlestick #katemckinnon #childrensbooks #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU MUST listen to the audio version of this book! Book feels like the wrong word. It's a production..a whole world..and entire thing. I think this is technically middle grade but my husband, kids, and I listened to this together (they're 7 and 9) and every time we listened we were laughing out loud - down to the credits!

They ANXIOUSLY awaited this release and are already dying for the third book!

Kate McKinnon - you built something great here and I hope it catches like wildfire!

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of the Purple Pearl (Book 2 in The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science) by Kate McKinnon

Ahhh I was so excited for this one! 💜 The Porch Sisters are back and this time summer vacation at the glamorous Purple Pearl Hotel turns into a full blown mad science showdown! ⚗️😱When the Krenetics Research Association shows up…still trying to resurrect their terrifying leader…it’s up to Gertrude…Eugenia…Dee-Dee and their eccentric mentor Millicent Quibb to stop them. Their quest? Find the legendary Purple Pearl hidden deep in Lake Kagloopy before the bad guys do! 🧪💦Along the way…there are Shrimpmaids…boiling lakes (yes boiling 😆)and some jaw dropping revelations about who the sisters really are👀✨

If you or your young reader loves quirky adventures this series is pure joy. The audiobook narrated by Kate McKinnon herself is a total masterpiece 🎧she brings every wild scene to life! And the hard copy? A must-have. The zany illustrations are packed with detail and humor that perfectly match the chaos📖💥I love these characters so much and revisiting them felt like coming home to delightful madness. Adults I’m begging you read this one…laugh yourself silly then pass it to a young reader who needs a dose of madcap wonder! 💫🤖💜

Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the copy

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[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!!

Secrets of the Purple Pearl, the second installment of The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science.

The nefarious KRA are back at it again. Brewing up plans to resurrect their leader, Talon Sharktüth, at the Purple Pearl Hotel. Of course Millicent Quibb, Gertrude, Dee-Dee, and Eugenia are there and will intervene by any means necessary! Thus, The Porch Sisters embark on several fun filled Mad Scientist adventures while also uncovering secrets from their past. Can they successfully foil the plans of the Krenetics Research Association?

I loved the first book and was thrilled when I got the chance to read an advanced copy of the second book! It is such a fun and quirky read. I can clearly hear Kate McKinnon narrating this to me in my head as I read, which makes it even funnier! Not only is it a hilariously funny read for kids, it has so many positive messages interwoven into the story! Can’t wait to continue this series and see what adventure Millicent and The Porch Sisters end up on next!

[Charisa Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kid liked this. He liked that the Porches were apocryphs. He did not like the purple pearl hotel as the setting. He thought it was a weird place (kind of the point I think). He thinks the Porches should be nicer to Lavinia-Steve. And he would be friends with the Porches if Eugenia would let him.

I hope that Lavinia-Steve eventually joins them in Millicent’s school of mad science. She really seems to want to be a part of it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this as much as I loved the first.

This has the same kind of quirky qualities that that my kids grew up with when reading Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. Entertaining as it is on its own, there was nostalgia layered into my experience.

Both volumes are ending on my list of best books read in 2025- with a nod to the best audio narration. I love it when authors narrate their own works, and Kate McKinnon takes it to the next level.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was as much fun as the first one. It really needs to be listened to instead of read but it is really fun to follow along in the book because of how it is written and the illustrations. The audible is as much performed as read and it is hilarious. I look forward to there being more books in this series. I am 70 but, not too old for it but, I think my grandkids will love it.

[books-on-a-wire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's hoping that she continues to have success with her writing career. They are always fun and really kooky and over the top, but I've coming to expect that from her. The audiobooks are absolute perfection - I listen while flipping through my hard copy for all of the illustrations. So many voices provided by Kate (and her sister!)

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate McKinnon, or rather, G. Edwina Candlestank, is a genius, and I feel just as enraptured by this book as I was at the end of the first story.

I know that this series will eventually end, but I'm begging for a third book.

This is officially my new favorite MG fantasy series, and I need everyone to stop what they're doing right now and read it.

[Erin Holt | Dear Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series on audiobook is pure entertainment. I’m not sure what in the world is happening most of the time - it feels like I’ve jumped inside Kate McKinnons brain and am just stumbling around - but it is complete perfection. I’ve never experienced such hilarity and joy with an audiobook. This is for everyone.

[Cursed Capy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of Kate, I'm already looking forward for the next book in the series.
The audio version as expected: phenomenal!
Hearing her sister reminded me of Jojo in their comedy audio serie Heads Will Roll (definitely not for kids though)

[Dottie Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you are looking for an escape from the dreary current times, may I recommend this series audio books? if you aren't giggling to yourself at Millicent Quibb and her pew-peels (pupils, for those not in the know), you may be beyond help of even the panacea slug.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purple Pearl is a great read

If you didn't read the first book, it's ok. This book stands alone. But read the first one, then read this. Young adult fiction at it's best. The 3 Poarch sisters are off on adventures with their teacher Millicent Quibb. I read it in 3 days. Fabulous!!!

[Jenna Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book series is wild and crazy… I mean, it’s written by Kate McKinnon. The audio is such a fun ride, and I recommend it to anyone (kid or adult) needing a laugh. Book two opened up so many possibilities for book three, and I am here for them all, Kate!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy these Millicent Quibb books! I want more. And the audiobook is fantabulistic, which isn't really a word but probably should be, especially for describing such wonderfullish narrations.

[Always-think-critically · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since SNL I’ve absolutely loved McKinnon’s mind. Always have and probs always will. Excited for book 3!

Thank you for creating such weird, quirky, immersive, and entertaining content that is fun for all ages💕

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate McKinnon nails it again with this second illustrated chapter book in her Millicent Quibb series. What fun to return to this kooky and imaginative world! The author-narrated audiobook is excellent and sure to entertain and engage young and old readers alike. This is a smartly written book filled with hilarious and fanciful details. I listened to the audiobook on Libby but my daughters wanted to keep listening in the car after the due date so we continued on Spotify.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot WAIT for the third book. There are so many deep messages in this book that you won’t expect. Same for the 1st in the series, I highly recommend the audio version of both. I promise you will be entertained and in awe of the talent of Kate McKinnon and her sister!!!

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I highly, highly recommend the audiobook version of this which McKinnon reads with Emily Lynne. It’s not that the story is so amazing, but the audio allows so many funny over the top moments that I can listen more for style than plot.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Everything she does is delightful. Excellent on audio.

[Rachel Kohlbrenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun sequel, but know there is a cliffhanger to contend with…

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook narrated by Kate McKinnon is where it’s at. Humor and heart. The whole shrimp bit brought me to tears.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to listen to.