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Familjen Considines förbannelse
Fjortonåriga Mariel återvänder till det lilla charmiga samhället Chilton för att gå på mormoderns begravning. Det är första gången hon reser tillbaka till England sedan hon och hennes mamma emigrerade till Australien när hon var liten. Att hon ens har morbröder och mostrar och kusiner kommer som en chock, för Mariels mamma har aldrig berättat om släkten Considine. Och nu när Mariel till slut träffar dem, förstår hon varför. Mötet med de sju kusinerna på kyrktrappan är början på en serie fasansfulla avslöjanden om familjen Considines förbannelse.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Gareth P. Jones
78 books153 followersGareth first started writing when he was very young but it wasn’t until he was in his early twenties that he completed his first novel. Having had it universally rejected he wrote a novel for children called Who Killed Charlie Twig, which received an equally unimpressed reception and remains rightly unpublished to this day.
Some years passed during which Gareth met his future wife, Lisa and began a career in TV, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Then one day he found himself having lunch at the offices of Bloomsbury. He mentioned the unpublished book to a nice lady called Sarah, who politely suggested that he should send in the first three chapters for her to look at (and most likely dismiss, she thought to herself). Gareth returned home and excitedly told his wife this news, who gently explained that the book he had written actually wasn’t very good, but reminded him that he had recently begun work on a much better idea. This turned out to be good advice. In 2007 Bloomsbury published the first of four books in the series The Dragon Detective Agency and have since published The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Space Crime Conspiracy and The Considine Curse. He has also written a shorter story, Perry’s 5, published by Barrington Stoke and a series of books called Ninja Meerkats, published by Stripes.
Gareth now divides his time between writing books, producing TV programmes, spending time with his wife and son, Herbie and playing the slightly ludicrous number of stringed instruments in his front room.
NOMINATIONS & AWARDS
The Dragon Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Cats was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize.
The Thornthwaite Inheritance was shortlisted for eleven local book awards and won seven of them.
The Considine Curse was voted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012.
Some years passed during which Gareth met his future wife, Lisa and began a career in TV, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Then one day he found himself having lunch at the offices of Bloomsbury. He mentioned the unpublished book to a nice lady called Sarah, who politely suggested that he should send in the first three chapters for her to look at (and most likely dismiss, she thought to herself). Gareth returned home and excitedly told his wife this news, who gently explained that the book he had written actually wasn’t very good, but reminded him that he had recently begun work on a much better idea. This turned out to be good advice. In 2007 Bloomsbury published the first of four books in the series The Dragon Detective Agency and have since published The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Space Crime Conspiracy and The Considine Curse. He has also written a shorter story, Perry’s 5, published by Barrington Stoke and a series of books called Ninja Meerkats, published by Stripes.
Gareth now divides his time between writing books, producing TV programmes, spending time with his wife and son, Herbie and playing the slightly ludicrous number of stringed instruments in his front room.
NOMINATIONS & AWARDS
The Dragon Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Cats was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize.
The Thornthwaite Inheritance was shortlisted for eleven local book awards and won seven of them.
The Considine Curse was voted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 31, 2012
Original review posted at Mostly Reading YA
I really enjoyed this children’s book by Gareth P. Jones. Far more than I probably should have, given that I’m about fourteen years older than it’s intended audience!
I have to admit I was drawn to it because of its cover: traditional artwork with a bit of an Adam’s family, Victorian-gothic vibe going on and a host of interesting looking characters.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Straight away we are introduced to Mariel’s strangely hostile cousins, who she meets for the very first time at her grandmother’s funeral. They range from the shy Lily, glamorous Amelia, awkward and formal Gerald, obnoxious Oberon, easy-going Freddie, and the downright creepy and possibly psychotic Elspeth, who was my personal favourite.
It’s clear from the wary and rude welcoming that they give Mariel that she isn’t wanted or considered a ‘Considine’. Mariel, unsurprisingly, is annoyed by their attitude and by the whispered death threats (creatively delivered in verse form by the charming Elspeth). All the grandchildren were unusually close to their grandmother, yet none of them seem particularly upset that she is dead. And Mariel’s aunts and uncles don’t seem to regard her with quite the same reverence when asked about her. Then there’s the mystery of why Mariel’s mother chose to keep her far away for all those years. And how exactly did grandfather die?
All the characters in The Considine Curse have distinct personalities and were great fun to get to know. Mariel and her mother spend a few days at each of her uncle’s houses and things get creepier by the day. There are violent animal attacks on livestock and pets, strange howling at night and local folklore tells of the beast of Wilderdale. Mariel is furious she missed out on knowing her own family, but the more she discovers, the less certain she is that she wants to know them at all. And then her mother announces they’ll be moving back to the family home…
I guessed the family secret pretty easily, given some unsubtle clues, as I’m sure many readers will. Nevertheless, the story is highly enjoyable and well paced, revealing just enough at the right moments while raising more questions to keep the reader engaged. There is a highly unusual ending that I didn’t expect at all and actually left me rather unsettled, as did the ‘coaxing’ which I found beyond disturbing – but in a good way (as strange as that sounds). I like it when writers have the ability to leave me uncomfortable, long after I’ve finished the book, particularly when it’s deliberately intended.
The Considine Curse is a dark, twisted little tale that I think younger readers will really enjoy. Fans of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events will undoubtedly love this one.
I really enjoyed this children’s book by Gareth P. Jones. Far more than I probably should have, given that I’m about fourteen years older than it’s intended audience!
I have to admit I was drawn to it because of its cover: traditional artwork with a bit of an Adam’s family, Victorian-gothic vibe going on and a host of interesting looking characters.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Straight away we are introduced to Mariel’s strangely hostile cousins, who she meets for the very first time at her grandmother’s funeral. They range from the shy Lily, glamorous Amelia, awkward and formal Gerald, obnoxious Oberon, easy-going Freddie, and the downright creepy and possibly psychotic Elspeth, who was my personal favourite.
It’s clear from the wary and rude welcoming that they give Mariel that she isn’t wanted or considered a ‘Considine’. Mariel, unsurprisingly, is annoyed by their attitude and by the whispered death threats (creatively delivered in verse form by the charming Elspeth). All the grandchildren were unusually close to their grandmother, yet none of them seem particularly upset that she is dead. And Mariel’s aunts and uncles don’t seem to regard her with quite the same reverence when asked about her. Then there’s the mystery of why Mariel’s mother chose to keep her far away for all those years. And how exactly did grandfather die?
All the characters in The Considine Curse have distinct personalities and were great fun to get to know. Mariel and her mother spend a few days at each of her uncle’s houses and things get creepier by the day. There are violent animal attacks on livestock and pets, strange howling at night and local folklore tells of the beast of Wilderdale. Mariel is furious she missed out on knowing her own family, but the more she discovers, the less certain she is that she wants to know them at all. And then her mother announces they’ll be moving back to the family home…
I guessed the family secret pretty easily, given some unsubtle clues, as I’m sure many readers will. Nevertheless, the story is highly enjoyable and well paced, revealing just enough at the right moments while raising more questions to keep the reader engaged. There is a highly unusual ending that I didn’t expect at all and actually left me rather unsettled, as did the ‘coaxing’ which I found beyond disturbing – but in a good way (as strange as that sounds). I like it when writers have the ability to leave me uncomfortable, long after I’ve finished the book, particularly when it’s deliberately intended.
The Considine Curse is a dark, twisted little tale that I think younger readers will really enjoy. Fans of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events will undoubtedly love this one.
February 22, 2023
A strangely tragic ending compared to the overall tone and style of this seemingly children's book.
August 1, 2019
A young adult book with an intriguing if slightly weird story.. its definitely a book I can see young teenagers reading and finding interesting but it's also definitely one of the weirdest YA books I have read
January 5, 2013
There’s definitely something strange about the Considine family. When fourteen-year-old Mariel returns back to England with her Mum for her grandmother’s funeral, she discovers some unexpected and extraordinary truths about her long lost family; one’s which she would rather remain hidden. A week before she and her mother are due to return back to Australia Mariel gets the chance to stay with the Aunties, Uncles and weird cousins her Mum had hidden from her all her life. Mariel knows there’s something strange about her cousins. From Elspeth’s rhyming speeches to Oberon’s nasty bite, each cousin makes Mariel feel very different from her family. Mariel digs deeper into the past of her family only to realise that her cousins are all living secret lives as werewolves, a result of a genetic condition passed down from their grandparents! Mariel is free from the disorder and attempts to avoid being drawn into the pack. And she succeeds, until the fateful night of the dawning of the pack leader, when Mariel’s destiny reveals her transformation into a beast herself.
Winner of the Blue Peter book award 2012, the Considine Curse has all of the components of a classic children’s horror thriller, from the old mysterious house to the tale of a wild beast. The book is made more interesting by the strange characters, all of which have their own personalities that shine through. The story is interesting and the ending is a really good twist. My only criticism would be that it seemed to take a long while for any kind of drama to unfold, but that could have been due to the author attempting to build suspense.
The Considine curse would be well used as a book in a class library or possibly for whole class reading. I would say that it is appropriate for the year 5 group onwards.
Winner of the Blue Peter book award 2012, the Considine Curse has all of the components of a classic children’s horror thriller, from the old mysterious house to the tale of a wild beast. The book is made more interesting by the strange characters, all of which have their own personalities that shine through. The story is interesting and the ending is a really good twist. My only criticism would be that it seemed to take a long while for any kind of drama to unfold, but that could have been due to the author attempting to build suspense.
The Considine curse would be well used as a book in a class library or possibly for whole class reading. I would say that it is appropriate for the year 5 group onwards.
Read
January 5, 2020I have given this book 1 star. No, I am taking even that one back!
It started out good. Muriel suddenly finds out about family she didn’t know she had when she returns to England for her Grandmother’s funeral. Her cousins seem weirdly close...not just to block her out as a stranger to them. But as she gets to know them, they seem weirder still. Yet, the parents don’t know about it.
And then, as she finds out more, it gets pretty strange. I kept reading because I thought she would be strong and stand up to what is going wrong, so I kept reading. And I was still relying on the cover image, which implies an innocence which it turns out few of them had.
But then things twisted, became dark and very menacing, and even worse.
What bothers me was that complete lack of morality. Yes, it is a YA book, but as I say, the cover seems quite at odds with the actual book. If they had dressed it like other books with this sort of subject, then people would get a clue and avoid it if they wanted. Even the book description here on GoodReads is misleading!
This is what makes me most angry. Yes, I am an adult, but I don’t want young people I know to be led into reading what could lead to amoral behaviour. Perhaps at their late teens and early twenties, if they like that particular genre, then they could choose it, but not as a younger teen be led down the road into something they haven’t been prepared to face.
In fact, I feel very strongly that human life is sacred and no one should be tricked into disregarding that...or reading about it!
It started out good. Muriel suddenly finds out about family she didn’t know she had when she returns to England for her Grandmother’s funeral. Her cousins seem weirdly close...not just to block her out as a stranger to them. But as she gets to know them, they seem weirder still. Yet, the parents don’t know about it.
And then, as she finds out more, it gets pretty strange. I kept reading because I thought she would be strong and stand up to what is going wrong, so I kept reading. And I was still relying on the cover image, which implies an innocence which it turns out few of them had.
But then things twisted, became dark and very menacing, and even worse.
What bothers me was that complete lack of morality. Yes, it is a YA book, but as I say, the cover seems quite at odds with the actual book. If they had dressed it like other books with this sort of subject, then people would get a clue and avoid it if they wanted. Even the book description here on GoodReads is misleading!
This is what makes me most angry. Yes, I am an adult, but I don’t want young people I know to be led into reading what could lead to amoral behaviour. Perhaps at their late teens and early twenties, if they like that particular genre, then they could choose it, but not as a younger teen be led down the road into something they haven’t been prepared to face.
In fact, I feel very strongly that human life is sacred and no one should be tricked into disregarding that...or reading about it!
June 24, 2016
This was an interesting and fun story. Its fast paced and mysterious with some surprising twists!
May 28, 2021
I was gutted when I finished the book.
Mariel is attending the funeral of her grandmother who she never met, in fact she's never met any of her mum's family.
The adults seem ok, but her cousins are so strange.
This is a marvellous book. It has become one of my favourite books.
Mariel is attending the funeral of her grandmother who she never met, in fact she's never met any of her mum's family.
The adults seem ok, but her cousins are so strange.
This is a marvellous book. It has become one of my favourite books.
September 23, 2017
Some families have a really BIG secret. Mysterious, creepy and fantastic.
did-not-finish
October 25, 2017Den här boken är så oengagerande att jag inte orkar läsa klart den. Jag gillade verkligen "Tvillingarna Thornthwaithes testamente" av samma författare, men den här är ju bara så tråkig.
February 3, 2025
Good book for youngsters, a worthy winner of the Blue Peter award 2012.
July 25, 2021
actual rating: 3.5
Although the werewolf aspect of the book was a bit too obvious for me at times, overall I think this was a pretty solid spooky middle grade book and a lot of fun to read. I also really liked how it ended and there were a few good curveballs that got thrown in in the later chapters so that's why I ended up rounding it up instead of down.
Although the werewolf aspect of the book was a bit too obvious for me at times, overall I think this was a pretty solid spooky middle grade book and a lot of fun to read. I also really liked how it ended and there were a few good curveballs that got thrown in in the later chapters so that's why I ended up rounding it up instead of down.
January 19, 2014
I started reading this in a very casual way because I liked the cover characters. But the swiftly moving gothic/horror/crime/mystery/thriller/family-intrigue story very quickly hooked me and I had another late night. Had to finish it in the morning before I could function in my day.
The plot held together very neatly. The characters were well written, considering there were so many of them and there was not much time to round them out in this short format. I liked the interplay between the mother and daughter very much. (It took me back to those tempestuous times when I was a teen and would be in a fuming rage with my own mother… I thing I generally find very hard to remember.) But these arguments were authentic and, as with real arguments, it is often what is not said that really gets people peeved. Along with the feeling of frustration that a teen feels as a result of being almost old enough to be independent, yet forced to be dependent or to follow along with parents' over-riding decisions with which they don't agree. Because the alternative is what? Becoming a runaway homeless 14 year old?
Lastly, I relished the bold ending. Woohoo! Wild!
The plot held together very neatly. The characters were well written, considering there were so many of them and there was not much time to round them out in this short format. I liked the interplay between the mother and daughter very much. (It took me back to those tempestuous times when I was a teen and would be in a fuming rage with my own mother… I thing I generally find very hard to remember.) But these arguments were authentic and, as with real arguments, it is often what is not said that really gets people peeved. Along with the feeling of frustration that a teen feels as a result of being almost old enough to be independent, yet forced to be dependent or to follow along with parents' over-riding decisions with which they don't agree. Because the alternative is what? Becoming a runaway homeless 14 year old?
Lastly, I relished the bold ending. Woohoo! Wild!
June 2, 2022
I thank this book for getting me back to reading after the depressing time which was lockdown 2020. And oh my lord, this book was great.
I could really relate to Mariel, feeling like an outcast to her family. Even though I live close to my cousins, I always felt I was different from them and they made me feel that way. And I liked how most of the characters, (even in a way, the mum,) were somewhat antagonists. Amelia was an exception, however.
Elsbeth and Oberon were so hateable, not just because about how cruel they were, but because they felt so real.
First time reading the book, I didn't know how to feel about the ending. But upon re-reading it last year, the ending made a lot more sense. What Mariel needed in her life was to feel wanted. And in the end, she finally felt that way.
I could really relate to Mariel, feeling like an outcast to her family. Even though I live close to my cousins, I always felt I was different from them and they made me feel that way. And I liked how most of the characters, (even in a way, the mum,) were somewhat antagonists. Amelia was an exception, however.
Elsbeth and Oberon were so hateable, not just because about how cruel they were, but because they felt so real.
First time reading the book, I didn't know how to feel about the ending. But upon re-reading it last year, the ending made a lot more sense. What Mariel needed in her life was to feel wanted. And in the end, she finally felt that way.
March 19, 2019
An interesting read that starts off as a run of the mill supernatural children's story takes a surprising jack knife turn at the end, that will leave you pondering.
August 14, 2016
Lovely, interesting book. The angle it takes is very neat. It can be hard to remember which relative has what life. The -1 star is because it was to short. It would have been better with maybe about 100 more pages. And maybe some estate fights meaning I get money you will sell or you will die etc
February 1, 2022
for a kids’ book, this surprised me! it is written with a flair perfect for the middle-grade level but with a touch of something dark and disturbing. twisty and terrific!! heavily enjoyed this back when i read it years ago as a teen.
February 5, 2014
A thoroughly enjoyable book which utilizes humour while touching on serious issues. A hair-raising family adventure that will entertain.
July 12, 2014
This book is amazing. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time! I highly recommend it to 9-14 . That's if you like were-wolves!!!
October 6, 2014
It is really good although it ends really really sad it is still good
December 6, 2015
Wow. This is the darkest children's book I've ever read. Was not expecting that.
August 6, 2024
Admittedly, my excitement about the mystery surrounding The Considine Family was initially high, but it dissipated after the climax when all the revelations—the true secrets of her grandfather, the notebook, the priest, and the murderer—were unveiled. My enthusiasm mirrored an analysis graph that transitions from "High to Low." Particularly, the ending was excessively brutal for a children's book; the notion of children consuming their cousin's body to become full-fledged wolves is utterly appalling. What was the author, Gareth P. Jones, thinking when he penned such an ending? It evoked the same discomfort I felt reading Lord of the Flies. Why? Being inherently optimistic - a children's book researcher, I question the necessity of such brutality. Why did Jones choose to conclude the story in such a grim manner?
The portrayal of the older family members, especially Mariel’s mother, struck me as particularly weak and ineffective. It almost seems as though the author harbors a disdain for adults, which becomes evident when all the children aspire to become full wolves by the end. However, the implications of losing their humanity and running wild, especially with Mariel just experiencing her first transformation, are completely glossed over. This oversight renders the narrative nonsensical.
Furthermore, the revelation of the family’s secrets in the final moments felt rushed and poorly planned, with some secrets emerging seemingly out of nowhere. Despite these shortcomings, I did appreciate the clever plotting involving the priest and the gun—an ingenious touch.
Overall, I believe this book is unsuitable for children. While the writing style suggests it targets a younger audience, the violent content makes it more appropriate for young adults, though it may still be too intense for them. The book fails to inspire confidence or provide uplifting themes, leaving me unimpressed.
The portrayal of the older family members, especially Mariel’s mother, struck me as particularly weak and ineffective. It almost seems as though the author harbors a disdain for adults, which becomes evident when all the children aspire to become full wolves by the end. However, the implications of losing their humanity and running wild, especially with Mariel just experiencing her first transformation, are completely glossed over. This oversight renders the narrative nonsensical.
Furthermore, the revelation of the family’s secrets in the final moments felt rushed and poorly planned, with some secrets emerging seemingly out of nowhere. Despite these shortcomings, I did appreciate the clever plotting involving the priest and the gun—an ingenious touch.
Overall, I believe this book is unsuitable for children. While the writing style suggests it targets a younger audience, the violent content makes it more appropriate for young adults, though it may still be too intense for them. The book fails to inspire confidence or provide uplifting themes, leaving me unimpressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2021
For a "children book" this is actually some dark stuff. The way it ended especially was so disturbing. I thought it was going to be a normal adventurous book about a group of young siblings so I didn't see the second half of the story coming at all.
I don't think it's a bad book, just not for me. I dislike the direction the story took towards the end and none of the characters was really likeable.
I don't think it's a bad book, just not for me. I dislike the direction the story took towards the end and none of the characters was really likeable.
May 30, 2025
I did not like the moral message of this book. The writing was good up to a certain point, but then the main character completely flips around and goes against all her moral values, and the things that made her relatable and endearing. The book glorifies violence, murder and cruelty, and there is no redemption arc or even an attempt to really justify it. It's just thrown in there, and even praised.
Would not recommend giving this to your kid.
Would not recommend giving this to your kid.
July 28, 2021
I read this book years ago, as a quite young child, and it left a large impression on me. I still remember how much it terrified me. Still, I don’t want to re-read it, because like other readers have pointed out, the experience seems to be different for older readers. I would recommend this book to a child around or younger than 10 that isn’t easily scared and can handle a bit longer novels.
July 21, 2023
Read this book when I was 9 years old - it freaked me out a lot. Then I gave it to my sister - it freaked her out a lot. She then gave it to our other sister - it freaked her out to the extent that she chucked it out of the window and into the rain. We never opened it again.
But yeah, a pretty good book
But yeah, a pretty good book
January 19, 2022
Read this once when it came out. Lost it. Read it again a couple years ago and still loved it! Definitely for younger readers but I remember the plot so it definitely left an impression on me.
Considering I read it years ago take the 5 stars with a grain of salt.
Considering I read it years ago take the 5 stars with a grain of salt.
September 12, 2023
This book has a really interesting plot and has many secrets revealed all through the book. This book is a nice easy read and isn’t too long. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a bit of a thrill.
May 23, 2017
A really cute, scary family adventure :))))
July 7, 2017
Nebylo to tak dobrý, jako Dědictví rodu Trnhoffů, ale i tak se mi ti líbilo.
July 14, 2019
good book to read for young adults enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews