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Where Monsters Lie
The children of Mivtown have grown up hearing the legend of the monsters of the loch. But it’s only a story – a warning to stay away from the water.
Then strange things start happening in the village. Effie’s rabbit Buster escapes from a locked hutch, her mum disappears without trace and slugs start to infest her home.
Along with her best friend Finn, Effie begins to hunt for clues to solve the mysteries of Mivtown. Could this all be connected to the legend? Is it really just a story or is there something lurking in those deep, dark waters?
Then strange things start happening in the village. Effie’s rabbit Buster escapes from a locked hutch, her mum disappears without trace and slugs start to infest her home.
Along with her best friend Finn, Effie begins to hunt for clues to solve the mysteries of Mivtown. Could this all be connected to the legend? Is it really just a story or is there something lurking in those deep, dark waters?
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2016
6 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Polly Ho-Yen
17 books43 followersPolly Ho-Yen was born in Northampton and brought up in Buckinghamshire. She studied English at Birmingham University before working in publishing for several years.
Her first novel, Boy in the Tower, published in July 2014 by Random House Children's Publishers, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Her second novel Where Monsters Lie was published in 2016 and her third novel, Fly Me Home, was published in 2017. Both of these novels were also nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
She now writes full-time and lives in Bristol with her husband.
Her first novel, Boy in the Tower, published in July 2014 by Random House Children's Publishers, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Her second novel Where Monsters Lie was published in 2016 and her third novel, Fly Me Home, was published in 2017. Both of these novels were also nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
She now writes full-time and lives in Bristol with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 23, 2023
So good!! I’m becoming more and more in love with Polly Ho-Yen’s writing style and her dark stories!
November 28, 2022
So good, absolutely wonderful, I really recommend to anyone! Finished it really quickly!
July 27, 2017
I absolutely raced through this book. Having read and enjoyed Boy In The Tower I first thought this might be a sequel but it stands alone completely. In a setting which reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village in which the elders both protect and control the culture and beliefs of this very small loch-bound population, Effie, her best friend Finn, and their families are party to a tragedy in which the local legend of the monster in the lake resurface and Effie must seek out the truth behind an age-old mystery.
Again, Ho-Yen has an excellent grasp of the young character. There is a wonderful relationship here between Effie and Finn and they're so well crafted that their actions, fears and thoughts are made all the more believable. The mystery of the monsters in the lake supported by the reluctance of the residents of this little village to talk about anything makes for a good outsiders story from the protagonist's point of view - children will also like this for the very same reasons of not being 'invited' into the world of adults.
I'm not too sure about the ending though. As with The Boy in the Tower, Ho-Yen leaves us with many questions unresolved and although I usually don't mind this at all, this time I felt the balance wasn't quite right and there were a few elements left unanswered which I wanted answers to.
Again, Ho-Yen has an excellent grasp of the young character. There is a wonderful relationship here between Effie and Finn and they're so well crafted that their actions, fears and thoughts are made all the more believable. The mystery of the monsters in the lake supported by the reluctance of the residents of this little village to talk about anything makes for a good outsiders story from the protagonist's point of view - children will also like this for the very same reasons of not being 'invited' into the world of adults.
I'm not too sure about the ending though. As with The Boy in the Tower, Ho-Yen leaves us with many questions unresolved and although I usually don't mind this at all, this time I felt the balance wasn't quite right and there were a few elements left unanswered which I wanted answers to.
November 13, 2016
Polly is such a talent, and this is a great, spooky Highland murder mystery story. When I was a kid I kept pet slugs, and one night they escaped ... and I'm so glad I hadn't already read this book when they did. 8+
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
November 9, 2017
A beautifully written, emotionally intelligent mystery.
Effie lives in Mivtown, a tiny place where everyone knows everyone else. Everyone also knows the legend about the monsters who live in the loch. When Effie's Mum disappears, she and her best friend Finn are determined to find out what happened. Could the monsters in the loch be real? What secrets are the 'oldies' who maintain the legend keeping? And why is Effie's house suddenly infested with slugs?
Behind the neat-o mystery story (which gets quite dark & creepy in places) Where Monsters Lie is a beautiful and intelligent examination of friendship and family, and of love and guilt and forgiveness. I absolutely adored reading about Effie and Finn's incredibly close friendship and their unquestioning loyalty to each other. The adults, Effie's parents in particular, were flawed. I actually found Effie's mum very difficult to like until the very end of the book when her motives for the way she behaves are explained. Definite touches of Jacqueline Wilson in the portrayal of well-meaning, loving, but flawed parents.
Very good read!
Effie lives in Mivtown, a tiny place where everyone knows everyone else. Everyone also knows the legend about the monsters who live in the loch. When Effie's Mum disappears, she and her best friend Finn are determined to find out what happened. Could the monsters in the loch be real? What secrets are the 'oldies' who maintain the legend keeping? And why is Effie's house suddenly infested with slugs?
Behind the neat-o mystery story (which gets quite dark & creepy in places) Where Monsters Lie is a beautiful and intelligent examination of friendship and family, and of love and guilt and forgiveness. I absolutely adored reading about Effie and Finn's incredibly close friendship and their unquestioning loyalty to each other. The adults, Effie's parents in particular, were flawed. I actually found Effie's mum very difficult to like until the very end of the book when her motives for the way she behaves are explained. Definite touches of Jacqueline Wilson in the portrayal of well-meaning, loving, but flawed parents.
Very good read!
December 7, 2019
This a beautiful book about loss, and grief, and trauma. It is clearly written for young children but remains heart-achingly accurate and never patronising. While I didn't find it creepy, I think young me would have found some of it genuinely chilling.
I am always a little disappointed when monsters are metaphorical, but this whole book was beautifully done and I was surprised by how happy I was with the ending. The touching empathetic way it was written matched perfectly with the wonderful writing itself. The relationships between the characters and surprising nuance each was allowed was frankly stunning for what I had assumed to be a standard, churned out children's book (far from it.) I'm genuinely shocked I haven't heard more about Ho-Yen, and I'll definitely be seeking out more of her work and recommending this book.
I am always a little disappointed when monsters are metaphorical, but this whole book was beautifully done and I was surprised by how happy I was with the ending. The touching empathetic way it was written matched perfectly with the wonderful writing itself. The relationships between the characters and surprising nuance each was allowed was frankly stunning for what I had assumed to be a standard, churned out children's book (far from it.) I'm genuinely shocked I haven't heard more about Ho-Yen, and I'll definitely be seeking out more of her work and recommending this book.
July 26, 2023
An incredible book that hooked me from the first page! I adored the way this book was written and how Polly Ho-Yen wrote character relationships, and specifically, the relationship between Finn and Effie, the main protagonist.
My only annoyance is how quick and unexplained the ending was. (Minor spoilers) I felt as if many questions were left unanswered or as if the author was trying to just finish the book, but apart from that, I do recommend as a quick, easy read!
My only annoyance is how quick and unexplained the ending was. (Minor spoilers) I felt as if many questions were left unanswered or as if the author was trying to just finish the book, but apart from that, I do recommend as a quick, easy read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
Polly Ho-Yen is the queen of mystery! Once you start reading this, you just have to finish it to find out what happens.
Like many mysteries, it might not answer all your questions at the end, but this is a good adventure/mystery story with a lot of insight into relationships. Suitable for KS3 and upwards.
Like many mysteries, it might not answer all your questions at the end, but this is a good adventure/mystery story with a lot of insight into relationships. Suitable for KS3 and upwards.
August 10, 2020
The blurb of this book convinced me that I was going to really enjoy it, and I thought this book was exactly fit for me seen as though I love fiction books like this. However I didn't like this book because I felt it was too disheartening. Maybe I was too young when I read this and I didn't like that some parts of this book were sad, so I might read this again at some point.
August 6, 2023
Enjoyable? Yes. Great atmospheric read? Yes. Good plot? Had potential but fell flat. Satisfying ending? No.
So this was an easy read. And it read like a creepy thriller.
But the plot was nonexistent and extremely slow. And the ending just left me… meh and confused.
So ok, Rosemary killed the mother. But that doesn’t explain the slugs. Like… someone make the slugs make sense.
So this was an easy read. And it read like a creepy thriller.
But the plot was nonexistent and extremely slow. And the ending just left me… meh and confused.
So ok, Rosemary killed the mother. But that doesn’t explain the slugs. Like… someone make the slugs make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
Lovely book for kids to read, does feel a bit slow at times and that it could be finished quicker than it was, the ending is different than I thought it would be. It’s great that one of the themes it looks at is death and moving on when a loved one dies.
May 10, 2019
I quite enjoyed this book - it took a bit of time to get going but eventually managed to create a strong feeling of unknown menace that drew me in.
May 12, 2019
Polly has a lovely style of writing but the mystery wasn't enough to pull me in.
Really don't want to get rid of the book because she signed it for me! :(
Really don't want to get rid of the book because she signed it for me! :(
November 7, 2019
A fantastic secret ladened and emotional mystery. The plot kept thickening with each chapter preventing me from being able to put it down.
March 23, 2020
The book was not a bad read, I wish the flow of the story was faster.
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March 3, 2022Great middle grade mystery novel.
What an original mystery middle grade book? It was a page turner. And also interesting and haunting in a beautiful way. 😍
What an original mystery middle grade book? It was a page turner. And also interesting and haunting in a beautiful way. 😍
January 2, 2023
Devastating and beautiful. The physical depictions of grief and its weight on the young protagonist are so intense your own body can't help but feel them in symphony.
February 28, 2023
Set as a class book this term and the children thoroughly enjoyed it… as did I!
Kept you guessing & I love a cliffhanger ending.
Kept you guessing & I love a cliffhanger ending.
August 16, 2024
I read this so quickly because I was absolutely gripped. I adore Polly’s writing. Her storytelling is compelling and Effie is a very well drawn and believable character. Clever stuff!
November 6, 2024
I know it's a children's book. But a good read for all ages. Keeps you interested until last few pages.
October 11, 2025
great read very captivating
September 18, 2020
The book’s genre is murder mystery enabling a tense read full of suspense and intrigue. The story line is based on a small village who believes in a legend that is centred on a monster living in a loch. The belief stretches to the fact that the people who live in the village are in danger if the monster is ever awoken. Effie starts to notice strange things happening, such as her mum disappearing without warning and the reoccurring of slugs invading her life. In order to find closure, Effie takes it upon herself with the help of Finn to investigate and to find answers regarding the truth of what really happened concerning the events that occurred in her town. The book illustrates what children are capable of doing when they have a strong belief. It shows that determination and being open minded can allow someone to discover their goal.
The book grips the reader, because of the detail and emphasis on the isolation and the coldness of the village environment, which adds to the genre of it being a murder mystery. The book shows how relationships matter, in that they are beneficial when one is on their own or in difficultly, as seen from the willingness and collaboration that is found in the characters. The book is enjoyable, because as the story progresses the plot thickens allowing for there to be multiple twists and insights that makes the reader think of what could have happened.
The book grips the reader, because of the detail and emphasis on the isolation and the coldness of the village environment, which adds to the genre of it being a murder mystery. The book shows how relationships matter, in that they are beneficial when one is on their own or in difficultly, as seen from the willingness and collaboration that is found in the characters. The book is enjoyable, because as the story progresses the plot thickens allowing for there to be multiple twists and insights that makes the reader think of what could have happened.
August 21, 2016
So what did I think?
I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of giving away spoilers, but the main thing I want to say about this book is just how beautifully written it is. Written in the first person, Where Monsters Lie is a poignant and emotionally true portrayal of Effie and the things that matter in her world. I just love the way the tale is told in such a fluid and natural way. As a reader, we are immediately plunged into Effie's world, and questions soon pop into our head about Effie's relationship with Finn. We wonder what is this aura of strangeness that cloaks Mivtown and the loch?
There is a lot of sadness in this book. And as in The Boy in The Tower, Polly demonstrates a real knack for showing how adults can react to tough times. But equally there is a lot of positivity in the portayal of friendship and community and a sense of place.
As the tale unfolds, we learn more and more about the characters: layer after layer peels away.
I think Polly has a real gift in showing children how mysterious and bewildering adults' behaviour can be at times, and helping them understand how there can be reasons for that.
This would be a great book for year 6, and an absolute must for writers of children's fiction who want to improve their craft!
A shame I have to keep checking the rabbit hutch, though...
Happy Reading!
Pippa Wilson
21st August 2016
I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of giving away spoilers, but the main thing I want to say about this book is just how beautifully written it is. Written in the first person, Where Monsters Lie is a poignant and emotionally true portrayal of Effie and the things that matter in her world. I just love the way the tale is told in such a fluid and natural way. As a reader, we are immediately plunged into Effie's world, and questions soon pop into our head about Effie's relationship with Finn. We wonder what is this aura of strangeness that cloaks Mivtown and the loch?
There is a lot of sadness in this book. And as in The Boy in The Tower, Polly demonstrates a real knack for showing how adults can react to tough times. But equally there is a lot of positivity in the portayal of friendship and community and a sense of place.
As the tale unfolds, we learn more and more about the characters: layer after layer peels away.
I think Polly has a real gift in showing children how mysterious and bewildering adults' behaviour can be at times, and helping them understand how there can be reasons for that.
This would be a great book for year 6, and an absolute must for writers of children's fiction who want to improve their craft!
A shame I have to keep checking the rabbit hutch, though...
Happy Reading!
Pippa Wilson
21st August 2016
September 8, 2016
4.5 stars
Polly Ho-Yen’s first novel Boy in the Tower (2015) was a very popular debut novel and her writing is improving with each novel. This novel is atmospheric and at times mysterious and creepy. One of Polly’s great skills is to write about complex issues and adult behaviours seen through a child’s perspective. The town of Mivtown has seen some hardship, tragedy and strange activities. The odd occurrences have created a culture of fear, legend and superstition. This is a very well balanced mystery story for this age group with just the right amount of tension, sadness and suspense as well as love, friendship and family relationships. Effie is a realistic character who will resonate with a lot of readers who are at that age of trying to assert their independence from parental control.
Age 10+ - grief, mystery, family relationships, legends
Polly Ho-Yen’s first novel Boy in the Tower (2015) was a very popular debut novel and her writing is improving with each novel. This novel is atmospheric and at times mysterious and creepy. One of Polly’s great skills is to write about complex issues and adult behaviours seen through a child’s perspective. The town of Mivtown has seen some hardship, tragedy and strange activities. The odd occurrences have created a culture of fear, legend and superstition. This is a very well balanced mystery story for this age group with just the right amount of tension, sadness and suspense as well as love, friendship and family relationships. Effie is a realistic character who will resonate with a lot of readers who are at that age of trying to assert their independence from parental control.
Age 10+ - grief, mystery, family relationships, legends
July 17, 2016
Yes, yes, yes.
August 22, 2016
This book was recommended by my son and he wasn't wrong. Intriguing, page-turner of a mystery from start to finish and the ending didn't disappoint. Would recommend from age 9/10 upwards.
October 13, 2016
A high 4!!! 4.5!!!! I was so gripped and intrigued by this book, the mystery really had me hooked. I haven't devoured a book this fast in a while!
July 11, 2016
Sad, mysterious and lovely.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews