The Unusual Suspects

The Sisters Grimm #2

by Michael Buckley, Peter Ferguson (Illustrator)

Although filled with anger over her parents' disappearance, eleven-year-old Sabrina Grimm--along with her grandmother, sister, and several fairy-tale characters--tries to discover who has killed her teacher.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

292 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needing a short filler novel and wanting something lighter, I turned back to Michael Buckley and his Sisters Grimm collection. The stories pull on some of the characters that have emerged in the Grimm fairytales and place two modern sisters in the middle of the narrative, tasked with uncovering various criminal acts. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm have been living with their grandmother for the better part of three weeks. While they have already uncovered a significant crime in Ferryport Landing, they have not been enrolled in school. With a threat to send them back to foster care in New York, the girls are marched to the local elementary school and placed in classes. While Daphne is sent to be taught by Ms. (Snow) White, Sabrina ends up with a crotchety old man who wants nothing more than to rid himself of the students in class. Sabrina has a rough first day of class and ends up staying after school, only to discover her teacher murdered and the classroom filled with odd webs. Working alongside their grandmother, the Sisters Grimm begin poking around and bring their friend/foe Puck along to offer his own insight. Drawing blanks, the sisters turn to the age-old clash of humans versus Everafters—the latter group being those who gained fame in a Grimm fairytale, but are not able to escape Ferryport Landing under any circumstances—which could account for this dastardly attack at the school. Sabrina forges ahead and sticks her neck out, not caring who she offends, to get to the bottom of it. What she discovers leaves everyone clueless and powerless to stop the plan that could wipe Ferryport Landing off the map once and for all. Full of wonderful fairytale characters and interesting banter, Buckley has fashioned this YA novel into something that readers of all ages can enjoy.

I read the series debut not long ago and enjoyed the premise that Buckley presents. While not my normal reading, the series has an entertaining aspect to it, particularly when I need something short to bridge me through. The premise of the Grimm sisters is interesting and while it is not explored completely here, there is a little character development to whet the appetite of the ever-curious reader. Sabrina is the sarcastic pre-teen who is not happy with the pat on the head, needing to know things and refusing to listen to authority. Her younger sister, Daphne, is still pie-eyed and wants to love everything, but the jaded views spewing from her sister leaves her beginning to question everyone. Peppering the narrative with fairytale characters, some of whom do not match their depiction in the stories we all know well, the reader is able to enjoy a flavourful story that keeps things interesting and provides twists at just the right spots. The story, a YA mystery, is decent and the plot paces itself effectively. There are moments I found myself more connected to the story than I might be with many adult thrillers that I regularly enjoy. Buckley has a way of mixing sarcasm with plot development to keep the narrative intriguing and allowing the reader the chance to chuckle between scenes. Lengthier chapters keeps the reader pushing forward, if only to reach the next benchmark before turning in for a while. Buckley has an entire collection of novels in this series that
I will have to discover before too long. A nice cliffhanger left me wanting to know a little more.

Kudos, Mr. Buckley, for another great addition to the series. I hope teens and adults alike discover this series and enjoy it as much as I have already.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina and Daphne are off to school. Daphne loves being in class with Snow White as a teacher, but Sabrina’s having a tougher time–she keeps getting teased and beat up. Things don’t get any better when Puck joins her class! But even Daphne can’t deny there are monsters loose in the school and they’re killing people. There are red handprints all over. Even Mayor Charming is turning to the Grimm Sisters for help solving the case!

But Sabrina's anger at not being able to find her parents is growing. Coupled with the increased activity of the Scarlet Hand and resentment towards the Grimm family by certain elements in the Everafter community, she expands this hatred to all Everafters in general and is hindering the investigation.

This is an action-packed follow up to The Fairy-Tale Detectives and the cliffhanger ending will have you waiting for the next installment. As Daphne would say, This book is so punk rock!

see all my reviews at www.tushuguan.blogspot.com

[Nirvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, can I say how much I love MG books that actually make me laugh. Not just crack a smile, or get giddy in my soul like the Vulcan fangirl I am, but laugh out loud. Which is precisely what Sisters Grimm has managed to do.

And then there's Sabrina Grimm. Yass, I adore her ^^ Sure, she may get annoying at times, and sometimes the way she deals with Everafters makes me want to go "Dude, you go trust them. Please..." and then punch her. But she's got her good side too. She's got a strong mind, really really cares about Daphne and her parents. Enough to get into a whole lot of trouble about it. She's the perfect hero. Because in the end, aren't us humans flawed? I'm perfect though XD

If you haven't heard enough; it a retelling too. We have Snow who runs the self defence club called the "Bad Apples" and ends up saving Mayor Charming. A sadistic near crazy Red Riding Hood (who wouldn't walk out same when a wolf eats your grandma while you're watching. And one of the three little pigs as a police officer.

The mystery was good too. Good enough not to have me guessing the answer fifty pages before it's revealed too. Addicting. Really, I couldn't stop reading. The plot, the characterization, the mystery -- it had me reeling by the end.

And then that cliffhanger...

Also, can I say how adorable are Puck and Sabrina?

Faults?

I had none. If you like reading MG or retellings, this series is for you. *pokes* Now go and read it.

[Cassandra Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute blast from the past. I remembered most of the twists because they were such good ones that they had stuck with me from when I was a kid. Sabrina is incredibly angry in this book, and while some of it is understandable and normal, I’m glad Granny Relda calls her out for her bigotry toward Everafters. I think it’s very important. And we start to see the romance bud between Sabrina and Puck, which I love.

I loved everything… except one thing. I didn’t notice it as a kid, but as an adult, I did not like the way they talked about Wendell’s weight. There are many references to this eleven year old kid being overweight (describing him as “the pudgy boy” or things like that, not sure that’s an exact quote but something along those lines) and, most concerningly, a lot of insults (particularly from Puck, who is, yes, an immature eleven year old boy, but he never gets called out for his behavior and it isn’t portrayed as bad). One teacher even makes Wendell write sentences about him being fat on the board. While this is a horrible teacher who nobody likes and who ends up dying very early on, it made me feel a little yucky. Publishing culture has changed a lot since this book was published in 2005, and I know that particular story thread would NEVER be published today (for good reason). So I still love the book, but I do want to point out that the treatment of Wendell was very wrong.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

gosh this book was so unusually creepy and disturbing. mainly because of the way the entrance pictures for each chapter were drawn. that last scene with the pic of the creepy girl....and the way she talked....😫😰😳. yeah no thanks. i think i could've lived with just using my imagination to see something creepy. i didn't need the disturbing visual.

i didn't get why sabrina had to be so "ugh my parents are missing and you all are too stupid to find them, so i'll walk through this EXTREMELY creepy portal to i have no idea where and find them myself."
like, literally the WORST thing she could've done, but go for it i guess. at least puck will come to the rescue.

and that therapist. OMGJ. he really got me. but, i guess i can't be too surprised because therapists are really weird.

other that that....stuff....the books are really good and would recommend👍😊.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first one better, as the mystery in this one only really started around 60%, but there was definitely a few more surprises in this one, what with Bella actually being a bad person, and all of the Everafters' children being stolen and actually being Bella and Toby and Natalie! And I wonder what's going to happen next!! That ending was so good. Didn't expect Little Red Riding Hood to be a villain either! I love the twists to the fairy tales in this series. So awesome.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!
OMG I love this series so much. Even I had a hard time figuring out the mystery! These are full of adventures and antics and all the fairytale characters we love and hate.
This had a great lesson on prejudice and sexism, even though I was right alongside Granny in being mad at Sabrina for half the book. And that ending?! WOW
Excited to get into the next one as things are really starting to pick up in the mystery behind the disappearance of their parents.

[Caroline Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

shoutout to the original girlfailure, sabrina grimm.

these books contain crack cocaine

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish they had these books around when I was growing up. They are a fun read with a protagonist that any hormonal tween can relate too. I appreciate that we see faults in Sabrina as she learns some hard truths about herself. Flawed heroes and heroines are always more interesting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Milou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just mindless fun. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm start school, but when Sabrina's teacher is murdered, the sisters and their grandma are asked by the (1 man) policeforce to help find out who did it.

This world is filled with normal people, but also fairy tale characters. Daphne's teacher for example is Ms (Snow) White (who also gives self-defense classes... this is the 21st century, she doesn't need Charming to save her). The pied piper is school head, and Charming is the mayor.

The book/series is just pure entertainment. But it also deals with missing parents, puberty and racism. And it has a great mystery plot. The characters are great as well. Daphne is brilliant and just loves everyone and everything. She hugs the mayor nobody likes and laughs the loudest when being a 'victim' of a prank. Sabrina on the other hand is frustrated with not finding her parents and takes it out on all Everafters. Yet they make a Perfect team of sisterly love.

I don't really know what else to say. The plot is great, the pacing spot on, the twists on the classics very clever, and all of it is just a Lot of fun. Also, that cliffhanger! This series is pretty huge, and I couldn't be happier.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you should be looking for a fun series to read aloud to some young people in your life, this is a pretty good series. Lots of fairy tale adventure with the characters not exactly like you remember from the originals. Throw in some life lessons for the youngsters and a good time will be had by all.

Having said that, the ending pissed me off...not to mention the 10 and 7 year olds to which I was reading this story. At the height of the action, just when everybody is in peril...I see the dreaded "To Be Continued". That can be frustrating enough on a TV show but not in a book aimed at youth! It's hard enough to get them to settle down for a good read and just when you've got them enthralled, hanging on every word, you can't tell them what happens next! Yikes, I almost thought I would have to make up my own ending. Now I have to either buy the next volume or wait for a couple of weeks to get it from the library. At least there should be some resolution to the plot without leaving everything hanging.

OK, rant over. It's still an enjoyable series to read...just make sure you have the next volume on hand.

[MsThomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on the plane back from the US, and it was terrific! The main character, Sabrina, was feisty and interesting, and the plot was just complex enough to hold my interest. The idea behind this series is that the Brothers Grimm and all the fairytale characters founded a town alongside humans with magical protection so they can live safely (they were chased out of Europe). The Sisters Grimm, modern day relatives of the brothers, live with their grandmother and solve local crimes while trying to figure out who kidnapped their parents. A must-read for fairy tale fanatics and people who like Shrek!

[ahhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne and Sabrina are back in this latest installment of the Sisters Grimm series!

Ferryport Landing isn't all like it seems- fairytale creatures actually live there! And Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are Fairytale Detectives-helping their grandmother with solving the town's crime.

In this book, Sabrina and Daphne are heading back to school. But-they need someone to protect them. So while Daphne gets the most amazing teacher ever Ms White (aka Snow White-like with the seven dwarves) who may or may not still have feelings for a certain prince, Sabrina's stuck in the cruelties of sixth grade with the insanely gross and annoying Puck- incognito as Robin Goodfellow.

But things at school aren't all as they seem- Sabrina's classmates are like sleepless zombies- and she's having trouble controlling her temper even after visiting the school councilor Mr. Sheepshank. Things take a turn for the worst when Sabrina finds her grumpy homeroom teacher has been murdered!

It's up to Sabrina, Daphne, Granny Relda, and the occasional help of Puck to figure out what's going on in the town- or underneath it.

I enjoyed this book. There wasn't a crazy amount of time in between with the previous and didn't have you lost from lack of knowledge. I actually started with this book-and it was the reason I kept on reading. It's before the drama of the later books, but has everything developed unlike the first, so I really enjoyed learning about the crazy antics of this interesting and new take on fairytales. There was plenty of mystery that kept me reading through, and I loved the school setting, which none of the other books have. While it does have a TO BE CONTINUED ending, I thought it was okay and the third book will take up where this one left off.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! I actually enjoyed this book!!! # 1 was not the best but this one was AMAZING!! Great characters with a twist of magic. I LOVED reading this surprisingly even if I had to read it for school. Great read!!!!

[••• Emilee ••• · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! The ending of the book is so chilling and creepy. I remember being so terrified and intrigued as a little one reading this, and I feel the same as an adult! Can’t wait for book 3!

[Octavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the magical child trafficking ring

[Silver Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one was certainly a good read but book 2, this one, blew my socks off.
I figured Sabrina's beef with the Everafters would be a plot point eventually and could possibly allude to racism or bigotry in general, but having people call her out and discuss why bigotry is bad, even dangerous, wasn't something I expected from what I figured would simply be an entertaining children's series. They don't let her get away with it and each add their own piece in their own ways on how her behavior is unacceptable.
It was still plenty funny despite some possible darker themes and I actually had to stop reading to laugh out loud. The comedic timing is natural and flows well, as well as being completely believable conversation.
The book was overall great and near the end I was inching it closer and closer to my face as the ending neared in anticipation for what happened next till it was a breath away from my face. When I reached the end it was considerably late without realizing, as I tend to read at night, and almost grabbed the next volume to dive into book 3 immediately. I'm on the edge of my seat to read book 3! I haven't been this pumped to read a book in a considerable amount of time!
The more i read the series the more I think older children should give this series a try.

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! Just as exciting and thrilling as book number one!

I don’t remember if I realized this with book number one, I at least did not state so in my review… But this book series reminds me an awful lot of the Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer. This book series came first. I’m not saying Chris copied. I’m just saying if you liked Chris’ book series you should give this older one a try.

It’s truly a wonderful ride. And as easy read...as most middle grade books are for adults, I suppose 😆

I have no idea if this was made or is to be made into a movie/show but if it were I’ve been picturing Granny as Angela Lansbury (even though she’s no longer with us). The sisters Grimm I’ve been picturing as the younger versions of Dakota and Elle Fanning. Ya know, in case you were wondering. Obviously my choices would not work in real life.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to wait for slow Nolan to catch up to me before I posted🙄 I liked this one more; even though the scheme was so obvious, it was also creative and fun. I enjoyed the conversation revolving Sabrina lowkey being a bigot—she was annoying me so much but in a Harry Order of the Phoenix way where it’s kinda justified so you can’t be too upset. I was (and would say am still) a hardcore puck x sabrina shipper, but this time I was so over the boy being mean to the girl just because he likes her. I know it was written 20 years ago but hopefully that would not fly in 2025. Everyone is legit so mean to each other, which I feel like is so disheartening, like why are we calling each other ugly so often?! The end was a cliffhanger so I’m very excited to keep going!!! (But again it’s gonna be a hot sec cuz nolan has to read another book first🙄)

[Nyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heh!

First thing first, I love Daphne! She might be my favorite character in this series.
On the other hand, Sabrina isn't very likable in this title, and while a lot of it is part of her character development, it also plays into the plot, so I won't say anything more about it.

This installment had a fascinating and dark (for an MG title) storyline. We meet more inhabitants of Ferryport Landing and witness quite the dastardly deed.

The ending was even more exciting than the rest of the tale; I look forward to reading what happens next.

[Jude: The Epic Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books so much! I really enjoy every character, some choices being made are not the best but I can see the point of view of everyone. Buckley is building a very intriguing over-arching mystery and plot line, I can't see where it all goes.

This is the best rendition of Puck, I'm planning on rereading The Iron King by Julie Kagawa and I am just dreading reading about her version of Puck (not that it is bad it's just that I'm glad he is not the leading love interest).

[Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so these books are a little darker than I remember! Love the growing dynamics between all the different characters (and hints of blossoming relationships hehe) and I was pleasantly surprised by all the pointed anti-bigotry / misogyny statements! Also totally forgot about this ending so I’ve already started the next book to find out what happens after that cliffhanger.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grimm sisters must attend school, which leads straight into a new case. Bullies and boiler rooms. Dodge ball and detention. Hotties and harmonicas.

Good stuff!

[joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid book in the series. I've read this whole series, but oh my gosh I forgot how annoying Sabrina was. Like girl, pull yourself together. Honestly I just can't stand her as a character.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun installment to The Sisters Grimm series. Just like the first one this was cute, but things get a little serious as the Scarlet Hand ramps up their evil plot.

One of my issues in the first one was how Sabrina and Daphne were portrayed. There still is some one note-ness in the character development. However, I enjoyed the story more in this one so I was okay with it. It looks like their characters will develop a bit as they age though, so this maybe a slow progression throughout the 9 book series.

If I encounter the 3rd installment I may give it a whirl. These are good palate cleaners and the mystery is shaping up nicely. This one did end on a cliff hanger, so make sure if you have the 3rd one ready if you're invested in the series.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy as much as the first in series.

[Tnt · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!

The beginning was a bit slow. but the end omg, it has plot twist after plot twist!!!! And that ending it made me want to read the 3rd book immediately!!!! 😆

I absolutely love this book it's definitely 5 stars 💫💛😁

[Kennedy Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end was the best part of the whole book!! Plot twist after plot twist.The ending is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This was a collective class rating)