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Bunnicula #5
Return to Howliday Inn
In this sequel to "Howliday Inn, " the Monroe family pets are again boarded at Chateau Bow-Wow, where some spooky goings-on serve as a distraction from the kennel's poor food.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1992
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About the author
James Howe
218 books458 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
October 9, 2018
fulfilling my vow to read all the sequels i never knew existed to books i loved when i was little.
phew - this was much more enjoyable than Nighty-Nightmare. it’s longer and more substantial and the mystery itself is satisfying - a spoooooky thing happens and the reader is like, “whaaaaaaaa?” and when all is revealed at the end, the explanation is reasonable within the context of the world of bunnicula. not that bunnicula is in this book at all, AGAIN.
in this one, the the monroes are going on vacation AGAIN, so harold and chester and howie are sent back to howliday inn (THAT IS WHERE THE TITLE COMES FROM). you will recall that howliday inn (“chateau bow-wow" on the letterhead) was where howie was born and was the setting of the second book in the series, wait for it… HOWLIDAY INN.
these days, the kennel has opened its doors to animals beyond cats and dogs. bunnicula's bunnyness was the reason he wasn't in the first howliday inn book, and you would think this more welcoming stance would be howe (not howie) wielding his authorial power so bunnicula could be with the other animals this time, but you would be wrong! bunnicula's off with kyle, one of pete’s friends because why not?
bye, bunnicula! we’ll keep your franchise warm for you!!
in any case, it’s a fun, spooooky book, beginning with chester’s attempts to explain the definition of “paranormal” to harold:
oh, harold, you so dumb. one wonders how you have managed to write all of these books so far. oh, in case you have never read a bunnicula book, harold is the author, and hehand mouth-delivers the manuscripts to “the editor” in the prologue to each of these books. he also eats a lot of chocolate. this is only okay in the world of bunnicula. stop feeding your dog chocolate chips unless you live in the world of bunnicula.
once at howliday inn, there are all-new characters, and the surprise return of a character from howliday inn (THE BOOK). as far as “animals who are not cats or dogs,” there’s a weasel and a parrot (but no vampire bunnies), and no opportunity missed to cram in a pun - there’s a great dane named hamlet (GET IT???) and two cats named felony and miss demeanor, which - except for the breed, are basically the cats from lady and the tramp
and they quickly outsass chester.
”It sounded to me like you were scheming something.”
“We’re always scheming something,” said Felony. “We’re cats.”
Chester didn’t have an argument for that one.
although he still manages to come out with some oscar wilde-quality bon mots:
”Cats don’t participate in mass hysteria, Harold. If we’re going to be hysterical, we do it on our own.”
i am glad i am continuing with the series (two more to go!!), and i’m relieved to know that, while this one wasn’t nearly as good as Howliday Inn (if we trust my 30-plus year ago memory of it), it’s not as blah as Nighty-Nightmare (if we trust my one month ago memory of it), so there’s still some fun to be had.
and hopefully, a return of that bunny.
the next book in the series is called Bunnicula Strikes Again!, so i have a good feeling it'll happen.
come to my blog!
phew - this was much more enjoyable than Nighty-Nightmare. it’s longer and more substantial and the mystery itself is satisfying - a spoooooky thing happens and the reader is like, “whaaaaaaaa?” and when all is revealed at the end, the explanation is reasonable within the context of the world of bunnicula. not that bunnicula is in this book at all, AGAIN.
in this one, the the monroes are going on vacation AGAIN, so harold and chester and howie are sent back to howliday inn (THAT IS WHERE THE TITLE COMES FROM). you will recall that howliday inn (“chateau bow-wow" on the letterhead) was where howie was born and was the setting of the second book in the series, wait for it… HOWLIDAY INN.
these days, the kennel has opened its doors to animals beyond cats and dogs. bunnicula's bunnyness was the reason he wasn't in the first howliday inn book, and you would think this more welcoming stance would be howe (not howie) wielding his authorial power so bunnicula could be with the other animals this time, but you would be wrong! bunnicula's off with kyle, one of pete’s friends because why not?
bye, bunnicula! we’ll keep your franchise warm for you!!
in any case, it’s a fun, spooooky book, beginning with chester’s attempts to explain the definition of “paranormal” to harold:
”haven’t you ever felt that something was about to happen, you just knew it in your bones, and then, bam! it happened?”
A chill ran down my spine. “Chester!” I cried. “I had a paranormal experience just the other night.”
Chester’s eyes lit up. “Really? Tell me about it, Harold.”
“Well, it was after dinner and I was lying over there by the sofa, where Howie’s sleeping now and…I was yawning and I felt my eyes growing heavy…”
“Yes? Go on…”
“And I had this overpowering feeling that I was about to…”
“What, Harold? Oh, this is really exciting. Go ahead.”
“That I was about to fall asleep. And I did.”
Chester looked at me for a long time without speaking. “And do you have the feeling that you’re about to experience pain?” he asked at last.
“You mean right now? Well, no.”
The book fell off the chair. It landed on my paw.
“Ow!” I cried.
“Never discount the paranormal,” were Chester’s parting words, and he jumped down and headed toward the kitchen in search of a midnight snack.
oh, harold, you so dumb. one wonders how you have managed to write all of these books so far. oh, in case you have never read a bunnicula book, harold is the author, and he
once at howliday inn, there are all-new characters, and the surprise return of a character from howliday inn (THE BOOK). as far as “animals who are not cats or dogs,” there’s a weasel and a parrot (but no vampire bunnies), and no opportunity missed to cram in a pun - there’s a great dane named hamlet (GET IT???) and two cats named felony and miss demeanor, which - except for the breed, are basically the cats from lady and the tramp
and they quickly outsass chester.
”It sounded to me like you were scheming something.”
“We’re always scheming something,” said Felony. “We’re cats.”
Chester didn’t have an argument for that one.
although he still manages to come out with some oscar wilde-quality bon mots:
”Cats don’t participate in mass hysteria, Harold. If we’re going to be hysterical, we do it on our own.”
i am glad i am continuing with the series (two more to go!!), and i’m relieved to know that, while this one wasn’t nearly as good as Howliday Inn (if we trust my 30-plus year ago memory of it), it’s not as blah as Nighty-Nightmare (if we trust my one month ago memory of it), so there’s still some fun to be had.
and hopefully, a return of that bunny.
the next book in the series is called Bunnicula Strikes Again!, so i have a good feeling it'll happen.
come to my blog!
July 11, 2019
A cute little story about Chester and Harold returning to Chateau Bow-Wow this time with Howie and tow. So much better than the last book but I have to say not as great as the first Howliday Inn. In this one you'll find new characters and new twists and turns and of all things... Hamlet jokes! 😂 Got to love it!
July 2, 2020
They say you can’t go back again, but apparently they’re morons—clearly, you CAN go back again, at least in the case of Chateau Bow-Wow. (For what it’s worth, you can also go back to the grocery store, at least until you get banned for wearing assless chaps multiple times, not that I have any first-hand experience with being so cheeky.)
Not as delightfully good fun as its predecessor, and it takes a sharp and unexpected turn into melancholy near the end, but still a fun book to read with the kiddos, and Howie’s puns are an endless source of delight.
Not as delightfully good fun as its predecessor, and it takes a sharp and unexpected turn into melancholy near the end, but still a fun book to read with the kiddos, and Howie’s puns are an endless source of delight.
November 10, 2021
I love the Howliday Inn books. So sad, but a beautiful 'tail' in the end.
April 29, 2019
On the one hand I feel a bit ridiculous giving this book five stars, but on the other hand it did literally make me cry towards the end so I kind of feel like I have to. I've always really liked Howliday Inn, it's a great creepy setting and it also allows for a wide variety of side characters. I don't think I got this far in the series when I was a kid and I actually had no idea how this one was going to play out as I was reading. I thought maybe the series had taken a turn for the actual paranormal because I wasn't sure how it could be explained, but everything worked out in the end. Definitely a favorite in the series.
October 7, 2014
Ok I know it's silly that I gave this 5 stars. It's not an award-winning peace of writing. And yet I've loved it since I was a kid and I love it still. Why? I don't know. This book is wonderful. Whenever I feel down, I go and read this book and I feel better. That is MY definition of a five-star worthy book, and this book certainly deserves it.
June 8, 2019
Great book! Does the series proud. Glad that an old character from the last books shows up. Happy about the ending. Glad that Archie got to keep Hamlet. Warm fuzzy feelings all around. Final verdict: cute, fuzzy, happy, 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2017
What a cute book! I loved this series as a kid. Anything with talking animals, amirite? So much wordplay that went over my head as a child! Is the cat Chester a reference to Chesterton? I loved how his fatal flaw, an over-active imagination, is basically the same as Quixote's. I loved the two cats - Felony and Miss Demeanor. Yuck yuck yuck! And how the Great Dane is called Hamlet.
Chuckle chuckle chuckle! This book wasn't as scary as perhaps the others in the series were - I was impressed at my ability to still remember the twist at the end despite, u know, having last read this 25+ years ago. The author's humour really made me laugh! Like the dogs hosting a BBQ (I.e. Eating mesquite biscuits). Or this bit:
""Why aren't you going crazy like everybody else?" I demanded. "What's your secret?"
His smile only grew more knowing. "Books," he said, with a nod to the one in front of him, "are not only windows to the world, Harold, but pathways to inner peace."
I shook my head. "I've tried books," I said. "Fifteen minutes and all I ended up with was cardboard breath.
"Try reading them instead of chewing them," Chester advised.
"Oh." This hadn't occurred to me.""
Chortle chortle chortle!
I hope kids nowadays still read these!
Chuckle chuckle chuckle! This book wasn't as scary as perhaps the others in the series were - I was impressed at my ability to still remember the twist at the end despite, u know, having last read this 25+ years ago. The author's humour really made me laugh! Like the dogs hosting a BBQ (I.e. Eating mesquite biscuits). Or this bit:
""Why aren't you going crazy like everybody else?" I demanded. "What's your secret?"
His smile only grew more knowing. "Books," he said, with a nod to the one in front of him, "are not only windows to the world, Harold, but pathways to inner peace."
I shook my head. "I've tried books," I said. "Fifteen minutes and all I ended up with was cardboard breath.
"Try reading them instead of chewing them," Chester advised.
"Oh." This hadn't occurred to me.""
Chortle chortle chortle!
I hope kids nowadays still read these!
September 19, 2019
What a cute and fun read, so no surprise here when I rate "Return to Howliday Inn" 5 stars.
February 1, 2017
Harold, Chester, and Howie are at it again and once more Bunnicula is just in the wings. The Monroe's are away on a vacation, and somehow seem perfectly comfortable leaving their pets at the very boarding location that before nearly resulted in dognapping and police intervention. It's safe now, you say? Not so fast. Terror always awaits in the Bunnicula books, as well as delicious mysteries and very heartwarming twists and turns.
Once more in Chataeu Bow-Wow, the gang encounters a new cast of fascinating characters. There's Felony and Miss Demeanor, two unsavory 'cat burgling' cats. The Weasel, an aptly named mustelid. Lily and Bob, two upper-class dogs, and the deeply depressed Great Dane Hamlet. There's also a mysterious pile of bones uncovered along with a collar with the name Rosebud on it... and alas, this poor Yorkie was one Hamlet knew well.
While this mystery isn't nearly the depth that the first Howliday Inn was, the action is fast-paced and full of interesting twists and turns. It's a quick read, and a more charming one than I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed it, for all of its rushed pace and conclusion, and can see where a child would love it even more since it lacks the build that made Howliday Inn a joy when I read it, and a bore to younger audiences.
Once more in Chataeu Bow-Wow, the gang encounters a new cast of fascinating characters. There's Felony and Miss Demeanor, two unsavory 'cat burgling' cats. The Weasel, an aptly named mustelid. Lily and Bob, two upper-class dogs, and the deeply depressed Great Dane Hamlet. There's also a mysterious pile of bones uncovered along with a collar with the name Rosebud on it... and alas, this poor Yorkie was one Hamlet knew well.
While this mystery isn't nearly the depth that the first Howliday Inn was, the action is fast-paced and full of interesting twists and turns. It's a quick read, and a more charming one than I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed it, for all of its rushed pace and conclusion, and can see where a child would love it even more since it lacks the build that made Howliday Inn a joy when I read it, and a bore to younger audiences.
September 26, 2009
I guess my daughter liked this quite a bit; it’s the first chapter book she’s persuaded me to read her in one sitting. It has suspense for the kids, and a lot of amusing literary jokes for the adults.
August 24, 2009
Humorous animals + Hamlet jokes. How can you go wrong?
February 16, 2019
It was a good read but where is the puppies that are mentioned on the back of the book
June 13, 2024
Return to Howliday Inn by James Howe is the fifth book in the endearing Bunnicula series. In this tale, the Monroe family is going on a weeklong vacation, and their beloved pets cannot go with them. Therefore, Bunnicula is sent to stay with a neighbor while Harold, Chester, and Howie are headed back to Chateau Bow Wow. Of course, Chester thinks the trio is “doomed” and fears a “new evil awaits their return” at Howliday Inn which is Chester’s name for the boarding house. Howie is feeling a bit nostalgic about returning to the place of his birth while Harold is disappointed that the friends he and Chester made on their last stay are not there. It does not take very long for the three amigos to get acquainted with the other guests at the boarding house or drawn into another adventure involving the secret at Chateau Bow Wow.
I love that Harold, Chester, and Howie return to Chateau Bow Wow aka Howliday Inn for another fun-filled adventure. The three pawsketeers are joined by a cast of compelling and colorful characters. I absolutely love the two cat burglars, Felony and Miss Demeanor. They are a hoot! In addition to humorous characters, there is a spooky mystery and ghostly goodness that works well with Chester’s earlier revelation to Harold about omens. Friendship and teamwork are at the center of this story along with willingness to help someone in need. There are plenty of twists and turns that go in an unexpected direction with a more serious tone towards the end of the story that tugged at my heartstrings and caused me to shed a few tears.
James Howe brings the humor, heart, and hope in this story. He is so clever with wordplay from the puns to the metaphors to the names of his characters. Hamlet is the name of the melancholy Great Dane. So good! Alan Daniel is back as the illustrator for this story, and his illustrations are a little different than the ones in Bunnicula. They look less sketch-like and have more personality. No surprise that Victor Garber does another wonderful job narrating the audiobook.
Some readers might be somewhat disappointed that Bunnicula does not make an appearance in this book since Chateau Bow Wow is now a boarding house for pets, not just cats and dogs. Personally, it does not bother me. References to Bunnicula are sprinkled throughout this story as well as the other stories where he does not have a big role. Honestly, the mystery surrounding him in general adds to my overall enjoyment of the series, and the other animals have amazing personalities which bring me much joy. If I had to guess, the series was titled Bunnicula because until he became a part of the Monroe family, life was probably pretty routine for Chester and Harold. Bunnicula has brought excitement and adventure to the Monroe household in his quiet way. What did surprise me was the serious, melancholic turn that the story took when the secret was revealed. It was a moment of reflection for me as I am a pet owner with an elderly dog. However, it did have a happy ending that made me smile. Another enjoyable read in this fantastic series!
I love that Harold, Chester, and Howie return to Chateau Bow Wow aka Howliday Inn for another fun-filled adventure. The three pawsketeers are joined by a cast of compelling and colorful characters. I absolutely love the two cat burglars, Felony and Miss Demeanor. They are a hoot! In addition to humorous characters, there is a spooky mystery and ghostly goodness that works well with Chester’s earlier revelation to Harold about omens. Friendship and teamwork are at the center of this story along with willingness to help someone in need. There are plenty of twists and turns that go in an unexpected direction with a more serious tone towards the end of the story that tugged at my heartstrings and caused me to shed a few tears.
James Howe brings the humor, heart, and hope in this story. He is so clever with wordplay from the puns to the metaphors to the names of his characters. Hamlet is the name of the melancholy Great Dane. So good! Alan Daniel is back as the illustrator for this story, and his illustrations are a little different than the ones in Bunnicula. They look less sketch-like and have more personality. No surprise that Victor Garber does another wonderful job narrating the audiobook.
Some readers might be somewhat disappointed that Bunnicula does not make an appearance in this book since Chateau Bow Wow is now a boarding house for pets, not just cats and dogs. Personally, it does not bother me. References to Bunnicula are sprinkled throughout this story as well as the other stories where he does not have a big role. Honestly, the mystery surrounding him in general adds to my overall enjoyment of the series, and the other animals have amazing personalities which bring me much joy. If I had to guess, the series was titled Bunnicula because until he became a part of the Monroe family, life was probably pretty routine for Chester and Harold. Bunnicula has brought excitement and adventure to the Monroe household in his quiet way. What did surprise me was the serious, melancholic turn that the story took when the secret was revealed. It was a moment of reflection for me as I am a pet owner with an elderly dog. However, it did have a happy ending that made me smile. Another enjoyable read in this fantastic series!
November 15, 2020
The Monroes go on vacation again and the 3 pets are once more put into Chataeu Bow-Wow. This one did get me in a few place like when they alluded to Hamlet being taken away for the "Big Sleep" until I remembered this is a children's book and they never have actually gone the dark route.
Anyway, another cute entry to the series, this is the second longest book of the collection. With another introduction to new and lively characters, the bunch of animals tries to solve the mystery of their boarding house and gets into a bunch of misadventures.
Anyway, another cute entry to the series, this is the second longest book of the collection. With another introduction to new and lively characters, the bunch of animals tries to solve the mystery of their boarding house and gets into a bunch of misadventures.
December 27, 2024
Howliday Inn is my favorite story in the Bunnicula collection. I fondly remember reading it in school. This return to the Chateau Bow-Wow for Harold and Chester was surprisingly dark, dealing with some very dark topics such as the inevitability of death. This series of books gets all the stars!
March 7, 2020
4.5 stars
Is it silly to give a children's book in a series about a vampire rabbit who doesn't appear in this story such a high rating? Eh, maybe, but I really enjoyed this one! Lots of Shakespearean puns and a decent mystery set in the creepy Howliday Inn with an ending that actually made me tear up. Call me a sap, but I loved the ending. This was one of the better sequels in this series.
Is it silly to give a children's book in a series about a vampire rabbit who doesn't appear in this story such a high rating? Eh, maybe, but I really enjoyed this one! Lots of Shakespearean puns and a decent mystery set in the creepy Howliday Inn with an ending that actually made me tear up. Call me a sap, but I loved the ending. This was one of the better sequels in this series.
July 21, 2017
I first read this book in third grade and could not get enough of it I read it so much that I actually could no longer keep the book held together and have been on the hunt for all the books in the series ever since I finally found them today all in one volume
August 2, 2018
This one had a good mystery but a confusing three-tiered solution that was still satisfying. I liked that we got some new animals, including a weasel! This one seemed better and funnier than I remember Nighty Nightmare being. In this one Chester is prejudiced against weasels, of all things.
June 30, 2024
These little stories are just so wholesome and fun. All the animal characters are smart, silly, and lovable. Their human-like characteristics are definitely relatable or at least recognizable. The writing always provides laugh out loud moments and the audiobook narration by Victor Garber is stellar!
April 15, 2025
Maybe it's just me, but the Howliday Inn installments of the Bunnicula series just don't grip me like the others. It's still entertaining enough, but tends to feel bloated and drags a little because of it.
April 27, 2022
I really like the bunnicula series.My brother used to read them and my parents told me that he did and said that I would like it and they were right I do like them.
November 12, 2022
When the gang returns to Chateau Bow-Wow, they meet some new friends and some old. One is a old Great Dane. I have to admit, after Howie, he’s my favorite.
October 15, 2023
Audiobook
October 5, 2025
Wow, who's chopping onions around here? Maybe it just hit me at the right time but the ending got me. Loved the new characters and their added voices on the audiobook. Howie's character cracks me up, and he was even more adorable in this one.
November 2, 2019
Finishing up some of my Howloween reading. I may read the last 2 or I may wait until next year. We'll see. I do think it's a cute series
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Once again, the Monroes are going on vacation, and Harold and Chester find themselves back at Chateau Bow-wow.
Of the three pets (not including Bunnicula, who again gets to stay with friends rather than at the creepy "Howliday Inn"), only Howie the dachshund puppy is excited to be there, since it is, after all, where he was born. Harold and Chester, however, are understandably wary of the place, given that, the last time they were there, they had a kidnapping/murder mystery to solve.
Even with a new set of residents at the Chateau, things don't prove any different this time around. At once, the pets come across a mysterious voice begging to be set free, and a pile of bones that might have once been a former boarder! "Rosebud," the ghost of a Yorkshire terrier, swears that there is a terrible secret inside the Chateau Bow-wow, which ultimately led to her demise.
It's up to Harold, Chester, and the rest of the animals to solve the mystery...or escape before it's too late.
As with the first HOWLIDAY INN, a hilarious and varied cast of animals move the story along swiftly towards an exciting conclusion. This is definitely not one to miss if you're a BUNNICULA fan.
Once again, the Monroes are going on vacation, and Harold and Chester find themselves back at Chateau Bow-wow.
Of the three pets (not including Bunnicula, who again gets to stay with friends rather than at the creepy "Howliday Inn"), only Howie the dachshund puppy is excited to be there, since it is, after all, where he was born. Harold and Chester, however, are understandably wary of the place, given that, the last time they were there, they had a kidnapping/murder mystery to solve.
Even with a new set of residents at the Chateau, things don't prove any different this time around. At once, the pets come across a mysterious voice begging to be set free, and a pile of bones that might have once been a former boarder! "Rosebud," the ghost of a Yorkshire terrier, swears that there is a terrible secret inside the Chateau Bow-wow, which ultimately led to her demise.
It's up to Harold, Chester, and the rest of the animals to solve the mystery...or escape before it's too late.
As with the first HOWLIDAY INN, a hilarious and varied cast of animals move the story along swiftly towards an exciting conclusion. This is definitely not one to miss if you're a BUNNICULA fan.
August 3, 2016
Return to Howliday Inn is really very similar to its predecessor, Howliday Inn. Our protagonists stay at a boarding kennel and meet with some unusual characters and strange mysteries. But even with the similarities, it is not unoriginal. It does tell its own story and is cute and creative. The characters are very likable and the ending is satisfying. For me, this is still one of the better Bunnicula sequels.
January 26, 2022
Back to Howliday Inn we go! Back where Howie was born! Some familiar faces and some new faces, usual faulty suspicions. Such a fun little series for kiddos.
November 1, 2018
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
"First there is the omen: A relentless rain stops suddenly at 3:00 am and Chester shows Harold and Howie a cat carrier, open and waiting, by the front door. Chester, who has been reading avidly about the paranormal, predicts that they will soon be traveling someplace, and chances are they are not going to like it. Indeed they are not, as the very next day, with the sun shining bright and clear, the Monroes finally leave for their vacation, dropping Chester, Harold, and Howie off at the scene of some previous harrowing experiences -- Chateau Bow-Wow, the boarding kennel that Chester so aptly had dubbed Howliday Inn. Chester is certain that nothing bodes well and he is right. Unexplained voices, buried bones, a collar with the name Rosebud on it, and a secret code all make for a paranormal experience that none of the guests at Chateau Bow-Wow will ever forget."
Again we have a story were Bunnicula is left out. Seriously, how do you have a series where the title character is left out of the book? We do see him for a few seconds before the rest of the pets get taken to the Howliday Inn. What I don't get, is that in this story, the boarding place now excepts other pets as well as cats and dogs. There is a bird and a weasel staying there. So why couldn't the vampire bunny go too? *sigh*
Even though Bunnicula is not in this one, I enjoyed this return trip to Howliday Inn better then the first trip there back in book 2, Howliday Inn. I enjoyed the other guests a lot more, and there was a ghost dog that showed up. The characters were a lot of fun and really made this story. It was a unique crew of pets and it was pretty cool getting to see other pets besides just cats and dogs. Once again, I was not in love with the young pup, Howie. I know he is there for comic relief, but, boy, a little of him goes a long way... maybe you have to be a kid to enjoy him? I don't know... I don't remember him from when I was little and reading these books, so I can't say for sure.
Yes, it's true, this story was good.... but holy crap was it dark and depressing!! Ok, without any spoiler details, here are some of the themes this book discussed: pets getting too old to live anymore, a pet getting "the big sleep", owners dying and never coming back for their pet, pets not being wanted anymore, loneliness from the pet, loneliness from the owners, the owner being unable to care for the pet even though they love them. Once the big twist arrived, this book got DARK. Geez, Mr. Howe. What the hell?? A very sad book. Yes, it did end up having a happy ending, but still, you had to go through a lot of depressing stuff to get there!
The illustrations are done by Alan Daniel. His work is nice. The animals were super cute! I wished the contrasting shadows between the pets had been a little bit stronger though, because sometimes the pets blend in a little too much.
I did like this book, and it was entertaining. However, with no Bunnicula and the overwhelmingly depressing topics, I did not care for at all. I personally felt like this story was a little bit too sad and that took some of the enjoyment away for me.
"First there is the omen: A relentless rain stops suddenly at 3:00 am and Chester shows Harold and Howie a cat carrier, open and waiting, by the front door. Chester, who has been reading avidly about the paranormal, predicts that they will soon be traveling someplace, and chances are they are not going to like it. Indeed they are not, as the very next day, with the sun shining bright and clear, the Monroes finally leave for their vacation, dropping Chester, Harold, and Howie off at the scene of some previous harrowing experiences -- Chateau Bow-Wow, the boarding kennel that Chester so aptly had dubbed Howliday Inn. Chester is certain that nothing bodes well and he is right. Unexplained voices, buried bones, a collar with the name Rosebud on it, and a secret code all make for a paranormal experience that none of the guests at Chateau Bow-Wow will ever forget."
Again we have a story were Bunnicula is left out. Seriously, how do you have a series where the title character is left out of the book? We do see him for a few seconds before the rest of the pets get taken to the Howliday Inn. What I don't get, is that in this story, the boarding place now excepts other pets as well as cats and dogs. There is a bird and a weasel staying there. So why couldn't the vampire bunny go too? *sigh*
Even though Bunnicula is not in this one, I enjoyed this return trip to Howliday Inn better then the first trip there back in book 2, Howliday Inn. I enjoyed the other guests a lot more, and there was a ghost dog that showed up. The characters were a lot of fun and really made this story. It was a unique crew of pets and it was pretty cool getting to see other pets besides just cats and dogs. Once again, I was not in love with the young pup, Howie. I know he is there for comic relief, but, boy, a little of him goes a long way... maybe you have to be a kid to enjoy him? I don't know... I don't remember him from when I was little and reading these books, so I can't say for sure.
Yes, it's true, this story was good.... but holy crap was it dark and depressing!! Ok, without any spoiler details, here are some of the themes this book discussed: pets getting too old to live anymore, a pet getting "the big sleep", owners dying and never coming back for their pet, pets not being wanted anymore, loneliness from the pet, loneliness from the owners, the owner being unable to care for the pet even though they love them. Once the big twist arrived, this book got DARK. Geez, Mr. Howe. What the hell?? A very sad book. Yes, it did end up having a happy ending, but still, you had to go through a lot of depressing stuff to get there!
The illustrations are done by Alan Daniel. His work is nice. The animals were super cute! I wished the contrasting shadows between the pets had been a little bit stronger though, because sometimes the pets blend in a little too much.
I did like this book, and it was entertaining. However, with no Bunnicula and the overwhelmingly depressing topics, I did not care for at all. I personally felt like this story was a little bit too sad and that took some of the enjoyment away for me.
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