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Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen
In this tantalizing mystery that's "filled with laugh out loud moments" and "reads like a middle-grade version of the movie Clue", Ernestine is the smart, spunky, and fearless Nancy Drew for today's young readers!
We all know and love Ramona, Matilda, and Harriet the Spy. Now meet Ernestine.
When a series of suspicious accidents befalls the wealthy residents of the retired artists' home where she works, Ernestine is determined to piece together clues to find the real culprit. She suspects it might be a zombie, but maybe greedy relatives can be just as scary! Catastrophe has never been so much fun!
We all know and love Ramona, Matilda, and Harriet the Spy. Now meet Ernestine.
When a series of suspicious accidents befalls the wealthy residents of the retired artists' home where she works, Ernestine is determined to piece together clues to find the real culprit. She suspects it might be a zombie, but maybe greedy relatives can be just as scary! Catastrophe has never been so much fun!
304 pages, Hardcover
Published August 7, 2018
20 people are currently reading
1525 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 23, 2018
Ernestine takes us on a madcap romp to discover the mysterious murderer who is stalking Mrs. MacGillucuddie. The book is filled with interesting supporting characters and Ernestine has a delightful relationship with her stepbrother and partner-in-crime, Charleston. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of zombies and a huge subplot involves Ernestine attempting to bring on a zombie apocalypse as she warns those around her how to avoid said event. Could have been such a delightful book, but without the zombies.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher (jimmy patterson) and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher (jimmy patterson) and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2018
Ernestine is the kind of kid who gets things done. Smart, clever, and armed with a take-charge personality, she helps her absent-minded parents with their job of looking after the kooky residents of the MacGillicuddie House For Elderly and Retired Artists, Both Performing and Otherwise. But there's bigger trouble than leaky pipes brewing inside the walls of the rambling old mansion...and it's Ernestine who must uncover the clues that point in one direction – murder!
I loved this book! It was a smart, fun read that kept me guessing with its twists and turns. Ernestine is an unforgettable heroine – imaginative and precocious – who I couldn’t help but cheer for.
I loved this book! It was a smart, fun read that kept me guessing with its twists and turns. Ernestine is an unforgettable heroine – imaginative and precocious – who I couldn’t help but cheer for.
March 24, 2018
"Ernestine liked a book with an exclamation mark in the title. If you weren’t going to be enthusiastic about the book you were writing, then why write it at all?"
This was one of the funniest books I've read in forever, and I adored it. A hilarious, fast-paced whodunnit with a whip-smart and irrepressible protagonist and a farcical cast of unforgettable characters. Plus zombies!!
This was one of the funniest books I've read in forever, and I adored it. A hilarious, fast-paced whodunnit with a whip-smart and irrepressible protagonist and a farcical cast of unforgettable characters. Plus zombies!!
April 19, 2023
If the Westing Game was set at Auntie Mame’s when she was in her 80s, with some characters from the Addams Family, an Anthony Bourdain type punk rocker chef, a couple interesting acrobatic circus act performers, a gay, even more camp Vincent Price, and a young girl Buffy/Nancy Drew obsessed with the Zombie Apocalypse, you would have the bare bones of this book but none of its heart or humor.
Ernestine and her step brother Charleston sit on cold tombstones at midnight one February eve. Charleston remembered the chicken drumsticks for blood, Ernestine has creatively cobbled together some Latin verbiage. They are ready to kickstart the Zombi apocalypse, even if the “youngest” grave they can find in the old town cemetery is a man buried in 1972. (Groovy!) Ernestine works with what she’s got and doesn’t consider failure an option. She’s a self starter and if she has to wake the Zombies herself to get this Zombie apocalypse started, then fine, she will figure it out and get it done.
WHY she wants to kickstart the Zombie apocalypse is never questioned. At least not by Charleston her perceptive and calm younger stepbrother, because he goes along to get along, with some wise questions and sage advice beyond his years along the way. The reader does get some profound glimpses later on into Ernestine’s rationale for all this. It’s handled with such a deft, light touch, as so many elements of the story, that it has all the more impact.
But really, the zombie apocalypse plays a minor role to the attempts at murder and Ernestine’s detective work to unravel the case. It’s all set amongst the backdrop of the MacGillicuddie House for Elderly and Retired Artists. All you need to know is that Mrs MacGillicuddie is basically Auntie Mame at 80, still surrounding herself with a fascinating collection of bohemians. She’s the patroness of the house, sitting on vast riches her family very much wants to get their hands on, in her 80, dresses in her best jewels “because you never know when you’ll drop dead” and basically I want to be her when I grow up (or even right now.) The house residents are all well drawn, interesting, hilarious characters in their own right. There’s the baker and chef for punk rock bands in their heyday that now cook for Mrs. G. Then there’s the gay couple that were icons of the horror genre, actors in B movies that are now cult classics and still doing fan shows and appearances on the weekends and at festivals. There’s the token cranky old man who hates everyone. There are acrobatic twins in their 60s in spectacular sequined outfits. There’s a house jazz band that performs at Mrs G’s frequent and sumptuous soirées. The book opens on Mardi Gras in the midst of one of these parties.
The mystery is on point and more believable and with as many twists and turns as some “so called” adult murder mysteries! Ernestine is smart and works hard for every clue and pays attention to earn her observations. The writing and pacing both dazzle and set a fabulous standard and pace. Ernestine works with Charleston, and the family dynamic is touching, fraught with real world complications, and made all the more tender when the flawed family members overcome their weaknesses just long enough to lift one another up. There were so many funny and even hilarious, laugh out loud moments! The dialogue was zippy and great, with snappy one liners coming fast and fresh. I adored this book, didn’t want it to end, and when it did closed the final chapter with a life affirming feeling, and that the world was a better place with Ernestine, Charleston, and this whole crazy cast of characters in it. Hope there’s a sequel some day and definitely going to check out other books by this author!
Ernestine and her step brother Charleston sit on cold tombstones at midnight one February eve. Charleston remembered the chicken drumsticks for blood, Ernestine has creatively cobbled together some Latin verbiage. They are ready to kickstart the Zombi apocalypse, even if the “youngest” grave they can find in the old town cemetery is a man buried in 1972. (Groovy!) Ernestine works with what she’s got and doesn’t consider failure an option. She’s a self starter and if she has to wake the Zombies herself to get this Zombie apocalypse started, then fine, she will figure it out and get it done.
WHY she wants to kickstart the Zombie apocalypse is never questioned. At least not by Charleston her perceptive and calm younger stepbrother, because he goes along to get along, with some wise questions and sage advice beyond his years along the way. The reader does get some profound glimpses later on into Ernestine’s rationale for all this. It’s handled with such a deft, light touch, as so many elements of the story, that it has all the more impact.
But really, the zombie apocalypse plays a minor role to the attempts at murder and Ernestine’s detective work to unravel the case. It’s all set amongst the backdrop of the MacGillicuddie House for Elderly and Retired Artists. All you need to know is that Mrs MacGillicuddie is basically Auntie Mame at 80, still surrounding herself with a fascinating collection of bohemians. She’s the patroness of the house, sitting on vast riches her family very much wants to get their hands on, in her 80, dresses in her best jewels “because you never know when you’ll drop dead” and basically I want to be her when I grow up (or even right now.) The house residents are all well drawn, interesting, hilarious characters in their own right. There’s the baker and chef for punk rock bands in their heyday that now cook for Mrs. G. Then there’s the gay couple that were icons of the horror genre, actors in B movies that are now cult classics and still doing fan shows and appearances on the weekends and at festivals. There’s the token cranky old man who hates everyone. There are acrobatic twins in their 60s in spectacular sequined outfits. There’s a house jazz band that performs at Mrs G’s frequent and sumptuous soirées. The book opens on Mardi Gras in the midst of one of these parties.
The mystery is on point and more believable and with as many twists and turns as some “so called” adult murder mysteries! Ernestine is smart and works hard for every clue and pays attention to earn her observations. The writing and pacing both dazzle and set a fabulous standard and pace. Ernestine works with Charleston, and the family dynamic is touching, fraught with real world complications, and made all the more tender when the flawed family members overcome their weaknesses just long enough to lift one another up. There were so many funny and even hilarious, laugh out loud moments! The dialogue was zippy and great, with snappy one liners coming fast and fresh. I adored this book, didn’t want it to end, and when it did closed the final chapter with a life affirming feeling, and that the world was a better place with Ernestine, Charleston, and this whole crazy cast of characters in it. Hope there’s a sequel some day and definitely going to check out other books by this author!
February 21, 2018
As an adult, I'm always trying to recapture those amazing reading experiences of childhood--the books I couldn't put down, the books that completely took me out of my own world, the books whose passages I can still recall 30-some years later. Reading Ernestine as an adult was a true pleasure because it took me back into my 10-year-old self and all those joys of reading.
I loved Ernestine: her confidence, her leadership, her focus on making the world a better place by preparing for the zombie apocalypse, and what better way to prepare than to, you know, start it? My adult self appreciates what a great role model Ernestine is, which is why I'm planning to share the book with some loved ones close to Ernestine's age. My 10-year old self wants to be best friends with her.
Plus, I want live in the MacGillicudie House.
One of the best parts of the book is meeting all the characters who reside in and around the house, which was converted into a series of apartments for "elderly and retired artists, performing or otherwise." Readers of every age will be drawn in by the tantalizing glimpses we get of these residents' homes, lives and histories, especially in trying to solve the mystery that is central to the plot (well, that and the zombie apocalypse).
Another part I love is the humor that shines through in Ernestine's interactions with her stepbrother, Charleston. Anyone who has siblings will appreciate the pull and tug of their relationship. Charleston is the grounded sidekick that Ernestine needs to handle the catastrophes that spring up on her watch.
The book has such a fun cast of characters that I'm hopeful we will see Ernestine tackle some fresh challenges in future books. This one is a winner.
I loved Ernestine: her confidence, her leadership, her focus on making the world a better place by preparing for the zombie apocalypse, and what better way to prepare than to, you know, start it? My adult self appreciates what a great role model Ernestine is, which is why I'm planning to share the book with some loved ones close to Ernestine's age. My 10-year old self wants to be best friends with her.
Plus, I want live in the MacGillicudie House.
One of the best parts of the book is meeting all the characters who reside in and around the house, which was converted into a series of apartments for "elderly and retired artists, performing or otherwise." Readers of every age will be drawn in by the tantalizing glimpses we get of these residents' homes, lives and histories, especially in trying to solve the mystery that is central to the plot (well, that and the zombie apocalypse).
Another part I love is the humor that shines through in Ernestine's interactions with her stepbrother, Charleston. Anyone who has siblings will appreciate the pull and tug of their relationship. Charleston is the grounded sidekick that Ernestine needs to handle the catastrophes that spring up on her watch.
The book has such a fun cast of characters that I'm hopeful we will see Ernestine tackle some fresh challenges in future books. This one is a winner.
April 16, 2018
I really loved ERNESTINE, CATASTROPHE QUEEN. So much fun. Mystery, an eccentric cast of characters, and a girl trying to start the zombie apocalypse!!! And my 10yo loved it right a long with me. Such a great book to bookclub with your tween. Is that still a word? Here's Nova's review 💜
By: 10yo Novalee Andree
Ernestine Catastrophe Queen, by Merrill Wyatt, is a bloodchilling mystery with a twist that surprised the heck out of me. The story focuses on a girl named, (you guessed it) Ernestine. She is a very smart girl and she believes that she can bring the dead back to life. She walks in the dead of night to the graveyard with her stepbrother to try to begin the zombie apocalypse. But, as her experiment takes a turn she finds that her neighbor and her family is in danger. She is eager to solve the mystery and prove to everyone that it is just her zombie causing all of this, and she is determined to catch the zombie and to make more.
But, as the plot leads on, Ernestine finds herself in even more danger. Someone is attempting to break in and murder her unsuspecting rich neighbor, Mrs. McGillicuddie, who is not worried at all. Ernestine is still convinced it is a zombie, but new evidence is leading her in a different direction. What I thought during half the text: Did Ernestine even make a zombie? Now that I really think about it, though, I think she did. Anyway, if you want to know what really happens, reading the book would be highly advisable, because it was really amazing. Five stars!!!!
By: 10yo Novalee Andree
Ernestine Catastrophe Queen, by Merrill Wyatt, is a bloodchilling mystery with a twist that surprised the heck out of me. The story focuses on a girl named, (you guessed it) Ernestine. She is a very smart girl and she believes that she can bring the dead back to life. She walks in the dead of night to the graveyard with her stepbrother to try to begin the zombie apocalypse. But, as her experiment takes a turn she finds that her neighbor and her family is in danger. She is eager to solve the mystery and prove to everyone that it is just her zombie causing all of this, and she is determined to catch the zombie and to make more.
But, as the plot leads on, Ernestine finds herself in even more danger. Someone is attempting to break in and murder her unsuspecting rich neighbor, Mrs. McGillicuddie, who is not worried at all. Ernestine is still convinced it is a zombie, but new evidence is leading her in a different direction. What I thought during half the text: Did Ernestine even make a zombie? Now that I really think about it, though, I think she did. Anyway, if you want to know what really happens, reading the book would be highly advisable, because it was really amazing. Five stars!!!!
September 11, 2018
Do you remember falling in love with HARRIET THE SPY? Do you remember realizing you weren't the only tweenage weirdo who had intense, complicated thoughts she didn't quite know what to do with? Meeting Ernestine reminded me so much of that life-changing experience that I want to go buy a thousand copies of it and hand one to every tween I see.
There's echoes of Harriet here, of course, and also of THE WESTING GAME but wackier. The setting alone is a hoot and includes some sly references for aging punk fans like me ("Did Sid viciously kill them, which is why the Kennedy's were dead?" LOLOLOL). Then you add in a murder mystery and a girl whose primary goal is to bring on an apocalypse so she can become...President of The Post-Apocalyptic United States.
No, I'm not kidding. Yes, you need to read this.
There's echoes of Harriet here, of course, and also of THE WESTING GAME but wackier. The setting alone is a hoot and includes some sly references for aging punk fans like me ("Did Sid viciously kill them, which is why the Kennedy's were dead?" LOLOLOL). Then you add in a murder mystery and a girl whose primary goal is to bring on an apocalypse so she can become...President of The Post-Apocalyptic United States.
No, I'm not kidding. Yes, you need to read this.
September 9, 2018
Oh how I love James Patterson Presents books! They are always so well written and fun to read. So, I knew I was going to love Ernestine and I did. What a fun book to read during the Autumn/Halloween season. The book follows Ernestine and her step brother as they try to start off a Zombie Apocalypse by raising zombies in the cemetery near where they live. Two kids out in the cemetery with salt and chicken legs, that they have to remember to take home for dinner, trying to raise zombies cracked me up! Not to mention that they live in MacGullicuddie House for Retired Artists and Performers and someone is trying to kill Mrs MacGullicuddie. This book is full of twists, turns & lots of fun and where is that zombie? I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages.
April 14, 2018
You are not going to find a heroine like Ernestine every day - confident, engaged in her community, and looking to start the zombie apocalypse. This story is going to make you laugh, make you try to puzzle out a mystery, and make you wish you had Ernestine by your side to face your own problems (maybe with a fork if things get truly dire.) Finding comparable titles is hard because the mix of humor and darkness and suspense is pretty unique! Maybe Ben Guterson's WINTERHOUSE meets FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER? Highly recommended.
March 18, 2018
Merrill-Wyatt’s debut novel is a great mix of mystery, adventure and comedy! Ernestine’s quirky personality is sure to win over readers as she tries to envoke a zombie apocalypse and solve a murder. Set in a house of retired artists, the various characters and personalities one encounters are sure to keep the readers on their toes! Both preteens and adults alike will enjoy reading this action-packed novel with a unique plot and eccentric characters all while trying to solve the crime
December 31, 2018
I loved Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen so much!
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The story reminded me of The Adams Family, full of unique and quirky characters that I absolutely adored! The plot was fun , full of mystery and adventure. I also loved Ernestine (the main character of this book), she is sharp-witted, full of determination and brave.
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Full review coming soon!
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The story reminded me of The Adams Family, full of unique and quirky characters that I absolutely adored! The plot was fun , full of mystery and adventure. I also loved Ernestine (the main character of this book), she is sharp-witted, full of determination and brave.
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Full review coming soon!
March 7, 2018
Reading this book was like meeting that unforgettable weirdo you instantly want to be friends with. I mean: "Sometimes, rather than waiting around for the zombie apocalypse to happen all on its own, you had to go ahead and bring the undead back to life yourself. No sense in waiting around for someone else to do it for you." SAY NO MORE. This is a delightful, kooky, laugh-out-loud mystery with a colourful array of eccentric suspects and a heroine I would *definitely* want on my side in a zombie apocalypse!
August 10, 2018
In his preface to this book, Patterson indicates that if you don't finish this book wanting to read another, you're probably an adult. I didn't love this book; I'm an adult. Busted....
All middle-grade books don't have to have literary merit or win the Newbery award. (In fact, kids don't like some of the winners.) There is a place for light books appealing to both reluctant and avid readers. Many graphic novels such as the Hilo series and Raina Telgemeier's books fill this bill. They even have some heft. Likewise, Riordan's series. Even the Captain Underpants books, although I'd never accuse them of having heft, are loved by kids. My reluctant readers snapped them up and created posters and their own comics having read them.
Although humorous at times, I did not find the eccentric characters, plot, and setting in Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen particularly appealing. I'm not convinced that kids will either. I'll see how it fares in the classroom library.
All middle-grade books don't have to have literary merit or win the Newbery award. (In fact, kids don't like some of the winners.) There is a place for light books appealing to both reluctant and avid readers. Many graphic novels such as the Hilo series and Raina Telgemeier's books fill this bill. They even have some heft. Likewise, Riordan's series. Even the Captain Underpants books, although I'd never accuse them of having heft, are loved by kids. My reluctant readers snapped them up and created posters and their own comics having read them.
Although humorous at times, I did not find the eccentric characters, plot, and setting in Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen particularly appealing. I'm not convinced that kids will either. I'll see how it fares in the classroom library.
March 7, 2018
Really fun modern MG mystery with a clever, spunky protagonist that I adored. Felt like a cross between The Westing Game and Harriet the Spy.
October 15, 2018
For anyone looking for a spooky and fun read just in time for Halloween this librarian recommends Ernestine Catastrophe Queen by Merrill Wyatt. Readers who love zombies, mysteries and a wacky sense of humor will love this book. It will grab readers from the very first chapter as Ernestine the book’s capable and memorable heroine attempts to start a zombie apocalypse with the help of her reluctant stepbrother Charleston. Her plans are foiled by her elderly and eccentric landlady crashing a car nearby with her equally eccentric party guests. The book maintains this delightful combination of creepy and ridiculous throughout and readers will find themselves laughing out loud at Ernestine and her antics. When it seems like someone is after Ernestine’s land lady the rich and unconventional Mrs. MacGillicuddie Ernestine decides it up to her to solve the case, even if she rather be investigating a zombie she suspects of escaping from the local cemetery. The sooner she solves the case the sooner she can go back to what she considers to be really important preparing for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. But with the equally odd and entertaining residents of the MacGillicuddie’s House for the Elderly and Retired Artists, Both Preforming and Otherwise all having motives to get rid of Mrs. MacGillicuddie will Ernestine ever be able to catch the culprit? Is the culprit a zombie? Will Ernestine ever have her apocalypse? Find out in this hilariously spooky book! This book is ideal for grades three and up and for anyone that enjoys scary stories and a good laugh. This librarian gives it four out of five stars.
-Alex
-Alex
February 18, 2018
Fun, action packed mystery with much going on.
Ernestine lives with her mother, step-father and step-brother in a big house that is home to many strange characters. Ernestine is organized, self-sufficient, and always has a plan of action ready to go. She spends much of her day trying to organize her family and make sure they are doing what they were hired to do - fix things in the house. Although her mother seems forgetful and and often absent, she does really care about Ernestine and does things behind the scenes for her.
While she and her brother try to raise the dead - in an effort to stop the Zombie Apocalypse from happening- someone is trying to murder their landlord. After saving her life several times, and once the police are brought in, Ernestine realizes that plans can go wrong and sometimes it is OK to get help from others.
Ernestine is a strong main character and the story is filled with strange, action packed adventures. This will appeal to those who have read and enjoyed Clementine and Ramona.
DRC from Edelweiss and Hachette Book Group
Ernestine lives with her mother, step-father and step-brother in a big house that is home to many strange characters. Ernestine is organized, self-sufficient, and always has a plan of action ready to go. She spends much of her day trying to organize her family and make sure they are doing what they were hired to do - fix things in the house. Although her mother seems forgetful and and often absent, she does really care about Ernestine and does things behind the scenes for her.
While she and her brother try to raise the dead - in an effort to stop the Zombie Apocalypse from happening- someone is trying to murder their landlord. After saving her life several times, and once the police are brought in, Ernestine realizes that plans can go wrong and sometimes it is OK to get help from others.
Ernestine is a strong main character and the story is filled with strange, action packed adventures. This will appeal to those who have read and enjoyed Clementine and Ramona.
DRC from Edelweiss and Hachette Book Group
August 5, 2018
I was a little hesitant at first with this book, thinking that as a kid on the older range of the suggested read that I probably wouldn't like it. Zombies and murders with a few quirky kids? Could that really be an interesting, good book?
Apparently, it can! Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen does an excellent job of blending every concept in the book together smoothly. Retired performance artists, wacky parents, ingenious mystery-solving kids, millions of dollars, murder attempts and murders themselves, and, of course, zombies all came together quite nicely and made for one of the most original and interesting plot lines I'd read in months- maybe even years!
Just like any good mystery, if you really, really paid attention and spent time pondering it might have been possible to come up with the real criminal on your own, but for anyone just wanting to read it, the twists and turns nearing the end and at the ending are thrilling and totally unexpected.
I thought this was a magnificent book and I'll be sure to recommend it to my friends.
Apparently, it can! Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen does an excellent job of blending every concept in the book together smoothly. Retired performance artists, wacky parents, ingenious mystery-solving kids, millions of dollars, murder attempts and murders themselves, and, of course, zombies all came together quite nicely and made for one of the most original and interesting plot lines I'd read in months- maybe even years!
Just like any good mystery, if you really, really paid attention and spent time pondering it might have been possible to come up with the real criminal on your own, but for anyone just wanting to read it, the twists and turns nearing the end and at the ending are thrilling and totally unexpected.
I thought this was a magnificent book and I'll be sure to recommend it to my friends.
March 2, 2019
Read this for my "book club" with my 10-year-old granddaughter. The story was entertaining (if you like reading about awakening zombies), but there were so many references to historical people/events that a child/adolescent would not get at all - that it made me wonder if the author used those humorous references to keep herself awake. For example: Ernestine, the eponymous heroine, was called "Nestea" by her spaced-out artist mother. What child has a clue what Nestea is? Or, when she describes a sculpture produced by Ernestine's father, she describes it as being a sculpture of "Lennon - John, not Vladimir" - and there are references to family members being responsible for a variety of famous (to adults) tragedies (Hindenburg, Titanic, Great Depression). It seems to me that the assumed target audience will miss most of this. Plus, who wants their kid to read about a variety of family members being suspects in the attempted murder of a rich grandma?
October 8, 2018
I received a free copy of Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen from Goodreads in exchange for this review. Although it sounded really interesting and I had high hopes, I was mostly disappointed. A better title would have been Ernestine, Curiosity Queen, as there really isn't much in the way of catastrophes for which she is to be queen. Ernestine is very curious, though, picking up details and following up on them to solve a mystery that runs parallel with the zombie story line that takes up much of her time. Way too much. She's a smart girl, so I'm not sure why she's so into believing that zombies are real, let alone that it is possible to bring one to the surface. Why would anyone want to bring about a zombie apocalypse anyway? Zombies aren't my thing, so I found this part of the book tiresome.
I read middle grade books for a variety of reasons, one of which is that they are more wholesome than others. This one, however, had a knife fight, a poisoning, milk with bourbon served to children, a gunfight, and a near drowning, along with various other situations that are taking place over the course of less than a week. The adults are clueless, as is typical, but these are so over the top that the standard suspension of belief required was just too much for me. I found the book a chore to read, but did stick with it because I love mysteries and wanted to know how this one ended. I was pleasantly surprised because I didn't come close to guessing who and why.
I read middle grade books for a variety of reasons, one of which is that they are more wholesome than others. This one, however, had a knife fight, a poisoning, milk with bourbon served to children, a gunfight, and a near drowning, along with various other situations that are taking place over the course of less than a week. The adults are clueless, as is typical, but these are so over the top that the standard suspension of belief required was just too much for me. I found the book a chore to read, but did stick with it because I love mysteries and wanted to know how this one ended. I was pleasantly surprised because I didn't come close to guessing who and why.
May 10, 2018
Cute story. Definitely a book for middle- graders, though. As an adult, the mystery part of the book definitely had a surprise ending which I did enjoy. However, much of the book I either found too silly (once again from an adult perspective) and somewhat outraging - I refer to the main character having to essentially raise herself due to her mother being too absorbed into her artwork. Essentially I would not recommend this book to adults due to it being well below adult level- but I would recommend it to middle graders (the target audience). I won this book as an ARC in a contest at a bookstore.
August 5, 2018
Oh my stars, this book was a hoot. It's a fast paced mystery with a spunky heroine who must solve a crime before it can be committed, when all she really wants to do is prepare for the zombie apocalypse. The setting is the zany MacGillicuddie House for Elderly and Retired Artists, Both Performing and Otherwise that is filled with the most delightful, wonky cast of characters. If you want to get lost in a charming world filled with cranky thespians, belly laughs, and shuffling dead people, pick up this book!
August 31, 2018
This book will keep you up at night, in a good way. Your mind will work overtime as zombie apocalypse expert, 12 year old hero, Ernestine, and her new stepbrother work through a maze of clues and quirky characters as a wild, murderous plot unfolds. Ernestine, true to her name, is serious, sincere, and determined in zombie hunting as well as being the “adult” when her artist parents get distracted. The quick, clever dialogue is very funny and the colorful, eccentric characters/suspects/zombies truly come to life.
July 29, 2019
this book reminded me of a Scooby Doo adventure with grown ups dressed up like monsters to do their dastardly deeds and people running mad cap all around an old house, through a cemetery etc. And if it wasn't for those meddling kids . . . If that was all it was I'd have liked it better but the plot was so convoluted with a huge number of characters to keep track of, plus inept parents that went beyond just silly to outright neglect. It just seemed like this book wasn't sure what it wanted to be and everything ended up jammed in too tight.
April 25, 2022
I will say this chapter book was the first read aloud I attempted with my son that didn't have pictures to break up the book. The storyline with the murder mystery held his attention but there were times that the book just seemed wordy and I lost his attention. The characters were all delightful but I will say my son struggled to keep them all straight. I would totally read another book by this authors I just need my son to be a stronger reader.
July 10, 2018
This book was a hoot! The characters are all so eccentric and interesting. Ernestine is trying to start the zombie apocalypse, but gets caught up in trying to figure out who’s attempting to murder her neighbor. A lot of mystery, but it’s really the crazy characters and their antics that drew me in.
October 22, 2018
There were some really funny bits, like when Ernestine asks what (nationality?) a person is and that person responds back part____ part____, etc. and when Ernestine goes home to look those up she figures out he was 100% none of her business.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2019
A super fun book with characters who are as funny as they are eccentric. I loved Ernestine and her constant planning for the zombie apocalypse. And I especially loved how author Merrill Wyatt weaved in emotional issues of family, friendship and being enough beneath this hilarious story.
June 4, 2020
I struggled with this for two weeks and nearly one hundred pages, and I’m throwing in the towel. I wanted to like it. She’s a spunky protagonist with an eccentric cast of characters, but I just couldn’t get into it. I don’t know how many middle school or upper elementary readers will either.
March 16, 2018
What a romp of a book! Bold and sassy, with a big imagination, I’m sure Ernestine will capture the attention of little girls (& boys) easily. It’s a great way to get kids into mysteries too!
September 5, 2018
A wonderful tale of money, mayhem, mothers, and monsters. Well, zombies anyway. A very fun read!
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