The Weird Sisters: A Note, a Goat, and a Casserole

Weird Sisters Detective Agency #1

by Mark David Smith, Kari Rust (Illustrator)

The first book in a mystery series features three sleuthing sisters

One spring evening, three strange visitors arrive in the town of Covenly. Sisters Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer are hoping to start fresh with a new business: a pet store! Their first customer is nine-year-old Jessica Nibley, who has lost her pet goat and hopes the sisters can help track it down. But when the sisters discover a mangled note with missing pieces that suggests they aren’t welcome in town, they suddenly have two mysteries to solve.

Jessica and the sisters jump on a broomstick and fly off to investigate. As they collect clues and get closer to solving the cases, Covenly residents start to look beyond the sisters’ unusual appearances and welcome them to the community as they are.

The first volume in this whimsical chapter book mystery series is filled with hilarious misunderstandings, clever wordplay, and dynamic illustrations. The sleuthing sisters, who are inspired by the three witches from Macbeth (there’s even a recipe for a witch’s stew!), invite Covenly residents and readers to look past appearances and embrace people for who they are, weirdness and all.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Witches, Humor, Magic, Childrens, Middle Grade

72 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2022

About the author

Mark David Smith teaches English for the Coquitlam School District, which gives him a needed outlet for correcting people's grammar--a practice he has come to understand is socially inappropriate in other contexts. He lives in Port Coquitlam, BC, with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Lisa Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in my top 10 books of the year. I love the story, diversity, illustrations, message, and comedy in this novel. The recipe at the end was the cherry on top. I will be buying this book for home application as well as suggesting it to kiddos at the library.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Karen Parisot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covenly has some new witchy residents. Three sisters have purchased a rather rundown old home and have opened The Three Sisters Pet Emporium on the ground floor. When Jessica, an unconventional young girl, finds her pet goat missing she enlists Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer to help find him.
A whimsical story for young readers, and a nice introduction to this new mystery series. Delightful illustrations throughout the book add another dimension to the story. Full of humor and with a colorful cast of oddball characters it’s sure to appeal to the 5 to 7 year old readers this book is written for. As an added bonus, it includes a recipe for the Hurly Burly soup that the three sisters make.

[bookluver · Rating 1 out of 5]

bad ending! it did not leave me wondering hence did not let me be creative and explore my imagination. weird characters. too childish even for a child. i’d like to see this author try adult books. the ending was too simple, lost goat, found goat, the end.🤷🏼‍♀️ boringggg

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

2022 Cybils Early Chapter book finalist

I liked the fantasy aspect of this, in how completely undersold it is. And I liked that the note mystery was resolved so kindly, especially since I predicted that.

[Lee Födi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love everything about this book: The title, the premise, the clever wordplay, the beautiful illustrations by . . . SO MUCH FUN. And, of course, I love me a book that features a magical broom.

It's a fun early chapter book that invites readers into a magical world and is such a divine mix of silly humor (love the witch names Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer) and sophisticated laughs.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weird sisters are named Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer. Their pet cat is named Graymalkin. Just this sentence, along with the book’s title, will help young readers to decide if this illustrated chapter book is for them. If it is, and they have the right sense of humor, they are sure to enjoy this title.

The sisters purchase a rather rackety house where they plan to live and open a pet store. Their first customer is Jennifer. She sets them off on an adventure and a case. At the same time, some people in town are suspicious of the sisters. Will they be accepted? Have a child read this first in a series to find out.

Get your broomsticks out and have some fun. This should keep wee ghouls turning the pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
First book in a new series by Mark David Smith. Three sisters buy a dilapidated old home in a new town to run a Pet Emporium. Each sister is unique and the descriptions let readers see them clearly. Their names alone are fun to say: Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer. When a young neighbor's baby goat is missing, the owner comes to them for help. Their mystery solving business is launched and we follow their antics for the rest of the book. A second mystery is revealed early on and is definitely connected to the missing goat.
Elementary level readers will love the humor and feel part of the story as they watch these three sisters and Jessica solve the mysteries.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, see my blog: Craft-Cycle

A fun-filled mystery packed with puns and homonyms. Three witchy sisters move into Covenly and open a pet emporium. But then things get weird. A threatening note appears at their door, a neighborhood goat goes missing. And whatever happened to Chelsea Oh's casserole dish?

A delightful cast of characters, a few mix-ups, and some good mysteries make for a fun read. Nice, short chapters and whimsical illustrations to break up the text.

Includes the recipe for Hurlyurly Soup at the end for an added treat.

A lovely start to a series that promises good laughs and mysterious fun.

[Beth Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weird Sisters are on a quest to fit in and be liked just like all of us . Their friend Jessica Nibley is out of school for the summer and the four of them and their menagerie of animals work to drum up business for their newly opened Pet Emporium and Detective agency. There is a ton of imagination in this book and I Love that they work in ecology, the environment, recycling and generally being kind and taking care of animals and friends. The illustrations really help to bring the story to life.

Thanks to NetGalley & Owlkids books for an opportunity to read and offer an honest review

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book about three witches that have moved into a old house and are making a big pot of soup for dinner, when a girl comes looking for her lost goat and what moves on from there will help show empathy and acceptance for those different from ourselves.

I loved this cute book that is very funny and entertaining but still slips in a lesson without you knowing it. This will make a great class read and is even wonderful for a reluctant reader. It is a fun book that children will love.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced readers copy through OwlBooks.
This is a fantastic chapter book perfect for early readers. It has humor, a mystery to solve, and three humorous witches who need homonyms explained for them. I read this with my 5 year old, who laughed at the rhymes and misunderstandings. ALSO - the recipe for Hurlyburly Soup is included at the end! A fun soup to throw together with the kiddos after reading.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chapter book is perfect to recommend to young Amelia Bedelia fans who are ready for something a bit longer. The simple mystery plot, where witches trying to be good help Jessica track down her missing goat, is not particularly memorable, but some of the wordplay had me laughing out loud. I think this would also be a good family read aloud, where older kids will be groaning, while adults will be laughing and explaining to the youngest listeners what is so funny.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three witchy sisters move to Covenly to set up a Pet Emporium and their first customer is nine-year-old Jessica who wants help finding her lost goat. The sisters, who are trying to turn over a new leaf, are tempted to turn a few people into frogs, including a self-appointed sheriff who is on the prowl for trouble makers.

There's not much depth to the story but plenty of fun word play in this early chapter book. A soup recipe is included.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this on the library featured shelf so decided to give it a go and it was fine. It took like 15 minutes to read but doesn't have much of a point. We meet (kind of) 3 sisters who are strange and witchy. They get a note warning them to leave. They also are trying to set up a pet finding business and they're looking for their first client: a goat. Finally, they eat a casserole. Not really interested in continuing.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a new kids’ mystery series. The Weird Sisters move to town, and some are suspicious of them. However, Jessica isn’t and she needs help finding her baby goat. Together they solve the mystery!

This was a cute story. I wish there had been more illustrations because I loved the ones that were there!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sister witches (Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer) and their cat Graymalkin just moved into an old house in Covenly and turn it into a unique pet shop. When Jessica's goat kid goes missing, she hopes the sister witches can help. As they start looking around, Jessica finds a note threatening the witches to leave. Could it be the same person? A great very beginning chapter book series for fans of silly, mysteries, and witches! Great recommendation during W&W.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a new illustrated mystery series for young readers. Great fun with delightful - and just slightly scary enough - characters. Kari Rust's illustrations are a real treat.

A perfect choice for kids who want something just a bit scary, funny and engaging.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three witchy sisters move to the neighborhood, where they become immediately tangled up in a lost pet mystery and various nosy neighbors. Funny and full of linguistic humor, this was very enjoyable.

Note: includes recipe for soup.

[Timothy Forner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for young readers and adults too. The story is brisk and fun. It has spooky charm, but is not at all scary. The wordplay is delightful. The subtle references to Shakespeare's MacBeth are Easter eggs for adult readers to find. It's a great choice to read aloud to kids.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny, fantastic illustrations

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the names, so fun to say.

[GardeniaPearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short and to the point. More like a long short story than book, but still fun. Excellent illustrations.

[Kristi Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Read it because it caught our attention in the library - my daughter loves goats! We enjoyed it - fast read and pretty funny.

[Kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny and weird but i loved it

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning to a series. Loved the cop! Awesome representation.

[Storytime With Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series for early chapter book and middle grade readers courtesy of Mark David Smith. The Weird Sisters: A Note, A Goat and a Casserole is the first in a series dubbed the Weird Sisters Detective Agency.

Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer have just moved to Covenly. They are a bit odd and intend to run a pet emporium out of the main floor of their home. When Jessica Nibley’s pet goat goes missing, she visits the three sisters hoping they can help her solve the mystery of the missing goat.

Mark David Smith has a winner on his hands. This story was engaging, entertaining and super silly. The whole cast of characters is unique and each has something memorable that will stand out in readers minds. The Bee and I had a ton of fun reading this book together and for parents and teachers who love reading aloud and doing the voices, this story has some excellent characters to voice.

The Weird Sisters is fantastic for early chapter book readers. The story was short and to the point without a lot of extra unnecessary drama and exposition. There is a missing goat and the goat needs to be found, simple! The chapters are short and sweet, not overwhelming readers and giving them an opportunity to feel a sense of accomplishment after finishing a chapter. For avid readers, this book could be read in one sitting but for those just dipping their toes in the chapter book world, it’s a great place to start.

Kari Rusts illustrations add extra whimsy and humour to the story, without giving the story away. Readers do have to read the words in order to understand what is happening. The illustrations add places to pause and a little break for the readers.

We cannot wait to see what the next mystery to be solved by the Weird Sisters will be.

[Aura Keaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first installment of The Weird Sisters books is a quirky introduction to the town of Covenly and its newest residents: Hildegurp, Yuckmina, Glubbifer, and their weird little cat Graymalkin. Through rhyme-y quotes and silly incantations, the sisters set out on an investigation to help their new neighbor, Jessica, find her missing goat. This beginner-chapter book is kooky and full of giggles.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.