Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Marty and Grace #1

Cryptid Hunters

Rate this book
After their parents are lost in an accident, thirteen-year old twins Grace and Marty are whisked away to live with their Uncle Wolfe-an uncle that they didn't even know they had! The intimidating Uncle Wolfe is an anthropologist who has dedicated his life to finding cryptids, mysterious creatures believed to be long extinct.

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

120 people are currently reading
3292 people want to read

About the author

Roland Smith

151 books837 followers
Roland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,899 (46%)
4 stars
2,040 (33%)
3 stars
894 (14%)
2 stars
230 (3%)
1 star
111 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
Profile Image for Wendy Sparrow.
Author 67 books277 followers
February 20, 2013
I'd intended to leisurely preview this for my son to make sure it wasn't too violent. Instead it pulled me in and kept my eyes glued on its pages until 2 a.m. this morning... and I immediately bought Tentacles... at 2 a.m. (Gotta love online buying for that.)

This book was like the Magic Treehouse kids all grown up and taking on Jurassic Park or Journey to the Center of the Earth. It begins with Grace and Marty at a boarding school for gifted or wealthy kids--and it's a great peek into their personalities. The author does an amazing job with presenting them as being kids like any other kids even while they're very unusual and interesting. Marty has a photographic memory, loves extreme adventures, and is curious beyond his control--and often gets into trouble for that. Grace is very, very intelligent but with a healthy dose of phobias. Their parents go missing on a photo-journalism expedition and they're sent to live with their uncle on Cryptos Island. After a few adventures on the island, the two kids are accidentally parachute-dropped into the Congo where the excitement ratchets up to the point that you only breathe every third page. Mambas, dinosaurs, and leeches... oh my.

What stood out in this book is that while the kids were constantly getting into trouble or chaos--they were intelligent and recognition was paid to when they were disobeying the adults around them. Also, I genuinely liked these kids. As an adult reading kids' books, sometimes the characters annoy me. I just want to shake them and tell them to listen to the adults around them--especially when they put themselves in danger. I really liked Grace and Marty. Their personalities were fun and real and the relationship between them was really great to see in a modern-day book.

Even though the technology in this is now over five years old, it's not dated. It still feels fairly cutting-edge. And the study of Cryptids (animals not scientifically proven to be in existence but reputed through myths) has a timeless draw on our minds among the young and old.

For parents: I was surprised at how audience friendly this was. There was some violence and graphic descriptions but I would have read this aloud to my son starting at around age 7. No profanity. No adult situations. It was just an awesome adventure which I'm hoping continues in Tentacles. This book should be in every mid-grade kids' hands. It puts so many other books out there to shame. This is a book you can read aloud to your kids--and then sneak out and read ahead of them after they're in bed.

My favorite line was on page 41: Marty whispered to Grace, "That's the kind of man who keeps squids in his library."

You've got to read this book. I swear you'll love it... or come find me and tell me what's wrong with you that you didn't.
Profile Image for tappkalina.
722 reviews533 followers
April 24, 2022
This was my favorite book as a kid (I was a dinosaur fanatic) and read it a million times. Like finished it and started it again immediately. Goodreads made me realize it's a series, but only the first one was translated to my language, so now I'm on my way to find out about the next three adventures.
Profile Image for Emily.
14 reviews
September 25, 2011
This was such a good book!! DON'T judge this by it's cover, it's not what you think. If you like fast-paced books, this is for you. I loved this so much, i would read under the covers with a flashlight untill my sister thretened to tell (i bribed her not to with candy). Anyway, it is a book i think everyone would like.
Profile Image for Clara-ruth A..
2 reviews
March 19, 2014
This book is awesome! My brother gave it to me and I thought it looked like a science book on Dino's. Then I read it and it was awesome! DON'T JUGDE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!!!!EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Angie Miles.
673 reviews12 followers
May 28, 2020
5 stars as always, this will always be one of my favorite books. It deserves so much more love!!
Profile Image for Dylan.
52 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2019
This is a really good book about two twins that were pulled from their school to go live with there uncle Wolfe who they soon find out that his job is to hunt cryptids ( Animals who have never been proven of existence) They also find out that Uncle Wolfe is going to the congo to meet up with a dinosaur and try and get her eggs away from Wolfes nemesis Dr. Blackwood will the Kids and Wolfe be able to get the eggs or will Dr. Blackwood
Profile Image for Hannah Gibson.
12 reviews
March 1, 2025
Definitely written for a middle-schooler, but worth the reread! It has been probably 15 years since i read this book and i had forgotten the plot twist! Can't wait to reread book 2!
Profile Image for Elevetha .
1,931 reviews197 followers
August 16, 2012

*Some of my details might be wrong. It's been a while.*

Brother and sister, after their parents went missing after a plane crash, go to live with their Uncle Wolfe. He has his own private island, appears filthy rich, and is a cryptid hunter. Grace and Marty get swept up in his travels to find such elusive creatures and run into......Wolfe's nemesis, Noah Blackwood. Okay, predictable elements, the dialogue could be better, and some cliches. This probably wouldn't bother a 9-10 year old which is the age range this book is geared toward but, most likely, anyone else older it would. That being said: character development, interaction, plot, story, pacing, excitement, danger, etc, it's all there. It is well done just has a few snags.
Profile Image for Faith.
175 reviews
June 24, 2024
Not my favorite book by Roland Smith. The story was clunky, the characters were bland, and the action was unbelievable and cringe. I am actually surprised by how bad this book is because I just reread Elephant Run and loved it. But this guy has written so many books, I guess he can’t win on every one.
Profile Image for Caroline.
113 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2022
This is an amazing book. I read it so much when I was younger that the book fell apart. Still think about it to this day. I just wanted to have a place that acknowledges it and records this amazing book!
18 reviews
February 17, 2017
This book was questionable to say the least.
Profile Image for Jaclyn.
1,312 reviews
May 9, 2021
This middle grade book was absolutely amazing and so much fun to read! I loved going on this adventure with Marty and Grace - from boarding school in Switzerland to a mysterious, hidden island near Seattle and then to the jungles of the Congo, there is never a dull moment. I loved Grace's growth in this book - from fainting because of fears to facing them head on and becoming confident and successful was so great to see and what a good example to young readers who may be experiencing similar things. Marty and Grace were adorable characters with crazy/phenomenal/unique talents, I was equally awed and entertained throughout. I seriously can't recommend this book enough. I can't wait to read the rest in the series. I read this with my 2nd grade reading group and they were barely able to contain their excitement of reading this intense book. Our discussions were just as intense and fun.
Profile Image for Erin Sullivan.
300 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2022
I like this book a lot! It is fast paced without feeling rushed, and the plot is fantastic. I will admit that we don't get as many details as you find in a book written for adults, but it was nice to read something that didn't necessarily need all the details. I was surprised that they didn't actually see a living dinosaur in the end, but finding the corpse and saving the eggs is still a satisfying conclusion. Also, I have a theory that Grace is not actually Rose's daughter. I think she is Rose's clone; why else would Blackwood care so much about finding her? I don't believe he feels an emotional attachment to her, so he must be interested in her from a scientific standpoint.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Laura.
667 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2019
Middle school OBOB, 2019. I had previously read Sasquatch by Roland Smith and liked it immensely. I didn’t like this book quite as well, but I definitely enjoyed it. Had kind of a slow start, but then I couldn’t put it down! It kind of read like a Michael Crichton novel for teens: very descriptive and action packed with lots of unique creatures thrown into the mix. And the added bonus of two teenage protagonists that any teenager would love. I’ll go ahead and admit I found them somewhat annoying, but that’s because I’m an adult with real teenagers in my life!
Profile Image for Kim Bahr.
706 reviews7 followers
July 9, 2017
Smith always keeps the action moving and sprinkles in a few plot twists. A little far fetched at times, but an entertaining read overall.
Profile Image for Blythe.
502 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2023
I read this as a Battle of the Books coach because it’s on our region’s list. I had to force myself to read it until about page 200 when the story got mildly interesting. First of all, the title is quite misleading; there is hardly any actual cryptid hunting. The writing is choppy, trite, and obvious. The characters are all archetypes, and I personally don’t appreciate how the female characters are handled, especially Grace. She has little personality except being small and fearful and disdainful of her brother’s (cousin’s) behavior. The dialogue feels like it was written by a child. The pacing is inconsistent at best. There are loose ends and hints of future adventure and romance (and a sequel), which is not a satisfying way to end a book. And, of course, the technology at this point is super outdated (which I can’t fault the author for). The book tries too hard to be fun and cool and interesting, but it just falls flat. As a friend said, it feels like it was written in hopes of being adapted into a tv show or movie. Absolutely. Ugh. My 10yo didn’t care for it, either. He thought it was boring and slow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Annika.
2 reviews
January 5, 2024
My comfort read - I go back and reread it all the time
Profile Image for ken.
7 reviews
November 17, 2021
this is so embarrassing i can only review books from elementary school because i’m illiterate now

but yeah this whole entire series was My Thing. i finished all the books in this series I was INVESTED. i was very into it probably because i found it so easy to imagine everything happen. it was like an action movie in my head and if i could get that feeling back, perhaps i would learn how to read again

14 reviews
January 15, 2020
The story Cryptid Hunters is a great book and a very long one too. It included a lot of imagination and the setup was perfect. The author put a lot of detail into what he was saying and so i was able to understand the story better.The story is about two twins Grace and Marty who’s parents went missing due to an accident and tey go on a life changing journey meeting new people. I will definetley like to read this book again because it was my type of book.
Profile Image for Miss Clark.
2,888 reviews223 followers
December 24, 2009
3.5 stars

Great action, thoroughly believable and enjoyable characters and an interesting plot with enough mystery and drama to provide the framework for a series.


Marty and Grace, who have grown up as brother and sister, twins, are attending an elite private school when they receive the news that their parents have gone missing while on a photography/ journalism assignment in South America.

Then their Uncle Travis, whom they had never even heard of before, removes them from their school and brings them to his private island. Before long, Marty and Grace are tumbling out of a plane above South America and trying to survive until they can be rescued by Travis and his men. Along the way, they discover a living dinosaur, and the fact that Grace is Travis' daughter and Marty's cousin. And Noah Blackwood, Grace's maternal grandmother, a creepily suave man, is desperate to possess not only the dinosaur, but Grace as well.

The relationships were what drew me to the story after reading the sequel first by accident. Just what Noah's goals are, his experiments on endangered species and why Rose, Grace's mom, was so desperate to get away from him and keep her own daughter away from him, as well as the mysterious manuscript that Rose had in her possession have still not been explained, even in the sequel Tentacles, but Smith intends at least one more book in the series, which I very much hope will solve these riddles and bring a happy resolution to Marty and Grace's troubles. Also, Grace seems to have some unique abilities, her dreams and intuitions, and I would like to see that be explored more indepth!

Again, very fun read, for both boys and girls (and there are fewer books than you would think that both can like equally)and really looking forward to that third book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marika Gillis.
1,024 reviews41 followers
November 26, 2014
What a fun book!

Marty and Grace are twins who are sent to live with their uncle when their parents, who are world-renown photo journalists, go missing on assignment. Their uncle, a cryptozoologist, lives on his very own island and studies those animals that are only rumored to really exist (you know, like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster). When uncle Wolfe gets word of the existence of a Mokele-mbembe in the African Congo, plans change almost immediately. The kids must be returned to boarding school after dropping uncle Wolfe off in the Congo where he hopes to protect the animal and his longtime Pygmy friend who is caring for it from the evil poacher, Dr. Blackwood.

Things get complicated when the twins literally fall out of their uncle's airplane and land into the Congolese jungle where they must survive on their own until their uncle can hike in to rescue them.

I really, really liked this book! It was full of excitement and adventure, fun characters (both good and evil), and a unique setting. I think this book would really appeal to upper elementary boys and will recommend it to my nephew, Zach. The only reason this one gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the completely fantastical nature of most (if not all) of the events in the story. I mean, two kids falling out of an airplane and surviving to tell about it? Come on! But, that is also a wonderful part of this book's appeal and it's probably just the grown-up me that has a problem with it. In fact, I feel like this book brought out the kid in me more than almost any other I've read. I was delighted by it!
Profile Image for S.j. Thompson.
136 reviews
December 4, 2022
Cryptid Hunters / Roland Smith 2004 (Grace & Marty #1)
I found this fun book in a shabby little thrift store and thought it was some cheesy self published adventure story. Much to my delight, I was wrong! Even though it was written for kids and teens, I found it well paced, believable and pretty entertaining. Grace and Marty O'Hara are a pair of teens attending an elite boarding school in Switzerland. Life is good. One day they are told their parents (globetrotting photo journalists) have been in a helicopter crash in the jungle and their uncle Travis Wolfe will be taking them out of school and into his home near Seattle. The twins did not even know they HAD an uncle! Grace is a bit timid and wary. Marty is an outgoing boy who loves extreme adventures. He's happy to leave school but Grace is unsure. When they arrive at their uncle's place they realize it's a very mysterious mansion on a very strange island. Travis Wolfe is a famous zoologist, and travels the world searching for rare and unusual animals.

The pacing of this book is very good, the story arc moves along well, and never gets dull! There's exciting news of a dinosaur egg, and a trip to the Congo! There's a lot of modern tech, action, adventure and the characters are very interesting and well developed. There's suspense, animals, mysteries to be solved and a very good set up for the next book in the series of 4 books. I was pretty peeved to find that some little snot goblin had ripped a chunk out of the last page! I was able to piece together the ending but damn, a curse on the little shit that did that! 5/5 stars!
Profile Image for Angie.
3,696 reviews52 followers
July 11, 2016
This was an exciting story about twins Marty and Grace and their adventure in the Congo. Smith really knows how to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. Every part of this story was well crafted and engaging. I really liked the characters of Marty and Grace. I thought their journey from boarding school to Cryptos Island to the Congo was exciting and that kids would love to read about it. I thought the adults in the story were well crafted and not one dimensional as adults in juvenile fiction often are. I loved that the secrets were allowed to trickle out over the course of the story; we are given little hints here and there and the big secret is finally revealed at the end. But even then we don't know everything. The end leaves things open for a sequel, which I think is fine as I don't think you could have wrapped everything up in this book.

The cryptozoology portion of the book, which I thought might have been more prominent actually took a secondary position to the family/adventure storyline. I was glad to see that because I think it would have weakened the story to focus too much on the existence of these creatures. The heart of the story was Marty and Grace and Smith stayed true to that and crafted a wonderful book.
Profile Image for Amber.
94 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2008
Cryptozoology (CRIP-tuh-zoh-AW-luh-jee) noun
The study of animals, such as the Sasquatch, the Yeti, the Loch Ness monster, the Chupacabra, and others, whose existence has not yet been proven scientifically. There are thought to be more than two hundred cryptids in existence today.

Cryptid Hunters is an exciting new adventure novel by Roland Smith about two thirteen-year-old twins, Marty and Grace, who literally fall out of a plane by mistake into the Congo. Their uncle, a cryptologist named Travis Wolfe with his own private island, is searching for the twin's parents that went missing several months earlier.

Once he finds the twins absent from his plane, he postpones his search of the parents and initiates one for the kids instead. But it is not so easy as finding two resourceful kids in the jungle: his nemesis Dr. Blackwood is hot on their trail, and racing to locate them and the jungle's secrets first. Meanwhile, Marty and Grace discover that the jungle is full of undiscovered mysteries, and not only do they uncover a 150,000,000 year-old living secret, they also unearth some hidden mysteries about themselves and their own identities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.