Curse of the Night Wolf Book Summary & Review
Book 1 in the Barnaby Grimes Series by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell
Jun 21, 2009
The book follows Barnaby Grimes, a tick-tock lad who lands a job delivering messages for Dr. Cadwallader. But as beasts ravage the city, Barnaby suspects that his own Dr. Cadwallader has something to do with it.
Curse of the Night Wolf Book Summary
Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad, a message delivery boy who knows his city like no other—every street and alley, every corner and gutter. And he also knows that the quickest way to get from point A to point B is by “highstacking” or hopping from roof to roof.
One night while highstacking, Barnaby comes face to face with a viscous, bloodthirsty beast. With quick thinking and even quicker reflexes, he escapes the deadly animal, killing it in the process. Later, Barnaby discovers that his old friend Benjamin has gone missing. His armchair is ruined by claw marks and dried blood. Could the same beast that met Barnaby on the rooftop have killed Benjamin?
Barnaby investigates his friend’s disappearance. He finds out that Benjamin missed his appointment with Dr. Cadwallader, a man who treats the ailments of city’s poorest folk. Barnaby goes to see this doctor and lands himself a job. He must deliver letters notifying Dr. Cadwallader’s patients about their final treatments. Barnaby travels through the dirtiest, most dangerous parts of town to deliver his messages. And he can’t help but wonder why a doctor like Cadwallader would only treat the poorest of the poor, people with no family and no hope.
Another beast ravages the city, killing countless of innocent people including another one of Dr. Cadwallader’s patients. Where are these beasts coming from? Barnaby has a sneaking suspicion that this selfless doctor who gives patients free treatments might have a hidden agenda. Could Dr. Cadwallader somehow be connected to the beasts?
Book Review
While this story is entertaining for kids who enjoy books about beasts, detectives, murder and mayhem, it doesn’t compare to The Edge Chronicles, which were also written by authors Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. Curse of the Night Wolf is a fairly predictable mystery. While there is nothing educational about the story, the book will appeal to boys ages 10 and up. However, some parents might find the content of the story inappropriate, especially if their child is prone to nightmares. The book contains a lot of violence and bloodshed.
Visit Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell’s website at www.stewartandriddell.co.uk for more information on the Barnaby Grimes series, The Edge Chronicles and the Far-Flung Adventures.
Curse of the Night Wolf by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell | Random House Children's Books | September 9, 2008 | ISBN 9780385751254
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