Author: M. V. Carey

Translator: Åsa Öhnell

Swedish cover: Robert Adragna

First Swedish edition: 1986 (1985 in the USA)

Editions: 1.

Spine-number: 2416

Original title: The mystery of the creep-show crooks

Review:

A teenage girl called Lucille Anderson (Anderson is a very common family name in Sweden, so one of her forefathers probably was an immigrant from Sweden) has run away from home to become a film star. Her parents are desperate and The Three Investigators try to find her. They meet some strange people before it is over, for example Mr Craig McLane (Iggy Pelucci) who wants to make a new Dracula-film, and Mr Henry Morell who is a collector of things concerning Horror Films. These two men have promised Lucille a leading part in the new film, but they also try to get her teddy bear.

This is not one of the best by MV Carey, but I like one episode - when Jupe is attacked in the headquarter. That is one of the best scenes in the whole series with a successful creepy atmosphere. There is also an episode when Mathilda is attacked and placed in a wardrobe space or something like that. That scene has some (dark) humour that I like. I also appreciate that Mr Worthington plays an important role in this story. Unfortunately the rest of the book is a "cheap article". The plot is not refined, the characterization and the dialogue is rather poor. But Henry Morell is ok.

This book can not be compared to the early books of MV Carey, but because of a very creepy moment in the headquarter and the presence of Mathilda and Mr Worthington it is better than "Missing Mermaid", "Trail of Terror" and "Cranky Collector".

Summarize:

The Story: 5 (of 10)

Characterization 4 (10)

Atmosphere 5 (10)

Thrilling factor 5 (10)

Environment 4 (10)

Original cover 7 (10)

Cult status 3 (10)

Nostalgia 2 (10)