A thoughtful and somewhat disturbing book, 1 Feb 2000

The family patriarch, Sir Magnus Mennym, is having premonitions that they are going to die, just as Appleby has already died (see "Mennyms Under Siege"). He can even tell them the date. And although they are not sure whether to believe him, they make their preparations all the same. The final scenes where they are waiting are atmospheric and very moving. I doubt I will be able to forget the question going through the minds of two members of the family - "How does a rag doll die?" - and the different answers they get.

Be warned: if you read this you will need to read "Mennyms Alive" afterwards (not before, as I did!) to find out what happens. Unlike the rest of the books, this has a cliffhanger ending.

One thing I feel I am missing the point of is the door in the attic. In the third book it's presented as the danger inside the house that is worse than any of the dangers they might face by going out. As such, it fits into the plot, though it was unexpected and felt rather out of place to me at first. But what is behind the door, and whether it has anything to do with the Mennyms being alive in the first place, is never really explained. Even Soobie doesn't really find out, though he tries. While the rest of the plot over the course of five books fits nicely together - the motorway protest in "Mennyms in the Wilderness" leading directly to the nosy neighbour problem in the next book, for example - the door in the attic seems incongruous by comparison. No doubt I am missing something here.

I am glad I read this book and the rest of the series, and would recommend anyone to do so, adult or child. I am delighted to discover such an exciting and thoughtful author, who a few days ago was just a vague name to me. Please can someone review her new book, as I have not been able to find any real information about it? Thank you.

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