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A review by francoisvigneault
The Cursed Hermit by Kris Bertin
5.0
An exceptional, perhaps superior sequel to the already very strong [b:The Case of the Missing Men|34381281|The Case of the Missing Men (Hobtown Mystery Stories #1)|Kris Bertin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489611889l/34381281._SY75_.jpg|55469658], this book takes a deeper dive not only into the authors' convoluted "Hobtown Mythos" but also into the psychology of the first book's most intriguing figure, the under-achieving, sometimes-psychic Pauline Larmier, treasurer of the "Hobtown Junior Detective Club." In this shorter, more focused second installment, Bertin and Forbes delve into the potential for trauma and violence to linger across lifetimes and generations. Pauline and her fellow Junior Detective Brennan find themselves enrolled over winter break at the Knotty Pines, an exclusive and secretive school. As might be expected, all is not as it seems, and the characters soon find themselves involved in a mystery that all somehow connects with the eponymous "Meat Basin Hermit."
But while the set-up might seem familiar to anyone who has read [a:Carolyn Keene|6001|Carolyn Keene|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s "Nancy Drew" books, "The Cursed Hermit" soon reveals itself to be something far more disturbing and serious. Bertin and Forbes are definitely "playing for keeps" here... Characters are wounded, suffer, and die. Past actions, from a character's life-altering injury in the previous book to the malevolent and often invisible forces of colonialism, racism, and sexism all rear their ugly heads here, and what starts off as a loving pastiche of light-hearted adventure fare is quickly transformed into a rather moving and disturbing look at pain and sorrow.
By the time the book wraps up you might be hoping to spare the poor characters any further "adventures," but Bertin and Forbes also manage to expand and deepen their always intriguing and unique universe, and the reader is bound to want to find out more. Looking forward to the next installment!
But while the set-up might seem familiar to anyone who has read [a:Carolyn Keene|6001|Carolyn Keene|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s "Nancy Drew" books, "The Cursed Hermit" soon reveals itself to be something far more disturbing and serious. Bertin and Forbes are definitely "playing for keeps" here... Characters are wounded, suffer, and die. Past actions, from a character's life-altering injury in the previous book to the malevolent and often invisible forces of colonialism, racism, and sexism all rear their ugly heads here, and what starts off as a loving pastiche of light-hearted adventure fare is quickly transformed into a rather moving and disturbing look at pain and sorrow.
By the time the book wraps up you might be hoping to spare the poor characters any further "adventures," but Bertin and Forbes also manage to expand and deepen their always intriguing and unique universe, and the reader is bound to want to find out more. Looking forward to the next installment!