No Time Like Show Time

The redoubtable watchmaker mouse returns in another hilarious social satire. This time Hermux is involved in misadventures surrounding the Varmint Variety Theater, a missing famous actress, and a greedy cosmetics entrepreneur (the infamous Tucka Mertslin--who else?). Added to Hermux's new detective stint is his budding romance with aviatrix Linka Perflinger. How is a mouse to manage? But, of course, he does, and Campbell Scott's straightforward pacing continues to serve this series well. In addition to creating new (and very funny) voices for this third book in the series, Scott's characters from the previous two books are instantly recognizable, particularly the throaty-voiced Tucka. Scott's careful attention to the eccentricities of Hoeye's world makes this a standout for middle school and older listeners. S.G. 2005 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

February 1, 2005
Gr 4-7 -Michael Hoeye's Mouse watchmaker and detective, Hermux Tantamoq, is back for a third adventure, this time in the world of the theatre (Putnam, 2004). Hermux must solve a blackmail case involving Fluster Varmint, the owner (so everyone believes) of the Varmint Variety Theater. As he works the case, Hermux solves the mystery of the missing Nurella Pinch, foils the devious plans of cosmetics mogul Tucka Mertslin and, most daunting, finds the courage to tell aviatrix and adventuress Linka Perflinger how he truly feels about her. Campbell Scott again narrates, successfully voicing new characters such as the forceful Varmint, the self-important film director, Brinx Lotelle, and the second-rate ventriloquist, Gilden Binter. There are a few minor discrepancies between the book's text and narrated version as a result of having the novel recorded before the book's last minute editing was completed. However, fans who are not following along in the print version will not notice anything amiss. -"Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library System, Mt. Pleasant, MI"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.