Raggy Maggie by Barry Hutchison

Afraid of a cute little dolly, are you? Well, you should be…

I often get very excited about books. Something my book club kids will vouch for. And when I do, I let anyone who will listen (and those pretending to listen) know it by talking books. A lot. And then reviewing said books anywhere that will have the review. This unfortunately makes it tricky to distinguish when I am really, really excited about a book and not just simply excited. So you really, really need to believe me when I tell you I am really, really excited about Barry Hutchison’s series having read the second book Raggy Maggie. You’ll see from a previous blog post that I just recently read and reviewed his first book in the series. Number two is out very soon (not soon enough for some of you if the impatient queries are anything to go by) and I have been lucky enough to get a sneak preview. 

It’s better than number one. Which is no mean feat because number one was pretty awesome. In the second book, poor Kyle faces two obstacles: the distinctly creepy Raggy Maggie and *screams* going back to school after the Christmas holidays! He upsets Billy the school bully and when both are hauled to the headteacher’s office, things start to go horribly, horribly wrong. 

This book ramps up the fear factor even more impressively than book one because far more is at stake. Kyle is suddenly not just running for his own life but against the clock to save others. Raggy Maggie’s inventive obstacles would frankly give Freddy Krueger a run for his money and I personally will never be mean to another teddy bear again. Ever. Not that I ever was really, except maybe the odd carry-by-the-ear moment…oh and inadvertantly setting one alight when I sat it beside the fire… Dolls have given me the creeps for as long as I can remember and if you have an adversion to them, well Raggy Maggie ain’t gonna cure you that’s for sure because this book is full of the most gruesome kind (and I don’t mean Barbie Wedding Day Bride).

What I am enjoying most about these books is the back story which is slowly emerging and wickedly tantalising. Why is Kyle’s dad so evil? What is it that mum knows? Who is Ameena really (although I think I may have guessed)? Why does Kyle have certain abilities? And when do the squirrels make an appearance? Just kidding about that last question. However, Barry doesn’t like squirrels, so I suspect somewhere along the line in the series some evil ones will emerge and meet a spectacularly creative end! And that is what this series is turning into – a spectacularly creative, fantastical story that mustn’t end until I have been scared so much I have to sleep with the lights on. I believe that happens around about book four. Bring it on!