The Second Goth Girl Novel - Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death

"Fete" is an old English word, meaning party or celebration, usually describing outdoor festivals.  It is pronounced the same as "fate," and thus, as soon as you read the title for this second book in the Goth Girl series, you know you are in for a real treat.  I mean, let's face it:

Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death

With a title like that, what's not to love?  And, as with the first book, author and illustrator, Chris Riddell, fills this mystery with plenty of puns, unusual names, and countless literary references (such as the cabinet-making faun, Mr. Tumnus, and his apprentice, Lucy).  And for those completely unfamiliar with our protagonist, Ada Goth is the daughter of Lord Goth, and they reside in the somewhat-stately, overly-unusual, and always-outlandish Ghastly-Gorm Hall.  Ada's mother died some years ago, and until the end of the first book, Lord Goth could barely even acknowledge his daughter, as she reminded him so much of Lady Goth.  But after Ada helped the Ghost of a Mouse prevent a tragedy in the first mystery, Lord Goth has begun to see his daughter as the bright, young, talented girl that she is.

And so we come to this second mystery, in which Riddell introduces the reader to the annual Full-Moon Fete, which, by chance, Lord Goth finds to be very boring and rarely, if ever, enjoys.  But, as the villagers love the festival, Lord Goth opens his home each year for the unique event.  Only, this year, there is to be some added events - such as the Great Ghastly-Gorm Bake Off, the artistry of the Twee Raffelites, and the Transalvanian Carnival of the Glum-Stokers (that would be Vlad, his wife Glad, and his two children, Mlad and Blad).

But something is off about this year's festival.  Ada begins to wonder what Maltravers, the indoor gamekeeper, is up to.  He seems to be keeping a lot of secrets (which is nothing new), but when he harbors the night-grocers in a hidden room in the basement and seems to be welcoming a number of uninvited guests to this year's fete, she has to do something.  But her father is out of town, and all of her friends (the members of the Attic Club - what happens in the attic, stays in the attic!) are all busy helping get the Hall ready for the upcoming events.  Even her new governess, Lucy Borgia, has suddenly found eyes only for the elegant Lord Sydney Whimsey, who has come to Ghastly-Gorm to oversee the set-up of this year's Full-Moon Fete.  So how is she going to get to the bottom of the mysterious goings-on before it's too late?

And did I mention that Ada finally comes face to face with Marylebone, her lady's maid - who turns out to be a shy bear?  No, literally, I mean it.  She's a real bear!  Who happens to have received a letter from a long-lost love who has made his way in the world and is finally able to give Marylebone the life she deserves.  But how can this lady's maid go off into the world and marry the man (bear?) she loves, when she is so shy that she can't even leave the large closet in Ada's room?

Oh, and lest I forget, Ada's birthday happens to be the date after the Full Moon Fete - the big question is: will anyone remember it (particularly since no one has remembered it since her mother died)?

I would definitely rate this series on part with the Oz, Narnia, and other classic series of the same sort, with its over-the-top, unusually-serious, fun-natured storytelling and beautifully rendered internal illustrations.  I recommend this to anyone who loves not only mysteries or Gothic tales, but just plain ol' good stories to read!

RATING:  10 overly ornamental fountains out of 10 for good, old-fashion whimsical silliness that is presented totally serious and straightforward, making it so worth the read!