Module 9: Mystery

Module 9: Mystery

Book: Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s Corset

Author: Tom Angleberger

Plot

            Horton Halpott is the resident dishwasher and errand boy of Smugwick Manor. Usually, the manor and its residents are well oiled cogs to the whole machine that is the servants but, on this day, M’Lady Luggertuck decides to loosen her usually pinched-to-the-most corset. And, just as M’Lady can breathe easy for a while, so can the inhabitants of Smugwick. Things go awry and it begins with Horton dropping his logs, Luther waking up early, Sir Luggertuck smiling and finally to M’Lady Luggertuck deciding to throw a ball. From here on out many things happen such as the stealing of diamonds and wigs, a famous detective thrown into the mix, a murder, and eventually love and a happy ending. This novel of Angleberger is a wacky, fast paced, and hilarious satire of a mystery that will sure to thrill any type of reader.

Impression of the Book

            Probably the only Mystery I genuinely enjoy. It’s hilarious, absolutely silly and quirky, and reads just like the Pure Dead series by Debi Gliori. If anyone hasnt read the Pure dead books (Pure Dead Trouble, Pure Dead Brilliant...etc.) it's funny ( in a British/Scottish way just like Horton) try out Pure Dead Trouble. Anywho, for a person who definitely dislikes Mystery, this book is a great intro into the genre because it really doesn’t read like a typical Mystery (I think it's a satirical mystery, if that exists)...it has the Detective, has  the stolen jewel, has a murder, has the omnipresent narrator (that has the greatest asides and punchline jokes) that is typical of a mystery but the whole trouble starts with the loosening of corset from a very mean lady name M'lady which leads to the loosening of the rest of the household. For example, as M'Laddy tells her maid not to tie her corset so tight for the first time in ever, the whole houses loosens in its regard to rules, in its uptighted-ness, as well as in its behavior and this is where all the trouble begins. It's funny and if the Monty Python Crew ever decided to make a movie-skit out of this book, it would probably become my favorite Comedy movie. I believe they are making this book into a movie actually...I'll have to keep an eye out. I definitely recommend this book.

Usage in a Library Setting

            This book is so expressive in its adjectives that I would ask the children to listen to the novel very intently as we read it together because I would ask them to draw at least two of the characters in the novel. Then, as an exercise in storytelling and imagination, I would ask each of the kids to write a mystery story about the characters they chose thus creating a mini story from the bigger story. Those who would like to share their stories are welcome to say it out loud.

Review

            “Angleberger claims this tale of greed, theft, and corsets was inspired by Charles Dickens, although readers may equally suspect Roald Dahl. Downtrodden kitchen boy Horton Halfpott works for Smugwick Manor's ironfisted mistress, Lady Luggertuck. One morning she loosens her corset and the ensuing circulation causes her to sponsor a ball for her lovelorn nephew. The ball begins a chain of events leading to the theft of the Luggertuck Lump diamond, romance for Horton, and, best of all, "Shipless Piracy." While Horton's heart flutters for neighbor Celia, three enterprising stable boys mount surveillance on the manor to discover the thief. Much like Dickens or Dahl, an opinionated narrator with a strong sense of the ridiculous directs this story. His arch, mock-fanciful tone shows the absurd pretensions and underlying nastiness of Lady Luggertuck and her 16-year-old son. The narrator often uses contrasts to emphasize the differences between the mistress and her servants: "stately bedchambers" for her and "stiflingly hot attics" for them. The rich imagery adds humor and pathos to Horton's drudgery even as theft and piracy liven up the story. While not every mystery is solved (the stable boys' parentage remains a veiled secret), Horton's own reversal of fortune will provide readers the happy ending they expect. Pen-and-ink caricatures introduce each chapter and its characters. Well written, satirical, and satisfyingly silly.”

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By Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

APA Citations

Angleberger, T. (2011). Horton Halfpott, or, The fiendish mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, The loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's corset. New York: Amulet Books.

Augusta, C. (2011). Horton Halfpott, or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, the Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset. School Library Journal, 57(6), 108.