Monsters, ghosts, and ghouls are a lot of fun when they stay in make-believe. They scamper across the page, whispering about what could be, inviting a little mischief. But when those creatures step into the real world, the thrill can turn sharp—and a touch scary. This sparks the premise of a fresh middle-grade adventure that invites readers to watch fear and fun dance together. The tale draws on a timeless mix of curiosity, courage, and a dash of magic that lives in every great fantasy. The story grows not only through grand battles but through the choices that emerge when imagination becomes unexpectedly real. It celebrates the thrill of the unknown while offering a steady compass of friendship, teamwork, and quick thinking that helps young heroes navigate the unexpected side of magic.
Two 12-year-old cousins named Cheryl and Tweed live with their grandfather in Wiggins Cross, a tiny, isolated town that feels crafted for a magical journey. The setting is intimate and just a touch mysterious, with creaky sidewalks and quiet corners that seem to hold rumors and legends. The girls love the movie magic of B-movies and spend long afternoons pretending to hunt monsters. Their game casts the townspeople as the creatures that go bump in the night, giving them a safe stage to test bravery, face risk, and imagine themselves as heroes. When their playful world intersects with something uncanny, the line between pretend and reality begins to blur, turning the town into a playground for a real, spine-tingling challenge of nerve and resourcefulness.
The carnival arrives with a chill in the air, and the girls soon face a real test. An enchanted mummy emerges, turning Wiggins Cross into a chase scene and forcing them to think fast. They must outsmart a force older and more formidable than any movie monster they ever imagined. Along the way they lean on each other, turning fear into focus and imagination into tools for problem solving. The humor stays bright, the danger stays real, and the reader rides along as the pair discovers what true bravery looks like when the stakes are tangible and the rules of their game are rewritten by circumstance.
The book is the first entry in the Wiggins Weird series. A lively blend of magic, myth, and high-spirited fun fills its pages, supported by illustrations by Stephen Burley that color in the world and help readers see the quirky energy of the town and its endearing residents. The artwork accentuates the fast pace and lighthearted humor, giving readers an immersive sense of place. The plot threads together themes of friendship, courage, and the pull of adventure, delivering a brisk tempo that keeps young readers turning pages.
Exciting, funny, and just scary enough to thrill without overwhelming, this tale will appeal to fans of magic, ancient Egypt, and adventurous quests. It invites readers to suspend disbelief, cheer for the underdog, and enjoy the playful suspense that comes from a world where fantasy and reality feel just a breath apart. With a welcoming tone and memorable characters, it offers a doorway into the broader world of fantasy and myth, leaving room for future journeys in the same universe.
Overall, the story celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the stubborn joy of discovering that even a small town can guard big, ancient secrets waiting to be explored.