Synopsis: Things are looking bad for the Sisters Grimm. Mayor Heart is out to get them, and their greatest friend and protector, Mr Canis, has been arrested for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood. It’s the fairy tale trial of all time and the chances of a fair fight seem pretty slim. The defence counsels are a pack of thieves, the prosecution is a serial killer and the judge is insane; the accused is howling and the victim is barking, and the Queen of Hearts is stacking the deck against the Grimms. Mr Canis seems determined to die, rather than let the Big, Bad Wolf come out again, but Granny Relda won’t let that happen. Sabrina and Daphne have access to a weapon which might let them fight the wolf, but dare they use it? And what really did happen in that little cottage in the woods, all those years ago? Oh, and where is Goldilocks, Sabrina’s one chance of waking her parents from their enchanted sleep?

Review: This is the sixth book in Michael Buckley’s endlessly diverting Sisters Grimm series. Buckley blends familiar fairy tale and literary figures and themes with a dark and inventive story of corruption and danger, incorporating action, adventure and courtroom drama, and even some more emotional content in terms of Sabrina’s difficult relationships with Daphne and Puck, and her growing awareness of the complications inherent in finding someone who can kiss her father awake.

Once again, Tales From the Hood is a chapter in the longer tale of the Sisters Grimm, and stands poorly in its own right. The character of Mr Canis, the Goldilocks affair, the Scarlet Hand, the Mirror, and even the Sisters themselves receive very little in the way of recap, which makes the book wickedly fast-paced, and all-but unreadable as a stand alone adventure. As a part of the larger work, however, it is a strong entry into a strong collection, and well worth the investment.

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2008-08-03