The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek

I went into this book with some trepidation - I love Rhett and Link and watch their show every day, but I wasn't sure how their humor + writing style was going to translate into a YA mystery/horror novel. But find a crayola crayon named “impressed” and color me with it, because I thought this was legit great!

Their humor is evident throughout (one of my favorite running gags was the “scooter leg” bit) and I was pleased that there were other POVs besides “Rex and Leif” in the narrative (Alicia is a queen, and the Janine and Donna dynamic was really very sweet). I will admit, it was difficult for me to stop picturing Rex and Leif as their 40something present-day counterparts, but it was such a fun ride that that's really a minor complaint.

I think even those who aren't familiar with Rhett and Link could get something out of this book. It's especially appealing in an era dedicated to childhood nostalgia à la Stranger Things, though this book focuses on the (far superior, imo) decade of the 90's.

But anyway, I thought this was fun fun fun. Sure, sometimes the 90's references were a little overboard, but to go back to the Stranger Things comparison: I don't find anything in this book as particularly annoying as that stupid Never-Ending Story song moment in this latest season . But I appear to be in the minority on that, so what do I know?

Anyway, a solid 3.5/5 that I bumped up to a 4 because it was a perfect fun way to start off spooky book season. If you read this review, thank you for being your mythical best!