Mallory, Maggoty and Aunt Lilith meet Majika deVinckel, a famous stage magician, when she invites them to her magic show. At first, it appears as though Majika just wants to get to know Mallory but then explains that she needs Mallory to help her rob a museum and steal the contents of a sealed box that will help Majika strengthen her magic. Mallory agrees in exchange for information on how she can speak to her dead parents; however, Majika tricks her and steals Mallory's necromancy. Can Mallory regain what she's lost before it's too late?
I have a serious soft spot for this serious, Maggoty in particular (you can read my previous reviews here: Curse Of Maggoty Skull; The Beast From Beneath), so the arrival of The Castle of Horrors in time for spooky season was perfectly timed.
Once again, Maggoty provides the laughs throughout the plot but his constant chatter is halted somewhat once Mallory can no longer hear him. Desperate to speak to her parents, Mallory will do anything to achieve her dream, including robbing a museum. The plot subtly and carefully shows the ways grief can affect children and also shows how Mallory copes with the major change that suddenly happens in this book and how resilient she can be.
Martin manages to weave death and magic in a deliciously creepy but delightfully funny way, with just the right amount of darkness. Pete Williamson's illustrations that are peppered through the book are, again, the perfect accompaniment to the plot, adding to the darkness. Mallory and Maggoty are one of my favourite literary couples and I can't wait to see what awaits them next.
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