(4) 4-6 Misadventures of Edgar & Allan Poe series. Illustrated by Sam Zuppardi. The evil-minded physics professor S. Pangborn Perry lures twins Edgar and Allan Poe, descendants of the famous author, to Baltimore in this wickedly satisfying trilogy conclusion. Tied to a table beneath a swinging blade, the boys must escape certain death. As in this book's predecessors, McAlpine's writing, filled with double-entendres and literary references, creates suspense in an animated setting.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Misadventures of Edgar & Allan Poe series. Illustrated by Sam Zuppardi. Edgar and Allan Poe, twelve-year-old psychically linked twins, return, here starring in a movie about their famous author ancestor while also trying to outwit evil-minded physics professor S. Pangborn Perry. Dickinson twins Em and Milly help foil the plot with clues from emails, letters, and ghostly messages from beyond. Filled with literary references and double entendres, McAlpine's writing offers intrigue and amusement.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Misadventures of Edgar & Allan Poe series. Illustrated by Sam Zuppardi. A set of twin prodigies named for their famous author ancestor are lured into a trap by a nefarious mad scientist who is engaged in a top-secret experiment that involves killing one brother and controlling the telepathic thoughts of the surviving twin. Sardonic humor, coded letters, and secret forewarning messages combine with literary references for a mysterious brainy exploit.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA In place of the pseudonymous authors of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books, McAlpine posits a real Frank Dixon and Carolyn Keene. Both walk away from childhoods similar to (though darker than) those of their fictional creations, mingle with famous expats in Paris, and hone their crafts (as private detective and as writer). Intriguing, though some of the literary invention is a touch labored.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano