The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat
by Tor Seidler

This sequel to A Rat's Tale has a lot of things going for it: humor, romance, mystery, adventure, a touching tale of personal redemption, and charming illustrations by Brett Helquist (best known for his work on the Series of Unfortunate Events). It takes place, mainly, in the community of wharf- and sewer-rats in lower Manhattan, USA (and one particular illustration is a poignant reminder that this book was published just before 9/11/01).

This story picks up, more or less, where A Rat's Tale leaves off, with underdog hero Montague Mad-Rat about to marry his upper-crust dream girl, Isabel Moberly-Rat. Meanwhile, Monty's globetrotting aunt has gone to Africa to fetch her daughter, Maggie, a harmonica-toting musician and rainmaker, for the wedding. And Isabel's former fiance, the fussy and prejudiced Randal Reese-Rat, gazing down from his sick room (he is still recovering from a bit of rat poison), looks on the festivities with a combination of disdain, jealousy, and humiliation. Worse, a horrible misunderstanding leaves Randal unjustly accused of a terrible crime, forced to flee from rat society and hide under an assumed identity.

But Randal has a secret passion that gives him an unexpected connection with Monty's cousin Maggie. And their chance meeting gives love a chance to pierce his stubborn heart. Will it get through before his plans for revenge ruin everything?

Read this book and bask in the warmth of the author's love of wild animals, the even wilder city, and more puns on the word "rat" than you can shake your tail at.

Robbie Fischer
Arizona USA

Recommended Age: 10+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.