Zed Watson, the flamboyant nonbinary protagonist of The Fabulous Zed Watson! is back with their friend Gabe for another humorous early middle grade mystery-adventure.
This time, the pair are after the secrets of Glyndebourne Manor, the supposedly haunted home of a late, great opera costume and set designer. Every 25 years, the Manor’s caretakers host a challenge, where participants have three days and two nights to solve the puzzles in each room before the stroke of midnight. The winner gets a fortune; but to win, you can’t leave before the time is up—and no one has ever lasted for more than one night.
Zed and Gabe want to win in order to give Gabe’s sister Sam and her girlfriend Jo the large wedding they deserve (or perhaps more accurately, the large wedding that Gabe and Zed think would be fun). But they’re going to need all of Zed’s fearlessness, Gabe’s vast knowledge of opera, and a little help to solve the cryptic letters, locked rooms, and mysterious apparitions that stand in their way. Can they solve the puzzles? And will their adventure mean missing their favorite holiday, Halloween?
Another queer couple is central to the tale, but it’s a bit of a spoiler, so I’ll just note that they exist and remind readers that queer history extends far into the past. (As a minor content warning, I’ll also note that we read about the death of one of them from illness; it’s a poignant moment that feels age appropriate, but could be tough for young readers who have recently lost someone close.) While Zed’s nonbinary identity is not a core part of the story, they make an in-passing remark about someone who uses the right pronouns for them—and it’s also clear they know a bit about queer history and culture.
Pen illustrations by Kevin Sylvester enhance the tale, thought it is an early middle grade title, not a picture book. Quirky protagonists, fast-paced dialogue, lots of action, and a hefty dose of humor laid on top of a gothic-style mystery make this a recommended and spooky delight.
Both Zed and Gabe are White.
