View source for Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom by John Dougherty

{{infobox1
|title=Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom
|author=John Dougherty
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=An energetic romp as a monster investigator discovers what exists beyond the monster underworld. It's light, funny and enjoyable.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=144
|publisher=Young Corgi
|date=July 2009
|isbn=978-0552558051
|cover=0552558052
|aznuk=0552558052
|aznus=0552558052
}}

Jack Slater is the world's greatest monster investigator. He says he's not scared of anything. He can always be called upon to look under beds and save frightened children from the monsters lurking there. When he discovers that some monsters themselves are scared of something, he realises it's going to put his skills to the ultimate test.

I enjoyed the tale of Jack Slater, his co-investigator Cherry, and the friendly monster Bernard heading to the Dark Depths beyond the monster underworld. The action grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. It's a rollicking adventure that'll keep the interest of any confident reader. There's plot by the bucketload, an interesting world to investigate, scary monsters, a snivelling rival, quirky humour, lessons to be learned, and everyone's home again in time for breakfast.

For all the scary monsters, there's nothing that would actually frighten any young 'uns. I was a little surprised at first to see the inclusion of a Hitler monster (or rather a monster created from children's fears about Hitler). Whilst it's all handled appropriately, bringing that element of reality into a fantasy book struck me as an odd choice. I did particularly like Jack having to face up to his deeply buried fears - it's not a book with a message writ large, but there is a friendly tone of reassurance throughout.

''Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom'' is a light and enjoyable read. It may not be the sort of book that you read and re-read, but it's still well worth a look. Any junior investigators will be particularly gripped by the energetic romp. Keep an eye out for it.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

Young adventurers will love [[The Day My Bum Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths]] (particularly if they love the cheesiest bum puns). If it's monsters, monsters, monsters you want, then you won't go far wrong with [[Charlie's Monsters (Nightmare Academy) by Dean Lorey]].  

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