Pete enters a contest and wins a school visit from his favorite author: mysterious M. T. Graves, who writes the FleshCrawlers series. Staying at the Monroes'house with his pet, Edgar Allan Crow, the eccentric writer has some strange requests and his odd behavior gives rise to misgivings among the household's suspicious dogs and conniving cat. Their determined efforts to save the family's pet rabbit, Bunnicula, from an undetermined threat give rise to this entertaining chapter book's dramatic and comical situations. The full-page, shaded pencil drawings are handsome and suitably quirky. An entertaining addition to the long-running Bunnicula series.

Gr 4-7-In this seventh adventure featuring the veggie-vampire and his cohorts, the Monroe family is playing host to M. T. Graves, creator of the gruesome, popular "FleshCrawlers" series. While Pete and Toby are excited to meet a real-live author, their pets aren't happy about the visitor. First, Graves has brought along Edgar Allan Crow, a strange, silent bird. Furthermore, the yard is suddenly infested with dozens of other crows-squawking, calling, and obviously waiting for something-or someone. Worst of all, M. T. seems to be taking an unhealthy interest in Bunnicula. Chester the cat tries desperately to convince the other pets that Graves intends to use their long-eared friend for some fiendish purpose. Sheepdog Howard isn't persuaded, but then the vampire bunny mysteriously disappears. Can the Monroe pets find their friend in time-and discover what the weird writer is really up to? As always, much of the book's humor comes from the interplay among the animals. Chester's melodramatic imagination sees sinister plots everywhere, while laid-back Howard tries to keep the neurotic cat in balance. Aspiring author Howie, meanwhile, puppy-worships their famous visitor and is continually trying to get writing tips. The writing style is a mixture of chills and chuckles, and the black-and-white pencil drawings are appropriately eerie. Underlying all the fun is a quiet celebration of writing and the power of friendship and inspiration.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.