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bea_reads78's review against another edition
3.0
Children’s adventure mystery written in the 90s, carries some of the unexamined prejudices of that time, but overall kind of silly book about mouse detective
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
Hermux Tantamoq is a quiet, rather shy watchmaker who just happens to be a mouse. His world is turned upside down when the lovely Linka Perflinger walks into his shop and asks him to repair her watch. She never returns to pick it up, even though it seemed to be important to her. When a suspicious-looking rat comes in asking for it, Hermux knows Miss Perflinger must be caught up in something dangerous. He sets out to find her and save the day.
I liked Hermux a lot. I think he and I would get along splendidly. Give us a pot of tea and some doughnuts and we'll quietly talk, or just sit and enjoy each other's company. He felt like a kindred spirit.
His community was interesting as well. There's the gossipy mail lady, the gruff cafe owner, the bossy neighbor, and the reporter who seems to be everywhere. I enjoyed reading about them all.
When it came down to the mystery, I did figure out some parts that were featured in a journal. But I was truly surprised when one part directly affecting Hermux was revealed! I knew something was up but I didn't know it was that!
I wished for a slightly different ending but I was happy enough with the one we got. I guess it leaves more room for sequels.
Campbell Scott narrated well, though not brilliantly, but he does get points for not stumbling over these tongue-twisting names!
Boys and girls in the 8-10 age range should enjoy this gentle hero and his intriguing mystery.
I liked Hermux a lot. I think he and I would get along splendidly. Give us a pot of tea and some doughnuts and we'll quietly talk, or just sit and enjoy each other's company. He felt like a kindred spirit.
His community was interesting as well. There's the gossipy mail lady, the gruff cafe owner, the bossy neighbor, and the reporter who seems to be everywhere. I enjoyed reading about them all.
When it came down to the mystery, I did figure out some parts that were featured in a journal. But I was truly surprised when one part directly affecting Hermux was revealed! I knew something was up but I didn't know it was that!
I wished for a slightly different ending but I was happy enough with the one we got. I guess it leaves more room for sequels.
Campbell Scott narrated well, though not brilliantly, but he does get points for not stumbling over these tongue-twisting names!
Boys and girls in the 8-10 age range should enjoy this gentle hero and his intriguing mystery.
annabannana's review against another edition
The beginning is very slow. But about the time I was going to suggest returning it to the library unfinished, the story suddenly and unexpectedly picked up and turned into a hair raising adventure and mystery.
amaldae's review against another edition
2.0
Turned out this book is not very re-readable, so I'm lowering my rating.
Hoeye has come up with an intriquing premise (mice, you say? Of course they're not as boring as we have thought!). Sadly that impression only lasts as long as a few pages from the start, because these characters... are not mice, in much the same way Erin Hunter's animal characters are not [b:cats|111332|Into the Wild (Warriors, #1)|Erin Hunter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327994729s/111332.jpg|1346922] or [b:dogs|13455534|The Empty City (Survivors, #1)|Erin Hunter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339298032s/13455534.jpg|18983877].
It's possible that I'm simply setting the bar too high after reading about [b:these rabbity rabbits|76620|Watership Down|Richard Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg|1357456], but I like these kinds of characters to preserve something more of their non-human nature than a cute exterior.
cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute what you want some action here, there is a plot just read on cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute
No, really there is a story - and if I recall correctly, it's not all bad. It just takes time for it to show itself, because the writing is so occupied with irrelevant, innocuous details. There next to no story-building and little suspense.
I doubt any child who manages to read this will find the idea of wearing much make-up very attractive, but man, they'd deserve applause for simply finishing the book.
Hoeye has come up with an intriquing premise (mice, you say? Of course they're not as boring as we have thought!). Sadly that impression only lasts as long as a few pages from the start, because these characters... are not mice, in much the same way Erin Hunter's animal characters are not [b:cats|111332|Into the Wild (Warriors, #1)|Erin Hunter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327994729s/111332.jpg|1346922] or [b:dogs|13455534|The Empty City (Survivors, #1)|Erin Hunter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339298032s/13455534.jpg|18983877].
It's possible that I'm simply setting the bar too high after reading about [b:these rabbity rabbits|76620|Watership Down|Richard Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg|1357456], but I like these kinds of characters to preserve something more of their non-human nature than a cute exterior.
cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute what you want some action here, there is a plot just read on cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute cute
No, really there is a story - and if I recall correctly, it's not all bad. It just takes time for it to show itself, because the writing is so occupied with irrelevant, innocuous details. There next to no story-building and little suspense.
I doubt any child who manages to read this will find the idea of wearing much make-up very attractive, but man, they'd deserve applause for simply finishing the book.
tubercule_oursidae's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
very lovely story about a quiet clockmaker mouse finding adventure.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship
the story is cute, but Hermux Tantamox is kind of a weird stalker (but still lovely), obsessed with a woman seen onceyadcraby's review against another edition
3.0
Hermux, souris de son état, est horloger et aime son travail plus que tout. Le jour où une charmante et dynamique aventurière débarque dans sa boutique pour faire réparer sa montre, sa vie bascule. Déçu de ne pas la voir chercher sa montre, il va découvrir qu'elle a été enlevée et qu'elle est impliquée bien malgré elle dans un complot cosmétique.
C'est mignon (j'adore son animal de compagnie : une coccinelle). La découpe des chapitres (ils sont très courts) casse la lecture (enfin, c'est adapté pour le public cible : les enfants).
C'est mignon (j'adore son animal de compagnie : une coccinelle). La découpe des chapitres (ils sont très courts) casse la lecture (enfin, c'est adapté pour le public cible : les enfants).
ablotial's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome! I think it's one my mom gave me ages ago and I assumed would be a silly kids book, but boy was I wrong about that.
I picked it up because a challenge for one of my groups here said I needed to read a book featuring a mouse or a rat, since it is the Year of the Rat for the Chinese Calendar. And all the characters in this book are rodents of some type, with the main character being a mouse named Hermux Tantamoq. (P.S. The names in this book are my absolute favorite, they are very unique and adorable: Mirrin Stentrill, Ortolina Perriflot, Linka Perflinger, Tucka Mertslin, Pup Schoonagliffen, Nurella Pinch...) Although they are all rodents, I have to admit that didn;t seem especially important to this book. I'm pretty sure they could have all been human and it wouldn't have changed the story at all, minus a few comments about fur combs and whiskers curling.
Hermux meets a mysterious woman who brings him a totally destroyed watch to fix immediately. She'd prefer it to be done today (it's a matter of life or death!) but settles for picking it up at noon tomorrow. Hermux fancies himself in love with her after that brief encounter (ok so ugh but whatever) and is terribly disappointed when, after working overtime and delaying other customers' work to complete hers on time, she neglects to pick it up. He senses something is wrong and decides to investigate, throwing himself into a major conspiracy. The mystery was fun, the characters were cute. It was well written, and used some formatting to show newspaper articles and handwritten notes. I immediately purchased the second book to read -- it's exactly the kind of book I hope my kids love when they're in middle school.
I picked it up because a challenge for one of my groups here said I needed to read a book featuring a mouse or a rat, since it is the Year of the Rat for the Chinese Calendar. And all the characters in this book are rodents of some type, with the main character being a mouse named Hermux Tantamoq. (P.S. The names in this book are my absolute favorite, they are very unique and adorable: Mirrin Stentrill, Ortolina Perriflot, Linka Perflinger, Tucka Mertslin, Pup Schoonagliffen, Nurella Pinch...) Although they are all rodents, I have to admit that didn;t seem especially important to this book. I'm pretty sure they could have all been human and it wouldn't have changed the story at all, minus a few comments about fur combs and whiskers curling.
Hermux meets a mysterious woman who brings him a totally destroyed watch to fix immediately. She'd prefer it to be done today (it's a matter of life or death!) but settles for picking it up at noon tomorrow. Hermux fancies himself in love with her after that brief encounter (ok so ugh but whatever) and is terribly disappointed when, after working overtime and delaying other customers' work to complete hers on time, she neglects to pick it up. He senses something is wrong and decides to investigate, throwing himself into a major conspiracy. The mystery was fun, the characters were cute. It was well written, and used some formatting to show newspaper articles and handwritten notes. I immediately purchased the second book to read -- it's exactly the kind of book I hope my kids love when they're in middle school.
shakiral's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
When you waste your time reading a story (that's been done before), only to find out the protagonist never actually needed to do anything because the villains were always gonna ruin their own plans. You could argue hiding a certain journal was super important, but if he had never been in her house the package would have never been delivered since the villains had already ransacked the place and taken the girl. And even if they got it, would they really read it when they already had the formula in a seperate paper and a sample?
lori_reads_everything's review against another edition
4.0
Time stops for no mouse - not even a watchmaker who just stumbled into a conspiracy that is way over his head...
This book was full of mystery and suspense that made it impossible to put down, with the added bonus of it being about a smartly dressed mouse who has a pet ladybug. What's not to love?
If you're looking for a light but engaging read, I highly recommend this book.
This book was full of mystery and suspense that made it impossible to put down, with the added bonus of it being about a smartly dressed mouse who has a pet ladybug. What's not to love?
If you're looking for a light but engaging read, I highly recommend this book.
anicesubject's review against another edition
5.0
This is my comfort book. When I was a kid, I was gifted this book and I loved it so much. Whenever I am feeling sad or anxious, I listen to the audiobook. It is just so filled with charm and whimsy. The world is also uniquely crafted - I've never read anything quite like it.