Editorial Content for The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions

The night animals live in a different world. It is a world filled with dark, mysterious happenings occurring around them as they peacefully go about their business. Normally, they would find the darkness comforting, but something very different is making it really scary. Their friends and neighbors are disappearing! Missing so far are a mink, a tarantula, a coyote, a badger, a possum and a Kiwi. What is happening to them?

So it is that three very different animals learn to trust in one another as they try to discover who or what is behind the disappearances. This trio consists of a Pangolin named Tobin (when he’s frightened he emits a nasty odor, but he’s very sweet). Second there is Dawn, the fox, who is very elegant and wise, and last there is the noisy Sugar Glider, Bismark, who has a big crush on Dawn. Normally these animals would not be friends but there is nothing “normal” about this situation. Together they take action.

"Author Tracey Hecht has put together a suspenseful story with delightful characters, peppering it with lots of educational insights."

Along the way they meet other night animals and soon everyone is working together --- even the wolves and bats pitch in to help find the culprits. When they meet a jerboa named Jerry, he seems harmless, but Dawn and Tobin feel something is not right. Bismark, on the other hand, has no problem and doesn’t hesitate to share any of their secretive plans with Jerry. Soon they find that those suspicious feelings were right and before long they walk right into a trap!

I can’t tell you what happens to all the animals or to this brave little trio, but let’s just say that there are some really bad things in store for everyone. The monsters who are responsible are definitely the most frightening! How will our trio of heroes ever escape their captors and help anyone when they need help themselves?

Author Tracey Hecht has put together a suspenseful story with delightful characters, peppering it with lots of educational insights. Learning to work together despite their many differences is a lesson that makes this book even more meaningful. Artist Kate Liebman’s creative illustrations add just the right whimsy to the animal personalities. Her artwork also helps in creating the darkness and suspense of the book.

This is the first in what is sure to be a successful series about these creatures of the night. For readers who enjoyed Brian Jacques’s Redwall series or the animated Toy Story movies, THE NOCTURNALS is sure to find great appeal. Do look on the website at: www.nocturnalsworld.com for fun animated videos along with games and great educational materials to download. THE OMINOUS EYE, the second book, is not far behind. Join the brigade now!