THE GREAT CHEESE CONSPIRACY

Merciless Marvin the Magnificent plots to lead his gang of rodents out of the movie theater where they reside and into the neighboring cheese shop, where they will pull off the greatest cheese heist in history. Tongue-in-cheek gangster-style accents, great music, and clever dialogue make this a fun adventure, as well as a celebration of persistence and friendship. Danger and unexpected obstacles of all kinds keep the tension high. Young readers will find the surprise ending satisfying. Performances are, for the most part, top-notch, although Marvin's accent is occasionally uneven. Fans of crime caper movies, young and old, will enjoy this take on the genre. Listen with a bucket of popcorn. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 05]