Monkey Puzzler is the second book in a trilogy. It follows young heroine, Zoe Marshall, as she challenges the strange occurrences in her hometown, Cristelee. In this sequel to The Soul Snatcher, Zoe is trying to write an essay when she comes across a strange story in the local newspaper. She is certain she has seen the article before...
Meanwhile, Bob Waterhouse - following a traumatic encounter with monkeys and a lion in the local safari park - is offered a job as sales representative by a mysterious but charming stranger, Zak Araz, who seems to know all about Bob's life. Bob begins his door-to-door selling with a special offer courtesy of Mr. Araz, a free computer game. When Zoe's family plays the game, she notices a change in their behaviour as if they were being controlled. After a night out with a friend Zoe realises that a spell has been cast on the town. Puzzled by her brainwashed community, she sets out to find answers from Zak Araz and soon afterwards is paralysed by a venomous spider bite. As Zoe recovers in hospital, she notices that something weird is happening to the clocks and calendars. She believes that Zak is somehow responsible for all of the strange events and when astrophysicist Professor Tompkins reveals evidence of alien activity in the safari park Zoe realises that the future of the World and the Universe is under threat.
With the help of the professor and promoted officer DI Benson, Zoe attempts to save her town and the planet from mass destruction. The story climaxes inside the monkey compound in the safari park with a battle between animals and humans, resulting in a terrifying conclusion.
This adventurous novel will be enjoyed by children aged 10-16 who relish fantasy fiction. Readers of sci-fi will find this story out-of-this-world with excitement as heroine Zoe tries to save Cristelee.