"Eighth grader Quinnie Boyd looks forward to the last few days of school before summer vacation arrives in Maiden Rock, ME. Summer also brings her friend Ella's houseguests--horror writers Edgar and Ceil Waterman. Quinnie wonders if they really talk to vampires and why they walk the beach after dark. She starts surveilling them with the help of her new friend Dominic. Quinnie hopes to present evidence of vampire activity to her mother, a real estate agent cum sheriff cum mayor, even though she promised she wouldn't investigate anymore after her adventures in Surrisi's first 'Quinnie Boyd' mystery. During their work, Quinnie and friends notice a predatory coyote and a couple of tourists who seem far too friendly. Quinnie may not have all the answers, but a dramatic boating escape in rough waters brings the story to a satisfying resolution. This second outing doesn't suffer from the awkward stumbles that plague many follow-up novels.

Surrisi creates characters with memorable personalities that come together in the detailed Maine setting. Unlike some fictional detectives, Quinnie doesn't solve the mystery so much as discover interesting clues, but that seems realistic given her age. Readers will enjoy the reveals as much as Quinnie does, though there are consequences for all of her midnight high jinks. The vampire plot adds to the book's appeal. VERDICT: A lively Maine mystery with spooky elements that kids will relish. The characters are a little older than the intended audience, but the story is suitable for a wide age range."--School Library Journal.