I enjoyed the first book so much that I wanted to read this one shortly after. I was delighted to see more of the Mysterious Benedict Society since the story is so enjoyable, and the characters are so fun.

The illustrations that start each chapter are charming, and I loved the cover that tried to incorporate so many things from the book. The illustrator did a great job.

The author never talks down to his child audience. It is always a good sign when a children's author does not talk down to them. Like the first book in the series, it brings up many issues/themes that can be discussed. For example, this brought up (among other things), pride and how to deal with it (consider Sticky's pride of his memory), trust (the children's trust of each other and of Mr. Benedict), obedience/disobedience, and the classic question of good vs evil as the children and Mr. Benedict go up against his evil twin Mr. Curtain.

Overally a wonderfully delightful read.