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Guess Who's Coming for Dinner?
A gluttonous pig and goose inadvertently foil their sinister host in an original little comedy full of visual jokes, rendered in an eye-catching film noir style.
Glenda and Horace Pork-Fowler are a goose and a hog of large proportions, with appetites to match. So naturally, when they receive an invitation for a weekend of free gourmet food at Eatum Hall, Dr. Hunter's new inn, they don't hesitate to pack their bags. It's a bit curious that there's no one to greet them at the gloomy inn, and their absent owner does have an odd fondness for artwork depicting wolves. Still, the unfailingly cheerful couple are more than content to eat their way from feast to feast, disappointed only to learn that they'll miss the pie-eating festival on the day they leave. Or will they?
With graphic artwork that pops off the page, this tongue-in-cheek tale will delight readers of all ages, from fans of Wallace and Gromit and Berkeley Breathed to children who will love discovering the illustrator's many sight gags — and being in on the joke.
Glenda and Horace Pork-Fowler are a goose and a hog of large proportions, with appetites to match. So naturally, when they receive an invitation for a weekend of free gourmet food at Eatum Hall, Dr. Hunter's new inn, they don't hesitate to pack their bags. It's a bit curious that there's no one to greet them at the gloomy inn, and their absent owner does have an odd fondness for artwork depicting wolves. Still, the unfailingly cheerful couple are more than content to eat their way from feast to feast, disappointed only to learn that they'll miss the pie-eating festival on the day they leave. Or will they?
With graphic artwork that pops off the page, this tongue-in-cheek tale will delight readers of all ages, from fans of Wallace and Gromit and Berkeley Breathed to children who will love discovering the illustrator's many sight gags — and being in on the joke.
Hardcover
First published August 19, 2004
3 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
John Kelly
56 books26 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This is John^^^Kelly.
John Kelly is an illustrator, writer and designer who has worked for Scholastic, Macmillan, Hodder, Simon & Schuster, Aardman animation, Lucasfilm, Radar pictures and many others. He has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway prize twice (Guess Who's Coming For Dinner and Scoop!). The Beastly Pirates is his first picture book for Bloomsbury.
John Kelly is an illustrator, writer and designer who has worked for Scholastic, Macmillan, Hodder, Simon & Schuster, Aardman animation, Lucasfilm, Radar pictures and many others. He has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway prize twice (Guess Who's Coming For Dinner and Scoop!). The Beastly Pirates is his first picture book for Bloomsbury.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 18, 2019
This book is a hoot! I loved it! The illustrations alone are worth the read but when you add in the text, you will absolutely fall in love with it. It’s a book where there are clues everywhere, but who is looking?
Glenda and Horace, are invited to spend the weekend at Eatum Hall and they’re all excited. All the gourmet food that they can eat and they can eat a lot! Yet, when they arrive, they cannot find their host. They find a note instead (with fun clues in it) that tells them to enjoy themselves and their host will join them later.
There were plenty of times while reading this book that I was chuckling but now, I was laughing. Here in this isolated older house, were a plump goose and a pig and they’re looking forward to staying here by themselves. As they look around, they don’t even see all the clues that are everywhere around them. I would have been running out the door, had it been me. The illustrations are fantastic and you can get lost just admiring them. Their host provided the best for them and they begin to settle in. They were going to take advantage of this relaxing weekend.
Noticing the clues around them, Glenda comments on the doctor’s love of art while Horace remarks on how smart the doctor is, as the doctor has put a lot of detail in making sure that his guests are comfortable in his absence. Meanwhile, the author reveals to his reader, the true identity of Dr. A. Hunter, and what his true plans are.
This is definitely an exciting and fun book. I’ve read and thumbed through it a few times, just admiring how it all comes together and it truly is a book worth reading. I highly recommend it.
I do feel that some children might be too young for it though. Why? There’s a lot of inferring that occurs in this book to truly enjoy it and they might not get or understand it and/or the child might not care for the book’s ending. Just know your child before reading this book to them.
Glenda and Horace, are invited to spend the weekend at Eatum Hall and they’re all excited. All the gourmet food that they can eat and they can eat a lot! Yet, when they arrive, they cannot find their host. They find a note instead (with fun clues in it) that tells them to enjoy themselves and their host will join them later.
There were plenty of times while reading this book that I was chuckling but now, I was laughing. Here in this isolated older house, were a plump goose and a pig and they’re looking forward to staying here by themselves. As they look around, they don’t even see all the clues that are everywhere around them. I would have been running out the door, had it been me. The illustrations are fantastic and you can get lost just admiring them. Their host provided the best for them and they begin to settle in. They were going to take advantage of this relaxing weekend.
Noticing the clues around them, Glenda comments on the doctor’s love of art while Horace remarks on how smart the doctor is, as the doctor has put a lot of detail in making sure that his guests are comfortable in his absence. Meanwhile, the author reveals to his reader, the true identity of Dr. A. Hunter, and what his true plans are.
This is definitely an exciting and fun book. I’ve read and thumbed through it a few times, just admiring how it all comes together and it truly is a book worth reading. I highly recommend it.
I do feel that some children might be too young for it though. Why? There’s a lot of inferring that occurs in this book to truly enjoy it and they might not get or understand it and/or the child might not care for the book’s ending. Just know your child before reading this book to them.
May 21, 2018
It’s unique illustrations add so much to the story beyond the written word! It’s sophisticated, funny and very very clever! It would provide interesting discussions on how authors can use subtlety in their writing to create dramatic irony. An excellent read!
November 25, 2019
This book presents a spooky mystery about a married couple who were being lured to their doom in a dastardly scheme.
The narrative is humorous and the digitally created illustrations really complement this mystery, telling more about what is really going on.
Overall, it's a fun story to read and will likely appeal to children who want to read a scary story, but not too scary.
The narrative is humorous and the digitally created illustrations really complement this mystery, telling more about what is really going on.
Overall, it's a fun story to read and will likely appeal to children who want to read a scary story, but not too scary.
October 4, 2019
Not duly impressed. Too young for my grandkids.
November 4, 2014
Horace and Glenda are invited by Dr. Hunter to Eatum Hall for a weekend of free gourmet food. Clues along the way foreshadow what their host has planned for them. Thought not everything is as it seems on this free vacation, as clues along the way foreshadow what the "doctor" has planned for them. By leaving clues in both the text and illustrations Cathy Tincknell creates an exciting page-turner mystery which can be enjoyed both aloud and through independent reading. Tincknell leaves readers asking what will Glenda and Horace survive the weekend and more importantly what flavor will the continuously mentioned pie be?
The books painted surrealistic imagery provides readers with an overwhelming sense of urgency, as it feels like the eerie eyes of an unannounced host follow both the readers and characters. The picture book is hued in shades of rich blacks and browns, which cast boding shadows over the stories setting, creating an atmosphere of un-inhabitance. By creating this separation from the host and his guests, warm and cool colors can be used to provide areas of lighting which highlight all characters within the story. Another intriguing visual element is that only Horance and Glenda are ever depicted in the light of day. By having these characters walk amongst the light, areas of shadowing can be used to light the presence of another body whom always seems to follow the couple. Also by highlighting the couple, the illustrations allude to Horance and Glenda being the victims of the story as they are always pin-point by contrasting coloration.
By using the interplay among both the text and illustrations, Tincknell creates a mystery which is both exciting and engaging for readers of all ages. Also by hiding elements crucial to the stories progress within the visual elements, Tincknell invites readers to play close attention to all details both big and small; highlighting the importance of critical analysis when conducting an investigation. The Mystery of Eatum Hall provides readers both young and old a chance to spend a few minutes playing detective, and if the ending isn’t clear by the end of the book it invites you to analysis the text again paying close attention to minute details. For not everything at Eatum Hall is as accommodating as it seems; we walk amongst the wolves.
The books painted surrealistic imagery provides readers with an overwhelming sense of urgency, as it feels like the eerie eyes of an unannounced host follow both the readers and characters. The picture book is hued in shades of rich blacks and browns, which cast boding shadows over the stories setting, creating an atmosphere of un-inhabitance. By creating this separation from the host and his guests, warm and cool colors can be used to provide areas of lighting which highlight all characters within the story. Another intriguing visual element is that only Horance and Glenda are ever depicted in the light of day. By having these characters walk amongst the light, areas of shadowing can be used to light the presence of another body whom always seems to follow the couple. Also by highlighting the couple, the illustrations allude to Horance and Glenda being the victims of the story as they are always pin-point by contrasting coloration.
By using the interplay among both the text and illustrations, Tincknell creates a mystery which is both exciting and engaging for readers of all ages. Also by hiding elements crucial to the stories progress within the visual elements, Tincknell invites readers to play close attention to all details both big and small; highlighting the importance of critical analysis when conducting an investigation. The Mystery of Eatum Hall provides readers both young and old a chance to spend a few minutes playing detective, and if the ending isn’t clear by the end of the book it invites you to analysis the text again paying close attention to minute details. For not everything at Eatum Hall is as accommodating as it seems; we walk amongst the wolves.
October 11, 2011
What a lucky escape!
The story is really well told in the form of a diary written by Horace Pork fowler (a pig). A slightly grim tale of how a couple are invited to a house for dinner but the host is nowhere to be seen! Close inspection of the illustrations show connections to wolves, a portrait of red-riding hood, cookery books on the kitchen shelves referencing to 'uses for Goose's', 'the book of bacon' and 'fattening friends'. It's lovely that the guests were totally unaware of the going on's and why they have really been invited! A word that got me remembering what I used to (and perhaps still say occasionally) was 'thingumabobs', that made me laugh. It's enjoyable and as the story is read the plot unfolds.
It can be a book for KS2 onwards, children will find it funny and perhaps scream out that there's a wolf and relate the story back to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf! There's a lot of detail in the illustrations and have to be noticed as well reading this book, quite a lot of the story was just told by the pictures in the book. Really well thought out.
The story is really well told in the form of a diary written by Horace Pork fowler (a pig). A slightly grim tale of how a couple are invited to a house for dinner but the host is nowhere to be seen! Close inspection of the illustrations show connections to wolves, a portrait of red-riding hood, cookery books on the kitchen shelves referencing to 'uses for Goose's', 'the book of bacon' and 'fattening friends'. It's lovely that the guests were totally unaware of the going on's and why they have really been invited! A word that got me remembering what I used to (and perhaps still say occasionally) was 'thingumabobs', that made me laugh. It's enjoyable and as the story is read the plot unfolds.
It can be a book for KS2 onwards, children will find it funny and perhaps scream out that there's a wolf and relate the story back to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf! There's a lot of detail in the illustrations and have to be noticed as well reading this book, quite a lot of the story was just told by the pictures in the book. Really well thought out.
April 7, 2016
Hilarious children's book that requires more than a moment's glance. The concepts were a little advanced for my 8-year-old stepson (he didn't quiiiite get the dark, humorous events that unfolded--I very much agree with the reviewer who said it was great for teaching inference!). I brought this home for him from the library, and after they read it together, my husband came to tell me that I had to read it. We were in stitches over how morbid--but funny--the story is. The fact that the narrator and his lovely wife Glenda are oblivious to the "real" explanation of their visit to Eatum Hall really makes the book.
The language is delightful, from the way our hero Horace Pork-Fowler describes his ever-persistent hunger to the punny letter sent from the underhanded wolf. The illustrations will also require attention to detail--for which you'll be richly rewarded.
The language is delightful, from the way our hero Horace Pork-Fowler describes his ever-persistent hunger to the punny letter sent from the underhanded wolf. The illustrations will also require attention to detail--for which you'll be richly rewarded.
January 20, 2014
This book is about a couple who is invited to a mansion to eat. The master is planning to cook the couple into a pie, but he needs them to get fatter first. This book's plot is so well drawn out and it shows us that our plans do not always go how we want them. This book can be used in the classroom if you are trying to show your students plans can change.
January 12, 2015
FANTASY GENRE - A fun book that can be helpful for teaching inferences to students.
January 12, 2015
FANTASY GENRE- This book is great for teaching INFRENCE. Relies on pictures and story to be able to keep up with story line and plot. Pictures are needed for comprehension. IN TUMBLEBOOKS NCSU.
March 21, 2016
This book was fantastic lots of little details that can be found.
April 4, 2022
The Mystery of Eatum Hall by John Kelly is a mysterious, fictional picture book that follows a greedy pig and his wife who is a goose. This couple was invited to a free dinner at Dr. Hunter's new inn, the Eatum Hall, which their appetites' would never let them pass up. When they get to Eatum Hall, they realize that Dr. Hunter is not there like he said he would be. The couple finds a note that tells them everything will be handled and served to them. After roaming around the inn, they notice how their host is oddly depicting a lot of wolf art, which makes them curious. They continued to feast all day and then they try to leave. As soon as they leave they remember that they never got their pies they were promised. The book is filled with clues and a cliffhanger that leaves the reader wondering what the hosts true intention was with inviting this couple to the inn.
This is a great book to help students critical think and focus on details in the book. The illustrations in this book give clues that point to what the hosts intention was for inviting the couple to the inn. This book has many comically comments that may go over younger children's heads, so I recommend reading and discussing this book with grades 4th-5th. I recommend this age because there are a lot of times where you have to pay attention to foreshadowing and infer what the author is trying to say. I think that doing an interactive read aloud for this book would be fitting due to how the reader needs to pay attention to detail. So by doing an interactive read aloud, the book is going to be easier to follow for the students. This would also be a good independent reading book to have in your classroom as it is comical and mysterious so it would be entertaining for students to read.
This is a great book to help students critical think and focus on details in the book. The illustrations in this book give clues that point to what the hosts intention was for inviting the couple to the inn. This book has many comically comments that may go over younger children's heads, so I recommend reading and discussing this book with grades 4th-5th. I recommend this age because there are a lot of times where you have to pay attention to foreshadowing and infer what the author is trying to say. I think that doing an interactive read aloud for this book would be fitting due to how the reader needs to pay attention to detail. So by doing an interactive read aloud, the book is going to be easier to follow for the students. This would also be a good independent reading book to have in your classroom as it is comical and mysterious so it would be entertaining for students to read.
June 23, 2019
I think the story itself is very good, and the illustrations are fantastic. This one really leaves kids to infer the true ending of the book.
Two guests are invited to have a weekend of feasting with a mysterious host who doesn’t seem to appear. They enjoy the food quite happily, and excuse their host because he must be busy. Their feasting leads them to something large in the back yard. Hmmm. Must be more food in there, right? There certainly is, but not what they had in mind!
Two guests are invited to have a weekend of feasting with a mysterious host who doesn’t seem to appear. They enjoy the food quite happily, and excuse their host because he must be busy. Their feasting leads them to something large in the back yard. Hmmm. Must be more food in there, right? There certainly is, but not what they had in mind!
June 25, 2025
I am not totally sure about this book. it is good though for my Crime study kids, but I found the ending to be a bit odd, as the foreshadowing had our 'guests' as the final meal, yet they got away. Whether this is a bit like the poor Wylie never getting his roadrunner, thus because kids hate it when animals eat other animals, but still. Suitable for medium age readers, images a little spooky, but then the 'mystery' mood and theme makes it appropriate.
May 5, 2019
I read this book while looking for mystery read-alouds. This book is great (though o didn’t use it with the kids). It would work well to show how to build suspense in writing. The story is a hoot, and there are plenty of jokes for the adult reading it to the kid.
September 29, 2022
This book is different form most and might be to scary for the younger kids to read. The older kids would enjoy a book like this. I would use this book to read to them when they are doing artwork and I think I would tell this book around Halloween.
June 14, 2017
My students love this one!
July 1, 2017
Such a fun book. It's one of those "the picture tells 90% of the story" kind of children's books. Beautiful art and funny story.
March 24, 2018
I liked this and it was clever and witty, but the whole time I kept thinking, do kids actually like this? It seems too tongue and cheek for youngsters. I dunno.
October 4, 2018
A husband and wife (duck and pig) check into a hotel that seems to be a little bit off the beatan path. whay are they being fed so much and what is that big pot for? Cute. Preschool and up
August 5, 2019
Very funny book! I would like to read more like it.
October 18, 2020
This would make a great introduction to mysteries. I love the ominous illustrations.
November 29, 2023
Przeczytana w grupie na zajęciach z literatury dziecięcej 😂 polecam!
November 10, 2025
Such a fun October read for the classroom - the Unanswered Questions and unlimited potential for endings make kids really think! (Read it 24 times to every class in my school - K-5)
November 5, 2014
Horace and Glenda are invited by Dr. Hunter to Eatum Hall for a weekend of free gourmet food. Not everything is as it seems on this free vacation, as clues along the way foreshadow what the "doctor" has planned for them. By leaving clues in both the text and illustrations Cathy Tincknell creates an exciting page-turner mystery which can be enjoyed both aloud and through independent reading. Tincknell leaves readers asking what will Glenda and Horace survive the weekend and more importantly what flavor will the continuously mentioned pie be?
The books painted surrealistic imagery provides readers with an overwhelming sense of urgency, as it feels like the eerie eyes of an unannounced host follow both the readers and characters. The picture book is hued in shades of rich blacks and browns, which cast boding shadows over the stories setting, creating an atmosphere of un-inhabitance. By creating this separation from the host and his guests, warm and cool colors can be used to provide areas of lighting which highlight all characters within the story. Another intriguing visual element is that only Horace and Glenda are ever depicted in the light of day. By having these characters walk amongst the light, areas of shadowing can be used to light the presence of another body whom always seems to follow the couple. Also by highlighting the couple, the illustrations allude to Horace and Glenda being the victims of the story as they are always pin-point by contrasting coloration.
By using the interplay among both the text and illustrations, Tincknell creates a mystery which is both exciting and engaging for readers of all ages. Also by hiding elements crucial to the stories progress within the visual elements, Tincknell invites readers to play close attention to all details both big and small; highlighting the importance of critical analysis when conducting an investigation. The Mystery of Eatum Hall provides readers both young and old a chance to spend a few minutes playing detective, and if the ending isn’t clear by the end of the book it invites you to analysis the text again paying close attention to minute details. For not everything at Eatum Hall is as accommodating as it seems; we walk amongst the wolves.
The books painted surrealistic imagery provides readers with an overwhelming sense of urgency, as it feels like the eerie eyes of an unannounced host follow both the readers and characters. The picture book is hued in shades of rich blacks and browns, which cast boding shadows over the stories setting, creating an atmosphere of un-inhabitance. By creating this separation from the host and his guests, warm and cool colors can be used to provide areas of lighting which highlight all characters within the story. Another intriguing visual element is that only Horace and Glenda are ever depicted in the light of day. By having these characters walk amongst the light, areas of shadowing can be used to light the presence of another body whom always seems to follow the couple. Also by highlighting the couple, the illustrations allude to Horace and Glenda being the victims of the story as they are always pin-point by contrasting coloration.
By using the interplay among both the text and illustrations, Tincknell creates a mystery which is both exciting and engaging for readers of all ages. Also by hiding elements crucial to the stories progress within the visual elements, Tincknell invites readers to play close attention to all details both big and small; highlighting the importance of critical analysis when conducting an investigation. The Mystery of Eatum Hall provides readers both young and old a chance to spend a few minutes playing detective, and if the ending isn’t clear by the end of the book it invites you to analysis the text again paying close attention to minute details. For not everything at Eatum Hall is as accommodating as it seems; we walk amongst the wolves.
April 8, 2016
The Mystery of Eatum Hall was very fun to read. As indicated by my three-star rating I really do think some things could have been better. Overall, I enjoyed the intricate plot line regarding the generous dinner invitation to the couple of a pig and goose. As it turns out their host had other plans, and intended to fatten them up in order to cook them into a pie. I think the premise of the story was really original, and actually very funny. In fact I also really liked the illustrations as they included some visual jokes. The film noir style really rang with post modern fiction as well as the mystery genre it already fits into.
My only complaint was that the dark humor may be difficult for some children to comprehend and this book could be considered inappropriate (not in my opinion but ya know...). I do however think that this is a fun read for kids and provides a lot of entertainment value. I know I enjoyed it, and I personally think this could serve as a great tool for teachers to teach inference. There are a lot of inference gaps in this particular book, and the reader has to fill in those gaps. It makes the mystery a bit more interactive and fun! The British and dark humor and the personification of animals that are going to be potentially eaten (murdered...) kinda throws off my higher rating. Alas, it was a great book!
My only complaint was that the dark humor may be difficult for some children to comprehend and this book could be considered inappropriate (not in my opinion but ya know...). I do however think that this is a fun read for kids and provides a lot of entertainment value. I know I enjoyed it, and I personally think this could serve as a great tool for teachers to teach inference. There are a lot of inference gaps in this particular book, and the reader has to fill in those gaps. It makes the mystery a bit more interactive and fun! The British and dark humor and the personification of animals that are going to be potentially eaten (murdered...) kinda throws off my higher rating. Alas, it was a great book!
July 27, 2013
This is a fun book for adults and a subtle one for children. It is one of those books when you discover what type of personality/humor does your child have because it is understated British humor. Do you have to explain what is happening or do they 'get' the joke. Mr. and Mrs. Horace and Glenda Pork-Fowler (a hog and a duck) receive an invitation that was held in the pre-title pages by a suspicious furry, clawed hand. They have been invited to Eatum Hall by Mr A. Hunter. The husband and wife team of John Kelly and Cathy Tincknell's blend of text and illustrations had me looking over each page a number of times to catch all the humorous details.
I support independent book stores. Please use this link to find a store or purchase this book: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978076...
I support independent book stores. Please use this link to find a store or purchase this book: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978076...
July 20, 2015
"The Mystery of Eatum Hall" is about a pig and fowl couple who are invited by Dr. Hunter to go eat free gourmet food at his home. The couple arrives and Dr. Hunter is nowhere to be seen. The couple stays and eats all the food that they want. Little do they know that Dr. Hunter is planning on cooking them. This story uses the word "meat" instead of "meet." This book would be best for an older child so that they can catch something like that. The colors are bright where the couple lives and darker where Dr. Hunter lives. The reader gets the idea that something bad is going to happen at Dr. Hunter's house. I would read this book to a child to teach them to be careful with who they may meet and talk to.
July 13, 2015
Kelly, John & Tincknell, Cathy. The Myster of Eatum Hall. Great Britain:2004. Print. Mystery, retro art. The Mystery of Eatum Hall features a couple that has no greater hobby than to eat. One weekend they are invited to a prime estate by a unknown host for a prime weekend of eating. While they are there they spend the whole weekend eating while their host devices his plan to turn them into a pie. The retro-style illustrations used in this book help depict the style in past years. The book also does a good job at presenting a suspenseful mystery for younger kids and providing illustrations so that they can see both the Pork-Fowler viewpoint and that of Dr. Hunter. The Mystery of Eatum Hall can provide a good example of different kinds of view points and voices used in stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews