Episode 158 - Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye

October 12, 2026 by Grace Harnois

Hermux Tantamoq is here to heal us all! This is a very special episode about one of our all-time favorite middle grade books. Meet the rodents of Pinchester and the town’s spiffily dressed, indomitable watchmaker. Mysterious aviatrix Linka Perflinger drops off a battered watch for repair and disappears without a word. Hermux and his pet ladybug Terfle use their wits, horological leanings and a whole lot of cheese to take on the case. We discuss the important of mid-adventure journaling, the appeal of a normal guy protagonist, and even LOOK UP “FANTASY” IN THE DICTIONARY. It’s a watermark ep!

*I do call Linka “Tucka” several times during my summary, and for that I am deeply sorry.

EPISODE MEDIA

Clock + Watch Shop of Hinsdale

Episode 157 - Court Duel by Sherwood Smith

October 05, 2026 by Grace Harnois

Grab your fan and eavesdrop behind a tapestry! Crown Duel established an uneasy political piece; Court Duel investigates the fallout through a noble’s lens. Mel’s post-rebellion efforts pull her into court, with all of its secrets, deception and hair gems. Every man is beautiful and every woman a mystery, and Mel defies understanding with her war hero reputation and country bumpkin manners. We discuss the series’ (now a single book’s) unusual structure, watching your crush write you an anonymous letter without realizing they’re your secret admirer, and being disappointed by Bran. Join us!

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Remalna-city vibes:

The Jarls of Skyrim

Ayame from Fruits Basket

Episode 156 - Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

August 03, 2026 by Grace Harnois

Return of the Thief closes out the Queen’s Thief series with thrills, spills (meaningful falls off of horses) and the kind of chills that only Megan Whalen Turner can pull off - and we lapped up every single sentence. Pheris, maybe the best protagonist of the series, witnesses the culmination of the Mede / Little Peninsula conflict and finds himself along the way. We discuss this entry’s Big Twists, MWT’s remarkable consistency of character development, and how Gen has finally met his match in Pheris. We’re swinging from chandeliers and dancing on palace rooftops - join us!

Our other Queen’s Thief episodes:

The Thief

The Queen of Attolia

The King of Attolia

A Conspiracy of Kings

Thick as Thieves

Episode 155 - The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

May 18, 2026 by Grace

It’s a Harnois Sibling Spectacular - we’re covering The Capture by Kathryn Lasky with none other than our brother, Patrick! Book 1 of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series is a brutal look at fascist owl overlords and the revolutionaries quietly defying them. Young Soren and Gylfie experience perils, found family and the terrors of moon blinking after being ripped away from their parents. We delight in The Owliness of It All and the ways this book permits young readers to question the authorities in their lives and celebrates coming of age. In the words of Twilight: "I am big -- right you are! But I am delicate and beautiful. I can float! I can skim.” If that’s not enough to convince you to listen, I don’t know what will!

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Presenting: Grace’s Owl Gallery

Soren - Barn Owl

Gylfie - Elf Owl

Twilight - Great Gray Owl

Grimble - Boreal Owl

Hortense - Spotted Owl

Digger - Burrowing Owl

Skench - Great Horned Owl

Spoorn - Western Screech Owl

Jatt and Jutt - Long Eared Owls

BONUS BONUS BONUS Mrs. Plithiver - Blind Snake

Episode 154 - Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones

April 20, 2026 by Grace

Triumphant griffin scream!! We’re back with Derk’s brood 8 years after the events of Dark Lord of Derkholm, and it’s his daughter Elda’s time to shine. She’s enrolled at the Wizards’ University alongside fellow oddball first years Felim, Olga, Lukin, Ruskin and Claudia, and they’re realizing there’s not much learning to be had there. When the inept chairman Corkoran, obsessed with flying to the moon and uninterested in all else, betrays their secret enrollment, the university is beset by assassins and concerned relatives. We discuss the lure of a magical pit, terrible admins, Giant Woman / Tiny Man romance, and why DWJ absolutely owns a Fantasy Romp. Join us!

Thanks to our many listeners who keep the DWJ request fires stoked.