Private Investigator Vern (who happens to be the only dragon in the mundane world) has just moved into his dream lair in a new theme park with his friend and business partner Sister Grace. But before they can get settled in, an elder god rises up from the nearby lake, taking on the form of a movie monster. It’s ten times Vern’s size, but somehow he must take it down before it can wreak too much havoc. 

Vern novels are dependably fun, and this one is no exception. Idol Speculations is part spoof and part parody of the Godzilla movies. It is also—and this gives it a refreshing twist—part inversion. By which I mean, some things that Godzilla fans would expect to happen go instead in unexpected directions (although it’s hard to give specific examples without spoilers).

New readers will be intrigued by the Mundane world and the Faerie world (from which both Vern and Sister Grace hail) and the interdimensional gap which has opened up between them—causing all kinds of interesting and entertaining dilemmas for both worlds and providing many mysteries for our protagonists to solve. However, this entry into the Vern-verse is an action story, rather than an investigative one. Fans of Godzilla and kaiju movies will find loads to geek out about, while other readers should enjoy the action-packed romp on its own terms.

Although one of the main characters is a religious sister (nun), there is little in the book likely to offend a secular reader; some faith-filled moments will please religious readers, and there is much to entertain all.

This book would be suitable for both secular and religious readers, tween and up. Some parents may wish to be aware that the word ‘bitch’ is used at one point (as part of a joke based on the fact that the word is considered rude). 

Long-term readers of the Dragoneye PI series won’t want to miss this entry, and new readers to the series shouldn’t have any trouble enjoying this fun, action-adventure Godzilla spoof.