This series of terrifying standalone tales that combine monsters + mysteries is perfect for fans of Goosebumps. “Spine-chilling and creepy!” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth , on Escape From Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1) Twins Simon and Jade are thrilled to spend the summer with their grandfather in the beachfront resort town of Skull Rock. They're especially looking forward to helping out at his spooky cabinet of curiosities museum, full of creepy old relics, taxidermy specimens, and sinister displays. But lately there have been disturbing reports of store break-ins and sightings of a frightening creature in the area, scaring away the town's much-needed tourists. When the twins hear eerie noises coming from the museum after hours and see strange scratch marks on the door, they decide to investigate. As the creature attacks mount, Jade and Simon begin to suspect the impossible: Could one of their grandfather's museum monstrosities be coming to life each night to prowl the boardwalks of Skull Rock? Praise for Escape From Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1): “Spine-chilling twists and turns and a creepy mystery to unravel. Grab a flashlight—this will have you up reading way too late!”—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth series   “A roller coaster of jolts, twists, thrills, and nightmarish creatures creeping out from the shadows. What a wild ride! —Margaret Peterson Haddix, New York Times bestselling author of the Shadow Children Sequence   “A fast-paced thrill ride of a book, crawling with haunts and horrors at every turn. Enter if you dare! —Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles   “Take my advice and read Monsterious. It’s fun and terrifying!” —James Riley, New York Times bestselling author of Story Thieves “Delicious, creepy, scary fun!” —Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor author of A Tale Dark and Grimm “Scream. Laugh. Repeat.” —James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author of the City Spies series “Filled with humor, heart, and creeps galore. An absolute delight from beginning to end!” —Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals series   "Irresistibly fun, monstrously clever, and laced with heart. I couldn’t put it down!" —Lindsay Currie, author of Scritch Scratch   “Goosebumps with a splash of From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler . A perfect blend of horror and humor.” —Lorien Lawrence, author of the Fright Watch series As a professional musician, Matt McMann played an NFL stadium, a cruise ship, and the International Twins Convention. Now he writes the kind of spooky mystery adventure books he loved as a kid. He’s hiked the Pacific Northwest, cruised Loch Ness, and chased a ghost on a mountain. While he missed Bigfoot and Nessie, he caught the ghost. He enjoys brainstorming new books with his wife, New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, viewing his son Kilian McMann’s artwork, and watching his daughter, actor Kennedy McMann, on television. Visit him online at mattmcmann.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @matt_mcmann. CHAPTER 1 The beast stepped from the narrow alley and paused in a patch of fading moonlight. Triangular ears twitched at a distant sound, far beyond the range of human hearing. Raising its muzzle, it sniffed the ocean breeze. Mingled with the salt water and restaurant scraps was another scent, one that brought a rumbling growl from the monster’s broad chest. It broke into a trot, slipping through the shadows like a ghost. Loping down another alley, the beast leaped and sank its claws into the wood siding on the back of a rambling two-story structure. It scaled the wall like a spider and dropped onto the flat roof. Padding soundlessly to the front of the building, the monster peered into the street below, keen eyes piercing the darkness. A young girl with a canvas bag slung over her shoulder rode a bike through pools of light cast by old-fashioned streetlamps. Pulling out a folded newspaper, she tossed it against one of the many doors that lined the wooden boardwalk. As she approached the building that concealed her watcher, the monster tensed, muscles quivering as it prepared to pounce. The light shifted as the ebony night gave way to an orange-and-purple glow. The beast’s eyes snapped up and locked on the ocean’s distant horizon. Its black lips curled into a snarl. With surprising lightness for its massive frame, the monster darted across the roof and over the side of the building. Noiselessly, it raised a window with its claws and slipped inside. With a wide yawn, the girl continued tossing her papers as she biked into the rising sun. CHAPTER 2 “I can’t wait to see the museum again!” Simon said, looking up from his book,  Escape from Grimstone Manor . “And Grandpa.” His mother, Isabelle, glanced in the rearview mirror with a smile. “He and Mom love it when yo