Synopsis from Goodreads:
IF YOU FAIL,
ALL IS
LOST.
Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other.
When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.
Review:
The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart was a fitting finale to the trilogy. The action was mostly confined to the house during the first half of the book which reflected the feeling of imprisonment that Reynie, Kate, Constance, Sticky and their families were feeling.
The book was mainly concerned with the Mysterious Benedict Society attempting to avoid being captured by the sinister Mr Curtain and protecting The Whisperer from his evil intentions. Can Mr Benedict find the cure for the condition that afflicts him?
We learn more about Constance in this book. Light is shed upon her experiences before joining the Mysterious Benedict Society. However her astonishing powers are never fully explained as her parents were normal, unremarkable people and it is hard to believe that Constance would be able to do so much from the age of two. Constance must also find out whether the man claiming to be her father is speaking the truth or whether it is one of Mr Curtain's insidious plots to make use of her incredible mental abilities.
We also discover the full extent of Mr Curtain's cruelty as he punishes Reynie for something Kate did as he knows this would cause her great emotional distress. At a point in the book, Mr Curtain is given an opportunity to mend his ways to become a better person. However, he must choose whether to make use of this chance or not. Surprisingly, a silly character such as SQ Pedalian plays a pivotal role during the climax of the book.
The characters are well-rounded throughout the trilogy; by this book they are defined. I loved all the characters as they were so vividly written. However, I was not impressed when Milligan, a skilled agent, when locked in perilous combat with Ten Men, uses an old trick that he utilised in the previous book. I felt he should have done something new and original.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma was witty, well-paced and full of action, making sure I kept reading. Yet again, there were interesting riddles to solve and I really enjoyed trying to figue them all out. I liked how the characters interacted with each other and mostly I liked the battle between good and evil.
Overall, The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma was a fantastic read. I would recommend it to everyone as it was funny and full of action. Children and adults alike will love this trilogy. I can't wait to read more from Trenton Lee Stewart, beginning with The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict and The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums
Book Rating: 5/5
Cover Rating: 4/5
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
