No Time Like Showtime

by Michael Hoeye

Book Overview

Hermux Tantamoq is in the spotlight again when he gets an urgent plea for help from Fluster Varmint -- the most famous mouse in show business. It seems as if someone wants to put Varmint's lights out!... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142405639
• ISBN13: 9780142405635
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 277 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Of Mice and Mystery

No Time Like Show Time by Michael Hoeye is set in a city populated by mice, rats, otters, flying squirrels, and other small mammals. The main character, Hermux Tantamoq, is a clock and watch repair mouse who receives a mysterious letter by messenger from the most famous mouse in show business, Fluster Varmint. The plot twists and turns as we meet the characters, get information about possible motives, and find out about an action film director making a documentary about Varmint's first big movie star, who mysteriously disappeared and is presumed dead. More and more details come into the storyline after Hermux learns that Varmint has been receiving threatening letters. Later, a background mystery that Hermux doesn't know about is revealed, and before long things in the book take an explosive turn. Finally, at the book's climax, the villain is arrested, and the second plot is resolved. This book is absolutely great. We don't know until the very end whether Hermux will stop the culprit's plan, and the mystery featuring the movie actress keeps you turning the pages for more. The characters in this book are extremely colorful, the dialogue is well written, and the plot gets more and more exciting as the book progresses. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. Even though it's classified as a fantasy, there's enough suspenseful-yet-funny intrigue involved to satisfy anyone who's a big fan of any of those genres.

Great Series

First of all, this is a great series and if you haven't read the first two books then go do it now! No Time Like Show Time was just as suspenseful and cool as the other books and I hope the next book comes out soon! In case you're wondering what it's about, it is set in the world of mice, rats, and other like creatures with the main character a mouse watchmaker named Hermux Tantamoq, who has an otherwise quiet life until he meets Linka Perflinger in the first book, who becomes his new love interest and somehow gets him involved in all sorts of thrilling adventures throughout the first and second books. Besides a new mysterious plot with each book, there is also a little romance for the teen readers, but it is tastefully done and there is nothing, in my opinion, overly romantic. Anyway, it's a great book and series and I would really recommend that you consider buying it!

Reminiscent of E. B White and A. A. Milne

Hermux Tantamoq returns to solve another mystery, this time involving the irascible showman Fluster Varmint. Fans of this mouse detective will find NTLST to be the best to date, with healthy does of slapstick mixed with sly wit. (M) Hoeye's style and humor are reminiscent of E. B White and A. A. Milne.

More Adventures of Hermux Tantamoq

'No Time Like Show Time' is the third adventure of watchmaker and mouse, Hermux Tantamoq. Hermux is called to the Varmint Theatre (to install alarm clocks in the dressing rooms), but soon finds himself roped into designing the stage set and solving a baffling murder mystery. As in previous volumes, the plot is engaging and the writing witty. Favourite characters from the first two books, (like aviatrix Linka Perflinger and beauty-product megalomaniac Tucka Mertslin), make a welcome return - and we meet a whole cast of colourful newcomers: Fluster Varmint the theatre manager, Nurella Pinch a mysterious aging film star, and a very peculiar ventriloquist. Hermux's pet ladybug, Terfle, also takes a starring role in the plot - and the touching relationship between mouse and bug is as charming as always. This is perhaps my favourite book of the three - but it also has to be said that some of the plotlines might perhaps be rather 'grown-up' for the very youngest: murder, love triangles, an unwed pregnancy, an abandoned single parent ... all softened under mouse-fur and whiskers, but there none-the-less. Such themes are commonplace in contemporary teen fiction, but surprising in anthropomorphic bedtime stories for the under nines - and at times seemed a little surreal. In all probability it'll go over the heads of most youngsters, and it didn't bother me - but some parents might want to read the story through first.

exciting,dramatic and romantic

First things first, this book certaintaly mesures up to its sequels.So don't be worried about that.In the book Hermux's shyness for telling Linka his feelings about her is a conflict, especially since another mouse is making the move on Linka.Tucka has set her sights on the Varimount theater. Hurmux's is working against her with a whole new cast of characters. All in all, you should read this book. Trust me,it won't let you down.