Betsy Haynes’ Bone Chillers series is known for delivering thrills and chills to young readers, and Little Pet Shop of Horrors certainly lives up to its name, but with a twist that might surprise you. Having explored other books in the series, including Beware the Shopping Mall, this particular installment takes a slightly different, and perhaps more peculiar, path into the realm of children’s horror.
Imagine browsing for book recommendations online and encountering suggestions that seem wildly out of place. That’s precisely the experience with Little Pet Shop of Horrors. The “people who bought this also bought” list for this book hints at a readership that might be drawn to more than just classic children’s horror tropes. This book seems to have cultivated a unique following, venturing into territories less expected in juvenile fiction.
The official description of Little Pet Shop of Horrors on platforms like Amazon might lead you to believe it’s a straightforward spooky tale. However, delving deeper into the book reveals layers that resonate with readers on unexpected levels. The suggested purchases associated with this book hint at themes and interests beyond the typical children’s horror demographic, suggesting a formative impact on some readers.
The narrative itself is centered around Cassie, a young girl yearning for a dog despite her allergies. Her quest leads her and her friend Suki to a mysterious pet shop, a place where you can order the exact pet of your dreams. This isn’t just any pet store; it’s a horror pet shop, promising to fulfill desires in the most uncanny ways. While Suki remains skeptical, the idea of a hypoallergenic dog intrigues Cassie, drawing her into the pet shop’s eerie allure.
On their way home, the girls encounter a group of school bullies, including David Ferrante, who attempts to intimidate them with his pet tarantula. This encounter foreshadows the unsettling events to come, especially when David’s unfortunate accident with his tarantula necessitates a return trip to the ominous pet shop.
Mr. Willard, the pet shop’s enigmatic owner, offers Cassie a peculiar drink. This is where the story takes a bizarre turn: Cassie awakens to find herself transformed into a golden retriever puppy. In a strange twist of fate, David, accompanied by his overbearing parents, becomes her adopter. The narrative then explores Cassie’s life as a dog, unable to communicate her human thoughts, navigating her new canine existence within David’s household. Her attempts to revert to her human form and escape ultimately lead her back to the horror pet shop, where Mr. Willard reveals his sinister intentions.
Escape becomes paramount as Cassie overhears Mr. Willard’s plan to eliminate her. In a moment of desperation, she causes a commotion, drinks an unidentified liquid, and miraculously transforms back into a human. Finding herself naked and surrounded by discarded clothing – remnants of previous transformations, perhaps? – Cassie flees the horror pet shop and returns home.
Her bewildered parents, unaware of her ordeal, surprise her with a new pet – a Pekingese dog. Cassie’s reaction is initially one of amusement, until the Pekingese performs a backflip, mirroring a signature move of her best friend, Suki.
Cassie bent double with laughter. “You’re so funny! You remind me of my best friend, Suki.”
Suddenly the little dog stopped running. It looked up at Cassie with pleading eyes. Then without warning it turned a perfect back flip.
Cassie stopped cold and stared at the dog.
“Suki!?”
This cliffhanger ending leaves readers pondering the true extent of the horror pet shop‘s influence and the transformations it can enact. Little Pet Shop of Horrors is more than just a children’s horror story; it’s a delve into body transformation, identity, and the unsettling possibilities lurking within the most unexpected places, like a seemingly ordinary horror pet shop.
