There are those who hunt monsters to harm them and there are those who hunt monsters to help them. Which one are you?

Miss Mary-Kate Martin and her mother are off on an adventure to the enchanting Greek island of Galinios. An ancient mosaic has been unearthed and Professor Martin must investigate, leaving Mary-Kate to explore the island and bask in the sunshine.

But soon her relaxing holiday turns into a monster-sized mystery, when a message arrives asking for help. Could the local legend of the Two-Headed Hydra be more than just a story? And what could have made this serene sea creature so angry?

Miss Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she’s not scared of monsters! With the help of her new friend Nikos, she is determined to find answers.

Miss Mary-Kate Martin and her professor of archaeology mother are back in the second book of the series after Mary-Kate’s adventures in The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm. which I reviewed last year.

This time Mary-Kate and her mother are off to the Greek island of Galinios where her mother’s expertise has been called upon when a tiled floor depicting a sea creature is unearthed whilst the local sardine factory was being expanded.

Whilst there Mary-Kate makes a new friend, Nikos. The two follow the clues to what the locals are saying is a two-headed hydra wreaking havoc on the island and causing lots of damage.

The Trouble with the Two-Headed Hydra is a children’s middle-grade story filled with excitement and adventure. The book has been set in a gorgeous location though what is not quite so nice is the mystical goings on that Mary-Kate needs to work out.

What I love about the series is that Mary-Kate isn’t your usual monster hunter, in fact, she would rather be home than out detecting. She is a nervous young girl who has certain things she needs to do to make sure that she is going to have a good day which includes making sure she has her glitter pens on her.

For young readers who like books that take them on a journey and keep them occupied with so much happening, this series is the one to choose. It also contains fab artwork within which adds to the story depth and enjoyment.

Karen Foxlee was born in Mount Isa, Australia. She trained and worked as a nurse before studying for a degree in creative writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is the author of five books, including The Anatomy of Wings, which won the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for Best First Book in the South East Asia and South Pacific region, and the Carnegie Medal-longlisted Lenny’s Book of Everything, which is also published by Pushkin Children’s Books.