THE PET AND
THE PENDULUM
Book 3
The Misadventures of
Edgar and Allan Poe
By Gordon McAlpine
“Telepathically conjoined twins, distant
relatives of the eminent author, fall into the
clutches of their mad-scientist nemesis one
last time in this truly explosive series
finale…A fitting conclusion to a series as
suspenseful as it is less-than-earnest, in
which mad science, quantum entanglement,
encounters with ghosts, and sly twists on
literary figures and memes all figure.”
-- Kirkus Reviews
___________________
In The Tell-Tale Start, twins Edgar and Allan
Poe foiled Professor Perry and his plan to
kill one of them for his nefarious
experiment. Now, in The Pet and the
Pendulum, it's the final showdown, which
takes place in an old mansion outside the
boys' hometown. The Pet and the
Pendulum is filled with codes, brain-teasers,
humor, and cameos by the actual Edgar
Allan Poe, who watches over his greatgreat-great-great grandnephews from the
Great Beyond. You won't want to miss the
Misadventures' exciting conclusion!
Discussion Questions: The Pet and the Pendulum
1. In class, Edgar and Allan report very exciting things about their Winter Break.
What is the most exciting, interesting, or funny thing you have ever done over
Winter Break?
2. As the novel opens, why are the boys particularly concerned about the Bradbury
Communications satellite, which was accidentally launched into space seven years
before with their parents aboard?
3. Which is your favorite of Edgar and Allan’s home projects, the electronic cat door,
the Galileo replica telescope, or the shoes that use the wearer’s own energy to melt
snow on driveways? Why is it your favorite?
4. What are the twins looking for at the Enoch Pratt Memorial Library and why?
5. Who do Edgar and Allan believe they meet at the library? Who have they actually
encountered?
6. At the Roastmaster’s meeting, why do the twins put on a play about the murder of
their great-great-great-great granduncle?
7. In the Great Beyond, why is Mr. Edgar Allan Poe particularly outraged that the
nefarious Professor Perry is planning to use a pendulum-like blade to kill one of
the twins?
8. When the Poe family arrives at Willow Tree Manor, what favorite foods await
each? For Edgar and Allan? For Uncle Jack? For Aunt Judith? For Roderick?
9. Where did Edgar and Allan get the idea to use the chocolate in their pockets to
entice the rats to chew through the binding ropes?
10. When Mr. Poe is honored by the other authors in The Great Beyond, including
even Mr. Shakespeare, what do you think they admire most about him?
For more information visit: The-poes.com