Trapped in the Horror Dome (Monsterious, Book 5)

by Matt McMann

Overview

This series of terrifying standalone tales that combine monsters + mysteries is perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

“Spine-chilling and creepy!” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth, on Escape From Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1)

When their school wins a state science competition, Rowan, Tinker, and Amari earn a dream trip to Earth Two, a biodome research lab deep in the desert, which is sealed off from the outside world. What could be cooler?

But soon, strange things begin to happen. In the dome’s swamp ecosystem, the kids discover a creature unknown to science—though the adults don’t believe them. Then a scientist is mysteriously attacked and Earth Two’s security and life-support systems fail, trapping everyone inside.

As oxygen runs low, a terrifying monster emerges from the shadows and begins to hunt. Now the kids must find a way to escape . . . before the biodome becomes their tomb.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593857205
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Series:	Monsterious , #5
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.56(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

As a professional musician, Matt McMann played an NFL stadium, a cruise ship, and the International Twins Convention. Now he writes the kind of spooky mystery adventure books he loved as a kid. He’s hiked the Pacific Northwest, cruised Loch Ness, and chased a ghost on a mountain. While he missed Bigfoot and Nessie, he caught the ghost. He enjoys brainstorming new books with his wife, New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, viewing his son Kilian McMann’s artwork, and watching his daughter, actor Kennedy McMann, on television. Visit him online at mattmcmann.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @matt_mcmann.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

The monster’s claws scraped the concrete floor in the dim light. Her thick tail slid listlessly back and forth as her forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air. The monster gripped the top of the doorframe with a huge hand. One tentacle slapped against a small window in the cell door, suckers fastening instantly. She peered through the glass with large yellow eyes and released a low hiss.
Shifting restlessly, the monster stretched out with all her senses. Had the event happened?

She grew tired of waiting.

CHAPTER 2

Rowan leaned forward eagerly as she caught her first glimpse of Earth Two through the shuttle bus window. The biosphere research facility rose out of the desert landscape like a set from a science fiction movie, its geodesic domes and giant ­glass-​­and-​­steel step pyramid gleaming in the morning light. The white panels and crisp lines of the buildings stood out sharply against a backdrop of rugged mountains with mottled brown slopes.

In the seat beside her, Rowan’s best friend, Tinker, nicknamed for her love of rebuilding mechanical things, gave a squeal of delight. “This is gonna be awesome!”

A scoff sounded behind them. “Careful, Tinker. You’ll wet yourself.”

Rowan turned to glare at Amari, a short boy with copper skin and rumpled black hair. “Keep your opinions to yourself, thief.”

“Yeah,” Tinker said, dramatically sweeping her curtain of beaded braids. “We’re not the ones who cheated our way onto this trip.”

Amari glowered at them both but said nothing. Rowan’s full ivory cheeks were flushed as she settled back in her seat and took a calming breath. She’d worked hard for this ­five-​­day trip to Earth Two, and she wasn’t going to let anything ruin it. Not even Amari.

The shuttle bus pulled up to the facility, and the nine students piled out followed by Ms. Jenkins, the teacher chaperone from a different school than Rowan’s. A ­twenty-​­something woman with olive skin bounded up to them with a grin. Her short plaid skirt and striped stockings clashed wildly with her blue Earth Two shirt and neon pink hair. “Welcome to Earth Two! I’m Chloe, the community coordinator for the facility. I’ll be your guide to the Mars Experience, but you can think of me as your ­super-​­cool big sister!” She puckered her lips and tilted her head as she flashed a sidewise peace sign.

Rowan and Tinker barely managed to hide their snorts of laughter, while Amari stared at the young woman with raised eyebrows. Chloe didn’t seem to notice. “Each of you earned this trip by scoring the highest on your projects in Arizona’s statewide ­seventh-​­grade science competition, sponsored by Earth Two. You helped your three schools win the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Congrats. Yay, science!”

A ­red-​­haired boy from another school snickered, and Ms. Jenkins shushed him. Rowan wondered if Chloe’s enthusiasm dials were always set on eleven.

Chloe plowed ahead. “Earth Two is the largest enclosed biosphere facility in the world, second in size only to Mama Earth herself. It was originally built as a ­self-​­supporting test habitat to see if humans could live on Mars. That’s what we’re going to simulate for our ­adventure—​­living on Mars. And ­bonus—​­no space travel.”

Since Rowan wanted to be an astronaut, she didn’t see this as a positive.

“Super ­sad—​­there’s no texting or social media on Mars,” Chloe said with an exaggerated frown.
“Cell phones can interfere with some of our sensitive equipment. It’s hard to get a signal in the facility anyway. Put your phones in this box, and you’ll get them back when you leave.”

After they’d surrendered their phones, Chloe grinned. “Now grab your bags, and let’s go to Mars!”

Everyone followed her through a thick metal door with a heavy locking bar that looked like it belonged on a submarine. They crammed into a small empty room with a similar door on the far wall. “Say goodbye to Earth, everyone,” Chloe said before sealing the outer door shut. “Normally we’re connected to the outside air through a series of vents, but we can also operate in isolation mode, like during the Mars Experience. That means we’re completely sealed off from the outside environment and use our own air circulation system, just like we were on another planet.”

She pushed a button on the wall, and there was a whoosh of air. When a light beside the inner door changed from red to green, Chloe opened the door with a flourish. “Welcome to Mars!”

Her heart pounding with excitement, Rowan stepped through the hatch and into another world.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Escape from Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book One):
“Deftly explores themes such as courage and the challenges of being vulnerable with friends. There are no dull moments in this rapidly paced tale that’s loaded with action . . . Frighteningly fun.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Adventure with Goosebumps vibes . . . A horror-tinged thriller that’s more rollicking than revolting.” —Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Snatcher of Raven Hollow (Monsterious, Book 2):
“Thoroughly entertaining . . . Striving middle school readers interested in mysteries or creepy horror will be particularly enthralled.” —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Terror in Shadow Canyon (Monsterious, Book 3):
"A strength of the series and this title in particular is the tight focus on plotting while characters also work through complex problems . . . McMann strikes a balance between suspenseful storytelling and strong characterization in another quick-moving, action-packed story with plenty of gore and terror." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher