Review by Ian Keogh

The Lunch Lady is never named, and starts each book preventing a crime by interchangeable anonymous crooks in ski masks. This time King Tut’s tomb is safely returned. Protecting national treasures, though, is just a sideline, and her priority is ensuring the children attending the local primary school are kept safe, because there are surprising dangers.

As the title notes, an author is visiting the school, with Hector especially interested and hoping to have his copy of Flippy Bunny signed. The sample art shows, though, that Mr. Scribson is rather a precious sort. He’s already had one outburst before then, and it’s not the last as Jarrett J. Krosoczka satirises authors with unduly high opinions of themselves and their work. A plot running alongside the visit is Terrence’s hope of trying out for the football team, but the tryouts have to be cancelled when the coach doesn’t turn up. It’s just as well Betty’s invented a new gadget for Lunch Lady. With hamburger headphones she can hear conversations from miles away.

Earlier Lunch Lady books have been fun, but The Author Visit Vendetta is even more enjoyable. Krosoczka knows his cast, and has plenty of funny comments to throw in, several about gym teachers and their habits. His sense of comedy pacing is now refined, and the story becomes ever more absurd, and ever funnier as the Lunch Lady’s mission encounters problems. Any children too sensitive to see scenes of kung-fu involving bunnies should steer well clear.

This step up from the earlier books really hits the spot, and as an alternative to this single story, it’s combined with The Summer Camp Shakedown as the second Lunch Lady 2 for 1 Special.