The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse

The stand-alone sequel to The Doldrums, which the New York Times called “a dreamy charmer of a book,” is a second tour-de-force by author-illustrator Nicholas Gannon.

It brims with the spirit of exploration and celebrates the bond of friendship. The exquisite hardcover package features Gannon’s distinctive full color full-page art throughout, as well as black-and-white spot illustrations. The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse is a timeless tale and a beautiful gift for a young reader.

Archer Helmsley’s grandparents—famous explorers who went missing on an iceberg two years ago—are finally coming home. Archer is overjoyed, but he may be the only one. Rumors are flying that Archer’s grandparents were never really abandoned on the iceberg; that they’re making it all up. Archer knows that the rumors are false. With his best friends, Oliver and Adélaïde, and their new neighbor, Kana, Archer sets out during a snowstorm to rescue his grandparents’ reputation.

In the tradition of Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, and Brian Selznick, Nicholas Gannon’s wildly imaginative world of The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse is packed with sly humor, an undeniably charming cast of characters, and the thrill of discovering secrets and adventures right in your own backyard.

With approximately twenty pieces of full color full-page artwork, as well as spot illustrations, and deft, literary writing, Nicholas Gannon once again creates a fully realized world and a story to sink into and explore. “Irresistible.”—Booklist

But clearing their family name is only the beginning of the adventure.

• A Legendary Family: The Helmsleys are famous explorers, but rumors of a hoax and a mysterious family curse threaten to destroy everything they stand for.
• Winter Adventure: Join Archer and his friends as they race through the snow-covered city of Rosewood to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
• Loyal Friendships: With his best friends Oliver and Adélaïde by his side, Archer knows he can face any danger—even if it means proving the entire world wrong.
• A Whimsical World: Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl, this beautifully illustrated story is filled with sly humor and unforgettable characters.

Archer Helmsley’s grand-parents—the famed explorers who went missing on an iceberg two years ago—are finally coming home. Archer is overjoyed. He has been waiting his whole life to meet his grandparents.

Not everyone is rejoicing about the Helmsleys’ return, though. Rumors are flying all around the unusual town of Rosewood. Maybe his grandparents weren’t ever on that iceberg. Maybe they made it all up. And maybe the especially harsh winter is all their fault. Everyone is blaming the Helmsley Curse.

But Archer knows the rumors are false. There is no curse. His grand-parents are being framed.

With his best friends, Oliver and Adélaïde, and their new neighbor, Kana, Archer sets out on his biggest adventure yet: rescuing his grandparents’ reputa-
tion. It will mean unearthing the secrets that a powerful man wants to keep hidden, infiltrating the society of explorers in the heart of Rosewood, and braving the blizzard of the century.

But don’t worry. Archer has a plan.

Sort of.

“The Doldrums are back with another fast-paced and quirky adventure. ..Fans of idiosyncratic fantasies, as well as the first book, will enjoy this treat.” - School Library Journal

“Gannon’s subtle humor and vibrant cartoon illustrations guide this irreverent story about Archer, Adélaïde, and Oliver, and their new friend, Kana. ...Expressive spot art and full-color spreads make this irresistible for fans of Brian Selznick’s multimedia stories.” - ALA Booklist

“Amusing descriptions, madcap excursions, and narrow escapes from danger.” - Kirkus Reviews

“In this wildly whimsical stand-alone sequel to The Doldrums, Nicholas Gannon once again thrills and chills his readers with the adventures of characters who could have stepped out of A Series of Unfortunate Events. ...Gannon’s stunning...illustrations turn an exciting book into a complete package.” - Shelf Awareness