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Monster Haven #3.5

What Zoey Doesn't Know

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Maurice the closet monster is an amazing cook, efficient housekeeper, fantastic problem solver, and the best friend anyone could ever have. But nobody really knows what he does all day. Bank robbers, a rare disease, and a visit from a bad-luck pooka are no match for a closet monster with time on his hands. But don’t tell Zoey. She worries. This story also appears in the short story collection, Transmonstrified. 7,000 words “What Zoey Doesn’t Know� is a short story in the same world as the Monster Haven novels from Carina Press. This story can be enjoyed without having read the novels, but it takes place between book three, Fairies in My Fireplace, and book four, Golem in My Glovebox.

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2014

12 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

About the author

R.L. Naquin

32Ìýbooks277Ìýfollowers
Rachel is the author of the urban fantasy Monster Haven series from Carina Press. She believes in magic, the power of love, good cheese, lucky socks, and putting things off until stress gets them done faster at the last minute. Her home is Disneyland, despite her current location in Kansas.

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5 stars
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57 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
3,356 reviews1,233 followers
October 20, 2014
R.L. Naquin has written several short stories set in her Monster Haven world and although they don't offer spoilers for the full length books and can be read in any order What Zoey Doesn't Know fits into the time line after Fairies in My Fireplace. Technically it can be read at any point but I would recommend reading at least the first book (Monster in My Closet) before picking up the shorts so that you are familiar with the main characters and the world they live in.

Maurice has been one of my favourite characters in the Monster Haven series right from the beginning, I just love that crazy Closet Monster! He has been there for Zoey from the beginning, always rushing around in the background making sure her life runs as smoothly as possible and taking care of the little things so that Zoey can focus on helping the creatures who turn up in desperate need of her help. Maurice is a master at time management, he runs the whole house like clockwork and is incredibly well organised. Not even Zoey realises quite how much he really does for her and in this short story we get to see a day in his life and find out what he does all day when Zoey is out at work.

I loved the chance of getting Maurice's point of view, as a favourite character I already feel like we know him quite well but there is nothing like getting inside a character's head to really see what they're made of. This short story is full of the usual humour you'd expect from this series and Maurice's life is far from uneventful - he really doesn't get a minute's peace all day. What Zoey Doesn't Know is a brilliant addition to the series and I think it's actually my favourite out of all three short stories. I can't wait to get started on Golem in My Glovebox.
Profile Image for Mandy Sickle.
1,406 reviews148 followers
March 1, 2016
What Zoey Doesn’t Know is told from the point of view of Maurice her best friend and closet monster. I always assumed that he was just a housekeeper and cook during the day but this short story show’s that there is much more to Maurice that we always thought. First off he’s tasked with saving Zoey’s neighbors rom a sickness that they all seem to have caught that is affecting them. Next up is bank robbery; add in some quiches and you’ve got a busy day. However Maurice is like his own personal superman.

I’ve always been a fan of Maurice he’s the best friend that Zoey has needed and a perfect companion to guide her along on her journey as a protector. I honestly have always had a soft spot for Maurice and secretly wish that every time I open my closet he will pop out. Now having a chance to see what he deals with on a regular basis I found interesting.

I’ve had this one on my kindle for ages but it’s slipped my mind so since I’m reading the other novella’s it’s a perfect chance to add it to my list. I loved every moment of Maurice’s world it’s great seeing that’s he’s more than we all thought and how much he really helps Zoey out. I love the world that they all live in hidden from the humans a whole secret world. The characters are amazing and the stories are captivating. The author has done a beautiful job creating a unique series. One of my favorite Urban Fantasy and I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Carrie.
2,455 reviews18 followers
August 8, 2018
This is absolutely my favorite of the short stories so far! I am in love with Maurice and would eagerly devour even more stories from his perspective.

Ever wonder what Maurice does all day? Well this about sums up an average day in the life (I’d assume), complete with Pooka, bank robbery, cleaning, cooking, and saving lives. Maurice is my hero.
Profile Image for Adelaide Walsh.
AuthorÌý13 books12 followers
July 11, 2017
This is actually a pretty amusing story pondering upon a thought: what will happen if an ordinary neighbourhood gets exposed to too much magic?...
Profile Image for Angela.
2,955 reviews10 followers
August 19, 2018
A decent short story featuring Maurice that shows how much Zoey doesn't know when it comes to the day to day activities of Maurice and all that he does to help her.
Profile Image for chucklesthescot.
2,991 reviews130 followers
October 28, 2015
Maurice is one of the best characters in paranormal fiction. He is a Closet Monster, who happens to be an amazing cook, excellent house cleaner, part keeper/social worker to various creatures living in or near his home and a loyal friend to his human housemate Zoey. He looks after her, keeps the house secure and always has a good meal ready for emergencies. So the question is, what else does Maurice do with his day?

To keep up with his excellent cooking, Maurice needs supplies and no self respecting Closet Monster can just wander into the shops looking for food. Still, Maurice does believe in using locally grown produce, even if it means liberating them from the neighbour's gardens! That is just the start to a very productive day.

A visit from Silas the bad luck Pooka is not a welcome sight when you are lurking in someone else's vegetation in a hoodie. It is even more unwelcome when Silas tells him that Zoey's neighbours have a disease that is making them believe that they are Hidden and need help from Zoey and Maurice. Maurice figures this is why Gary is pretending to be a mummy and taking up too much of Maurice's time getting rewrapped. Silas tells him of a cure using a few household items that belong in other people's homes. It could be a long day when you have to deal with this, trying to rescue the hapless Zoey who is caught up in a bank robbery, and ensure his food does not burn in the oven...

All in a day's work for our favourite Closet Monster!!!

I loved this short story so much, as we get a glimpse of life for Maurice when Zoey is at work. He really is a super efficient guy and I wish he would move in with me! I think after the darker story in book three, we needed this lighthearted fun short story to make us smile, ready to move on with the series. I just loved this story and will read it again many times. Brilliant!
Profile Image for Marsha.
3,050 reviews55 followers
April 21, 2014
From the very first book, I fell in love with the Monster Haven series. So, I don't miss a chance to read anything in this series whether it is a full length book or novella.

"What Zoey Doesn't Know" gives us a glimpse into a day in the life of Maurice the closet monster. Since so many monsters have been living in Zoey's neighborhood a strange phenomenon is starting to occur, humans are beginning to imagine they are a part of the paranormal world. Maurice has had to bandage up his neighbor, Gavin because he believes he is a mummy. Just as Maurice sets out to do his errands for the day he runs into Silas, the golem and bearer of bad luck. Dials shares what is causing the problem and how to solve it.

Maurice is wary of Silas' motivations but wants to help his neighbors. As he runs around providing the cure for the afflicted. he also cleans the house, does laundry; oh, and saves Zoey from harm while the bank is being robbed all unbeknownst to her. Did I mention that he also sends a baked donation to the fundraiser for displaced monsters and has an incredible dinner awaiting Zoey when she arrives home from work? This is why Maurice and the Monster Haven series is just so darn good! Now, I am off to read the next book in the series that was just released today. If you like reading about creatures in the paranormal world, you should definitely check out this series.
Profile Image for Yolanda Sfetsos.
AuthorÌý77 books231 followers
April 16, 2014
After finishing the third book in this great series, I decided to read this shortie. And it turned out to be a LOT of fun. I love Maurice the Closet Monster, so it was great to see just how efficient he is while Zoey is at work and he's home alone.

He's a busy monster! Keeping the house clean and preparing delicious meals isn't the only thing Maurice does all day. He's also a bit of a hero, and very (very) helpful. Actually, I reckon he deserves some kind of community service award because he's so helpful. But see, that's what happens when you're a real hero... No one actually knows exactly how much you do, and you certainly don't brag about it.

I also enjoyed seeing Silas the pooka again. And what was going on with the human neighbours cracked me up. :)

Now I'm ready to read the next book when it comes out.
Profile Image for Sabina Bundgaard.
AuthorÌý16 books25 followers
January 8, 2015
This is a short story in Rachel’s wonderful Monster Haven Series. It takes place between book three; Fairies in my Fireplace and book four; Golem in my Glovebox.
As usual, Rachel has created a funny and sweet short story, this one involving my favorite closet monster; Maurice.
Have you ever wondered what Maurice does all day when Zoey is at work? I have, and to tell you the truth�. I did not expect this! :-D
Rachel made me laugh and groan, smile and giggle. We even get to meet our favorite pooka; Silas. Which we all know means more trouble than usual. Only this time, he’s actually a help for Maurice, even if it seems weird, but it’s true. People are beginning to feel the effect of having so many Hidden creatures, and the effects� well� they’re a bit unusual and funny.
Another amazing story from Rachel, I truly don’t believe she could ever disappoint me with one of her books!!
Profile Image for Dee Geeky Family.
39 reviews
November 4, 2015
I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories. Although the description hardly touches the main storyline it gives you that immediate feeling of "this is going to be fun!". The hidden world of monsters is in trouble and they need help. This light hearted book series, which is a complete and finished series, has a way of getting to you. The monsters become humane and at some point tears are involved. Anyone with a weakness for the underdogs should read this.
Profile Image for Relina Skye.
AuthorÌý10 books46 followers
August 31, 2015
"What Zoey Doesn't Know" is a Monster Haven Short Story by R. L. Naquin. Maurice the closet monster likes to keep himself busy. He schedules in time for both cooking and cleaning. But when a certain pooka warns him about a virus that's effecting Zoey's neighbors, he does everything in his power to help them. Overall, I thought it was a really cute story. Maurice is a very busy monster indeed.
Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,246 reviews159 followers
September 10, 2016
Maurice takes the spotlight in this short, and boy is his day exhausting. This was cute and quick, I like this series and I like the fact that the author rewards her fans with these little nibbles to hold us over between books.
Profile Image for Laurel.
550 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2014
Just a normal day in the life of Maurice. I love this world.
Profile Image for Gytha.
10 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2014
I love the monster haven series and read each new book. I'm just amazed more people don't! Great characters,exciting storylines and wonderful humor, what's not to like?
Profile Image for Kat Klein.
940 reviews26 followers
August 20, 2024
A cute little short told from Maurice's PoV. He's a busy boy!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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