When Victoria and Ozzy’s mom, the famous child behavioralist Anna Gray, leaves without a word, Victoria can’t help but think it’s all her fault. So, Victoria commits herself to being perfect in the hope that her excellent behavior will win her mother back. And Victoria knows the best way to show her mom just how good she’s become is to get into the extra-elite Wheaton Prep School. Then mom will have to return!

Victoria’s plan feels foolproof—until Mr. Grieves arrives. Donning a bowler hat and accompanied by a lock-picking capuchin monkey named Kevin, Mr. Grieves is anything but your usual babysitter. He has the most backward ideas about right and wrong, drives a van that’s anything but street legal, listens to music designed to make your ears bleed, and can convince anyone to do anything in the blink of an eye. And before she knows what’s happening, Victoria and her younger brother, Ozzy, have stolen a priceless Egyptian artifact, barely survived a high-speed police chase, joined a killer biker gang, and waged an epic pillow fight for their lives. 

Part Lemony Snicket, part Adventures in Babysitting, and all sorts of fun, Mr. Grieves and the Grievous Deeds is the debut novel from the writer behind the hit Ryan Reynolds movie Free Guy, screenwriter Matt Lieberman.