I try really hard to not rate things under a 3.  Writing is hard, and someone has put in work and time and parts of themselves to create something.  This is only the third book to dip under that.  And the first I actually can solidly pinpoint why it got that rating for me.  Others may go into this book wanting what I wanted.

This book sounded amazing. Cover is awesome. Title is awesome. Looked forward to some nostalgia with a twist.

I did not get what I had hoped.  What came to mind was- "former Disney kid".  You know when someone grows up and leaves Disney Channel, and they try really hard to shake that association? Sometimes try WAY too hard, and it's a bit weird and uncomfortable? 

If it wasn't such a blatant attempt at grown-up Scooby-Doo (which I was all for!), maybe it wouldn't have seemed so weird.  There were aspects of the structure and convoluted plot/ending that weren't great.  But the expectations set by the association made those flaws stand out more.