The troll in this volume is not nearly as cute as the previous Tackleford mysteries, the wendigo Archibald and the cheroonear. This mystery, however, nicely explores the trials and tribulations of young love -- most especially the difficulty in spending enough time both with one's friends and one's new love interest. 
 Also, John Allison writes the wittiest, snappiest dialogue. I can't stop talking like his characters for a few hours after I read his stuff (and simultaneously wishing that everyone in the world was a clever, saucy, slightly defiant Brit).