You’ve heard of the Rescue Rangers. Now meet the Mouse Watch.

The Mouse Watch is a series of books written by J.J. Gilbert that takes place in the same universe as Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers. Gadget Hackwrench started the Mouse Watch after her Rescue Rangers years. With the Mouse Watch, Gadget is really able to extend her inventions and skills to her fullest potential. Although Gadget is the leader of the Mouse Watch, the real stars of the book series are Bernie Skampersky and Jarvis Slinktail. They are two new Level One recruits who just saved the world on their first day on the job. You can read all about that mission in the first Mouse Watch book that was released last November. You can read our The Mouse Watch Review here.

The second installment in the book series is titled The Mouse Watch Underwater, and the book’s release date is May 4th, 2021. Disney Press Publishing sent us an advanced copy for a review.

Let’s dive deep into our The Mouse Watch Underwater Review. Did you see what I did there?

The book cover features Bernie Skampersky and Jarvis Slinktail scuba diving above a great white shark which is an homage to Jaws. The main focal color of The Mouse Watch Underwater cover is blue, and the first book’s cover was yellow. This will eventually lead to a colorful book shelf when you have the series lined up on the shelf.

The book’s length is 240 pages. The reading age is 8-12. I am way above that reading age, but I fall into the demographic of obsessed Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers fan. I was drawn into the series because of the story being in the same universe of the Rescue Rangers, but the new characters are so fun and interesting that the Rescue Rangers cameos were the icing on an already great cake. I love cake!

I am not going to go into full spoiler mode, but let me set up some of the details of the plot of The Mouse Watch Underwater. Six months has passed since Bernie and Jarvis joined the Mouse Watch and saved the world on their first mission. This is pretty perfect timing since this book is being released six months after the first book. Our mouse and rat hero are now enrolled in basic training even though they have already had their very successful mission. They are considered Level One Mouse Watch agents, and like most people in their situation they are dreaming of being promoted.

A big mission comes up that will involve all of the agents above Level One which leaves Bernie and Jarvis behind. Gadget does not leave them alone though. Chip and Dale are assigned to watch over Level One.

Let’s pause things right there for a second. Chip and Dale were name dropped as cameos in the first book, but now they are actually in multiple chapters and have dialog. This is so freaking amazing! Maybe Monterey Jack and Zipper will have a role in book 3?

Ok un-pause….

Bernie, Jarvis, Chip, and Dale arrive near the docks for an assignment to help organize an old battleship from World War II. One of Jarvis’ biggest fears is drowning from a childhood incident so he is very thankful that he doesn’t have to actually go in the water. It is a good thing that he did not see the cover of this book or the title. A closed circuit radio that was not thought to be working plays a transmission from the S.S. Moon. The S.S. Moon was a long lost spy sub from the Cold War. Aboard the ship is a powerful energy source generator called the Milk Saucer that could save or destroy the planet if it falls into the wrong hands. The R.A.T.S evil organization may have intercepted the broadcast so it is up to Bernie and Jarvis to retrieve the Milk Saucer in 48 hours or the planet is doomed. Chip and Dale do not tag along on the mission.

The R.A.T.S. were the main antagonists in the first book. The villain was Dr. Thornpaw, and he was a really great villain that you love to hate. The evil R.A.T.S. member in this book who is assigned with hunting down Bernie and Jarvis is named Abiatha Squint. Abiatha is not on the same iconic evil scale level as Dr. Thornpaw, but she is pretty deranged on another level. Because of Wandavision’s “Agatha all along” jingle, I would internally sing “Abiatha all along” whenever her name was mentioned. Don’t judge me.

The main antagonists of this book are all of the creatures that live in the dangerous underwater…Great White Sharks, Krakens, Electric Eels, Baracudas, and Cats. Yes, that is right, I said cats. They live underwater in the city of Catlantis.

You are going to have to read the book to find out what happens.

Final Thoughts

J.J. Gilbert does a great job of continuing the story of Bernie and Jarvis’ journey as Mouse Watch agents. I have been excited to read this chapter in the Mouse Watch saga ever since I finished reading the first book in the series. Underwater is a place that you would definitely not expect to find mice, rats, or cats. I love that stories in these books exist in the same universe as Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers. Each reference of Gadget Hackwrench or Chip and Dale’s expanded role in the series made me goofy smile. Although not mentioned, I imagine Fat Cat would own and run a casino in Catlantis. Bernie probably listens to the MouseTalks podcast. I can’t wait for The Mouse Watch Book 3, and I would definitely be interested in a Disney+ series based on these books. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Where to Buy?

Order: The Mouse Watch

Preorder: The Mouse Watch Underwater

Preorder: The Mouse Watch in Space (11/2/21)

*By purchasing from Amazon.com through our affiliate link above you are supporting DuckTalks at no additional cost to yourself!