Middle Grade Review: The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society

 

Merrick is now homeschooled. Her grandmother had to move in with her and her mother after the medical bills became too high. There wasn't enough money left over for Merrick's private school. Now she facetimes with her friends but misses them. She never thought she's miss wearing a uniform and going to school, but she does. Her school is in the staff area of her mother's bookstore.

One afternoon, an ice storm hits. The weather turns bad quickly. There's a fender bender between Merrick's Grandmother and her friends. Everyone hurries into the bookstore where they discover a man with his face in a cake - dead. 

The bookstore is connected to an Inn - which gives everyone a place to stay to weather out the storm. But it also means that Merrick and her friends are stuck with a killer on the loose - or so they think. They decide to form a club and sus out the murderer. Merrick's Grandmother overhears them and becomes part of the club. Can they solve the death?

My Thoughts: I'm so happy that this is the start of a new series. I loved this book. I really enjoyed the moments between Merrick and her grandmother. They were sweet.  I loved the group of friends. They all have their strengths and quirks. I loved how the club formed. I loved that they had a notebook for all their clues and would update it. I loved the methodical way they investigated and how different detectives were mentioned along the way. I enjoyed the setting of the inn and the different themed rooms. I loved how this took place in 24 hours because of the storm. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A must have mystery for your school and public library collections

Hand this to readers who love The Sherlock Society

Middle Grade Review: House with No Keys

* Book 2 in the Delta Games series *

Sarah and her two best friends are excited to test out the new escape room; it's supposed to be very hard. It's challenging, but they do beat it - barely. They leave a good review and that's when everything goes sideways.

The creator of the room is opening an Escape Room in their town. It's going to compete with the escape room they work at. And worse, they are using the Delta's positive review as advertising. The three friends are dumbfounded. They are invited to play the first game. 

Can they escape the house on time? Will they sort out this misunderstanding?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - it develops the friendship and relationships. The games are clever and entertaining to read. I wanted to wrap these three in a hug; they were so naive. No one should be taking advantage of them like this. I did enjoy how everything worked out. While I've never been to an escape room, this book makes them see so fun (and challenging). I can't wait to see what happens next! 

Cover Thoughts: Clever

Why I Read this Book: I loved the first book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public and school library's collection

Middle Grade Monday: Mystery of the Locked Rooms

Sarah and her two best friends love escape rooms. When Sarah spots a foreclosure notice on her front door, she knows everything will change. Her father has a chronic health condition and her mother's working as much as she can, but it's not enough.

West, Hannah, and Sarah remember hearing about a treasure in an old, abandoned funhouse. They decide to risk the danger and see if the treasure is real. It could be the answer to Sarah's problems. She really doesn't want to have to move and lose her friends.

Together, they find the hidden passageway inside. The first room leads them to another room in such a way that there's no way backwards. They can only move forwards. Their phones don't work and the rooms don't have much light. Can the three friends who love escape room find their way through the funhouse?  

My Thoughts: This was a super run read: lots of puzzles to figure out. I've never been to an escape room, although I've helped build a couple for my library. Reading about these rooms was really neat. I'm impressed with how Sarah, West, and Hannah did. I loved how they worked together to solve the puzzles. I love how they used their strengths and how they dealt with their weaknesses. I liked the story of the triplets and how they came together to create the funhouse. The book takes place mostly in one day. I loved all the action and the danger from the funhouse rooms. 

And even better, there's a sequel! I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade book for your school and public library collection