On Your Radar: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (44)

Title: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel

Author: Fleur Bradley

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Ghost Hunting

* Unique Invitation

* Haunted Hotel

* Friendship

* Secrets

 * Fun Librarian

* Family

* Murder

* The hotel's Library

* Murder Mystery Weekend

* Detectives

** ACR sent for review 

Library Recommendation: An excellent choice for your middle grade mystery section - both for school and public libraries.

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Great Shelby Holmes

John Watson, an Army brat moves into a new building where he meets Shelby Holmes. At first he isn't too sure about her, but right now she's the only person he knows. He asks to tag along on her walk with her dog.

They run into a school mate of Shelby's who is devastated because her dog has gone missing. Shelby takes the case and allows John to tag along. Can they solve the case?

My Thoughts: Honestly, the name and the cover sold me on this book (not to mention the author.) I was pleasantly surprised when I realized the narrator wasn't Shelby Holmes, but John Watson. I loved seeing the neighborhood through his eyes when he walked with Shelby. I loved his initial meeting with Shelby and how she grew on him. They make an unlikely pair, but they're refreshing. I enjoyed the case and meeting the family. I like John's mother and how she isn't sure that Shelby is the best person for John to befriend. I liked her backstory too. Plus the illustrations are charming. I can't wait to read more about this pair.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Perfect for both middle school and public libraries - highly recommended. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Friday Barnes Girl Detective

 * First in a new series *

Friday Barnes goes through life unnoticed by most people - and she's quite good at it. When she helps her uncle solve a bank robbery regarding a diamond theft, she uses the reward money for tuition at a private boarding school.

Once there, she discovers that her detectives skills could keep her in pocket money. Her skills help her solve the mysterious Yeti in the swamp, missing homework, and how to win in a fight. But are her skills enough to allow her a comfortable semester or will her nemesis play enough pranks on her to make her want to leave the school?

My Thoughts: I really liked the start of this series. Friday is wicked smart, determined, and doesn't hold back. I love that she became friends with her roommate, who is also entertaining. Friday reminds me greatly of Sherlock Holmes - intelligence and deduces using observation and logic. The mysteries were fun. That cliffhanger ending will leave readers NEEDING the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Art Inside: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Recommended for libraries in need of more mysteries with smart female characters.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Tiara on the Terrace

 *Book 2 in the Young and Yang series *

Sophie and Grace are helping out at the 125th annual Winter Sun Festival - a town tradition. Sophie's a little worried that Grace is over their big adventure and maybe her interests are turning. On the first day of preparations, the festival president turns up murdered.

Young and Yang are back on the case, only the death is ruled as an accident. These two aren't fooled and with the help of Trista, they realize they might be the ones interested in solving the murder.

In order to have access to all the suspects, the three friends volunteer as pages for the Royal Court. Sophie isn't thrilled with the idea, but even she admits that it's for a good cause.

As more people connected with the festival have accidents, including the three of them, Sophie and Grace are convinced that someone means business and these accidents were planned. Can they figure out who is behind everything before it's too late?

My Thoughts: I really love this duo -they're smart, determined, and quick on their feet. I liked seeing the behind the scenes of the royal court with learning decorum, photo opportunities, and making themselves beautiful for their big moment. I liked how the older girls bonded with the three friends, despite the forced bonding activities. I'm not a fan of forced bonding, but I really liked how these girls came together. 

I love Trista. She's terrible at spying but she's crazy smart.

I love how everything happens in the span of a few days, it heightened the tension for me.

I like how friendships are tested and the younger girls make mistakes in order to appear popular, but that they realize their mistakes. 

I like the almost romance plot.

Cover Thoughts: Love the action of this cover
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: A great middle grade mystery! I hope to see much more of Young and Yang in the future. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Curious Cat Spy Club

Kelsey's out running an errand for her father when she helps a classmate out with a runaway animal.The errand is now out of her control, but she meets her classmate Becca.  As they walk down an alley, they uncover three abandoned kittens.

With the help of a boy, they rescue the kittens and form a club. The first order of business is find a place for the kittens. The second order is to figure out who left the kittens in the dumpster in the first place.

Kelsey and her new friend realize that a number of pets are missing in the neighborhood. Could this have anything to do with the abandoned kittens? Can the three friends work together to find the missing animals?

My Thoughts:  This is a fun start to a new mystery series featuring three tweens. Becca has a group of friends, but Kelsey and Leo do not. I love that they come together because of their interest in animals and because they want to help people. I love how they annoy each other, but also how they learn to see past it. I love that Leo is super logical, Kelsey likes to plan, and Becca tries to keep peace between the two of them. I love Kelsey's spy pack and can't wait to see the club use it more in the upcoming books.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A great new start to a charming fun series featuring friendship and animals.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Capture the Flag

Three teens find themselves at a party with their parents at the Smithsonian. One amuses himself with a video game, one with a Harry Potter book, and one tries to interview some of the more important guests at the party.

The next day they all find themselves in the airport - each heading for Vermont. A blizzard hits, trapping them in the airport with all flights delayed.

Then the news hits - the flag that inspired "The Star Spangle Banner" has been stolen. It happened either during the party or just afterwards. Anna has a crazy idea that the flag just might be stuck in the airport with them. She convinces the two boys to help her look around the airport. Will they be able to uncover something that the police have missed?

My Thoughts: Half National Treasure - half Die Hard 2 - this awesome book happens in the course of 24 hours - complete with humor, mystery, action, and plenty of danger. I'm intrigued by the secret society and can't wait to see how that develops more in future books. 

I loved how the teens escaped into the off limits area of the airport, the baggage area was my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed Jose's love for Harry Potter and how he carried the books around with him. I liked how Anna wasn't afraid to ask questions, trying to get an interview. I like how Henry used his video game knowledge in real life. I loved how the teens were strangers in the beginning, but how the day pulled them together as friends. Sinan and his dog, Hammurabi added comic relief.  I wasn't surprised by the ending, but I enjoyed watching the trio uncover evidence. 

Cover Thoughts: Love It!
Source: ILL
Up Next: Hide and Seek - out in April