Book Review - The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber is about a young girl, Weatherby, who wants to learn more about her father. Weatherby loves sailing and spending her time on the water. When she and her neighbor win the local sailing regatta, she is ecstatic. Especially when the head of the prestigious Boston School approaches her with a scholarship to attend. Weatherby is beyond happy to attend because it's the same school her dad attended. She hopes that she can learn more about her dad and his world because she never got to meet him before. However, Weatherby has a secret that she knows will ruin everything if it gets out. She is desperate to keep it hidden from everyone.

Jack and his family come from a long line of wealth and privilege. His entire family has made their own distinctive mark at the Boston School. Jack is struggling to make his own impression at the school since he feels that he is mediocre at everything he does.  He desperately wants to prove to his distinguished father that he has value to the family. Like Weatherby, Jack also has a secret that he knows will ruin everything if revealed.

Both Jack and Weatherby are excited for the annual school trip to the school’s private island. However, when the money for the trip is missing, Jack and Weatherby are heartbroken. The pair gets tapped to an exclusive private secret society to help solve the mystery of the missing money. If they solve the mystery, they get to join and if they don’t, they risk making enemies of many rich and influential people. 

The young adult novel was a quick and entertaining read. I liked reading about how Weatherby and Jack put aside their differences and other peoples’ expectations of themselves to be better people. I was surprised that there wasn’t more drama between the different characters. The book had a few twists and turns but most were predictable. The book focused a lot on sailing and I do wish the mystery part started sooner. I would be open to reading the next book in the series.  

Book Review - A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly

 

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly is about a woman, Evelyne Redfern, who finds a dead body at her new job. In England 1940, Evelyne is famously known as the “The Parisian Orphan” because of the nasty divorce between her mother and her adventurer father that unfolded very publicly.  Evelyne wishes to leave her parents’ shadow and move on with her life.

She decides to take a job working on the line at a munitions factory to help out with the war efforts.  During the night, she and her friends at the local boarding house go out for a fun night out. There she crosses paths with one of her father’s old friends, Mr. Fletcher. 

Mr. Fletcher asks if she is interested in taking a new job as he remembers how clever and resourceful she was as a child. Evelyne is intrigued and decides to take him up on his offer. She wasn’t sure what to expect of the new job but now she is working as a secretary for the Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cabinet war rooms.  She feels that this job would have more of an impact with the war efforts than working in the factories as it would have a “more” direct impact.

As Evelyne tries to find her way around the underground bunker, she comes across a person she thinks is sleeping at the desk. When she goes closer to the person, she realizes the person is dead and it was someone she knew and worked with. Evelyne is determined to find the killer. She loves reading detective novels, and she believes that she can find the culprit, but her plan puts her directly in the path of David Poole. 

Evelyne doesn’t know much about David other than he is sketchy and always seems to turn up wherever she is. She hopes that they will stay out of each other’s way until she finds out that David has been tasked to find the mole that has been selling government secrets to Britain’s enemies. Evelyne feels that their missions are connected and begrudgingly agrees to team up with David. Will the pair be able to find out who is behind the murder? 

I thought the book was an interesting read but it wasn’t as enjoyable to me as I would have expected. It took me a bit of time to get into the author’s writing style. I found myself going back and rereading the same thing over again because I couldn’t grasp what the author was trying to communicate. There was also a large cast of people that it was difficult to keep everyone’s motive and story straight. It felt like tons of information was given about minor characters who didn’t really add anything to the story. Then at other times, I feel like we didn’t really get to know many of the characters other than their basic cursory backgrounds.

I felt at times the pacing was a bit off. The book was boring and plodded along slowly towards the middle and the ending came out of nowhere. It felt a bit unexpected on how the book ended but not unpredictable. I did find it odd that the only qualification that Evelyne had to solve the murder was that she was a fan of murder mystery novels. She had one job prior to being a secretary, and she had minimal office experience. I can understand her being considered clever but there weren't really any facts or reason to back that up. I didn’t like that the author made it seem that she knew more than other people because she was an amateur sleuth that liked murder mysteries. If you like cozy mystery reads, then this book might be enjoyable to you.  I would be open to read more books from the series but I wouldn’t go out of my way to find or read it.

Book Review - The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde

  

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde is about a young woman, Ife Adebola, who is trying to adjust to her new school. Ife knows she should be excited about starting at the prestigious Nithercott School. However, she misses her old friends and school. She felt like she used to belong at her old school but at her new school she feels like an outsider.

As her parents couldn’t afford the tuition on their own, she is placed in the Urban Achievers scholarship program. She feels that this makes her an outsider and she is determined to focus on her schoolwork. However, when another student, Malika, starts acting strange, Ife wonders if there is more going on at the school. She wonders if Malika’s new behavior is related to the disappearance of the older brother of her classmate.

I love horror and mystery books, so I was so excited to read this book. The cover had a lot of spooky vibes.  However, I had a hard time getting into the book. The writing didn’t flow very smoothly for me. It also felt forced and disjointed. I had a hard time liking Ife. She was struggling to make friends but, when someone was interested in being her friend, Ife just used her when it was convenient. For example, she was only interested in talking to one girl, Bee, because Ife wanted to use Bee’s phone. I felt that there were also a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of them all. It was a cumbersome process to remember how they all related to the plot. The book was so slow that nothing happened for more than half of the book. I stopped reading towards the midpoint as there wasn’t anything keeping me tethered to the novel.

 

Book Review: Twin Sisters Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's by Mary Knight

Twin Sisters Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's by Mary Knight is about two sisters, Maddie and Jo Livingston, who discover something is amiss at their new boarding school, Madame Molineaux's. The twelve year old twins have spent most of their lives traveling the world with their famous archaeologist parents. However, when their parents take on a new assignment in Siberia, they decide to leave the girls at a new boarding school in Switzerland. The girls are disappointed that they can’t join their parents but they are excited that their new school is in a castle.

The school is filled with students and professors from all over the world. Shortly after arriving at the school, the girls realize that the school is unlike anything they have ever seen. Not only are the residents interesting but the school is filled with secret tunnels, weird hybrid animals, and tapestries that are hidden under artwork. Maddie and Jo are excited to try and figure out all the mysteries the school contains while they wait for their parents to return.

I was excited to read the novel because I love mysteries. However, I was thoroughly disappointed at how boring and unnecessarily long the novel was. The book clocked in at a little under 450 pages but nothing happened for more than 400 pages. I was more than 95% done before I stopped reading the novel because we learned nothing after 400 pages other than something is happening but we don’t know what, who, or why.  There was nothing keeping me tethered to the novel to continue reading the last few pages. I am very surprised that this book was targeted towards middle school aged readers as it is a hefty read without any humor or engaging plot to keep young readers entertained. 

Book Review - The Spanish Diplomat's Secret by Nev March

 

The Spanish Diplomat's Secret  by Nev March is about a couple who set sail to England on a cruise ship and they witness a murder. In the summer of 1894, Captain Jim Agnihotri and his wife, Lady Diana Framji were going to England for a family visit. Jim is excited to spend some time with his wife as he feels that she has been distant lately.  He hopes that Diana will open up to him and they can repair their bond.

The first evening on the ship, Jim is feeling seasick. As Jim clings to the hand railing of the deck, he crosses paths with another traveler, Don Juan Nepomuceno. The passenger is a Spaniard and a fellow soldier. Jim feels a connection with him and spends a few minutes chatting with Don Juan. Within twenty four hours, Don Juan sent a note to Jim asking to speak with him privately. Before Jim can visit, it is discovered that Don Juan was brutally murdered.

When the ship’s captain learns that Jim is an investigator, he asks Jim to help find the killer before they dock in Liverpool. Jim has six days to find the person behind the crime otherwise the murder can lead to international consequences. Jim’s investigative skills are put to the test as he has to figure out who committed the murder in a locked cabin room and there are over a thousand passengers on board. There were no witnesses to the crime. And to make matters worse, Jim is experiencing seasickness and is struggling to find his sea legs. He doesn’t  want to put Diana in danger but he knows he can’t navigate the high society world of the first class passengers without her help.

When I first saw the book I didn’t realize it was a part of a series. It wasn’t clear to me until I looked up the book online. The book can be read as a standalone but I think certain references to Jim and Diane’s past would have made more sense if I read the previous books.

I was excited to read the book but disappointed at how slow and drawn out the story was. Pages upon pages would go by and nothing new would happen. The mastermind and motive was very obvious but a so-called detective couldn’t see it until the very end. I also didn’t like that the book had so many political details.  I found that it  took away from the story. I did like the historic details about the ship and passengers, though. I felt that I might have enjoyed this book if it was shorter and I got to learn more about the characters, i.e. if I had more details of them from previous books.

Book Review - The Swallowtail Legacy 2: Betrayal by the Book by Michael D. Beil

 

Betrayal By the Book by Michael D. Beil is about a young girl who tries to solve a murder. Twelve year old Lark is excited about the upcoming writer’s conference. For a week, Swallowtail Island hosts the Swallowtales Writers Conference that brings writers, publishers, agents, and fellow book lovers together for exclusive book related content.

Lark is ecstatic when she is assigned to be a page for her favorite author, Ann E. Keyhart. Lark  has devoured and re-read Ann’s book several times and Lark considers the book to be one of her favorites. Ann arrives on the island after agreeing at the last minute to do the conference. She brings her bubbly assistant, Didi, with her. However, Lark quickly learns what the saying means about never meeting your idols.

Lark tries to do her job as a page for Ann professionally but Lark can see why many people don’t like her. Ann is pushy, aggressive, and mean to everyone and always needs to get her way. Thus when Didi needs help finding a place on the island, Lark jumps at the chance to help Didi, while Ann gets ready to attend the conference. At least this way, Lark can get a small break from the author.

Didi takes Lark to a special place on the island where Didi decided she wanted to be a writer. The duo bond before Lark takes off to prepare for the conference. Later in the day, Lark is devastated to learn that Didi ends up dead. When the cause of her death is disclosed, Lark feels like something doesn’t add up.

Lark feels that someone else might have been the target instead. As Lark digs deeper into the case, a few things stand out to her, like Ann has tons of enemies and Didi’s computer vanishes from the hotel suite she was staying in. She also finds out that Didi had a glass bird that is very similar to the one Lark’s late mother had. Will Lark be able to figure out what happened to Didi?

This middle grade level book is the second in the series and can be read as a standalone. There is a wider mystery that connects the two books in the series, though. I found the book to be an entertaining read and it was fun trying to guess who was behind the murder and their motive. It was a bit predictable but I enjoyed reading along with Lark and her adventures.

However, the one thing I didn’t like was that the entire book had a lot of coincidences. For example, it just so happens the person that Lark was searching for was in the right area at the right time. Then Didi’s roommate, Suzy, just so happened to performing in the same location that Didi was. It would be fun if it happens once or so but, it was just too many coincidences for it to be realistic. If you liked the first book, then you would enjoy the next book in the series.

Book Review - City of the Dead by James Ponti

  

 

City of the Dead by James Ponti is the fourth book in the City Spies series. The City Spies are a group of young spies that solve mysteries all over the world. In the latest installment, the spies head to Egypt in order to investigate an unknown person hacking into the computers of the British’s government and holding their data ransom.

Each child in the group takes turns acting as the Alpha during a mission. This allows them to test and hone their respective special ability. Kat (codename Kathmandu) is the Alpha for this book/mission. She loves logic and order, and prime numbers hold a special place in her heart. Kat’s special ability is being able to spot patterns in things that look completely random.

Kat and the team were requested by British Intelligence to test the security of the British Museum. The group thought it was a random mission until a string of cyber-attacks threatened to cripple the British government. As the team tries to solve puzzles and hidden messages left behind from the cyberattacks, they find a link between these attacks, Egypt, and the museum.

The team receives a decrypted message that hints that the person behind the hacks is located in Egypt. They follow the leads but something isn’t adding up. There is another layer to the mystery behind the attacks – Will the team be able to figure it out before it’s too late?

I read the first book in the series but not the second and third. I was able to follow along with most of the story, even with this being the fourth in the series. However, I feel that the books should be read in order because there is a larger mystery that is covered between the books and each book gives more clues to it. The book is packed with action, twists, and sprinkled with humor. I liked reading how each character brought their own unique ability and skill set to the table, and how they were open with each other about their own insecurities. I also liked that the author included a dossier on each character giving more details about their background and skill sets.

I liked that each book takes place in a different country and that the author includes tidbits of the culture. It was interesting to read about Egypt’s food, culture, and the pyramids.  The book is great for young readers who are interested in spy stories and love learning about new heritages. It also teaches young readers the importance of family, believing in yourself, and being a team player.

 

Book Review - Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon

 

Emerson, Massachusetts is a small suburb town. It's a quiet place where people keep to themselves and follow the rules. When a young women is found dead in the posh part of town, the residents put their guards up and will stop at nothing to protect their own.

When Eden Perry is found dead, investigators feel that the three teenagers she was partying with that night is hiding something. Jack is the son of a prominent lawyer and is from a well liked family. Hannah, Jack's girlfriend, is shy and sweet. Christopher is a newcomer and desperate to fit in with the group. Their parents are desperate to protect them from the investigation and start to complicate matters when they try to push the blame on someone else.

The book started off interesting and then became boring. The book would progress with nothing being added to the story. The story was told from multiple point of views and at first, it was interesting but, then it felt like filler as, none of them actually really knew what happened that night. One of the characters had no purpose and I am not sure why they were included in the story and I had no reaction to their demise other than thinking it was entire pointless. All of the characters were unlikable and frustrating. The ending was disappointing and left me feeling unsettled. I am not sure that I would read another book by the author.

Book Review - Rockstars: The Complete Series by Joe Harris

 

Jackie Mayer is die hard rock fan but, he has a secret ability. He is able to connect the music industry with secrets and mysteries. He knows that people who chase fame and fortune, like musicians, are easy targets for dark forces.

A decades old murder is familiar to the recent string of murders that are occurring. No one else seems to notice the pattern but, Jackie. He is determined to solve the mystery behind the murders before another body drops.

I was excited to read the graphic novel but, I abandoned it half way through. The graphic novel was incredibly boring and the story was confusing to follow. I thought if I read more that the story would start to make more sense but, it doesn't. Characters appear and disappear without any real explanation. The story had so much potential but failed execution wise.

Book Review - I Walk With Monsters: The Complete Series by Paul Cornell

 

Jacey is searching for her brother. Years ago, an "important man" took her brother away from her and that was the last she had seen of both of them until recently. 

Jacey and her friend, David, work together to find people who prey and hurt the weak and vulnerable. David is able to transform and control a terrifying blood lust monster.  When Jacey recognizes the "important man", she and David decide to see if they can find her brother.

The artwork was amazing and brilliantly done. The story started off strong and interesting but then fell apart. The story would switch back and forth between the present and the past without any clear indication. The story was vague and confusing when explaining Jacey's past, David's ability, and why the "important man" was. I felt like the story needed to be fleshed out a bit more and not jump around from past and present so often.

Book Review - A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie

 

 

 

The book is a collection of Agatha's short stories focusing on the theme of love. This was my first time reading one of her works. I can see why many of her characters and stories are beloved by fans. A few of the stories stumped me but, I was able to guess the culprit behind a few of the stories. Even though the stories were short, they were well fleshed out. There were a few stories that I found the text a bit hard to follow along with because of the dated terms and language the characters used. Overall, it was a clever collection for new fans and old.

 

Book Review - The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

 

Agatha Christie goes missing on a gloomy day in December 1926. Police finds her abandoned car at the edge of a dark pond that has it's own sinister origins. The only clues the police were able to find was some nearby tire tracks and a fur coat left behind during a frigid night. Her husband, Archie, and her daughter has no idea where Agatha might be. A unprecedented manhunt ensues to find the budding author. Eleven days later, Agatha reappears and claims that she has amnesia and provides no explanation for her absence.

This was my second book reading about Agatha's disappearance.  Compared to the other novel, this one felt lackluster. Majority of the book is spent with Archie under the police's scrutiny. The other half we get to read about Agatha's and Archie's budding romance and then it's slow decline. There were barely any details given about anything. I felt like the entire book was just a fluffy piece and then "mystery" behind her disappearance was very predictable. I wish the author devoted some pages giving additional context to the complicated and beloved Agatha Christie's life.

Book Review - Nothing Is Little by Carmella Van Vleet + Giveaway

 

Felix is a eleven year old who is the smallest kid in school. He likes being the smallest child because he knows where he fits in. He has a growth hormone deficiency but, he doesn't let it bother him. He has been doing so well in his forensic science club that his friends call him "Shortlock Holmes".

When Felix learns that his biological dad was short, it opens up a hole in his life. He starts to wonder more about his father and who he was. He decides that he would use the skills he learned in forensic class to find his father.

I thought the book was a cute and heart warming book. The book was well written with developed characters. I felt for Felix when he was trying to find his father and he kept hitting dead end after dead end. I loved reading the quips and conversations between Felix and his family and his inner thoughts about Boo. I also liked reading the interesting facts about the forensics club and I wish I had something like that when I was in school. Lastly, I think the author did a great job with Felix and the way he dealt with his condition. It gave readers an understanding of the condition that they might not know about.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

About The Book:

Title: NOTHING IS LITTLE

Author: Carmella Van Vleet

Pub. Date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail.

Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school.
 
At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, “Short-lock Holmes,” is perfect for someone who’s killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal.
 
And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, “To a great mind, nothing is little.” 

The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn’t want to be found? And what if Felix’s family—his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way—needs him right where he is?
 
Tender and uplifting, this warm novel from Christopher Award–winner Carmella Van Vleet celebrates little differences in us that can make a big impact.
 
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Reviews:

"A captivating, humorous, and heartfelt story of friendship, family, and crime-solving."—Kirkus Reviews

"A fresh and funny read that sells itself, and it demonstrates that there is more than one way to grow."—Booklist

"The story keeps a steady pace as it ­alternates between school and home, ­giving a firsthand account of what it's like to be young and faced with decisions that are difficult to navigate. ­Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet's title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who's ever been made to feel small will benefit from ­hearing ­Felix's story."—School Library Journal

"Nothing Is Little offers powerful proof that little things can matter in a great big way. What a beautiful book! The most huge-hearted and heartwarming story you'll read this year."—Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

"Smart, funny, and memorable. You can’t help but love Felix! He has big goals and a great big heart, and he’ll live large in your memory long after the final page is turned."—Margi Preus, Newbery Honor–winning author

 

 

About Carmella Van Vleet:

Carmella Van Vleet is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous books for children, including To the Stars!, which was co-authored by astronaut Kathy Sullivan and named to the Amelia Bloomer list. Her debut children's novel, Eliza Bing Is (NOT) a Big, Fat Quitter, received the Christopher Award and was named to four state award master lists. Just like Eliza, Carmella loves tae kwon do—she has earned her black belt! She lives in Ohio and can be found online at carmellavanvleet.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of NOTHING IS LITTLE, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/11/2022	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/11/2022	Yabookscentral	Excerpt
7/12/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
7/12/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
7/13/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
7/13/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
7/14/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/14/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
7/15/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
7/15/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/18/2022	hodophile_z	IG Review
7/18/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
7/19/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
7/19/2022	Little Red Reads	Review
7/20/2022	Write. Read. Live.	Review/IG Post
7/20/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
7/21/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
7/21/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
7/22/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
7/22/2022	Nerdophiles	Review

Book Review - Broken Harbor (Dublin Murder Squad, #4) by Tana French

Mick Kennedy is the star detective on the Dublin Murder Squad. He is known for playing by the books and for being reliable. When the gruesome homicide occurs, Mick is the man for the case.

Patrick Spain and his two young children have been murdered and his wife, Jenny, is the sole survivor. Mick thinks at first the case will be an easy solve but, there are little things that can't be explained away. The neighborhood also hold dark memories for Mick and his family. Will Mick be able to put his old memories aside and solve the case?

I had such high hopes for this novel instead, it was a lackluster and boring novel. The novel was long winded and had too many pointless details. The plot itself was unbelievable and left me with more questions than answers. I wasn't sure why Mick's sister, Dina, was even mentioned in the story. Her character was annoying and grating on the nerves. If you are looking for a thrill, I would look elsewhere.

Book Review - Watch Her (Hester Thursby Mystery #3) by Edwin Hill

 

 

Angela White and her friend, Hester Thursby attends a prestigious gala at Prescott University to celebrate the new lavish campus. During the gala, they are called to the house of the college's owners, Tucker and Jennifer Matson, because there was a break-in. Jennifer claims that someone broke into their home. As Angela and Hester investigate, they realize that Jennifer might be lying about the break-in.   However, they are still curious why Jennifer would lie about the incident.

Hester is asked by Maxine, the general manager of the college, to locate some missing alumni. As Hester begins to dig into the project she notices a strange pattern between the students. The case becomes more urgent when one of the missing students turns up dead. As Hester and Angela delve deeper into the case, they unearth decade old secrets that someone wants to stay buried.

This was my first book of the series. I felt like readers could read this book as a standalone but, I felt like I was missing some nuances between the characters. I thought the book moved at a very slow pace for my liking. Most of the action happened in the last 75 pages and the first few hundred pages were just filler. I am not entirely sure the plot is completely believable either. I had a hard time liking any of the characters and didn't get some of the side stories between Hester and her partner, Morgan. That whole relationship was confusing for me and I am guessing it's because I didn't read the first two books. This book would be a good read for fans of the series or people who like cozy mystery reads.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn

Photo Credit - Amazon

Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England. She is shy but, has an adventurous and imaginative streak. After her beloved father passed away, Aggie hasn't been able to do much. Until she crosses path with a young twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant named Hector Perot. When a dead body was discovered in her dance studio, Aggie and Hector join forces to help solve the crime. The pool of suspects is growing larger and the murder is threatening to tear the town apart. The duo will need to use their deductive skills and their curiosity to help solve the crime before Aggie's beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie believes she didn't commit.

The book was a cute read for children who love mystery and suspenseful novels. The plot twists and secrets were all very predictable and I was able to guess all of them before they happened. However, I am a grown adult and children would probably enjoy putting clues together to solve the mystery on their own. This novel is perfect for young readers who enjoy mystery novels.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The highly opinionated Moxie McCoy has the biggest challenge of the century! Someone kidnapped their beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl and Moxie is on the case. However, Moxie has to fly solo on this case because her crime-solving best friend has moved away.  As Moxie interviews her classmates as possible suspects and potential best friends, she discovers a few new things about the people in her life. Will Moxie be able the solve the disappearance of Eddie?

The book was a cute read with fun illustrations. I love the relationship between Moxie and her brother, Milton.  The mystery behind Eddie's disappearance was an emotional rollercoaster as Moxie tried to figure out who the culprit was. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Title: THE REAL MCCOYS (The Real McCoys #1)

Author: Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Imprint

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Her name's Moxie. Moxie McCoy.

Bold, opinionated, and haplessly self-confident, the world's greatest fourth-grade detective faces her biggest challenge! When someone kidnaps beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl, Moxie is on the case--but she's forced to fly solo now that her best friend (and crime-solving partner) has moved away.

Moxie must interview her classmates--both as potential new best friends and as possible suspects. She finds clues and points fingers but can't save the owl on her own. Enter Moxie's little brother, Milton. Quiet, cautious, and boring as a butter knife, he's a good listener.

Can the Real McCoys form an unlikely alliance and solve the crime of the century?

"A marvelous standalone sequel that will inspire random acts of kindness." —School Library Journal, starred review

"An outstanding, truly unique reading experience." —Booklist

Praise for The Real McCoys:

"Readers will breeze through this ingenious combination of text and art, eager for Moxie and Milton’s next case." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Swanson’s witty text is enhanced exponentially by Behr’s bold, original artwork to create a uniquely told whodunit with wide appeal ... An exceptional book." —Booklist, starred review

"Delightfully topsy-turvy...readers will hope to see more of both siblings soon." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An exceptional middle-grade read packed with giggles for young sleuths who love to explore a little off the beaten path." —Kirkus Reviews

“An ingenious new series…an innovative reading experience that surprises and delights. Wordplay, witty descriptions and visual jokes abound.” —The Washington Post

"Swanson and Behr have created a gem with this hilarious elementary-level read with graphic novel tendencies." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This clever, funny, delightful book is just what this crazy world needs. The surprising and inventive interaction between text and illustration shows that two brains are, indeed, better than one--especially when they belong to Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr." —Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ada Twist Scientist

A Junior Library Guild Selection

 

 

About Robbi & Matthew: 

WE ARE MATTHEW SWANSON AND ROBBI BEHR—

A WRITER/ILLUSTRATOR, HUSBAND/WIFE, TASKMASTER/LOAFER DUO

WE LIVE AND WORK AND MAKE STUFF TOGETHER IN THE HAYLOFT OF AN OLD BARN ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.

Combining Robbi’s illustrations and Matthew’s words, we run two small presses— Idiots’Books (illustrated picture books for adults) and Bobbledy Books, (a picture book and music club for kids). Together, we have published more than 60 volumes, including titles with Macmillan, Chronicle Books and LB Kids. We speak, teach, and run workshops on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship (with appearances at TEDx, Mom 2.0,Alt Summit, and ICON7). And we blog about our ongoing adventures in creative mishap.

Website

ROBBI BEHR

is an illustrator/print maker/commercial salmon fisherwoman who earned a BA from Williams College and an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. When she is not drawing stuff or eating ice cream or watching sappy late-90s chick movies, she is, in all likelihood, fast asleep.

FOLLOW ROBBI:

 Twitter | Facebbok | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

MATTHEW SWANSON

is a writer/art director/blues harmonica player who has so far failed in every attempt to be swashbuckling. He managed to secure a BA from Williams but was summarily rejected from every MFA program to which he applied—thus emboldening Robbi to remind him almost daily that he is a master of nothing.

FOLLOW MATTHEW:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE REAL MCCOYS SERIES, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21016/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/4/2019	Lifestyle Of Me	Review
11/4/2019	Life Within The Pages	Review
11/5/2019	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
11/5/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
11/6/2019	Here's to Happy Endings	Review
11/6/2019	Bookhounds YA	Excerpt
11/7/2019	Inspired by Savannah	Review
11/7/2019	A Gingerly Review	Review
11/8/2019	A Dream Within A Dream	Review
11/8/2019	Little Red Reads	Review

Week Two:

11/11/2019	Reading Is My SuperPower	Review
11/11/2019	Hurn Publications	Review
11/12/2019	DWantsToRead	Review
11/12/2019	Jypsylynn	Review
11/13/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/13/2019	Wonder Struck	Review
11/14/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/14/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review
11/15/2019	Two points of interest	Review
11/15/2019	BookishRealmReviews	Review