Review: The Hidden Staircase

The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nancy sticks her nose in everyone's business and saves the day, round 2. Once again, she's with her friend Helen Corning, with no sign of George and Bess. Helen is a good friend, and up for most anything, but really is there to serve as a plot device to showcase Nancy how brave and clever Nancy is at every turn.

Helen's great grandmother's old mansion is haunted, naturally, as all good old mansions are. Nancy and Helen go to stay with her and Helen's mother, catch the ghost, and solve the mystery. But wait, Nancy's amazing father, Carson Drew, is wrapped up in a land dispute and is in grave danger. You better believe both cases are connected, friends. Of course they are, and Nancy is there to solve them both, find the hidden staircase, and save the day (and her father). Nancy stays clever, kind, and beautiful as always, and we are on to book 3. Three crime-solving stars.



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Review: The Secret of The Old Clock

The Secret of The Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

 
Where it all began. Nancy sticks her nose in everyone's business and saves the day. Spoiler, the rest of the series is going to follow this formula.

Nancy almost runs over a young girl, chases down some robbers, and gets involved with a missing will. I'm going to give you three guesses where it's hidden, guys, and the first two don't count. She gets captured, breaks out, nearly gets captured again, and saves the day. Did we expect anything else?We don't get any Bess & George, but don't worry, they are coming soon. Plenty of Carson Drew, father of the year, and Hannah Gruen, the best surrogate mother around.

These books are silly but I loved them growing up. I review them all so you don't have to. You're welcome.


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Review: The Secret of Red Gate Farm

The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nancy, Bess, and George save the day again (well, mostly Nancy). This time, they help a virtual stranger save their farm. Do you know three more "do-gooder" girls out there? Because I don't.

This time, Bess buys some perfume and it kicks off a mystery. Nancy is approached on the train based on the perfume scent, which really confused me because I would never be able to identify a perfume on someone. Oh, is that sparkling waters you are wearing? No, not me. But some random dude can? Please, Miss Keene. You are better than this plot line.

Anyway, they meet a girl who needs a ride, and a job, and Nancy is there to save the day. She really is the original Mary Sue. A guy stalks them, they go to the farm, they meet a cult (yes, a cult) and then they infiltrate it. Why would you expect anything else? Guys flirt with Nancy, as usual, and she saves the day.

And they all lived happily ever after. 3 stars.

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Review: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot

The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A case involving talking parrots? Of course. Why not. These parrots sound amazing.

Jupiter, Pete, and Bob all get involved with this one, with their nemesis Skinny Norris. I was hoping Skinny would get his comeuppance but alas, he did not. Skinny reminds me of Bugs Meaney from Encyclopedia Brown. I loved those books! Anyway, back to the mystery. We have parrots who hold the secret to a missing treasure, and the boys are hot on the case.

We have a mildly scary scene in a cemetery with a lot of fog, and Hans and/or Konrad (always getting those two confused) are right there to play getaway driver, as usual.

Satisfying if you ignore a few plot holes, and I will. 3 stars.

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Review: The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy

The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jupe figures it out, but not like he expected. I figured it out from the jump. Jupe - 0, me - 1.

We have a mysterious mummy that whispers, but only at the professor. Suspicious, no? Then crazy Jupiter disguises himself as the professor (what?) and the mummy whispers to him, too. And we have a crazy side plot about a missing cat that, of course, ties right into the story. The boys escape danger several times and if Aunt Matilda knew what they were up to they would never leave the salvage yard again.

You get a happy ending with a few loose ends tied up by Mr. Hitchcock. Classic Three Investigators - 3 stars.

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Review: The Marshland Mystery

The Marshland Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another adventure with Honey & Trixie. I have to say, this marginalization of Miss Trask and Regan is not sitting well with me.

This time we have a child prodigy who is misunderstood, and a little spoiled. Trixie, of course, isn't having it, as you might expect. Come on, Trixie, and grow up a bit, ok? She's a child, and you are a teenager. We also have a mystery involving treasure, some dried plants, and an old woman who lives alone on the edge of the marsh. It barely hangs together, folks. I promise this is one you can skip if you'd like because it kinda stinks and Trixie is a little mean.

I'm still giving it three stars but it is close to being 2.5.

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Review: The Gatehouse Mystery

The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with Trixie and Honey. What a charmed life they lead!

Seriously, though, how large is the Wheeler's estate that they have a deserted Gatehouse on the grounds that people have forgotten about? I'm trying to picture a world where her mother and father didn't immediately tear it down. Deserted, dirty, holes in the roof...definitely a surprise that they let that stand. Anyway, the girls decide it will be their clubhouse, naturally. And then Trixie finds a diamond (Honey immediately can tell it's real, because the girl is overflowing with diamonds, yo). Bad guys are on the prowl, and the mystery is on. Oh, and we get a new chauffeur because my boy Regan hates anything that doesn't run on 4 legs and Miss Trask is busy being a total boss babe.

What will happen with the diamond? Guess you will have to read for yourself. This one is especially stretching the bounds of imagination, but I still gave it 3 stars.

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Review: The Happy Valley Mystery

The Happy Valley Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still adjusting to the change in writing styles. If I remember correctly, it evens out in a bit, or I just get further away from the first six books and forget how they read.

Trixie and the Bob-Whites are headed to the most exotic of locations: Iowa. As a midwestern girl, this one hits home for me. I grew up just across the border, Trix. You're gonna love your sheep farm adventure. Uncle Andrew invites the Bob-Whites to stay at his farm while he is in Scotland. Ok...a little weird on the host's side, and kinda crappy on his farm help team, but whatever. They hop on a plane and boom, Iowa, folks. And there is a mystery, natch, about missing sheep which Trixie is bound and determined to solve. Will she? Let's hope so, or no one will buy book 10.

We get some fun references to life in the midwest - 4-H, school dances in the gym, skating on the pond - and a scary flood, plus a little teen romance at the end. Not gonna lie, I've been waiting for this. Still enjoyable, even with the writing change. 3 stars.

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Review: The Red Trailer Mystery

The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Since book 1 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, we roll right into book 2. How annoyed were you all in 1977 when book 2 wasn't published yet? Julie Campbell, well played. Thousands of middle schoolers were anxiously awaiting the adventures of Trixie, Honey, and Jim.

As we return to the implausible life of Trixie Belden, her parents let her take off on a quest to track down the missing Jim Frayne. Now hey, this 13-year-old isn't alone. No, Honey's wonderful governess, Miss Trask, offers to drive the RV around upstate New York to search the boys' camps where they think Jim might be applying for work. Back in the days of no cell phones, no internet, and most modern conveniences, I'm going to go with ok, fine. So off they go and step right into a stolen trailer ring, a mysterious family, and yes, camps. Oh, and horses. Always horses, which is why I loved these books so very much growing up.

Pluses: Jimmy the Crow, the farm couple, and Miss Trask.
Minuses: Honey's decision about her dog, no Reagan, and the ridiculous state trooper. Julie Campbell, have you ever met a cop in your life?

But I still dearly love these books, so 3 stars.

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Review: The Secret of the Mansion

The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Golly, but I loved these books growing up. I wanted to be Trixie. I mean, what's not to love? She has a great family, a great farm, and a great best friend with HORSES. What else could you want out of life?

In the first book, we are introduced to spunky Trixie Belden. She meets her new neighbor, Honey, and they are quickly thick as thieves. Honey is a poor little rich girl who just wants a normal life. Trixie basically wants friends and horses, like most 13 year old girls. Sleepovers and horseback rides abound, and then they stumble onto a mystery (gasp!) with a lonely orphaned boy (double gasp!) and a hidden inheritance (triple gasp!). The book is dated, but I just love these books so I am overlooking all of the flaws I find and reverting to my 10 year old self. This one ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, so be prepared to immediately start book #2. You sucked me in again, Julie Campbell, you crafty minx.

Fun start to the series, and 3 solid stars for the nostalgia.

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Review: The Mystery of the Flaming Footprints

The Mystery of the Flaming Footprints by M.V. Carey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of my favorites! I think this must be the first one I bought at a Scholastic Book Fair and hooked me on Jupe and the boys. I mean, come on, who doesn't want a secret hideout with gadgets and tunnels in a junk yard? His aunt and uncle are a very odd mix of strict and lenient.

We have an eccentric old potter, flaming footprints, a secret past, and a mystery to solve. The boys band together to get to the bottom of things, Jupiter figures it all out (natch) and he's a little less obnoxious in this one. It's a good one, to be sure.

Remember, I read them again so you don't have to! Or go ahead, because I like this one the most. My poor paperback is nearly falling apart at this point. 4 stars.

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Review: The Mystery of the Silver Spider

The Mystery of the Silver Spider by Robert Arthur
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The boys are off to Europe to go undercover. It's as ridiculous as you might expect.

Lame plot about Jupe, Bob, and Pete who inexplicably make friends with a young Prince in a near-miss fender bender. They bond immediately and are invited to the coronation festivities, compliments of our deus ex machina, Mr. Hitchcock. Lots of silliness, climbing up and down the sides of buildings, hiding out, and silver spiders. Throw in a dose of 1970's amnesia as a plot device and you've got a hot mess of a stew going, baby.

I usually love these books but this one misses the mark for me. I'll continue reading through the series so you don't have to. Only 2 stars but I still love you, boys.

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Review: The Mystery of the Fiery Eye

The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I adore riddles! We get a fun one in a cryptic message this time. I beat Jupe to the punch and figured it out before him. Sorry, Jupiter. Better luck next time.

We have a missing jewel, some mysterious busts, a riddle, and a boy named August August. (Really? So dumb). Anyway, the Three Investigators are on the case, and when I say the Three Investigators I mean Jupiter Jones, with a little bit of Bob Andrews thrown in for basic library research. Pete, you are dead weight, my friend. I fail to see you investigate anything. More like One Investigator and his Tag Along Friends, amirite?

The mystery is a good one and I remember this one fondly. Remember, I am re-reading the whole series so you don't have to! You're welcome. 3 stars.

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Review: The Secret of Skeleton Island

The Secret of Skeleton Island by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jupe, Pete, and Bob are on their way to a movie set to catch a ghost and search for treasure. Oh, and do a little scuba diving, too. Why can't I be one of the Three Investigators?

Pete's dad is connected. I think that's how they met Alfred Hitchcock, right? Anyway, these boys have a pretty decent life regardless. They are headed from sunny California to the East Coast to play in the Atlantic, the land of the pirates. Gar! Throw in some period-appropriate racism, an armored car heist, and some general villainy, and you've got yourselves a mystery, folks.

The mystery is a little loose, as usual, but I enjoyed it. Someday I will finish reviewing all of these books so you don't have to. 3 stars.

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Review: The Siren

The Siren by Kiera Cass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't realize this was her first novel. I went in wanting The Selection and was left disappointed. If you go in knowing this was her first unpublished novel, I think you will enjoy it more.

The story is ok. Sirens. Fantasy. Mythology. All interesting things. But the characters are not fleshed out enough for me, and it felt like a first attempt too often. Which is unfair, because it was her first attempt. The dialogue was off somehow. Amateurish and it pulled me away from the story. But the part that really bugged me was Akinli's name. The spelling, the oddness of it. Every time I saw his name my brain made me stop and sound it out to remind me how to say it. Hey, weird names do that to me. I feel like she would have made a different choice now that her writing has matured, but maybe not.

The story was fine and there is the HEA you would expect. 2.5 stars.

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Review: A Conspiracy of Kings

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We return to Attolia, but this time with less Gen, less Irene, and more Sophos. And Helen, who seems to be more understandable and likable in this one.

Sophos, who you might remember from The Thief, has grown up. We get glimpses of who he is becoming as he loses everything, hits rock bottom, and rises up, like a king should. And along the way we get a few glimpses of Gen and Irene, who I dearly love, and the continuing evolution of Sophos and Helen, who we were teased about from the end of book 1.

Turner's writing style takes me a while to settle into for some reason. I enjoy her stories and her characters, but they are a bit of slow burn for me. Once I get back into the groove, however, I speed right along and enjoy the journey.

Still love book 3 best, but this was a solid three star read. Can't wait until book 5 next year!

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Review: The Ask and the Answer

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Patrick Ness, we might have reached the end of the road together. I still haven't forgiven you for Manchee. And I am left caring less and less about Todd and the Mayor and they may have to carry on without me. I am going to blame the audio's narration for Todd. The dialogue and vernacular sucked in a listening format. Viola was good, though.

First of all, I don't love books that have scenes of cruelty. I know I seem like an immovable rock without feelings, but inside I am a marshmallow who loves puppies, sunshine, and all things good. The scenes with Davy, Todd and the Spackle almost lost me. I was pulling for Spackle 1017 to rise up and end this nonsense.

The next book should be interesting, and I admit wanting to know more about Viola's people and the origins, but it will be quite a while before I decide to return. No promises. We'll see. 3 stars because I am weird and most people love this series.

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Review: These Happy Golden Years

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strap in, folks. This might be a long one, since it's my favorite book in the series.

We begin our story once again in the cold winter of the Dakota Territories. Laura has received her teaching certificate and begins teaching school to keep Mary in college. She dreads teaching, she doesn't want to leave home, but she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and puts on a brave face. The school is 12 long, cold miles from home. She's staying with the school board president's family, run by his awful wife who hates it out West. It's a long two months in the freezing cold, and the only way she stays sane is because of the wonderful Almanzo Wilder. He drives out there, regardless of the weather, and brings her home to her family. Every. Single. Weekend. Through blizzards and awkward conversations. Almanzo must have really loved her, because she is ridiculous sometimes and tells him she won't ride with him after she is back home. What? Girl, you are crazy. But he's the best, and continues to make sure she gets home safely. I have a real thing for strapping young farm boys who are good with horses and very kind and brave. Almanzo is my jam.

And then she is home, and she conveniently forgets that she wasn't going to go around with him anymore. Apparently strapping young farm boys are her jam, too. Laura, no judgment. He's rad. And he apparently gets you, big time. Secret Christmas gifts, buggy rides, and appears to be a strong partner in crime. You get to drive the horses and race across the prairie together. You break wild horses and go to singing school together. And at the end, a sweet proposal and a kiss, leading to a quick marriage. Well, I say quick, but he courted her for three patient years, so nothing quick about that, folks. I mean, she was eighteen when they got hitched. And he builds her a kick-ass pantry so you know he loves her.

I'm 99% sure my husband is Almanzo Wilder reincarnated, and this book directly shaped the kind of man I am find attractive. 5 stars. Love this series!

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Review: Little Town on the Prairie

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The town of DeSmet survived the long, hard winter, and spring has arrived. Laura gets her first job, as a seamstress, in town, and starts earning money to send Mary to the college for the blind in Iowa. She's a dedicate gal, for sure. This money is enough to send Mary off in the fall. I have no idea what it cost back then, but I'm sure it was a bit out of Pa's reach. Very nice that they figured out a way to send her. Say what you will, the Ingalls family is from hearty stock and they find a way to get it all done.

And romance is in the air! Laura is a grown up now, all of fifteen years old, and Almanzo squires her home from church. She's a bit clueless to his affections, but she walks home with him anyway. And at the end of it all, Laura gets her teaching certificate and her first school. 3.5 stars because I'm a sucker for a G-rated romance.

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Review: The Long Winter

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you know me at all, you know how much I hate being cold. Winter is the worst! This book is my worst nightmare. Snow. Way below zero temps. Freezing winds. No food. I like to think I am a hearty pioneer gal, but in my heart I know I love food and sunshine way too much. But, much like Laura, I would survive, because I'm strong like a bull.

A comically stereotypical Indian, straight from central casting, walks into the store in town and warns the white people that a big heap long winter is coming. He's basically ignored by everyone but Pa and the Wilder Boys, because they are smarter than everyone else. Plus handsome and talented and funny. But I digress. The winter comes, the trains stop, and the whole town is on the brink of death. Literally. Luckily for the entire town of DeSmet, Almanzo and Cap have more bravery than sense, and they go on a foolhardy mission to save the town.

I love this one. 4 stars.

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