Item 3: Book Scavenger

Book Scavenger 

Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Publisher: New York: Christy Otavianno Books , Henry Holt and Company 2015.; 272 p.

Annotation:

Twelve year old Emily and her family move into an apartment in San Francisco. There she befriends a boy named James, and the two soon discover a book that contains secret codes and puzzles by a popular author who’s been badly injured. Whilst trying to work out the secret codes and puzzles, the two friends are taken on an adventure around the city. Unfortunately, hot on their trail, are a group of thieves who are looking for the book and will do anything to get it. It is an intriguing tale of mystery that challenges the brain but warms the heart. The book also features black and white illustrations.

Reviews:

Goodreads

Author website

Item 2: Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place 

Author: Julie Berry

Publisher: New York: Roaring Book Press 2014.; 224 p. 

Annotation:

This story is about seven school girls living in a boarding school with a very strict headmistress and her nauseating brother. It is a darkly humorous tale that is set in Great Britain in the 19^th Century Victorian era. One day at the dinner table the headmistress and her brother drop dead right in front of the girls. The girls decide not to tell anyone and try to unravel this murder mystery themselves. In quirky fashion, the girls attempt to hide the bodies from anyone and everyone, including from some nosy colourful characters who become suspicious and are continually disrupting the girls’ plans in discarding the bodies. This clever dark comedy and melodrama shares a likeness to Sherlock Holmes, with each character introduced with a descriptive trait to their names. It is sure to keep avid readers of mysteries intrigued and delighted.

Reviews: 
Goodreads
Author website

Item 1: Hold Fast

Hold Fast

Author: Blue Balliett

Publisher: New York: Scholastic Press 2013.; 288 p. 

Annotation:

Early, an eleven old girl with an inquisitive mind lives with her family in the city of Chicago. On one cold winter day, Early’s father vanishes and leaves her with a book that has secret codes and puzzles. It Is not long before she, her mother and younger brother are forced to move out of their place and stay in a shelter. Now Early must use her resourcefulness to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. This is a novel that has all the elements of a good narrative: compassion, fear, intrigue, desperation, mystery, and family.

Reviews:
Goodreads website
Blue Balliett - Author website

Introduction

Gather round kids, as you'll be in for a kooky and spooky collection of books that will give you shivers and make your head scratch (I'm not talking about lice). Presenting to you are ten books of great mystery stories that require you to put on your thinking cap and keep you on your toes as you will be guessing till the end.