This book was fine. It was a bit slow for a middle grade mystery, and also a bit boring. Most of the book is a set up for the rest of the series. We don't even find out that much about the mystery by the end of the book. The entire book (characters, plot, atmosphere) felt adequate. They were all just missing something that would have pushed it up to good or even great. ( )

Many middle grade readers will likely enjoy this book, especially the parts about the seemingly nefarious Order at the center of this mystery which is set in a historic boarding school in England. Although I was sufficiently drawn into the story to complete it, the book felt overly long, and some plot sequences seemed contrived for convenience. Although this was an interesting mystery with surprising twists, I felt it could have benefitted from more character development and some heavy editing to tighten the pace.
( )

DNF @ 16%

Emmy is an introverted anxious muffin, with a missing father whom she is trying to find and a mother who has no business raising anyone (not even a rock!). Oh and she was sent to a boarding school in England. Cue - secret society out for her blood.

The book has such a miserable atmosphere, absolutely depressing.

Mystery remained flat and unappealing. The story is not engaging and pretty boring. Writing is simple and suitable for the younger part of middle-grade. Things are being meticulously spelled out in the most unappealing way. The older MG would not like to be treated as if they are a little stupid.

All of those things combined make it difficult for me recommend this book to anybody at all.

VERDICT : SKIP ( )

Emmy has always lived with her mother, who is an expert in raising children... at least that is what her books say, but Emmy has been alone more often than not. She doesn't remember her father and her mother will not allow her to talk about him, so she searches their house until she finds a box of medallions hidden in the attic chimney that Emmy just knows belonged to him. When Emmy's mother signs a contract to do a reality show, Emmy is shipped off to Wellsworth boarding school in England. Emmy must learn subjects she has never studied, and her roommate is a bully, making life very tough. After Emmy finally makes friends with Lola and Jack, she begins to get strange messages, which make it clear that her box of medallions contains more than just memories of her father.

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane is a cross between [b:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|3|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|J.K. Rowling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474154022l/3._SY75_.jpg|4640799] and [b:The Iron Trial|20578940|The Iron Trial (Magisterium, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526511151l/20578940._SY75_.jpg|19205879]. The mystery of the medallions is woven into the story of Emmy trying to succeed in an environment that is completely new to her. Her friends are quirky and fun, especially Lola, but their personalities will probably be developed more in future installments of this series. Overall, this is a good middle grade story with enough action and intrigue to interest readers. ( )