If you like [b:Wilma Tenderfoot: The Case of the Frozen Hearts|7679224|Wilma Tenderfoot The Case of the Frozen Hearts|Emma Kennedy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311705281s/7679224.jpg|6048054] and [b:Peppermints in the Parlor|240661|Peppermints in the Parlor|Barbara Brooks Wallace|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388203234s/240661.jpg|233139] and the movie Clue, you'll probably like Nooks & Crannies.

Note: I received an ARC from the publisher. ( )

The ending was nuts. But so fun. What a great mystery. The ghosts!!! I just loved it. ( )

What? A satisfying murder mystery for kids? Can it be? Although the first half was a bit slow, planting clues and red herrings, the second half picked up quite nicely. The parts of the explanation of who-done-it were a bit out of left field, but there were enough other clues that the reader could put together that it was still satisfying. I don't think the comparisons to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are fair at all. The despicable characters are not as dark as Dahl's and the murder mystery is the more central theme than six kids competing for an inheritance. ( )

Rich Countess Camilla DeMoss issues invitations to her country estate to six children (including Tabitha Crum) from various circumstances, some with a Roald Dahl bent. She tells them that they are all adopted and one of them is her long-lost grandchild, heir to her large fortune.

When the children start disappearing, Tabitha becomes determined to solve the mystery.

Get this into the hands of your mystery-loving ten-to-twelve-year-olds.

4 stars ( )

I enjoyed this book very much. The plot is what drew me along, even though I thought in terms of writing style that the author could have used a good editor. Not terribly attractive illustrations, but I do appreciate that there WERE illustrations. ( )