Mommy and Daddy's Day with a review: The Janitor and the Spy by S.W. Ellenwood

Every so often, here on Bookworm for Kids, I present a book(s) which are meant for all of those parents out there. After all, parents like to read to. These books do not contain content which is any more inappropriate than found in most YA novels. The red light district from Amsterdam is involved, but it is more of a scene setting with absolutely no graphic moments whatsoever. Even mention of anything more explicit remains at the level of very light hints. In other words, the books aren't something you need to hide under your bed and hope the kids never find.

THE JANITOR AND THE SPY

The Thornhill Series

by S.W. Ellenwood

Mystery / Espionage

170 pages

Baby wipes are not the best at cleaning up blood or what happened to Thornhill in Amsterdam.

They told Thornhill it would be a simple spy mission that he was more than eager to take on, but of course, it wasn't.

It didn't take long after meeting the contact for Thornhill to question if he or anyone else connected to him was going to be able to make it out of Amsterdam alive. Passing strangers on the streets became potential hitmen and dinner with criminals became safe heavens as Thornhill seeks to find answers from an old man named Golay.

Buy Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janitor-Spy-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B013KNYGVC/

US - https://www.amazon.com/janitor-spy-thornhill-book-ebook/dp/B013KNYGVC/

MY TIDBITS

This book sets the stage for a series, allowing the detective to gain his first footing in a layered web of secrets and lies.

Thornhill is a newbie to the world of spies, and his first mission appears to be simple—maintain secrecy, meet with target, and receive information. When the calm meeting at a cafe in Amsterdam ends with a handful of dead thugs, the complexity begins to reveal itself. Thornhill's boss insists the mission remain off records, which is odd in itself. Soon, a powerful pimp comes into play, ones whose ties to the more suspicious money laundering leads remain unclear. But before Thornhill can work his way through the seas of lies, his partner is shot and the supposed willing witness uncovers plans of his own.

The beginning of this book grabs and pulls into an intriguing mission. Thornhill is a rookie, which is mentioned several times, and comes across in how he approaches some situations. However, he's not a fool and handles decisions very well and level headed. His interactions are intriguing and draw into the mystery. His character and background, however, come across a little superficial at times. Still, this doesn't really hurt his place as a spy and leaves space for the upcoming series open.

The twists and turns are tense and unexpected, keeping the mystery a guessing game until the very end. While the plot keeps a steady pace, there are moments which pull a little long and did make me take a break. But I always came back as the story doesn't let go. There's a great tension for the last scenes, and while some questions are answered, others open up and make it clear that there's much more to come.

It was an enjoyable read.

 THE DRAGON AND THE LUMBERJACK

by S.W. Ellenwood

Thomas feared he played Jack too well...

The sequel to S. W. Ellenwood's debut novel, The Janitor and the Spy, picks up six months after Thomas Thornhill's nightmare mission in Amsterdam. On his own, he now goes under the alias of Jack Montferrand and seeks to gain entry into the oldest and most dangerous triad in Asia to find Them.

On the inside, he found the triad not as stable as he thought, forcing him to prove his trust and worth to them at every turn as new rivals sprout up. He plunges his hands deeper into the filth and the alias of Jack where he starts to wonder where Thomas ends and Jack begins. 

Buy links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Lumberjack-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B07JFCHTD4

US - https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Lumberjack-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B07JFCHTD4

And here he is...

S. W. Ellenwood is thankful to have a close-knit family of two parents, a brother, and two sisters. A homeschooler who graduated college from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Ellenwood loves all forms and genres of stories and was inspired by  The Lord of the Rings films and his parents to write. You can find Ellenwood writing his next novel at the local coffee shops or playing table top games with his best friends. 

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/swellenwood

Website: http://www.swellenwood.com/

Mommy's and Daddy's Wednesday with a Review: Boy on the Beach by R.D. Maddux with Giveaway

Every so often here on Bookworm for Kids, I present a book which is intended for all of those moms and dads out there. Because moms and dads love to read too! Today's book is a mystery with lots of thrilling moments and isn't one that parents have to hide under their beds.

Boy on the Beach 

by R.D. Maddux

Ezekiel 12 Publications

March 11, 2017

Adult Mystery / Thriller

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are implied sex scenes but no graphic descriptions of lovemaking. There is one scene with some violence.)

Andrew Foster, a real estate developer in San Diego, is a man suddenly haunted by his past. Memories, like specters from his former life of sex, drugs and rock and roll have come crashing into his current world of business in this sunny coastal city. The ominous, repeated appearance of a black SUV at the beach where he meets his sister each week, has triggered fears that it’s payback time for a bad choice he made years ago.
​
To add to his frustrations, his hopes of a big breakthrough in the San Diego real estate market haven’t come to pass. He’s starting to wonder if his visions of success will ever come true when an investor offers to finance his dream project. Soon things start to fall into place for Andrew in business, life, and even love. He starts dating the beautiful and business-savvy Nicole but even with her at his side he can’t seem to shake the ghosts of his past. As the relationship with Nicole deepens, Andrew opens up to her about the many loves and adventures that have taken him from the crazy days of living in Big Sur and Joshua Tree to business success in San Diego. Her wise insights help him face the character flaws that have caused him to fail in his past relationships.

Rounding out his social life is his once-a-week task of assisting his sister with her nanny job watching a young boy named Chandler. They build sand castles on the beach and enjoy the beauty of nature together. But the now ominous weekly appearance of a strange car at the beach has awakened Andrew’s fears. Is the boy in danger? Or worse, has an enemy from Andrew’s past come seeking revenge and now Chandler’s caught in the middle?

A strange twist of events threatens to destroy Andrew’s dreams, but as he searches for answers, a sudden revelation offers hope of a future he never imagined.

To follow the tour and read reviews, please visit R.D. Maddux's page on iRead Book Tours.

​

Amazon ~ Autographed copy

Add to Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

The past returns to threaten a man's dreams in a thrilling mystery which dives into some basic questions surrounding life, dreams and consequences.

Andrew is past his mid-fifties and still hopes to find success with his business, although his life up to that point hasn't been extremely blessed in many areas. While assisting is sister with weekly excursions to the beach to play with a boy she nannies, he discovers he or the boy are under constant surveillance. The rest of his life, though, seems to be looking up as a hoped for job appears to be coming through and he finally dates a woman with which he's making a deep connection. But things are about to take an unexpected and unpleasant turn.

This is a mystery with many deep, personal layers. Andrew is a character with a rough past. His memories of the past bring out his selfish and reckless side, while the 'current' him has matured. However, he does not regret his earlier decisions and actions. Although this visitation with Andrew during both time periods allows the reader to gain a very good look into his character, his personality is hard to warm up to. Even later in the book, his tale is intriguing enough to make it hard to put the read down, but it's hard to say he's likable. And as a character, this kept him a little at bay.

Time as well as points of view change from chapter to chapter. While most of the concentration stays with Andrew and his past or present, other characters fall in to help deepen the plot at the right moments. Each chapter begins with the name of the person and the date (whether future or past), helping to keep it clear what is happening and when. It's important to pay attention to these chapter headings, so as not to grow confused. 

Andrew has a lot to learn in these pages, while a multi-layered mystery unfolds around him. The side characters not only assist in disclosing the intrigue and reasons behind the mystery, but assist Andrew along is journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately, these characters miss a bit of depth which could have enriched them as well as the rest of the story.

As to the mystery, the secrets are hidden enough to keep the truth hidden until a very unexpected ending. While the first chapter begins with action pure, the following pages slow down and allow the background, personalities and hidden webs to unfold. Toward the end, the pacing picks up again and leaves the reader with an ending which is hard to see coming but wraps up things nicely. 

And here he is...

R.D. Maddux has story telling in his blood. Since he was young he’s always loved a good tale. He’s been writing seriously since he was in high school and college. His novels range from Mystery and Intrigue to Sci-fi/fantasy. With Boy On The Beach he’s set the story in modern America, to be exact, on the West Coast of California. He’s a native of the golden state and has been a resident of San Diego since 1987. Before that he grew up in northern California and lived in the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area with sojourns in some of the beautiful parts of our state.

Living in California for over 60 years he couldn't help but watch the way things have changed in our culture and the impact this coast makes on the rest of America and the world. So even though Boy On The Beach is fiction, like most serious novels, it is not without a context and comment on issues we all face in our changing world. It takes place in real locations that are very familiar to him and its characters, which are fictional, no doubt have their counterparts in the real world. Boy On The Beach is a story of intrigue, suspense, revenge, love and redemption with flashbacks to the era when sex, drugs and rock and roll set our culture on it's inevitable journey to our present day. This idea has been rattling around in his heart and mind for a decade and it's finally coming to the page.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Aug 25, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mommy's Mystery Morning with 19 Souls by J.D. Allen

It's Mommy time!!!
Every so often here on Bookworm for Kids, I post a book which is NOT written for a younger audience. After all, Moms and Dads like to read too. Today, I have a crime/mystery I discovered and wanted to share. But there are several violent scenes and touches upon explicit material (although the later holds itself to a minimum).
Enjoy!

19 SOULS

Sin City Investigations, Book One

by J.D. Allen

Midnight Ink

Mystery, Crime

360 pages

Private Investigator Jim Bean is a straightforward, to-the-point man. When his latest client, Sophie Evers, asks him to find her brother Daniel, Jim has no idea how complicated his life is about to become.

Daniel is not Sophie's brother. He is her most coveted prey. Clinging to the belief that they belong together, Sophie kills Daniel's real sister to manipulate Jim into flushing Daniel out of hiding. She will create the "perfect life" for the only man she's ever loved, no matter how many people she must kill along the way.

When Jim discovers the truth about Sophie, he's driven to set things right before her delusional plan claims even more souls.

 MY TIDBITS

This isn't a genre I usually grab up, but I'd heard lots of good things about this book and was excited to get my hands on it. I was not disappointed.

Jim Bean (he changed his name at an earlier age) is a one man private investigator, who's often low on cash. When a potential client hires him to find her brother, nothing seems out of the ordinary until he catches up with the so-called brother and discovers that his client has murdered several individuals. The guy isn't her brother but her main goal, and Bean has lead her directly to him.

While the mysteries I've read up until now have followed a 'who done it' plot, this one takes a slightly different turn. It's clear from the first page who the murderer is, and Bean discovers this himself already a third way into the book. But this is where the story really kicks in. The mystery turns into a hunt as Bean tries to scrape of clues on this very slippery murderer's past. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns, and the murderer is nothing if not clever.

Bean is fairly cliche—a solo private investigator, gruff, low on money, non-existent social life, and a bit bumbly. Or so he starts out. As soon as he figures out that he's been foooled, his character switches gears, and he's much more on top of his game. His past and personality gain more depth and even his 'love' life (nothing exaggerated by any means) starts to spark. But while his character gains momentum, the murderer's breaks apart.

Sophie is crazy, and she's complex. Her intentions, kills and goals mix together as well as vinegar and milk. There are hints at why she's turned out like this, although this is only lightly touched upon. The author sprinkles in a bit of odd humanitarian sparks into her personality, which heads in the right direction to add a little sympathy. Both of these areas, however, could have used a little more exploration. Most of the book, she's quite clever and has laid out an amazing web. It's no wonder Bean has his hands full. 

If it weren't for the ending, I would have given it 5 -stars. While everything happens with high tension and exciting last moments, her character unravels to the point of almost making all of the build-up sour. Her decisions no longer follow the same line, nor do her last set-ups. Still, it is an explosive ending and wraps things up well. There's also enough hints open to lead into another high-stakes adventure, one I'm looking forward to picking up and getting lost in again.

Sally Sleuth and the Missing Mice by Majanka Verstraete

 Sally Sleuth and The Missing Mice

by Majanka Verstraete

Chapter Book

Mystery

ages 6+

Sally Sleuth, a fourth-grade self-proclaimed detective, is charged to bring the class’s pet mice home for the evening. But with her brother’s snake crawling around, her dad locking himself up in his office all night, and her mom’s strict “time for bed” policy causing her to leave the mouse cage open, it’s no wonder the animals have disappeared by the next morning.

Sally doesn’t have much time to find the mice before she’ll let her teacher and all her friends down.

Sally Sleuth is a series of chapter books for kids who like mysteries.

Release Date: January 30, 2017

Format: eBook and Paperback

Price: $2.99

Add to Goodreads

And here she is. . .

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka has a Master of Law and Master of Criminology degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Find Majanka online at:

Website: http://majankaverstraete.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iheartreads

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/eternalised

 

Pre-order on Amazon

Pre-order on Amazon

 

Giveaway!!!

 

 Win an eBook copy and $5 Amazon gift card for the cover reveal of Sally Sleuth and The Missing Mice. a Rafflecopter giveaway    

Review: Amanda Lester and the Red Spider Rumpus by Paula Berinstein

AMANDA LESTER AND THE RED SPIDER RUMPUS

Amanda Lester, Detective Book 5

by Paula Berinstein

The Writing Show

Upper MG/Lower YA Mystery

ages 10+

338 pages

It only takes a moment to spill a secret. 

The detectives have managed to keep Legatum Continuatum's secrets safe for more than a hundred years, but that could soon change. Amanda and her friends have discovered that the red spiders of Ambleside have a talent that could expose everything. 

Unfortunately, Amanda's new stepfather knows about them too, and his plans are deadly. The kids try to get to the spiders first, but their attempt to save them just complicates matters. Then Amanda disappears and it falls to her friends to save the day. If they fail, she could die. The situation has never been more critical. The problem is that only one person knows how to find her, and they don't trust him. 

MY TIDBITS

Packed with twists and turns, and even more surprises, this 5th book in the Amanda Lester Detective series grabs from the first page and doesn't let go until the end.

Now, stuck with the school in hiding, Amanda and her friends run across a new threat: a secret which could destroy their entire detective world. The group of young detectives discovers that the Legatum Continuatum has existed much longer than they first expected. And that the secrets surrounding it run deeper than thought. When they discover that red spiders could disclose it all and the bad guys are on the verge of getting this information, Amanda and her friends are up against the clock to save them all.

This is my favorite middle grade series this year, so I was looking forward to see which mystery would hook in Amanda and her friends next. Amanda and her friends are growing (maturing), and this book reflects that. Although it's packed with adventure, more time is spent on the mystery itself in this book. There's a little more depth and history behind the Legatum Continuatum. Also the character relations are deepening as well. It's a slow coming-of-age in many ways as the characters approach the problems with a tiny bit more calmness and thought than before--but then, this isn't exactly their first, big mystery.

I love the way the book grabs tidbits from the previous mysteries and integrates them into the on-going tale. This isn't a series which can easily be broken down into stand-alones. The characters and story build on the past experiences, making it difficult to dive in somewhere in the middle.

Amanda is a character, which often discovers more about herself as she ingeniously battles through the mystery. She tends to be head-strong and spontaneous, which gets her into trouble. The weaving in of her family problems and the difficulties of balancing the very different personalities of her friends, brings the entire thing home. She's a very real girl in a crazy situation and handles things as best she can, but without her friends, she couldn't do it. There's even some romance going on--kept very cute and sweet--but as with all teens, this isn't a clear cut, smooth ride either.

But the most important thing about this is the mystery. And it's a good one. It's hard to see where the whole thing is headed, and the detectives run across exciting bumps and stumbles along the way. The slight addition of magic gives the story a nice touch of could be's and imagination, allowing the reader to keep hold on to the illogical even when it's logic which guides the detectives through the mysteries.

In other words, I can't wait to see where Amanda and her friends go next.


All about the author. . .

Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one. You can find and contact Paula here:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Paula's blog on Goodreads - The Writing Show podcasts - Newsletter

Review: Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein

AMANDA LESTER

and the 

PINK SUGAR CONSPIRACY

Amanda Lester Detective Series, Book 1

by Paula Berinstein

The Writing Show

Middle Grade/Tween Mystery

386 pages

A reluctant detective, a criminal mastermind, and . . . sugar?

Amanda Lester wouldn’t be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes’s colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she’s going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.  

When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away—until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they’re not sure whether these seeming clues mean anything, but when Amanda’s father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they’re certain that crimes are taking place. 

Now Amanda must embrace her destiny and uncover the truth. The only snag is that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty, a descendant of Holmes’s nemesis Professor James Moriarty, might be involved, and he doesn’t like nosy little girls interfering in his business.


Available for purchase at:

Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle / Barnes and Noble / Powell's / Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

The first paragraph already made me an Amanda Lester fan. I have a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes (always have had), and the idea that one of Detective Lestrade's (a police detective who had close ties with Mr. Holmes) descendants would be a girl, who wants nothing to do with her ancestry had me smiling right away. Especially when she calls Sherlock Holmes 'Mr. La-di-da boring detective, whoop-de-doo.'

Another huge bonus is the added information at the front of the book. There are maps, floor plans, a glossary and other goodies which allow a reader to visually get everything laid out before the mystery begins--and also as a great aide once the story gets underway. And at the end of the book, there is a list with descriptions of other great detectives, questions to help with class discussions and a nice author interview.

Amanda is a girl with lots of spunk, tenacity, and won't take no for an answer. . .unless it's her parents. Even when she's forbidden to follow her hobby (film-making) and shipped off to some detective school in the UK, she manages to make it all shift in her direction. She's easily distracted and, at times, a little bit scattered brained, but it makes her that much more lovable.

I really enjoyed the fact that the mystery takes place in a 'detective' school. In some ways, it reminded me of the famous Hogwarts (4 different houses, unexpected things around every corner), which made the story that much more endearing. There's lots of fun little details here and there, but there's never an overload on descriptions either. It's just enough at the right times.

As to the story itself, it's a wonderful mystery which is perfect for kids around ten to fourteen years old. Amanda and her friends aren't out to find trouble, but rather notice that something is up bit by bit. This allows the tension to build, while the layers of secrets slowly come to light. It's unpredictable, full of surprises and seasoned with just the right amount of humor.

Summed up, this is a great story which is sure to catch young mystery lovers' attention, and I can only recommend it.




And here she is. . .

PAULA BERINSTEIN!!!

Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one.

You can find more about her at. . .

Paula's blog on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/969582.Paula_Berinstein/blog
Paula's Goodreads profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/969582.Paula_Berinstein Amanda Lester's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLesterDetective
Paula's Twitter account: @pberinstein
The Amanda Lester, Detective Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLesterDetective
Website: http://amandalester.net/

Review: Frankie DuPont and the Science Fair Sabotoge by Julie Grasso

FRANKIE DUPONT 

AND THE SCIENCE

FAIR SABOTAGE

Frankie DuPont Mysteries Book 3

by Julie Grasso

Middle Grade Mystery

134 pages 

ages 8+

Frankie Dupont is less than impressed when he has to attend the Sustainable Science Fair with Kat and Amy. Upon his arrival, he learns that Amy's brothers have had their robotics chip stolen. 

Keen to recover the chip, Frankie questions the kids in the competition, but everyone seems to have a motive. 

When baffling clues start rolling in via “Snap-Goss” instant messages, Frankie realises it will take all of his detective muscles to solve this case. 

MY TIDBITS

This is the 3rd book in Frankie's series and so far, my favorite. The author does a great job taking a mystery and mixing it with the most delicious fantastical ideas, making it a perfect journey for kids. We start out with Frankie, a young detective, who isn't totally excited to go with his friends to the science fair.

The fair itself is amazing. The most ingenious ideas come to life, and this is where kids will dive in and let their own fantasies soar. Let's just say that inventions no know limits.

Obviously, there's a mystery involved, and this time, it's a hard one. Unlike the other books, Frankie finds himself surrounded by suspects, all of which could possible have a motive. This wasn't an easy mystery to figure out and kids will love trying to follow the clues. Not only that, but there are several messages hidden in the pages. Friendship, acceptance, and dealing with competition. But these are well woven into the story, and not slapped in the reader's face. . .something I appreciate.

Like the other books in this series, this is a story written and aimed at kids. The fantasy, thoughts and plot are laid out with lots of love just for this age group, and I think kids will enjoy this completely.

Blood and Scales Anthology

Blood and Scales: An Anthology

By- E.C. Hibbs, Jacinta Maree, Victoria Escobar, Susan Burdorf, Luke McCallin, C.L. Matthews, Ruthi Kight, J.K. Radalyac, Bobbie Palmer and Heather Clawson

Genre- Mature YA/NA Fantasy

Dragons are a race of mythical creatures shrouded in magic and mystery. Whether good or evil, countless stories have been written detailing their majesty. For centuries, mankind has searched for the facts regarding the true nature of these fantastic beasts.

Today, another quest for knowledge has struck our attention; a cure for diabetes. In this dragon themed anthology, ten authors have come together to create this collection of short stories to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

     

Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco by Julie Grasso

 

 Frankie Dupont and The Lemon Festival Fiasco

by Julie Anne Grasso

Illustrated by Alexander 

Avellino Publisher

100 Pages

For ages 8 to 12

Hot off cracking his first official case, Frankie Dupont is on the scene when his new teacher takes ill. The pint-sized detective suspects a classic case of sour grapes, but the evidence leads him to the one place he wouldn’t mind avoiding for the rest of his natural life. Enderby Manor has a few more secrets up her sleeve, and as Frankie begins to unravel them, he uncovers a plot stinkier than a sardine sandwich. In Book 2 of the Frankie Dupont Mysteries, Frankie will make some new friends, upset some old ones, and of course, there will be lemon meringue pie.

Amazon * Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

After reading the first book in the series, I was excited to see which mystery would snap up Frankie next. And I actually found this book even better than the first.

Frankie's case starts with a lemon pie, and telling by his teacher's sudden sickness after eating it as well as his cute dog companion's refusal to eat it, must be poisoned! Clues pop up in the most unexpected places, and I love how Frankie isn't always sure exactly what's going on.

This is a mystery packed with fun and tons of imagination - fantasy has free rule in Frankie's world, which will make middle grade readers love the stories even more. The writing is perfect for the age group, and the plot keeps a quick pace, making it impossible not to want to see what happens on the next page. The mysteries take unexpected twists and turns, and not every clue leads where one might think.

I especially love the sense of friendship in these stories as well as the love Frankie shows for his grandfather. It's things like this which make it easy for kids to sympathize with Frankie.

In short, this is another fun, easy to read tale which kids ages 8+ are sure to love.

Haven't read Book 1 yet? Click on the cover below to grab a copy of "Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor".

 

BOOK TRAILER!!!

 

Early Buzz About the Book

"This is a wonderful book 2 in the Frankie Dupont series. Just be forewarned that you will want lemon pie and lemonade after reading! The Lemon Festival Fiasco has multiple suspects and red herring clues to follow and solve while reading. Twists and turns will keep young readers engaged and thinking. This would be a perfect read for gifted education classes. Characters to love, and plenty of action! " ~ 5 Star, Carolyn W., Amazon

 

* FREE * Printable by Wise Owl Factory

We are pleased to share with you a FREE Educational Supplement for Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco created by Carolyn Wilhelm from the Wise Owl Factory. These supplements are appropriate for grades 3 and higher and are recommended for a mystery unit and/or gifted education classes to help children develop higher level thinking skills. Please visit the Wise Owl Factory where you can download the FREE Educational Supplement for Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco as well as for Julie Grasso’s other books (or click on the image below to take you there).  

And here she is. . .

JULIE ANNE GRASSO!!!

With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to entertain them. A science fiction nerd (she even owns a TARDIS), cupcake enthusiast and lover of all things mystery, she lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little girl Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai tea and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.

Website | Blog | Facebook

Twitter | Goodreads