Reviews

Under Suspicion by R.A. Spratt

ghostgoboo's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

jbrooxd's review against another edition

4.0

Good mystery. Great characters. Nice cliffhanger to set up book 3.

quillify_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

THE PLOT TWIST AT THE CLIMAX HOLY HELL I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. I love how the writer uses Chekhov's Gun as a literary device. I love seeing Friday and Melanie be their adorable, dorky selves, and Ian try to pull shenanigans every time he sees Friday (as a friend said, very Cardan vibes lmaoo). I even love the Headmaster! All his illustrations make me laugh, and his love for chocolate cookies and done with everything attitude is a mood <3

thenewyorkbookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

Okay this is still cliched. But its really damn funny, like I chuckle out loud to myself. The whole Melanie shipping Ian and Friday and also taking unnecessary naps, all the teachers loathing Friday while simultaneously needing her help and all the hatred about exercise. It's pretty good.

ssejig's review against another edition

4.0

This book picks up right where the last one left off. Friday has been carted off to the police station having been accused of terrorism. There is a man there who has been accused of stealing a sapphire bracelet (though it is referred to as a necklace as well.)
It follows the same format as the first book with Friday solving smaller crimes at her school and eventually solving one overarching crime. A fun read, I can't wait for the next.

wordnerd153's review against another edition

4.0

Perhaps even more satisfying as the 1st book in the series. Brilliant one liners, crazy situations, and a cast of kooky characters made this a fun read.

a_d's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

jennutley's review against another edition

4.0

I liked the first one so much I had to keep going. An Encyclopedia Brown for today’s reading girl.

cweichel's review against another edition

3.0

Mostly I liked this mystery. Someone is digging holes all over the grounds of the private school Friday attends. As Friday solves mini mysteries throughout the book, the holes create their own kind of chaos and seem to make no sense to anyone, not even Friday.
I mostly love the strange ironic humour that flavours the book and had me laughing out loud a time or two. Here's a sample:
"Friday turned to Melanie, but she’d already dropped off to sleep again. Friday could see why Melanie never got in trouble. As far as teachers were concerned, she was the ideal student. She never interrupted or asked difficult questions, and they never had to grade her assignments because she never had them in."
I found the description of the relationship between Friday and Ian problematic. Melanie, Friday’s best and only friend, insists that Ian is infatuated with Friday. Most of the time though, Ian is essentially nasty to Friday. This is not the kind of expectation we want girls to accept under any circumstance. He manages to redeem himself by the end of the book, but I'm still not happy with this.

jaxlynleigh's review against another edition

5.0

If you like Encyclopedia Brown, or are looking for a female version of him, Friday Barnes is your girl! Her ability to solve mysteries has the reader looking for clues throughout the entire story. The vocabulary introduced in the book is sure to enhance young readers' comprehension of the book and new words. Can't wait to share with my students!