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totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
daisysbookshelves's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure why I didn't expect that much of this book - maybe because I just saw it in the library and hadn't heard anyone talk about it. But I ended up liking it quite a bit. Yes, some of the characterizations are a tiny bit over done, but that is almost necessary in order to follow the clues in this mystery. I think this would make a fun read-aloud for 4th or 5th graders. There is a lot they could speculate about in terms of what is going on. Enjoyable.
dahall1023's review against another edition
3.0
Here is what I liked:
The mystery element did intrigue and captivate me. Tabitha’s character, a little girl who loves mysteries, has a rich inner dialogue with herself, and longs for love.
What didn’t work for me:
It was far too depressing… it takes way too long of the book to reach any kind of hope for Tabitha. I understand the characterizations of making her “parents” so unloving and putting her all alone in the world barring her little pet mouse… but it was too much for me. For a children’s book, I found the emotional and verbal abuse of her parents to be unsettling, the lack of any hope for her for the majority of the book to be depressing. There are too many highly unlikeable characters. The (very) few likeable characters are not given enough time. It also felt very dark for a middle reader book.
So all in all, it was alright. I did like it. And I understand the literary choices made for this book but I just didn’t prefer it for myself, at least. I’d like to have seen a deeper friendship earlier with Oliver (there was certainly connection but I think because they’re both somewhat solitary and in-their-heads, these two aren’t nearly as verbal as Viola and Edward.
Three stars for staying up late reading it to find things out and liking it well enough.
The mystery element did intrigue and captivate me. Tabitha’s character, a little girl who loves mysteries, has a rich inner dialogue with herself, and longs for love.
What didn’t work for me:
It was far too depressing… it takes way too long of the book to reach any kind of hope for Tabitha. I understand the characterizations of making her “parents” so unloving and putting her all alone in the world barring her little pet mouse… but it was too much for me. For a children’s book, I found the emotional and verbal abuse of her parents to be unsettling, the lack of any hope for her for the majority of the book to be depressing. There are too many highly unlikeable characters. The (very) few likeable characters are not given enough time. It also felt very dark for a middle reader book.
So all in all, it was alright. I did like it. And I understand the literary choices made for this book but I just didn’t prefer it for myself, at least. I’d like to have seen a deeper friendship earlier with Oliver (there was certainly connection but I think because they’re both somewhat solitary and in-their-heads, these two aren’t nearly as verbal as Viola and Edward.
Three stars for staying up late reading it to find things out and liking it well enough.
alexbelle33's review
3.0
3.5 Rating
Very cute and adventurous! If you like Roald Dahl you should enjoy this one. Fun mystery, and enjoyable characters.
Very cute and adventurous! If you like Roald Dahl you should enjoy this one. Fun mystery, and enjoyable characters.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2015/06/2015-book-137.html
At first I couldn't get over how predictable this book was (I mean, if you've ever read any books before) and was a little disappointed, because I like middle-grade mysteries. Then Lawson through in a couple of twists I didn't see coming, and I could just enjoy this charming story--about a reclusive Countess who invites six children to her home for the weekend, to try and discover which is her heir! Our main character loves detective stories and is determined to solve the mystery--along with several other mysteries that crop up. There is also a super awesome pet mouse involved. The only kind of false note is that the parents of several of the children are EVEN WORSE than, like, Roald Dahl parents, and since this isn't really a comedic story, it's a bit jarring. I loved the way this wrapped up though. B/B+.
At first I couldn't get over how predictable this book was (I mean, if you've ever read any books before) and was a little disappointed, because I like middle-grade mysteries. Then Lawson through in a couple of twists I didn't see coming, and I could just enjoy this charming story--about a reclusive Countess who invites six children to her home for the weekend, to try and discover which is her heir! Our main character loves detective stories and is determined to solve the mystery--along with several other mysteries that crop up. There is also a super awesome pet mouse involved. The only kind of false note is that the parents of several of the children are EVEN WORSE than, like, Roald Dahl parents, and since this isn't really a comedic story, it's a bit jarring. I loved the way this wrapped up though. B/B+.
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
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
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