mtngirl4 's review for:

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

3.0

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This is a cute, fun mystery for middle grades, and though there is a murder, there is nothing too shocking or graphic involved. It also has a good theme of friendship and a plucky protagonist with a quirky home life. I gave it 3 stars though because there are too many loose ends for my liking. First off, I am not sure when this book is supposed to be set. When I began reading it, I assumed it was the 1950's because of the lack of modernity, but then cell phones are referenced, even though only the out-of-town police force uses them, the townspeople only use landlines. Also, the habits of the people just seem very backwards, maybe it is because the town is so small; I don't know if actual 21st century small towns are still behind the times like Tupelo Landing is portrayed. Other loose ends involve the relationship between the makeshift family that is Miss Lana, the Colonel, and Mo. Why are the adults always leaving? If they love each other, why do they consistently leave each other? This is never fully explained. I understand that this unlikely upbringing is a part of what gives Mo her charm, but it just seemed weird to me more than anything. Still, not a terrible book, and the first in a series of four that will appeal to younger readers.