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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series Book #1) by Ellen Butler – Review by Angela Hayes

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 stars

 

Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn is the first book in the new Ariadne Winter Murder Mystery series by Ellen Butler. I was so excited when I saw Ms. Butler had a new series coming out and couldn’t wait for this book to hit my Kindle. I have read all of Ms. Butler’s books (so far)- and her Karina Cardinal Mystery series is a definite favourite, so I was very intrigued to see what this new mystery series would bring.
It is a little different from the Karina Cardinal series, as this is an historical cozy mystery series- set in 1958. It also gave me Agatha Christie vibes. Again, as with the KCM series, Ms. Butler has cleverly constructed her story, imbuing it with plenty of intrigue and tension, but also setting the scene in keeping with the times. Everything from the cultural/societal norms of the times, language, fashion, transportation, and ‘daily life’, as well as the clever mystery and intriguing developments, are all given Ms. Butler’s meticulous attention to detail- resulting in a rich and immersive reading experience.
Ariadne Winter dreams of being a hard-nose investigative reporter, but being a young woman means that she isn’t taken seriously and is dismissed and overlooked for her male counterparts. So she ends up taking a job with a ladies magazine in the hopes that it will open the door to more ‘interesting’ positions. Opportunity presents itself when she is given a new assignment…. an exclusive interview with a Hollywood movie star who is about to marry a European prince (think Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier type situation). Ariadne recognizes that this is a huge opportunity and sets off to spend the week at the Ivy Tree Inn, to be on hand with the actress, to get all the facts to compile her story. But right from the beginning, Ariadne begins to notice that there is something strange going on at the inn, and things only get more puzzling the longer she’s there. Before the week has even ended, she has a murder to contend with. But getting to the bottom of things might just put her in the crosshairs of the murderer. What happens here makes for a wonderfully intriguing read…
I can’t wait to see what Ariadne gets up to next. Bring on Book #2!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Ellen Butler!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Brandy Vaughn

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book three in this cozy mystery for young readers will keep you guessing who’s the thief and what happened to the trophy. There is minimal illustrations but they’re of the characters in the book. This story chapter book has 10 chapters and plenty of resources at the end for classroom learning. Each chapter has ELA and Math curriculum-aligned resources for each chapter. It make a great learning to for class.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Finn Cunningham

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler is an intriguing, attention stealing murder mystery, and the first book in the Ariadne Winters Mystery Series. Set in the late 50’s, following a up and coming journalist named Ariadne. There’s plenty of characters and their different POV’s, and if you aren’t paying attention those twists will throw you for such a loop! I genuinely enjoyed putting this mystery together, and I greatly look forward to reading more from Ellen!

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Jenni Bishop

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky #4)The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The South Seas Shenanigans is the fourth book in 1930’s Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. This fun historical cozy mystery sees our amateur sleuth Sparky embroiled in another adventure.
I’ve said it before with the other books in this series but will say it again, Rosalind’s descriptive narrative paints a vivid picture of the life and times and makes it easy for us as readers to see come to life.
Sparky has had many adventures that have always led to mischief, mayhem and murder and this time it is no different except she has decided to stow away on a ship and her friends are nowhere in sight. When Sparky is discovered, she comes face to face with a group of disgruntled ex-silent movie actors anyone of which could be a killer.
Let the fun begin.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Jenni Bishop

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ariadne’s passion is investigative journalism. While she is supposed to be covering the wedding of the century, stumbling upon a body could be her big break. However, to solve the mystery, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies, secrets, betrayal, and deceit, with a multitude of suspects. Will she catch the killer before they catch her?
Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn is the first book in the Ariadne Winter Mystery Historical Cozy Mystery series, a murder mystery filled with suspense, drama, danger, and more. It’s unpredictable, thrilling, and sprinkled with humour. The story will keep you smiling at times and your heart racing at others. I was completely absorbed in this tale.
Ellen is known for her compelling female lead characters in perilous situations striving to right wrongs. The great characters and numerous surprises make for an engaging journey.
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, then Ellen is the author for you.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series Book #4) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Angela Hayes

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky #4)The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

The South Seas Shenanigans is the fourth book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series by Rosalind Barden. I have been enjoying this cute historical cozy mystery series which is set in the 1930’s and follows Sparky, the spunky, street smart, precocious tween (11 year-old) FMC on her mystery solving adventures.
Sparky has had some interesting adventures/cases over the course of the series, and this one sees her running away- well actually stowing-away on a cruise ship that sails her right into a troublesome mystery- with a case of mistaken identity, where a whole lot of trouble is about to rain down on Sparky if she can’t uncover the truth quick-smart.
Again, as with the rest of the series, the story contains all the historical detailing, language, sights, and societal norms that you would expect from that era- it is richly detailed, and the descriptions are quite ‘visual’, adding an extra element of interest to the story/series. The characters are many and varied- but all are quirky and quite ‘colourful’ individuals. The author definitely did a great job of bringing her characters and story to life.
Another great addition to this fun series.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Rosalind Barden!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Toni Sellers

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book 3 in The Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series.
Detective Dylan is back again along with his sister Emily and Theodore the dog. Since they never go anywhere without Dylan’s Detective kit, they have another mystery to solve.
My grandkids love these books and as a parent/grandparent, I love how educational these chapter books are. Finding books that will keep them interested can sometimes be a challenge, but these are perfect. The bonus material is a big plus, there are QR codes, and one is for some downloadable ELA/math activities. Very easy to read and some great illustrations to keep little ones interested.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Julie Johnson

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Detective Dylan! He’s a super sleuth who uses clues and his notebook to find the culprit and solve the mystery. He’s at camp with his family and friends and a trophy for the Camp Leaf Games goes missing. Dylan is determined to find who stole the trophy so that it can be returned and the games will be played.

This is a great book with very short chapters. It would be great for those 8-12 to read independently or for any age to read aloud. The end of the book has different words that might be new or difficult along with their definitions. I highly recommend this book!

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story. Being written during a time when women weren’t exactly at the forefront career wise made this a really intriguing mystery. I found the premise to be strong. The mystery was entertaining to figure out. I had to work to solve it and I enjoyed the twists in the story. It was a very well written story with a strong FMC.

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky #4)The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love these mysteries. This time Sparky is on the wrong ship. I found there is lots of drama, mystery and plenty of adventure. Sparky somehow always finds trouble. There’s a great flow to story. I had such a good time figuring out who did it. The characters, as always, are unique personlities that due to the time period of the story, are a pleasure to find in the story. I loved this story.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Ashley Phillips

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ink and Intrigue was such a fun book to read as I am jumping back into my favorite things to do read!  I love a great mystery and this book does not disappoint. Ariadne is on task to complete her work as a journalist at a tough time in our past for women, during the late 1950s.  I love that the book is set in the past and is so very well written and gives me a glimpse into a time where I was not born yet.  Ariadne is almost ironically covering a royal wedding, but finds herself in a new setting when a body is found.  I watch investigative series all the time so when I realized that this was the path the book was going on I was so excited, them the author had me hooked with the style of writing. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book which was so rewarding!  This is a great book and I really look forward to reading more from this author!

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Beverly Finnie

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s definitely intriguing. When one decides to jump into Ink and intrigue, have an open mood id ls the out everything that’s going on. The author brings us into a world where all bets are off and the need gossip. Told from the point of view of plenty of characters, gives the book a new perspective of the case.
In a male dominated profession and journal everyone looks over her for a journal you feel. Ariadne made it a point to get answers but at work expects it to be someone other than her. Answers that everyone feels that she’s a woman that she should let it all go. That’s a men’s profession. An investigation of a dead body that created more enemies than friends.
Did it put her life in danger?
Does she uncover who did it?
Investigation journalism is the dream, will this be the moment she achieves it.
A book I feel was good but I missed some things. A book I feel I may need to read again to get the whole picture. In saying that, I say take your time while reading, you don’t want to miss anything. But it’s well worth the read.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Jamie Truex

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very cute kids mystery book. I remember reading all sorts of kids mysteries as a child and this would have been one of my favorites. The characters are relatable and the mystery is believable. I would recommend this for a child.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery which kept me hooked throughout. Being an aspiring female reporter during 1958, when the workforce is predominantly male is not easy for Ariadne Winter. As a writer for ‘Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine’ she is sent to stay at the Ivy Tree Inn, to interview a Hollywood starlet whose royal marriage is hailed as the “Wedding of the Century.” When Ariadne discovers a dead body she sees the opportunity to prove she could be the investigative reporter she dreams of being. As she investigates the lives of the inn’s inhabitants she discovers intertwined relationships along with long buried secrets amongst both guests and staff. With a murderer on the loose and multiple possible suspects Ariadne must both solve the murder and make her magazine deadline. The descriptive narrative brought both the characters and the setting vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the storyline. The plot twists kept me guessing as to the stories outcome and I found it to be a real page turner.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Jessie Hopkins

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Alright prologue, sucking me right in. I struggled to find a favorite character, and throughout the book it was probably Edward.
I really expected there to actually be more flirtation between Ariadne and Johnny because of a few of their interactions and then there were other times where I felt like I couldn’t really get a read on him. He has a solid desire to help those around him. He has goals and even though his relationship with his half-brother Frank is tense, he does his best to accomplish what needs done without too much squabbling. But obviously feels slighted by Frank.
Edward is just simply adorable. He is smart and caring, working at the Inn and helping his mother. He is really trying to make a name for himself both in sports and in studies.
Kitty intrigued me, as she’s acquaintances with the other ladies staying at the Innb it doesn’t seem to really be close with anyone. Dottie and Connie almost gang up on her a few times with the ways that they act.
They all seem to be doing Frank a favor by staying at his newly opened Inn, And Ariadne is the outsider, as she doesn’t know any of them previously.
However, Aunt Ruth knows everyone. She is really the glue, being a hair dresser and salon owner in town, she knows everyone’s backstory and all the most recent gossip Plus she’s stylish and Ariadne’s biggest fan.
Oh and Gavin, what a sweet guy.
I loved the multiple points of view and learning more about the characters and their interactions in that way.

I look forward to reading more about Ariadne’s story and am excited for more books in the series.

The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Jennifer Crain

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This mystery continues the adventures of Sparky, our unconventional protagonist, who finds herself amidst a tangled web of intrigue aboard a cruise ship filled with former Hollywood legends.

From the very first page, Barden skillfully immerses us in the vibrant atmosphere of the era—complete with the unmistakable glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the palpable tension of a murder mystery. Sparky’s voice is refreshingly authentic for her age, capturing the wit and resourcefulness of an eleven-year-old who has had to fend for herself in a tough world. The premise of a stowaway escaping the confines of school sets the stage for a lively narrative filled with both humor and suspense, and it was a quick but enjoyable read.

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The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden

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~☕️~📕~🔎 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~☕️~📘~🔍
The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Historical Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 240
Cover Designer – Tabitha Lahr Design

A high-seas adventure – or a deep-water tombstone?!
Depression-era sleuth Sparky is back in action, but this time she is out to sea! Sparky skipped it out of landlocked Bunker Hill and stowed away on an ocean liner, which turns out to be jam-packed with disgruntled ex-silent movie actors hoping the mysterious film project they are sailing toward will rejuvenate their dead careers. But when Sparky is soon discovered, she becomes hopelessly ensnared in a dangerous case of mistaken identity.
Tensions are running high. Someone tumbled overboard under strange circumstances. But Sparky didn’t do it! The passengers are suspicious of Sparky, but she’s even more suspicious of them. Will Sparky uncover what’s really going on before the vengeful passengers make her walk the plank?
Sparky misses her guardian, former silent movie star, Tootsie, and she even misses her sketchy ex-boss, Bookie. Will she ever see them again? Or will our young hero be forever lost at sea?
“The South Seas Shenanigans” by award-winning author Rosalind Barden is the fourth in the hilarious, 1930s cozy noir “Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery” series that delivers a fast, fun read for tweens to grown-ups.

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Click here to view the Book Trailer for The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden

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Rosalind Barden has long been fascinated by the history of Los Angeles’s lost noir neighborhood, Bunker Hill. Cold Kid Case, the first in her zany, 1930s Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series has been awarded multiple accolades, including the Firebird Book Award 1st Place for Cozy Mysteries and the Literary Titan Gold Medal Book Award. Over thirty of her short mystery and horror stories have been published, including her inspiration for the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series, “The Monkey’s Ghost,” part of the FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist anthology, History and Mystery, Oh My! She writes and continues to explore lost history in Los Angeles. Discover more at RosalindBarden.com.

Author Interview with Rosalind Barden

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Karrie Sears

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dylan and his sister Emily are at camp Leaf with their dog Theodore. After raining for 3 days, it finally clears up and the camp can have its usual camp games for all the kids to play. But when an important item goes missing, they might not get to do the camp games. Dylan, Emily and a few friends decide to sleuth out what happened and who took it. This is a great storyline with questions in the back of the book for teachers/parents to use to see how their little ones liked the book. About a 30 min read for I’d suggest second or third graders (8-10 yr olds). Cute illustrations in the book as well.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Cindy Mayberry

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great adventure is found in this chapter book. It’s great for our young readers. It was engaging and fun to read. Dylan, Emily and Theodore, the dog,do not go anywhere without Dylan’s detective kit. Once again it comes in handy while looking for the camp trophy. No games can be played until the trophy is found. Do you know what happened to the trophy? Who took it and why? I do! Oh wait, we read the story. What fun we had and the story is fast paced and kept the children interested. I love the parent and teacher activities in the back of this book. This author did a fantastic job with this fun-filled series. The story is well written and the characters work well together. This series is a must have!

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Britney Nicole Humphreys

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Britney Nicole Humphreys

Another 5 Star read from MJ Murray!

This book shows a realistic relationship between siblings close in age and shows how a big brother should treat his little sister. I love that the book has vocabulary words at the end and that it has access for math and ELA worksheets since we homeschool. This third book shows diversity and how to include differently abled kids in the best way!

In the first book, Dylan, Emily, and Theodore used their sleuthing skills to find out what happened to Mrs. Lane’s mail. Next, the trio discovered a bunch of pirates had stolen the bases from the baseball diamond. What will happen in this third book? They team up with a bunch of people at camp to find a stolen trophy! Who will win when the trophy is found? Will they be able to play the camp games?

My girls (ages 9 and 7) loved the whodunit aspect. They were writing the clues down as we read the book and trying to figure out who the culprit was. They loved reading about Detective Dylan, his sister Emily, and their adorable (and helpful) pup Theodore. My girls said they do not feel that Emily is a Tattle-tale, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide when you read the book.

I recommend these books for parents who have kids that are reluctant readers. My girls love to read, but I think this would work for kids who do not want to read chapter books. The chapters are short, there are pictures included throughout, and the book itself is 61 pages over 10 chapters. It took us about 45 minutes to read-and that is with the girls asking questions and guessing who did it and why.

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Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Britney Nicole Humphreys

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Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series, #2)Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Britney Nicole Humphreys

Another 5 Star read from MJ Murray!

This book shows a realistic relationship between siblings close in age and shows how a big brother should treat his little sister. I love that the book has vocabulary words at the end and that it has access for math and ELA worksheets since we homeschool.

In the first book, Dylan, Emily, and Theodore used their sleuthing skills to find out what happened to Mrs. Lane’s mail. This time they’re back, but looking for missing baseball bases! Who would have stolen the bases from the ball diamond before their practice could begin? Let’s go with them to find out!

My girls (ages 9 and 7) loved the whodunit aspect. They were writing the clues down as we read the book and trying to figure out who the culprit was. They loved reading about Detective Dylan, his sister Emily, and their adorable (and helpful) pup Theodore. My girls said they do not feel that Emily is a Tattle-tale, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide when you read the book.

I recommend these books for parents who have kids that are reluctant readers. My girls love to read, but I think this would work for kids who do not want to read chapter books. The chapters are short, there are pictures included throughout, and the book itself is 61 pages over 10 chapters. It took us about 45 minutes to read-and that is with the girls asking questions and guessing who did it and why.

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Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by

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Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book SeriesDetective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Britney Nicole Humphreys

We give this book 5 stars!

This book shows a realistic relationship between siblings close in age and shows how a big brother should treat his little sister. I love that the book has vocabulary words at the end and that it has access for math and ELA worksheets since we homeschool.

My girls (ages 9 and 7) loved the whodunit aspect. They were writing the clues down as we read the book and trying to figure out who the culprit was. They loved reading about Detective Dylan, his sister Emily, and their adorable (and helpful) pup Theodore. My girls said they do not feel that Emily is a Tattle-tale, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide when you read the book.

I recommend these books for parents who have kids that are reluctant readers. My girls love to read, but I think this would work for kids who do not want to read chapter books. The chapters are short, there are pictures included throughout, and the book itself is 61 pages over 10 chapters. It took us about 45 minutes to read-and that is with the girls asking questions and guessing who did it and why.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another cute tale in the story of Detective Dylan. Who stole the trophy? Dylan and his friends try to solve the problem. I enjoy this series because it realyy does a nice job of helping teach kids to problem solve. I read this series to my grandson and he loves trying to figure out who did it. We follow the trail just like Dylan. It has a nice flow to the story with great characters set up. I love the diversity of the characters. It is nicely set up for its target audience. We can’t wait for the next one.

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~☕️~📕~🔎 RELEASE BLITZ ~☕️~📘~🔍 The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden

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~☕️~📕~🔎 RELEASE BLITZ ~☕️~📘~🔍
The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Historical Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 240
Cover Designer – Tabitha Lahr Design
Goodreads – The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden

Bookbub – The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden


A high-seas adventure – or a deep-water tombstone?!
Depression-era sleuth Sparky is back in action, but this time she is out to sea! Sparky skipped it out of landlocked Bunker Hill and stowed away on an ocean liner, which turns out to be jam-packed with disgruntled ex-silent movie actors hoping the mysterious film project they are sailing toward will rejuvenate their dead careers. But when Sparky is soon discovered, she becomes hopelessly ensnared in a dangerous case of mistaken identity.
Tensions are running high. Someone tumbled overboard under strange circumstances. But Sparky didn’t do it! The passengers are suspicious of Sparky, but she’s even more suspicious of them. Will Sparky uncover what’s really going on before the vengeful passengers make her walk the plank?
Sparky misses her guardian, former silent movie star, Tootsie, and she even misses her sketchy ex-boss, Bookie. Will she ever see them again? Or will our young hero be forever lost at sea?
“The South Seas Shenanigans” by award-winning author Rosalind Barden is the fourth in the hilarious, 1930s cozy noir “Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery” series that delivers a fast, fun read for tweens to grown-ups.

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Rosalind Barden has long been fascinated by the history of Los Angeles’s lost noir neighborhood, Bunker Hill. “The Cold Kid Case,” the first in her zany 1930s “Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery” series is a #1 Amazon New Release, #1 Amazon Bestseller in its category, and has been awarded multiple accolades, including the Firebird Book Award 1st Place for Cozy Mysteries. Over thirty of her short mystery and horror stories have been published, including her inspiration for the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series, “The Monkey’s Ghost,” part of the FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist anthology, History and Mystery, Oh My! She writes and continues to explore lost history in Los Angeles. Discover more at RosalindBarden.com.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Krystal Compton

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ink and Intrigue at the Ivy Inn by Ellen Butler – 4 stars

In 1958 Ariadne Winter is inspiring to become a reporter for a renowned newspaper in a time where it is not common for women. She has been given the chance to write about the Wedding of the Century when a Hollywood starlet is marrying a prince and they only want Ariadne to cover it. Will Adriane get the story she is wanting or will the suspicion guests at Ivy Inn and the dead body start her in the path of her true dreams?

I gave 4 stars because this read was a little slow for me to begin with. I liked how all the characters were suspicious from the start though and how everything added up. No one is innocent when Winter is on the prowl! I was not really expecting who actually did the deed. I would read more of the Adriane Winter mysteries.

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler – Review by Emily H

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree InnInk and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ariadne Winter is staying at the Ivy Tree Inn covering a wedding heralded as must be covered by Ladies Lifestyle Magazine. Ariadne is focused on her task but when a body appears, she tries to uncover who is the guilty party as well taking her shot for reporting on more than fashion and weddings.

I really enjoyed this one, I could easily visualize this story and it was filled with twists and turns. I have always been a fan of this era and this story was rich with description to help the reader imagine the story unfold. Will be checking out more from this author, delightful read.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray – reviewed by Vicki Shelton

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very well written book for kids. I love that it covers honesty, the importance of telling the truth and teamwork. The fact that there is a character who is wheel chair bound and able to participate just adds to the quality of the story and the importance of inclusiveness. Thank you M.J. Murray.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by Kelli Harper

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Dylan and his sister Emily are at it again. Who took the trophy for the camp games? They are on the hunt to find the thief and the trophy. The list of suspects continues to grow, but will they find the trophy in time to save the camp games?
Dylan and Emily are so cute and figure out the clues together with their friends. This is the third book in this series and is a family favorite.

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series Book #3) by MJ Murray – Review by Angela Hayes

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Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series 3)Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

“Dylan snagged a marshmallow for himself and stuck it on the stick. They had been at Camp Leaf with their family for three days. Roasting marshmallows—even if it was lunchtime instead of nighttime—was the most fun he’d had.
The trip had been filled with rain.
And bugs.
They hadn’t swum in the lake yet, and the camp games hadn’t started.
Worst of all? There was no Wi-Fi.
There hadn’t even been a mystery for Dylan to solve. Dylan had brought his detective kit. Just in case. He’d gotten it earlier in the summer. It was from his favorite show, The Youth Sleuths.
Dylan pinned his Youth Sleuths detective badge to his shirt every morning. Just like a real detective.
He carried his detective kit on an old tool belt around his waist on every hike. Just like a real detective.
Emily had even been allowed to be his helper.
So far, they’d only been able to ask questions like “When will the rain end?” and “What kind of bug was that?”

Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf is the third book in A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series by M.J. Murray. This is a children’s chapter book story with a mystery to solve, crime and investigation elements, a whodunit feel, lessons/learning, family, friendship, and a few B & W illustrations sprinkled through the story to help keep young ones engaged. This fun tale also provides some valuable lessons along the way- such as: problem solving, reading and comprehension, expanding vocabulary, promoting fluency, math, and more.
Detective Dylan, his little sister Emily, and trusty companion Theodore (their dog) are with their family, camping at Camp Leaf. We all know how much Dylan loves a good mystery to investigate- but there hasn’t been one for a while now, and Dylan is bored. It hasn’t helped that it has been raining pretty much non-stop since they arrived at camp, and the bugs- don’t mention the bugs. But ever prepared, Dylan has his trusty detective kit with him, in the hope that some exciting mystery might pop that needs solving. And that’s just what happens. Dylan, Emily, and Theodore are on the case, searching for clues, determined to hunt down the missing trophy, and uncover who stole it…
This is aimed at children 5 – 9 who are perhaps just starting to read ‘chapter books’ on their own, or with help- so the story contains a few ‘harder’ words to challenge them along the way (Reading Tier 2).
Happy Reading…

Thank you, M.J. Murray!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler

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~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~
Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 312
Cover Designer – VISIONS
Stumbling across a dead body could be the making … or breaking of an aspiring reporter.
In the midst of 1958, when the workforce is predominantly male, societal norms dictate women should be compliant, fashionable housewives. To Ariadne Winter, the sole tradition she aims to embrace is that of being fashionable. Amidst the ambiance of Ivy Tree Inn, where she’s been dispatched as a writer for Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine, her focus wavers as she grapples with an interview assignment concerning a Hollywood starlet on the cusp of royal matrimony—an event hailed as the “Wedding of the Century.” While Ariadne dutifully attends to her task, her heart yearns for the pursuit of her collegiate ambition: to be an investigative reporter for a renowned newspaper.
However, fate intervenes when she discovers a dead body and recognizes the opportunity it presents to write her way into the role she desires. Yet, as Ariadne delves deeper into the lives of the inn’s inhabitants, she uncovers a labyrinth of intertwined relationships and long-buried secrets among guests and staff alike, yielding a plethora of suspects. With a murderer on the loose, her magazine deadline looming, and the inn cordoned off by authorities, Ariadne faces a race against time to untangle the web of deceit and solve the murder before she loses more than just her job.

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Click here to view the Book Trailer for Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler

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Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series. Her experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired the mystery-action series. Book critics call the Karina Cardinal mysteries, “intelligent escapism” and “unputdownable adventures that will take readers on an electrifying yet light-hearted and humorous journey.” Butler is also the author of the award-winning historical suspense novel, The Brass Compass. The Brass Compass has won multiple awards for historical fiction including: a Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, Indie Reader Discovery Award, Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal. The second book in the duology, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel, is inspired by true events, and won a Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction. Reviewers are calling it “riveting,” and, “a thrilling adventure.”

Author Interview with Ellen Butler

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