Dead
Puzzling
Non-series
Sue
Birch
YouWriteOn
(Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-84923-891-X (184923891X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-84923-891-5 (9781849238915)
Publication Date: March 2009
List Price: $8.95
Synopsis (from the publisher): A body in the churchyard turns Lizzie, Tom and Oliver into detectives as they try to find out "whodunit". With Oliver's "help" they are led deeper and deeper into danger and uncover some shocking surprises on the way.
Review:
Suspense, Death, Questions: these are three topics that show up in Dead Puzzling,
a children's thriller written by Sue Birch. Three kids, Lizzie Pickles,
her little brother Oliver, who has been diagnosed with Asperger
Syndrome, and best friend Tom White, join together in an attempt to
solve a murder in their town. Can they solve it though, with Oliver's
unpredictable behavior?
One dark night the church cemetery keeper can't find his gardening
shears only to find them stabbed into the back of an unknown visitor.
He had been murdered! The next day Lizzie was talking with Oliver's
teachers, he was in trouble again. He wouldn't do anything teachers had
asked him. He would only do whatever he felt. Then news got over to the
school about the murder, so to prevent a nervous breakdown, the whole
school was let out early. With nothing to do Lizzie, Oliver and their
friend Tom, decided to hang out and talk about this murder. Tom and
Lizzie had always wanted to solve a mystery so the thought that they
might as well try. Little did they know that this was the start of the
greatest adventure they would ever have. Secrets are told and learned,
nobody is who they seem, nobody can be trusted not even the police. Can
they figure this out before, someone gets hurt, or will they die in the
process?
The author says that the book is appropriate for children 8 to 13 years
of age. I agree because there are parts of the book that are perfect
for that specific age group. Also it doesn't go into detail about the
condition of the body after they were killed so it won't frighten 8
year olds who get squirmy with dead bodies. The mystery part of it was
excellent; it was almost a little like young Hercule Poirot and
friends. The inquiries the kids made with their main suspects made it
seem very professional. Also Oliver's antics would even make the most
straight-faced person chuckle.
In the end I would give this book 4 stars, due to its heavy mystery
content, and its comedic sense that lightened up what seemed to be a
dark story.
Special thanks to Alex Nauert for contributing his review of Dead Puzzling and to Sue Birch for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2009 — Alex Nauert — All Rights Reserved — Reprinted with Permission
Have you read Dead Puzzling? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series ...
Dead Puzzling
YouWriteOn (Trade Paperback), March 2009
ISBN-10: 1-84923-891-X (184923891X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-84923-891-5 (9781849238915)
Omnimystery
keywords for Dead Puzzling
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