Review by Booklist Review
Quinnie is not looking forward to the first day of school this year, even though she is homeschooled by her favorite tutor, Ms. Stillford. Ever since her friend Zoe moved away, Quinnie has felt alone and abandoned. Ms. Stillford does her best, promising Quinnie a year to remember and then Ms. Stillford goes missing. No one believes Quinnie's suspicion of foul play, so she must track down clues and try to find out where her teacher has gone. Quinnie is assisted by the new girl in her neighborhood, Mariella, and her friend Ben, who attends public school. Maiden Rock is hardly a town where mystery should exist, but as the three burrow for more clues, they uncover not one but a multitude of hidden dangers. Will they be able to find the missing teacher before they are totally grounded? Red herrings aplenty will keep readers guessing about the identity of the criminals, even as Quinnie and her friends are bucked off the trail. Middle-grade readers looking for an unusual protagonist and setting will be well served by this.--Lesesne, Teri Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-This funny and engaging debut is set in contemporary Maine, as eighth grader Quinnie is just about to begin school with her class of two when her teacher goes missing. Quinnie pleads with her mother-Maiden Rock's mayor, sheriff, and only real estate agent-to search for her missing teacher, but to no avail. After days of waiting, the tiny town finally realizes that something strange is happening in Maiden Rock. Armed with a new friend and her desperate desire to find her teacher, Quinnie takes matters into her own hands. Who is the kidnapper? "Maniac psycho-killer lover" Owen Loney? Left-at-the-altar John Derby? And just what are those two nuns up to, anyway? Surrisi has created a tale that captures readers' attention within the first few pages and keeps up the pace through the last chapter. The characters are relatable, refreshingly human, and very funny. Quinnie acts just like a 13-year-old girl would; she is an adult, a child, wise, and very foolish all at the same time. Surrisi's law background lends valuable perspective and information to the mystery but is never heavy-handed. Information is always provided through Quinnie and with the right level of comprehension for a girl her age. Perfect for middle schoolers and upper elementary-aged readers, this title hits just the right note of suspense without being too scary. A minor flaw is an abundance of pop culture references, which will date the book far too quickly. Here's hoping the next installment of this planned series keeps Quinnie on her toes. VERDICT A general purchase for most libraries, and a first purchase where mysteries are in high demand.-Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When Ms. Stillford does not show up on the first day of school, 13-year-old Quinnie Boyd is convinced her beloved tutor has been kidnapped. Quinnie, clever and endowed with a vivid imagination, is initially unable to convince her mother, the sheriff of the small coastal village of Maiden Rock, Maine (as well as its postmistress and real estate agent; it's that small a town), to mount a search. Missing her best friend, Zoe, who is in Scotland for the year, but aided by her maybe-crush, Ben, and by the new girl, skinny-jeans-clad Mariella from New York City, Quinnie mucks through the marsh, sneaks into houses, spies on visiting tattooed rockers, and jumps to conclusionswith the best intentions but often humorous results. Much of the book's humor derives from the quirky, colorful Maiden Rockers, particularly the two elderly nuns who drive too fast, can't figure out recycling, live in the convent with hordes of cats, and have a puzzling need for bat guano. Quinnie is a memorable protagonist with an engaging voice, confused about her feelings for Ben and her anger at the mother she loves even as she barrels full tilt and against her mother's instructions into her amateur sleuthing. Surrisi's debut novel is a delightful cozy mystery, snugly mixing intrigue and humor, with an unpredictable and satisfying resolution. (Mystery. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
