Synopses & Reviews
After their father, a video-game inventor, strikes it rich, the Smithfork kids find they hate their new life. They move from their cozy Brooklyn neighborhood to a swanky apartment on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. They have no friends, a nanny who takes the place of their parents, and a school year looming ahead that promises to be miserable.
And then, one day, Brid, CJ, and Patrick discover an astonishing secret about their apartment: The original owner, the deceased multimillionaire Mr. Post, long ago turned the apartment itself into a giant puzzle containing a mysterious book and hidden panels—a puzzle that, with some luck, courage, and brainpower, will lead to discovering the Post family fortune. Unraveling the mystery causes them to race through today's New York City—and to uncover some long-hidden secrets of the past.
Maureen Sherry's page-turning debut novel is filled with adventure, intrigue, and heart.
Review
“The book has much of the enterprising spirit of old-fashioned series fiction about young sleuths from the HARDY BOYS to TRIXIE BELDEN.” Bulletin of the Center for Children & #8217;s Books
Review
“Readers will relish being tourists on this treasure hunt.... Pick it up and watch for the sequel.” School Library Journal
Review
“Readers will get a real sense of the uniqueness that is New York City.” ALA Booklist
Review
“An intriguing, exciting story about the secrets hidden in a familiar world.” Blue Balliett, author of CHASING VERMEER
Review
“A delicious multilayered romp.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Renner's plot is both complex and compelling."and#160; and#8212;
Booklist "Smart writing that combines mystery, historical fantasy and a touch of steampunk...Readers will also delight in Charlie's transformation from hotheaded victim to shrewd leader--and friend."and#160; and#8212;Kirkus
"Charlie's transformation from scullery to rightful heir is an adventure not to be missed. Well written, well plotted, well done."and#160; and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
"The shadowy passageways of a castle in ruin and an urban populace steeped in poverty and rebellion make for an ideal backdrop to the plot's many twists and turns."and#160; and#8212;Bulletin
Synopsis
Perfect for tween readers who enjoy mysteries and puzzles and books like Chasing Vermeer, this page-turning debut novel is filled with adventure, intrigue, and heart.
After their father, a video-game inventor, strikes it rich, the Smithfork kids find they hate their new life. They move from their cozy Brooklyn neighborhood to a swanky apartment on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. They have no friends, a nanny who takes the place of their parents, and a school year looming ahead that promises to be miserable.
And then, one day, Brid, CJ, and Patrick discover an astonishing secret about their apartment: The original owner, the deceased multimillionaire Mr. Post, long ago turned the apartment itself into a giant puzzle containing a mysterious book and hidden panels--a puzzle that, with some luck, courage, and brainpower, will lead to discovering the Post family fortune.
Unraveling the mystery causes them to race through today's New York City--and to uncover some long-hidden secrets of the past.
Synopsis
Sherry and Stower deliver a fun, fast-paced tween mystery full of adventure, intrigue, and the richness of Manhattan's architectural history. Illustrations.
Synopsis
Nothing is as it seems in thisand#160;middle gradeand#160;fantasy where a Queen has disappeared, a King has lost his mind, and a tomboy princess runs amok. When political unrest threatens her way of life, Princess Charlie must find her mother and save her kingdom amid dangers, lies and secrets.
Synopsis
Ever since the Queen mysteriously disappeared and the King went mad five years ago,
eleven-year-old Princess Charlie has lived a wild and mostly unsupervised life in the
country of Qualeand#8212;until now. With the discovery of an unfinished letter in the Queenand#8217;s
handwriting, Charlie embarks on a quest to find her mother and save the kingdom
from a revolution. With Tobias, the gardenerand#8217;s boy, by her side, every step closer to the
Queen pulls Charlie deeper into an entangling web of lies and secretsand#8212;as twisted as
the dark castleand#8212;where nothing is as it seems.
About the Author
Maureen Sherry graduated with a BS from Cornell University and worked on Wall Street for twelve years. She went on to receive an MFA from Columbia University in nonfiction writing. Several years ago, she and her family moved into a historic apartment, where she found herself wondering about the family living there before them. She added to the history of the apartment by embedding, with the help of an architect, a mystery that would eventually be solved by her children. The apartment and her four children are the real-world inspiration for this book.