Nooks & Crannies

Written by Jessica Lawson

Narrated by Susan Riddell

Sweet, shy Tabitha Crum, the neglected only child of two parents straight out of a Roald Dahl book, doesn't have a friend in the world - except for her pet mouse, Pemberley, whom she loves dearly. But on the day she receives one of six invitations to the country estate of wealthy Countess Camilla DeMoss, her life changes forever. Upon the children's arrival at the sprawling, possibly haunted mansion, it turns out the countess has a very big secret - one that will change their lives forever. Then the children begin disappearing, one by one. So Tabitha takes a cue from her favorite detective novels and, with Pemberley by her side, attempts to solve the case and rescue the other children...who just might be her first real friends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media Audio
• Release date: Jun 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781681410708

Jessica Lawson

Jessica Lawson is the author of The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher, a book that Publishers Weekly called “a delightfully clever debut” in a starred review, and Nooks & Crannies, a Junior Library Guild Selection and recipient of three starred reviews. She is also the author of Waiting for Augusta, Under the Bottle Bridge, and How to Save a Queendom. You can visit her at JessicaLawsonBooks.com.

Reviews for Nooks & Crannies

[paradiseporch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rich Countess Camilla DeMoss issues invitations to her country estate to six children (including Tabitha Crum) from various circumstances, some with a Roald Dahl bent. She tells them that they are all adopted and one of them is her long-lost grandchild, heir to her large fortune.When the children start disappearing, Tabitha becomes determined to solve the mystery.Get this into the hands of your mystery-loving ten-to-twelve-year-olds.4 stars

[bookwren · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A convoluted, sometimes confusing, but enjoyable mystery.

[inky_fingers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book very much. The plot is what drew me along, even though I thought in terms of writing style that the author could have used a good editor. Not terribly attractive illustrations, but I do appreciate that there WERE illustrations.

[imtanner2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This very funny mystery reminded me (in the best possible way) of Roald Dahl and Frances Hodgson Burnett.

[billiebook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There really wasn't much of a mystery here and while the author apparently tried for a Roald Dahl-ish feel to the children and parents, she didn't go quite dark enough. That being said, it was cute and a pleasant diversion for a few hours and the eight- and nine-year-olds who are its target audience will likely enjoy putting the clues together alongside Tabitha and will find the villains (and Tabitha's parents) just villainous enough to give a little shiver.

[zoe white · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this audio book. Tabitha is such a cute character and her little mouse Pemberly

[amandabock-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What? A satisfying murder mystery for kids? Can it be? Although the first half was a bit slow, planting clues and red herrings, the second half picked up quite nicely. The parts of the explanation of who-done-it were a bit out of left field, but there were enough other clues that the reader could put together that it was still satisfying. I don't think the comparisons to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are fair at all. The despicable characters are not as dark as Dahl's and the murder mystery is the more central theme than six kids competing for an inheritance.

[l4level · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A well written kids detective story, very heart warming too. I wish there are more stories like this