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Sammy Keyes #6
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy
The elusive Lady Lana (a.k.a. Sammy’s mom) ran off to Hollywood nearly a year ago to get “discovered.” But when Sammy discovers that her mom has changed her name, dyed her hair, and told everyone she’s only 25, she decides Lana needs a little reality check. I mean, it’s one thing to have her mom ditch her. But it’s another to find out she’s created a life for herself where Sammy can’t possibly exist.
But Hollywood is a shock. Everyone is pretending here. No one is who or what they seem in this starlet-eat-starlet world. So when a woman is killed in the room next door, Sammy’s hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a motive . . . including her own mom.
But Hollywood is a shock. Everyone is pretending here. No one is who or what they seem in this starlet-eat-starlet world. So when a woman is killed in the room next door, Sammy’s hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a motive . . . including her own mom.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2001
59 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Wendelin Van Draanen
47 books2,185 followersWendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.
Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.
Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.
Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.
Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.
Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.
Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 24, 2011
Sammy Keyes and her best friend Marissa go to Hollywood to visit Sammy's mom. When they get there, they find out that her mom has changed her name from Lana Keyes to Dominique Windsor. Her mom has also changed her birthday to take 10 years off her age and cut her hair really short. On the first night that Sammy and Marissa are at the place where her mom stays, someone is killed. Sammy tries to solve the mystery, and soon realizes that the person that was supposed to be murdered was her mom. I liked that even though Sammy's goal in going to Hollywood was to spend more time with her mother, she solved the mystery. I thought that some points in the story were creapy. An example of this is when Sammy and Marissa found the body of Clarie in mummy form in a secret part of Max's office. Clarie's body had been there for 25 years. I think that Sammy is very daring for investigating this murder case.
August 24, 2024
LOVED this mystery as a 12-13 year old. It's funny, smart, exciting, relatable, and wholesome. I haven't read any others in the series, but I would bet they are great, entertaining mysteries for young adults.
September 1, 2020
Another cute book featuring Sammy and friends solving a mystery. Listened to the audio book and the kids really enjoyed.
July 13, 2009
I listen to these in the car with my kids, but they don't do anything for me. Perhaps it's the reader? I think Sammy is overrated.
February 17, 2024
I couldn’t help staring. She looked so beautiful. Like a fairy, snug in a bed of ivy leaves. And even though she’d abandoned me, even though she could barely admit that I was her daughter, even though there were times I knew she wanted to just wish me away, I couldn’t stop looking at her.
24.02.17
lmao imagine how pretty Sammy is then
story!story!story!
Admittedly, it took me a longer while to read this one. I’ve been busy + this story is like absolutely one of the craziest of all the Sammy Keyes adventures so far. If I were to be honest, I got confused 10 million times, but that’s okay~!
In Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy, the gang is boiled down to just Sammy and Marissa. I love how we got to read them in action with just the two of them. It made the mystery extra cozy, idk. We’ve got a gazillion suspects, and “oh who killed so-and-so?!”
This book explores the relationship between Sammy and her mother and how their priorities clash.
the book itself
It’s definitely not Sammy’s best adventure. I found myself losing interest sometimes during the course of the book because so much was happening. But overall, it is very much a needed story for Sammy’s character going forward. It makes me thrilled to see what the future is for her :))
November 6, 2019
Still loving the Sammy Keyes series. There is nothing like ending a stressful work day with my girl Sammy. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about her mother and her reasoning behind leaving Sammy back home with her mother. I am hoping to see some more of her mother as the series continues.
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October 1, 2023not my fav one
November 11, 2009
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood mummy is about two girls- Sammy and Marissa who go to Hollywood to find Sammy's mother. The setting is in Hollywood, and Sammy is the main character. Her mother- Lana Keyes has changed her name to Dominique, dyed her hair, and shaved ten years off her age and Sammy knows that is time for her to find her mother and make her explain everything. So when her competition for the biggest role of her life,is found dead in Dominique's room, it is up to Sammy to find who murdered her.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-world connection. Sammy's mother reminds me of all of these women who change their identity looking for a better life. Just like Dominique they make up all of this stuff and get into a big web of lies until someone finds out and they mess it up. Although in the end some of them try with their real identity, then they realize that no one cares about that and they have been through all of these lies for nothing.
I give this book 4 stars. It is interesting and the charters are just made for that book. I like how Sammy was smart enough to figure all of these mysteries and how Marissa was always backing off because she was scared. The reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars is because sometimes it annoys me how Sammy thinks of this stuff on the right moment. I think it's impossible of someone to be that smart and figure out things that are not really obvious. I would recommend this book to anyone who is fan of murder mysteries.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-world connection. Sammy's mother reminds me of all of these women who change their identity looking for a better life. Just like Dominique they make up all of this stuff and get into a big web of lies until someone finds out and they mess it up. Although in the end some of them try with their real identity, then they realize that no one cares about that and they have been through all of these lies for nothing.
I give this book 4 stars. It is interesting and the charters are just made for that book. I like how Sammy was smart enough to figure all of these mysteries and how Marissa was always backing off because she was scared. The reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars is because sometimes it annoys me how Sammy thinks of this stuff on the right moment. I think it's impossible of someone to be that smart and figure out things that are not really obvious. I would recommend this book to anyone who is fan of murder mysteries.
March 1, 2018
SPOILER ALERT 🚨 🚔
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy is a nice book I really enjoyed reading it, and it was very cliff hanging at the ends of the chapters. It made me want to read more and more, but a book always has weaknesses and one from this book is the whole mummy stuff. Personally, when they just found out about the dead body and then were talking about the closet and how Sammy saw the mummy, I was confused. I didn’t know if it was a real Egyptian Mummy they were talking about or it was a statue of a mummy. Only after finishing and rereading the chapter about 3 times, I understood that it was Max’s sister. Although I noticed some strengths I still think it should be a 4 star book. One of the strengths in all Sammy Keyes books are when every detail and clues throughout the book points at one character and then there is a bing in Sammys head and she figures it out. It was really interesting why Max wanted to kill Sammy's Mom and why he thought it was her wife that died and was reborn into Sammy’s mom. Theme was Don’t lie a lot or you might get Murdered by a Psycho.
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy is a nice book I really enjoyed reading it, and it was very cliff hanging at the ends of the chapters. It made me want to read more and more, but a book always has weaknesses and one from this book is the whole mummy stuff. Personally, when they just found out about the dead body and then were talking about the closet and how Sammy saw the mummy, I was confused. I didn’t know if it was a real Egyptian Mummy they were talking about or it was a statue of a mummy. Only after finishing and rereading the chapter about 3 times, I understood that it was Max’s sister. Although I noticed some strengths I still think it should be a 4 star book. One of the strengths in all Sammy Keyes books are when every detail and clues throughout the book points at one character and then there is a bing in Sammys head and she figures it out. It was really interesting why Max wanted to kill Sammy's Mom and why he thought it was her wife that died and was reborn into Sammy’s mom. Theme was Don’t lie a lot or you might get Murdered by a Psycho.
December 30, 2012
Didn't see this one coming...Wow! Love Sammy Keyes.
May 3, 2023
First let me say that I am 47, so I am probably 3 or 4 times the age of the target audience. That said, maybe I am a bit strange myself because I saw this plot coming by about half way into the book. The only thing that surprised me was that (SPOILER ALERT) Inga (the "mummy" sister of the owner of the mansion) was not in on the crime and weirdness. I was sure that she was a partner in crime. That said, I also have to say that the daughter of the cook (I forget her name, but the young lady with the VW bug that was a main character in this book) REALLY annoyed me! I know she is going thru a lot, but her belligerence was VERY grating. Also, Marissa's timidness isn't annoying to me usually, but beyond that she seemed extraordinary dense in this book. Her complaining and asking questions at inopportune times (I seriously expected her and Sammy to be caught since whilst sneaking, she kept asking questions that should have waited until they were safe to be answered) was so irritating that I almost had to pull over (I don't have much time for reading, so I listen to audiobooks as I drive)
And finally Lana was such a bad example of a parent that it was almost too extreme. The fact that Sammy let her stay in Hollywood instead of going home and taking care of her kid as any reasonable parent would *(and should) do sets the wrong tone for me
After all of this, it is understandable if you think I didn't like this book. That is actually not true-I enjoyed it, and the reader is very good at doing different voices. I just get frustrated at the character's choices, (and denseness in Marissa's case)
I don't want to leave the wrong impression about my abilities though-at the outset, I truly thought "Lady Lana" would be the killer (but that would be pretty dark for a tween detective series, but then again, I haven't read many that were written after the 1980s), and then I thought the mother of the VW Bug driver was the killer. But once I heard the DOB of "Dominque" on the driver's license, it kind of fell into place for me. (Which makes me wonder why my brain went to such a twisted, weird place)
And finally Lana was such a bad example of a parent that it was almost too extreme. The fact that Sammy let her stay in Hollywood instead of going home and taking care of her kid as any reasonable parent would *(and should) do sets the wrong tone for me
After all of this, it is understandable if you think I didn't like this book. That is actually not true-I enjoyed it, and the reader is very good at doing different voices. I just get frustrated at the character's choices, (and denseness in Marissa's case)
I don't want to leave the wrong impression about my abilities though-at the outset, I truly thought "Lady Lana" would be the killer (but that would be pretty dark for a tween detective series, but then again, I haven't read many that were written after the 1980s), and then I thought the mother of the VW Bug driver was the killer. But once I heard the DOB of "Dominque" on the driver's license, it kind of fell into place for me. (Which makes me wonder why my brain went to such a twisted, weird place)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
I read this book a few years ago (I think I was around 14?) and I remember what I thought upon finishing it: Creepy.
The book was a leeeeetle bit creepy, definitely. Maybe a smidge too much so, considering it's a middle-grade read. I liked it, I guess, but I'm not sure I would go and recommend it.
The book has a noir feel to it, and the characters all had some pretty big faults. I'm not complaining about that, necessarily. I think I may, even, like it more if I read it again.
The spoilers below give a brief overview of the content, as well as why it was so darn creepy.
***SPOILERS, GUYS!***
As for content, the cause of the story is that Sammy's (kind of estranged) mom leaves to try and become famous as an actress, and Sammy goes after her. I found it a little sad. (broken families are a sad thing, people-brothers!) The culprit is an insane landlord/director (or something, I don't quite remember) who, after his wife died, literally mummified her and made a shrine in a secret room. EWW! He became obsessed with Sammy's mom, who he thought was his wife reincarnated, and sought to kill her so he could have her forever. Yeesh. I don't mind murder being the mystery in a middle-grade book, but... That's... um... I don't know if I'd write that sort of murder for a middle grade book. YA, maybe.
* Also, there are some uses of omg (the actual words, not the shortcut)
Since I was younger, I found it maybe more creepy than I would now, especially since I'm an Edgar Allen Poe fan, but I still think, for the audience it was written for, they may find it a bit much. And I don't particularly like the use of omg.
The book was a leeeeetle bit creepy, definitely. Maybe a smidge too much so, considering it's a middle-grade read. I liked it, I guess, but I'm not sure I would go and recommend it.
The book has a noir feel to it, and the characters all had some pretty big faults. I'm not complaining about that, necessarily. I think I may, even, like it more if I read it again.
The spoilers below give a brief overview of the content, as well as why it was so darn creepy.
***SPOILERS, GUYS!***
As for content, the cause of the story is that Sammy's (kind of estranged) mom leaves to try and become famous as an actress, and Sammy goes after her. I found it a little sad. (broken families are a sad thing, people-brothers!) The culprit is an insane landlord/director (or something, I don't quite remember) who, after his wife died, literally mummified her and made a shrine in a secret room. EWW! He became obsessed with Sammy's mom, who he thought was his wife reincarnated, and sought to kill her so he could have her forever. Yeesh. I don't mind murder being the mystery in a middle-grade book, but... That's... um... I don't know if I'd write that sort of murder for a middle grade book. YA, maybe.
* Also, there are some uses of omg (the actual words, not the shortcut)
Since I was younger, I found it maybe more creepy than I would now, especially since I'm an Edgar Allen Poe fan, but I still think, for the audience it was written for, they may find it a bit much. And I don't particularly like the use of omg.
February 1, 2024
I love how chaotic these books are. There is SO MUCH going on. This one deals with really big topics, including intersectional oppression and paternity. I think a lot of the elements - the Egypt obsession and orientalism; the allegations of Nazism; unacknowledged paternity of a half-Jamaican child and refusal to marry her mother (who is also "the help"); the cult-like atmosphere of the house and seeming importance that its female inhabitants be blond - could all have been linked together more explicitly to make the overall points about intersecting systems of oppression more powerfully. Yes, it's a kids' book, but geared toward kids old enough to think about those things. And it IS hinting at those things anyway, so it's not like it would be introducing a new concept; it could just explain it more clearly. But I'm an adult, and those are big things for a book like this to tackle. It already does something pretty impressive already by putting these things together in the same book, subconsciously hinting that they might be connected. As is the case with many of these books, some of the language and representations are outdated, but they're still overall pretty sympathetic toward marginalized folks. Weirdly, I guessed the most farfetched part of the mystery really early on, but not some of the more normal stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2018
Sammy Keyes is about a teenage girl who goes to visit her mother who lives in Hollywood. Sammy's mother is trying to become this big time actress, she already made an appearance on a commercial. Sammy has always been skeptical about her mothers acting skills. When Sammy and her friend Marissa visit they get wrapped up in a Hollywood mystery. Another actress, who had been competing for an important role just like Sammy's mother shows up dead.
This book is super fun to see Sammy's personality come to life. She is concerned with her mother and with her friend they try to solve the murder.
I would use this in my classroom for a student who loves a good mystery. Also for anyone who can relate to a teenage girl that is trying to figure out life and connect with her Mom.
This book is super fun to see Sammy's personality come to life. She is concerned with her mother and with her friend they try to solve the murder.
I would use this in my classroom for a student who loves a good mystery. Also for anyone who can relate to a teenage girl that is trying to figure out life and connect with her Mom.
December 13, 2019
This was great. I love a good mystery. This one totally kept me on my toes. Sammy is sassy, strong willed, and a little devious. She is the perfect sleuth, sneaking in and out of situations and learning how to make herself invisible when she needs to.
One of the best elements of the story though, is her navigating her relationship with her mother. Her mother is irresponsible and absent, and Sammy must live with her grandmother. When she reconnects with her mother in this book, she realizes how much she truly loves her grandmother. She says, her mom is like sugary cereal, and her grandmother is like a bowl of thick oatmeal where the spoon just sticks straight up in it. Dependable. I thought that was really heartwarming.
One of the best elements of the story though, is her navigating her relationship with her mother. Her mother is irresponsible and absent, and Sammy must live with her grandmother. When she reconnects with her mother in this book, she realizes how much she truly loves her grandmother. She says, her mom is like sugary cereal, and her grandmother is like a bowl of thick oatmeal where the spoon just sticks straight up in it. Dependable. I thought that was really heartwarming.
February 13, 2025
This book is a little different from the others in that Sammy goes to visit her mom, and the story takes place in Hollywood instead of Santa Martina. I did like that this focuses on their relationship and that her mom is an actual character in the series, even though most of the time she's only referenced in passing.
Reveal:
Reveal:
July 18, 2025
Top tier. Just as good as I remember it being from my elementary school days. Reading it as an adult though and realizing it’s about a cult was wild. I’d liken this book to Prisoner of Azkaban when things start to get really serious. So far up until this book, Sammy’s been solving robberies and arsons, but in Hollywood Mummy she takes on a cult (not that she knows it’s a cult) and murder. The sarcophagus reveal still so messed up.
August 2, 2020
Loved the Hollywood theme of this one. Lady Lana plays a prominent role as does friend Marissa. Sammy uncovers a mummy, solves a murder and strengthens her relationship with her actress mom, all the while learning that being who you are is way more valuable than trying to be someone else.
One of my favorites so far.
One of my favorites so far.
September 29, 2020
I revisited this middle-school favorite via audiobooks. Sammy Keyes is just as hilarious, adventurous, and strong as I remember her. I used to devour these books and laugh until my belly hurt. A street smart, observant, strong-willed role model for young girls! Highly recommend her detective adventures.
January 12, 2023
Another fun addition to the Sammy Keyes series! I love Sammy's personality and the way she handles trouble. Her friends are all really fun too and she makes some new ones in this one. It was also fun to see more of her mom and their relationship in this one.
This one takes the Lord's name in vain.
This one takes the Lord's name in vain.
January 13, 2017
If you have kids you must listen to these in the car. I love the different voices they do. This is a great series. I am addicted to them. The characters do say OMG which I could do without but that's it.
July 5, 2018
This mystery is pretty crazy. I like that it centers around Sammy trying to reconnect and understand her long lost mother. And I also love the relationship between Sammy and her best friend, Marissa. It takes both of them to sort through the craziness and solve the mystery.
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July 25, 2021that was an interesting twist.
some mature content - how this is considered reading for a 10 year I'm not sure except that Sammy is young. But wow she's doing things and going places no kid her age is likely to go.
some mature content - how this is considered reading for a 10 year I'm not sure except that Sammy is young. But wow she's doing things and going places no kid her age is likely to go.
December 17, 2021
Not my favorite in the series since we left Santa Martina and most of our usual cast of characters, but definitely not a poor addition to the series. Definitely made me realize that a lot of the random knowledge I had rattling around my head as a kid came from these books!
February 6, 2023
I’m a little torn. Good old Sammy Keyes really came through during possibly the worst week of my life. But also: the plot was just a little too bonkers. And I feel like the plot just wasn’t as strong as some of the others.
August 19, 2023
i still want to be sammy keyes when i grow up.
this girl was my HERO as a little girl, and i guarantee she had as much impact on my decision to start wearing high-tops as nick wheeler, lead guitarist of the all-american rejects, did.
this girl was my HERO as a little girl, and i guarantee she had as much impact on my decision to start wearing high-tops as nick wheeler, lead guitarist of the all-american rejects, did.
September 13, 2023
Excellent❣️
I loved everything in this story, including the literary skills of author and some fun plot twists! I adore Sammy Keyes. She’s one of my all time favorite characters. Love her friend Marissa tons too!
I loved everything in this story, including the literary skills of author and some fun plot twists! I adore Sammy Keyes. She’s one of my all time favorite characters. Love her friend Marissa tons too!
March 26, 2024
I can understand how this author won an Edgar for her writing. This was one convoluted plot--and just as I thought I had figured it out, nope!--I was totally wrong. I don't even like mysteries--but I'm loving this series. Four stars.
June 15, 2017
I liked this in middle school
July 12, 2018
Sammy Keyes is not my favorite teen sleuth. I read her first book, and now this one. I just find her stories sorta blah. Not as clever as other series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews