Pike Place

by Marilyn Howard Tschudi

Set in 1971 Seattle, Pike Place tells the story of a young family whose teenage daughter goes missing. Told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, Pike Place takes the reader back to a simpler place and time in America.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2007

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice-paced, easy read. I started it this morning, put it down a few times for dinner and playtime with the dog, and finished it this evening. Every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it back to again.

At first I thought this was a memoir. It read very much like one. I had to go check, and learned it was fiction I was reading. It's all frightening, but believable. So many things from Bobbi's life were similar to my own when I was growing up, even the abandoned "haunted" house.

It's a nice change for me to read something from the perspective of a little kid. Some of it was unbelievable, but I'm ok with some of that in a work of fiction. The fact that Bobbi, Scott & Lizzie found clues the police couldn't find was a bit far-fetched. And I had a hard time accepting that Bobbi just HAD to see the date on that ticket she found. It just didn't make sense. If the author needed to get her back into that room, I wish she'd have just made her realize the date the first time she saw the ticket, and made her have to go grab the ticket as evidence or something.

Still, that aside, I had a hard time putting the book down.

[Susan Toy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, mainly as far as the storyline that was told, and the fact that it was set in Seattle in the early 70s, but the book, overall, needed a heavier edit. I found many mistakes - typos and redundancies - and some problems with POV that should have been caught. I was quite surprised when I finished reading that this book had won awards.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh, Seattle air

Being 10 years old in the early ‘70s was fun. “The best treehouse in the state of Washington,” a best friend to visit for the summer, friends and family with which to re-enact Hardy Boys mysteries, abandoned houses and caves to explore and Honda 50 mini bikes to ride into the adventures of a certain summer on the best trails and in the best woods. Until the unthinkable happens and Hardy Boys becomes all to real. Enter the curious mind of a 10-year-old. You’ll enjoy living there.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Quick read.

[Carolyn Valcik · Rating 4 out of 5]

One summer in Seattle a little girl grows up quickly with her family when tragedy strikes.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pike Place by Marilyn Howard Tschudi
We were able to go to Pikes' Place in Seattle a few years ago and it was an adventure.
Not only the vendors and all their wares but the fishmongers stole the show when we purchased some shrimp.
Can't wait to go back again and to see the quilt store. There was so much there we did not experience.
Book starts out with Bobbi and her life growing up near Seattle. 5 in the family and they play outside in the
very early 70's, just like my family. She and her younger brother Scottie play at being the Hardy boys and solve mysteries.
Love all the mysteries and treasures she finds along the way while babysitting or just riding their bikes. Her best friend,
Lizzie comes to stay for part of the summer and she's able to actually sleep through the night again.
One day her sister Angela didn't come home from cheer leading practice nor work.
Their lives were never the same again. Lizzie went along with Scottie and Bobbi to try to find any signs of Angela in the woods.
Love their trips around town and the investigations of the underground city of Seattle. We had driven by them while in the city but never went for the tour.
Can't believe the kids and their inquisitive minds and actions help the cops find and follow the clues...
Loved all the history of the city and state. Scary what happened to the girls...
Loved all the music lyrics as it was the same time frame I grew up on the other side of the country.

[Richard Tolleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, if a bit flawed. It lulls you into a sense of the time and place in which it is set (Seattle in the early 1970's), to the point that I was wondering what the book was about, exactly. Then we get to the mystery, about which I will say little so as not to provide spoilers. The mystery is a bit simplistic, and the climax of the novel is right out of the Perils of Pauline, but it's fun, nonetheless. The epilogue is an unnecessary appendage. One other point: around 3/4 of the way through the book, the narrative would have benefited by a switch to third person, because there is information that the first person narrator could not possibly have known. Don't let these minor criticisms stop you from enjoying this book. It's a fast-paced, entertaining read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that takes you back to the seventies even if you didn't grow up around Seattle. The ten year old narrator does a good job introducing us to the various characters in the book. A tragedy turns the summer of innocense into a summer of tragedy after a family member disappears. If you are looking for the details of the disappearance and the details of what "really" happened when the sister was at the hands of the perp, this is not your book. If you want to read a book about families and relationships, this is for you.

[Anupama Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pike Place is a unique novel for me. I am not a big fan of YA novels and usually steer clear of wannabe detectives as well. But Pike Place mesmerized me with its heady combination of thriller and literary fiction, surprisingly well written. The book gives a sneak peek into the simple world of children, who do understand everything their adults try to brush off and yet with their magnanimous innocence, accept rude reactions and try to act normal. Though, it can hardly be termed as a children book, as basic premise is founded on a very sensitive topic of child abuse. Powerful write by Marilyn.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book won all sorts of awards, and I can see why. The story takes place in Seattle in 1971, narrated by Bobbi, the fourth of five children. The mystery and how it would be solved became so engrossing for me I couldn't read fast enough! The story after the mystery was solved bogged down for me, thus only four stars. But definitely worth reading, especially those in the Seattle rea interested in reading about various landmarks, along with some historical trivia.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a young adult book than chick lit. It was okay and I liked the references to places I know and songs from the 70s. Perhaps I just don't care for stories where teenage girls are the main characters. Just right for those who enjoy Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. At least this review copy was well edited, they aren't always.

[Carla Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobbie,Lizzie and Scottie go on a wild search for a loved one.

This was one of the best written mysteries were. Told through a little girls eyes. Growing up in Seattle, losing a loved one, finding her, kidnapping, growing up, growing older...truly one of the best books I have this year.

[Audrey Mcclune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because of its local interest, since we lived near Seattle, and I found it to be a good, quick read. The author did the child's point of view very well- she reminded me of a Scout-like narrator.

[Dee-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this .. part of me wanted to know more of what happened to Angela, but then again it was probably better that I didn't know. I liked the character of Bobbi, hr family and the freedom and fun they had.

[Rena Searles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seen through the eyes of a little girl who is fascinated with detective stories, this book takes us through the suspicious disappearance of her teen-aged sister. Enjoyed the parts dealing with historical Seattle and found it a good read.

[Myrna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I had just returned from a visit to Seattle, I enjoyed the book.

Read the Kindle edition

[Cheryl]

Good summer read.

[Cheryl Spilman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Kept me interested throughout.