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Secrets of Mary's Bookshop #8
Missing Pages
It’s Independence Day, and Ivy Bay is decked out for the holiday. Mary is enjoying the annual Fourth of July parade until the July Queen, a local high school student named Amanda Branson, disappears from her float in the middle of the festivities. The police immediately begin searching for the missing girl, but she seems to have vanished without a trace. Deepening the mystery, Mary thinks she saw Amanda at the docks shortly after the parade. She can’t be sure it was really Amanda, though, so Chief McArthur won’t listen to her.
Every day that passes makes it less likely that Amanda is unharmed, but Mary is determined to bring her home safely. Then her investigation reveals a startling possibility: Does Mary’s granddaughter Daisy hold the key to finding Amanda?
Every day that passes makes it less likely that Amanda is unharmed, but Mary is determined to bring her home safely. Then her investigation reveals a startling possibility: Does Mary’s granddaughter Daisy hold the key to finding Amanda?
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 13, 2019
About this book:
“It’s Independence Day, and Ivy Bay is decked out for the holiday. Mary is enjoying the annual Fourth of July parade until the July Queen, a local high school student named Amanda Branson, disappears from her float in the middle of the festivities. The police immediately begin searching for the missing girl, but she seems to have vanished without a trace. Deepening the mystery, Mary thinks she saw Amanda at the docks shortly after the parade. She can’t be sure it was really Amanda, though, so Chief McArthur won’t listen to her.
Every day that passes makes it less likely that Amanda is unharmed, but Mary is determined to bring her home safely. Then her investigation reveals a startling possibility: Does Mary’s granddaughter Daisy hold the key to finding Amanda?”
Series: Book #8 in the “Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop” series. Review of Book #1 Here!, #2 Here!, #3 Here!, #4 Here!, #5 Here!, #6 Here!, and #7 Here!
Spiritual Content- 1 Corinthians 4:21 at the end in the bonus pages; Prayers; Going to church; Talks about God & praying; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God, trusting Him, & thanking Him; Mentions of prayers, praying, & prayer meetings; Mentions of churches & church going.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘oh my gosh’s and five ‘stupid’s; All about mentions of a girl’s disappearance & other disappearances/abductions; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a husband leaving his family; A few mentions of lying & lies; A couple mentions of stealing & a burglar; A couple mentions of gossip;
*Note: Mentions of social media; Mentions of Disney.
Sexual Content- Mentions of boys, cute boys, dating, girlfriends/boyfriends, & cheating; A few mentions of hand-holding.
-Mary Fisher
P.O.V. of Mary
263 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While I’ve read quite a few books dealing with disappearances, this one stood out from the rest due to the way it was written. A teen girl’s disappearance is definitely a serious and time-sensitive topic, but this book felt a little more laid back. It honestly was nice to not have my heart racing in suspense over what would happen next. It was a festive story, but not my favorite in the series.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“It’s Independence Day, and Ivy Bay is decked out for the holiday. Mary is enjoying the annual Fourth of July parade until the July Queen, a local high school student named Amanda Branson, disappears from her float in the middle of the festivities. The police immediately begin searching for the missing girl, but she seems to have vanished without a trace. Deepening the mystery, Mary thinks she saw Amanda at the docks shortly after the parade. She can’t be sure it was really Amanda, though, so Chief McArthur won’t listen to her.
Every day that passes makes it less likely that Amanda is unharmed, but Mary is determined to bring her home safely. Then her investigation reveals a startling possibility: Does Mary’s granddaughter Daisy hold the key to finding Amanda?”
Series: Book #8 in the “Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop” series. Review of Book #1 Here!, #2 Here!, #3 Here!, #4 Here!, #5 Here!, #6 Here!, and #7 Here!
Spiritual Content- 1 Corinthians 4:21 at the end in the bonus pages; Prayers; Going to church; Talks about God & praying; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God, trusting Him, & thanking Him; Mentions of prayers, praying, & prayer meetings; Mentions of churches & church going.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘oh my gosh’s and five ‘stupid’s; All about mentions of a girl’s disappearance & other disappearances/abductions; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a husband leaving his family; A few mentions of lying & lies; A couple mentions of stealing & a burglar; A couple mentions of gossip;
*Note: Mentions of social media; Mentions of Disney.
Sexual Content- Mentions of boys, cute boys, dating, girlfriends/boyfriends, & cheating; A few mentions of hand-holding.
-Mary Fisher
P.O.V. of Mary
263 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While I’ve read quite a few books dealing with disappearances, this one stood out from the rest due to the way it was written. A teen girl’s disappearance is definitely a serious and time-sensitive topic, but this book felt a little more laid back. It honestly was nice to not have my heart racing in suspense over what would happen next. It was a festive story, but not my favorite in the series.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
April 11, 2021
This takes place in July. The story is about a missing person, family, lies, and secrets. There is a parade, which I liked. The mystery was pretty interesting. I was pretty sure it would end the way it did, but I enjoyed seeing the main character figure it out.
June 22, 2022
The booklover in me LOVES books about books. I found one of these wonderful novels when I lived in Hawaii two years ago. I couldn't afford them new so I bought all I could afford used. I have been reading them and I have three of the nine I have, read. I'm afraid I might be reading them out of order. LOL! Anyways, I love these books. I am especially intrigued by the different author's perspectives on Mary. The only thing I wish is that there was more of a tie to the bookstore and the books themselves. They actually seem to be more of an afterthought, which is sad. They are all worth reading though and I have no intention of stopping!
May 29, 2023
A local high school student, Amanda goes missing at the Fourth of July parade. Mary thinks she saw her wearing a black wig. Meanwhile, Mary's son Jack and his wife Christa, and Daisy their daughter are visiting from Chicago. Daisy would rather be in Chicago with her friends and is mad at her dad. Every time Mary gets a new clue it turns into a dead end. Is Amanda's dad involved or did she run away? Or was she abducted. There are a lot of twists and turns and secrets about Amanda's mother and father's relationship. Also, does Daisy find a clue that can help find about what actually happened to Amanda. You have to read this good book to find out what happens to Amanda.
January 21, 2019
While her son, daughter in law and granddaughter are visiting this 4th of July, Mary finds herself investigating the disappearance of a local teen. Mary uncovers secrets and lies that left me gobsmacked and very concerned 😟 about my own child being a teenager. The one question on my mind when I finished this story was: will the person responsible for this disappearance have to pay or will all be forgiven as has happened in all the other books?
June 5, 2020
Overall this is a fantastic series! The characters are quirky and fun, and relatable. I really enjoy reading book series that are light, funny, and share much needed lessons. Set in an idyllic setting, I can picture it clearly due to the all the details provided. All of the books in the series hold my attention - I don't want to put them down until I know how the mystery ends!
August 20, 2025
This mystery was a little light on research, and the whole Mary being the only one who thinks Amanda may have run away seems a bit off. I did enjoy how many clues were found, and Mary's relationship with her granddaughter Daisy was very sweet. I appreciate that Mary found as many (if not more) clues as the police did, but still made sure she was working with them.
June 19, 2018
Excellent summer mystery.
July 5, 2019
I like this series but was a little disappointed that Mary didn’t make more time for her family during this weekend. Interesting story.
April 16, 2021
This story is about family and growth.
February 9, 2023
When high school student disappears from a float in the middle of an Independence Day parade, our sleuth gets on the case.
Not bad, but the cops are a bit dumber than usual in this one.
Not bad, but the cops are a bit dumber than usual in this one.
October 18, 2023
This book was so cozy!
August 6, 2025
The mother was ridiculous in this but overall an enjoyable read.
April 1, 2020
Easy read. Cute and fun. Wish I had more in the series to read.
August 25, 2014
The author's name is Vera Dodge not Doge.
Another book in the Secrets of Mary's Bookshop series.
A favorite time for the people of Ivy Bay is the annual 4th of July Parade.
Of course a mystery would happen just as the parade was ending as one of the
members of the Queen float disappears. The Queen, a high school senior, has
disappeared and the police and several citizens are involved in searching for
her. Of course Mary, the book owner, is right in the middle of this search.
Great reading and I wish all my friends will read and enjoy this great series.
Another book in the Secrets of Mary's Bookshop series.
A favorite time for the people of Ivy Bay is the annual 4th of July Parade.
Of course a mystery would happen just as the parade was ending as one of the
members of the Queen float disappears. The Queen, a high school senior, has
disappeared and the police and several citizens are involved in searching for
her. Of course Mary, the book owner, is right in the middle of this search.
Great reading and I wish all my friends will read and enjoy this great series.
August 12, 2013
#8--Mary's family comes from Chicago to spend the Fourth of July with her but a mystery must be solved, especially since a young girl is involved. She has help with her sister, the police chief, her friend Henry and of course her cat, Gus.
264 pages
264 pages
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March 19, 2015A teenage girl mysteriously disappears & Mary sets out to find her.
October 7, 2016
Enjoyable story though I had it figured out early in the story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews