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A Raven Gallows Mystery #1
The Secret of Moonrise Manor
Wednesday Addams + Sherlock Holmes = Raven Gallows—a curious girl who uses her budding skills as a mortician and a scientist to investigate a mysterious death at her small town’s haunted hotel.
Raven Gallows lives in a funeral home and is determined to become a famous detective. Her first case is one close to home—find the truth surrounding her mother’s puzzling death six years ago.
When a mummified man is discovered behind a wall at the Moonrise Manor Hotel, Raven is shocked to see that the body is clutching her mother’s gold and silver locket.
Raven gathers her friends—Cosmina Wilde, who thinks she can talk to ghosts; Miles Farnsworth, who works at the haunted hotel; and Eric Wong, who possesses unparalleled computer skills—and sets out to learn the identity of the mummy. As they follow the clues, they discover more than they bargained for, including a stash of stolen art and a legend of a secret society.
The Secret of Moonrise Manor is a story about family, friendship, and the courage it takes to pursue the truth.
Raven Gallows lives in a funeral home and is determined to become a famous detective. Her first case is one close to home—find the truth surrounding her mother’s puzzling death six years ago.
When a mummified man is discovered behind a wall at the Moonrise Manor Hotel, Raven is shocked to see that the body is clutching her mother’s gold and silver locket.
Raven gathers her friends—Cosmina Wilde, who thinks she can talk to ghosts; Miles Farnsworth, who works at the haunted hotel; and Eric Wong, who possesses unparalleled computer skills—and sets out to learn the identity of the mummy. As they follow the clues, they discover more than they bargained for, including a stash of stolen art and a legend of a secret society.
The Secret of Moonrise Manor is a story about family, friendship, and the courage it takes to pursue the truth.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published February 4, 2025
11 people are currently reading
4003 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 11, 2025
The Secret of Moonrise Manor is an engaging middle grade whodunit with a plucky heroine who’s part Wednesday Adams & part Sherlock Holmes. Ghosts, secrets, & a real life art theft mystery definitely kept me on my toes. I loved following Raven Gallows & her intrepid friends as they solve the clues to several perplexing mysteries.
As the granddaughter of a coroner & funeral home director, Raven Gallows is familiar with the macabre. Her scientific mind is always searching for answers much to the dismay of her grandmother, aunt, & older sister. When she & her ghost hunting friends find a modern mummy hidden in the wall of the old, haunted Moonrise Manor, Raven’s shocked to find her dead mother’s locket in his pocket. Determined to learn more about the man in the wall & her mother’s death, Raven sets out to find the truth, but has she stumbled into more than she bargained for?
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery which reminded me a bit of Scooby Doo combined with Edgar Allan Poe & Agatha Christie. Raven Gallows is the modern day American equivalent of another favorite mystery detective, Flavia De Luce! Like Flavia, Raven has a great scientific mind & desperately misses her mother who was murdered six years ago. She also has an older sister who’s her complete opposite & more into fashion & acting than sleuthing.
Helping Raven on her quest to solve the mystery are a delightful, eclectic group of friends. Cosmina’s a young spiritualist who thinks she can talk to ghosts. Miles is the son of the caretaker of Moonrise Manor whose older brother’s a local heartthrob. Then there’s Eric Wong, the computer wiz. I enjoyed these differing personalities & how they worked together through differences & found forgiveness.
The mystery drew me in from the beginning & I loved that it was based on a real life unsolved art theft. I also enjoyed the secret society aspect & can’t wait to learn more about it in future books.
A fantastic start to a new series middle grade readers & mystery fans will love. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
CW: Mentions of ghosts, mediums, a seance, & using crystals.
As the granddaughter of a coroner & funeral home director, Raven Gallows is familiar with the macabre. Her scientific mind is always searching for answers much to the dismay of her grandmother, aunt, & older sister. When she & her ghost hunting friends find a modern mummy hidden in the wall of the old, haunted Moonrise Manor, Raven’s shocked to find her dead mother’s locket in his pocket. Determined to learn more about the man in the wall & her mother’s death, Raven sets out to find the truth, but has she stumbled into more than she bargained for?
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery which reminded me a bit of Scooby Doo combined with Edgar Allan Poe & Agatha Christie. Raven Gallows is the modern day American equivalent of another favorite mystery detective, Flavia De Luce! Like Flavia, Raven has a great scientific mind & desperately misses her mother who was murdered six years ago. She also has an older sister who’s her complete opposite & more into fashion & acting than sleuthing.
Helping Raven on her quest to solve the mystery are a delightful, eclectic group of friends. Cosmina’s a young spiritualist who thinks she can talk to ghosts. Miles is the son of the caretaker of Moonrise Manor whose older brother’s a local heartthrob. Then there’s Eric Wong, the computer wiz. I enjoyed these differing personalities & how they worked together through differences & found forgiveness.
The mystery drew me in from the beginning & I loved that it was based on a real life unsolved art theft. I also enjoyed the secret society aspect & can’t wait to learn more about it in future books.
A fantastic start to a new series middle grade readers & mystery fans will love. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
CW: Mentions of ghosts, mediums, a seance, & using crystals.
January 11, 2025
A fun MG mystery with wonderful characters you grow to care about and a quirky story that keeps you gripped and guffawing. Middle graders and adults young at heart will love it!
October 31, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Raven Gallows lives in Sassafras Springs, Missouri with her Grams, Aunt Lenore, and older sister Annabelle. Her mother, an art historian, was found murdered six years ago, and her father is away in Chile on an archaeological dig. Grams and Aunt Lenore run the Gallows Garden Funeral Home, and Raven herself is torn between her interest in mortuary science and detective work. She's allowed to help out with the business, but is always reminded to be respectful. Her best friend, Cosmina, also has an interesting family; her mother runs a small guest house and her grandmother gives spiritual readings as Madame Zaza. Cosmina wants to be able to talk to ghosts at Moonrise Manor, billed as the most haunted hotel in the US, while Raven is interested in debunking the stories about myths by using her scientific equipment. When the two are visiting the manor, they meet Miles, and end up in a skirmish that involves Raven damaging a wall... and uncovering a mummified body! The police are alerted, but Raven takes it up on herself to get the body out of the while and check for clues... which include a locket that belonged to her mother in one of the pockets. The corpse is handed over to her grandmother, the county coroner, for preliminary investigation. Miles also has a more scientific interest in ghosts, and wants to help the girls investigate. When it turns out that the body belonged to the elderly owner, Zachariah Zimmer, of the hotel who supposedly died six years ago far away from home, Raven starts to worry that her mom might have had something to do with his death. When Eric, who is good with computers and whose family runs a local Happy Wok restaurant, discovers that a goblet that was found with the body is, in fact, one that was stolen from the Gardner Museum in 1990, things get interesting, especially since Raven's mom investigated thefts. Zimmerman's daughter, Octavia Ames, shows up in town to give out college scholarships, but when Annabel expresses interest in meeting her, both Aunt Lenore and Grams vehemently forbid it. When trying to record ghosts in the Manor, Raven overhears some suspicious talk, which ends up putting her and her friends in real danger. She's forgiven Cosmina after her friend hinted that her mother might still be alive, but what if it's true? What is her family's relationship with the mysterious Dupin society? There are lots of mysteries to be solved, and Raven shows that she has the skills to do so.
N.B. There are no actual communications with ghosts, so I would categorize this as realistic fiction.
Strengths: One of the things that my students ask for most is MURDER mysteries, and this certainly fits the bill. The fact that the murders occurred six years ago softens the impact a bit, and while there are lots of descriptions of dead bodies, they are more scientific than gory, making this perfect for middle grade. The different approaches that Raven and Cosmina have to events are fun to watch, and Cosmina is just SURE that she can talk to spirits just like her grandmother, even though we don't really see this. Miles and Eric are good additions to the Truth Trackers. I love that there are some real threats to the safety of the kids, but they aren't too intense, and it's also great that they foil the evil adults in true Scooby-Doo fashion. The ending is a bit of a twist, and leaves space for another book in the series.
Weaknesses: The cover does this book no favors. The book itself gets really dark, which my readers will love, but the kids on the cover look about eight, which will make this excellent tale harder to sell.
What I really think: The setting, characters, and level of middle school appropriate crime details reminded me strongly of Souder's The Radcliffe Riddle or Coop Knows the Scoop, and is a great choice for readers who liked those titles, or other titles like Bunce's Myrtle Hardcastle or Steven's Wells and Wong mysteries.
Raven Gallows lives in Sassafras Springs, Missouri with her Grams, Aunt Lenore, and older sister Annabelle. Her mother, an art historian, was found murdered six years ago, and her father is away in Chile on an archaeological dig. Grams and Aunt Lenore run the Gallows Garden Funeral Home, and Raven herself is torn between her interest in mortuary science and detective work. She's allowed to help out with the business, but is always reminded to be respectful. Her best friend, Cosmina, also has an interesting family; her mother runs a small guest house and her grandmother gives spiritual readings as Madame Zaza. Cosmina wants to be able to talk to ghosts at Moonrise Manor, billed as the most haunted hotel in the US, while Raven is interested in debunking the stories about myths by using her scientific equipment. When the two are visiting the manor, they meet Miles, and end up in a skirmish that involves Raven damaging a wall... and uncovering a mummified body! The police are alerted, but Raven takes it up on herself to get the body out of the while and check for clues... which include a locket that belonged to her mother in one of the pockets. The corpse is handed over to her grandmother, the county coroner, for preliminary investigation. Miles also has a more scientific interest in ghosts, and wants to help the girls investigate. When it turns out that the body belonged to the elderly owner, Zachariah Zimmer, of the hotel who supposedly died six years ago far away from home, Raven starts to worry that her mom might have had something to do with his death. When Eric, who is good with computers and whose family runs a local Happy Wok restaurant, discovers that a goblet that was found with the body is, in fact, one that was stolen from the Gardner Museum in 1990, things get interesting, especially since Raven's mom investigated thefts. Zimmerman's daughter, Octavia Ames, shows up in town to give out college scholarships, but when Annabel expresses interest in meeting her, both Aunt Lenore and Grams vehemently forbid it. When trying to record ghosts in the Manor, Raven overhears some suspicious talk, which ends up putting her and her friends in real danger. She's forgiven Cosmina after her friend hinted that her mother might still be alive, but what if it's true? What is her family's relationship with the mysterious Dupin society? There are lots of mysteries to be solved, and Raven shows that she has the skills to do so.
N.B. There are no actual communications with ghosts, so I would categorize this as realistic fiction.
Strengths: One of the things that my students ask for most is MURDER mysteries, and this certainly fits the bill. The fact that the murders occurred six years ago softens the impact a bit, and while there are lots of descriptions of dead bodies, they are more scientific than gory, making this perfect for middle grade. The different approaches that Raven and Cosmina have to events are fun to watch, and Cosmina is just SURE that she can talk to spirits just like her grandmother, even though we don't really see this. Miles and Eric are good additions to the Truth Trackers. I love that there are some real threats to the safety of the kids, but they aren't too intense, and it's also great that they foil the evil adults in true Scooby-Doo fashion. The ending is a bit of a twist, and leaves space for another book in the series.
Weaknesses: The cover does this book no favors. The book itself gets really dark, which my readers will love, but the kids on the cover look about eight, which will make this excellent tale harder to sell.
What I really think: The setting, characters, and level of middle school appropriate crime details reminded me strongly of Souder's The Radcliffe Riddle or Coop Knows the Scoop, and is a great choice for readers who liked those titles, or other titles like Bunce's Myrtle Hardcastle or Steven's Wells and Wong mysteries.
January 28, 2025
I had a lot of fun reading this middle grade mystery about Raven Gallows, a science loving young girl who has an eclectic and delightful group of friends. Together they made such a fun cast for this story. Cosmina, Miles, Eric and Raven, all had me giggling several times throughout the book. They were a great team as they worked together to discover the mystery of who the mummy was. And the added shock of Raven finding her dead mother's necklace with the mummy!
As sometimes happens, this ragtag group has to work through their squabbles and disagreements. I loved seeing how they figured out those disagreements and made their friendship worth more than a mere argument.
I kept guessing right along with our young sleuths and had a fun time as I did so. I think this will be a fun addition to a library for middle grade students and families who enjoy reading together. When my kids were younger, this would definitely be one of the books that would be picked for family read-alouds.
Content: Talk of a mummy. One character believes she can talk to ghosts, a bad guy and a dead character. The main character lives with her grandmother in a morgue.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
As sometimes happens, this ragtag group has to work through their squabbles and disagreements. I loved seeing how they figured out those disagreements and made their friendship worth more than a mere argument.
I kept guessing right along with our young sleuths and had a fun time as I did so. I think this will be a fun addition to a library for middle grade students and families who enjoy reading together. When my kids were younger, this would definitely be one of the books that would be picked for family read-alouds.
Content: Talk of a mummy. One character believes she can talk to ghosts, a bad guy and a dead character. The main character lives with her grandmother in a morgue.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Read
October 23, 2025This was a delightful middle grade novel that I read with my ten-year-old son (but I also would have enjoyed reading it by myself). Raven Gallows lives in the morgue owned by her family, which is just fine with her--she's very interested in science, death, and decomposition. But when she and her friends find a mummified murder victim in the wall of a local hotel, they've got a mystery to solve, even if the adults keep telling them to mind their own business. The mystery was solid, and there were great threads of friendship and family. I'm looking forward to book two (and I'll probably read it with my son).
January 14, 2025
This was a fun MG mystery.
Wednesday Addams + Sherlock Holmes= Raven Gallows
Raven is a science loving, mystery solving, big sister bashing (she is certain she has mad cow disease!), amazing girl! She works in the family owned funeral parlor, and is enthralled with all things death- including the mummy she falls into in the local hotel.
Who the mummy is and how it got there keeps her and her friends on their toes. They get more than they bargain for when they start asking questions and poking around town.
Is the local sheriff in on it? Does the towns rich socialite have something to hide? Is Raven’s mom actually still alive, or is she implicated as well?
Her best friend, Cosmina, is an eccentric and creative fashionista- who talks to ghosts. Or- so she claims. They butt heads, but also have each other’s backs when it comes down to it.
Eric and Miles, their other friends, have unique talents and insights into the town and the mystery. Together, the 4 of them lean in strengths, help and support each other, and make up their own version of the Scooby Do gang.
Each chapter starts with an Edgar Allen Poe quote- something I never thought I’d see in a MG book, but they fit.
⚠️ There is a seance scene that you may want to be aware of. It’s not evil or bad, but may require some explanation to your student or child.
Wednesday Addams + Sherlock Holmes= Raven Gallows
Raven is a science loving, mystery solving, big sister bashing (she is certain she has mad cow disease!), amazing girl! She works in the family owned funeral parlor, and is enthralled with all things death- including the mummy she falls into in the local hotel.
Who the mummy is and how it got there keeps her and her friends on their toes. They get more than they bargain for when they start asking questions and poking around town.
Is the local sheriff in on it? Does the towns rich socialite have something to hide? Is Raven’s mom actually still alive, or is she implicated as well?
Her best friend, Cosmina, is an eccentric and creative fashionista- who talks to ghosts. Or- so she claims. They butt heads, but also have each other’s backs when it comes down to it.
Eric and Miles, their other friends, have unique talents and insights into the town and the mystery. Together, the 4 of them lean in strengths, help and support each other, and make up their own version of the Scooby Do gang.
Each chapter starts with an Edgar Allen Poe quote- something I never thought I’d see in a MG book, but they fit.
⚠️ There is a seance scene that you may want to be aware of. It’s not evil or bad, but may require some explanation to your student or child.
February 4, 2025
Well this was a delight!
The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce was such a fun read! It's a middle grade mystery book, and I'm pretty sure this book has everything you could want in a story - a quirky small town, a fun group of friends, good guys you can't help but love, villains in need of a good kick to the shins, science experiments, a haunted hotel, ghosts, a mystery in need of solving, plot twists you didn't see coming....what is there not to love here??
This was seriously such a fun read. Raven and her friends were a hoot. The shenanigans they get up to had me chuckling several times throughout the story. This book definitely deserves a place on your TBR lists. I have spoken.
Many thanks to the publisher for the early copy; all thoughts are my own.
The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce was such a fun read! It's a middle grade mystery book, and I'm pretty sure this book has everything you could want in a story - a quirky small town, a fun group of friends, good guys you can't help but love, villains in need of a good kick to the shins, science experiments, a haunted hotel, ghosts, a mystery in need of solving, plot twists you didn't see coming....what is there not to love here??
This was seriously such a fun read. Raven and her friends were a hoot. The shenanigans they get up to had me chuckling several times throughout the story. This book definitely deserves a place on your TBR lists. I have spoken.
Many thanks to the publisher for the early copy; all thoughts are my own.
December 10, 2024
{thank you to NetGalley for the arc!}
I’m coming at this review from the perspective of a bookseller who specializes in middle grade and loves it dearly and I was honestly a bit disappointed in this book. It has a great premise, and great concepts regarding characterization, it just struggles in execution. I know this is a children’s book, but the characters felt very one dimensional and stereotypical, which is not true of many other well crafted middle grade novels I’ve read recently. The mystery was well done and I can see how the series is being set up, but the cheesiness of the characters and feeling like I’d seen all the plot points, characters, and reveals a million times before lost a lot of points for me. The cover also barely tells you anything about what’ll happen inside, and I feel that the look of the characters is so bland despite Cosmina and Raven’s eccentric descriptions, which won’t encourage children to pick up this title at all despite the art being attractive and well done.
There’s also a disconnect between the very out of place instances of Christianity being pushed throughout the book, and the hard science mindset the main character supposedly has. It’s quite jarring to read a middle grade book (which will not be shelved in the religion section of any bookstore or library) about a girl who loves science and dissection and forensics and feel like you’re receiving an awkward sermon at the same time. Sadly this aspect took me completely out of the story multiple times, and never felt like a relevant inclusion. Relevant inclusions (like when they were at church) made sense, but most didn’t and felt like they were from a completely different book narrated by a completely different main character.
I’m coming at this review from the perspective of a bookseller who specializes in middle grade and loves it dearly and I was honestly a bit disappointed in this book. It has a great premise, and great concepts regarding characterization, it just struggles in execution. I know this is a children’s book, but the characters felt very one dimensional and stereotypical, which is not true of many other well crafted middle grade novels I’ve read recently. The mystery was well done and I can see how the series is being set up, but the cheesiness of the characters and feeling like I’d seen all the plot points, characters, and reveals a million times before lost a lot of points for me. The cover also barely tells you anything about what’ll happen inside, and I feel that the look of the characters is so bland despite Cosmina and Raven’s eccentric descriptions, which won’t encourage children to pick up this title at all despite the art being attractive and well done.
There’s also a disconnect between the very out of place instances of Christianity being pushed throughout the book, and the hard science mindset the main character supposedly has. It’s quite jarring to read a middle grade book (which will not be shelved in the religion section of any bookstore or library) about a girl who loves science and dissection and forensics and feel like you’re receiving an awkward sermon at the same time. Sadly this aspect took me completely out of the story multiple times, and never felt like a relevant inclusion. Relevant inclusions (like when they were at church) made sense, but most didn’t and felt like they were from a completely different book narrated by a completely different main character.
December 29, 2024
What a fun book! I loved Raven and her passion for all things science. Her desire for truth in her experiments and her crazy way of working on those experiments, are so fun!
Her friends, old and new, bring in such fun dimensions and talents. This town in Missouri is fun, all on a hill, touristy, and still feels real.
The murder mystery was fun, not super hard to solve for an adult, harder for a youth. The sisters relationship felt real .
I can't wait for the next installment, hint hint.
Her friends, old and new, bring in such fun dimensions and talents. This town in Missouri is fun, all on a hill, touristy, and still feels real.
The murder mystery was fun, not super hard to solve for an adult, harder for a youth. The sisters relationship felt real .
I can't wait for the next installment, hint hint.
February 24, 2025
This was a really fun murder/art theft mystery. Raven, the protagonist, reminded me a lot of Flavia de Luce, a protagonist from one of my favorite mystery series. She's very matter of fact, confident, and no nonsense.
I also loved Ravens little group of friends. They each brought something fun and interesting to the table and everyone's talents combined to help them solve their mysteries.
I look forward to seeing what comes next for Raven Gallows!
*Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book to review.*
I also loved Ravens little group of friends. They each brought something fun and interesting to the table and everyone's talents combined to help them solve their mysteries.
I look forward to seeing what comes next for Raven Gallows!
*Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book to review.*
February 20, 2025
The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce
I have conflicting feelings about this book and its content.
First off, overall I enjoyed the mystery, the plot, the characters, the plot twists and reveals, and the writing was well done in my opinion.
The character of Raven was interesting, with some quirks. She is very knowledgeable about science, but also believes in God as a creator, which I appreciated that.
I really enjoyed the nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his works, making this a fun, unique read. And it will be a series, so that’s exciting.
The mystery kept me on my toes and second guessing my predictions.
Overall well done!
With that being said, I would NOT recommend this to middle grade aged children.
And here is why:
First, the biggest red flag for me was the talk and use of seances and talking to spirits in a book that is supposed to be for grades 3-6. As a Christian, I did not like that aspect. It also mentions tarrot cards and other witchcrafty things.
Another red flag, was the mention of suicide. Although brief, I don’t think that belongs in Middle Grade books.
A third red flag for me was the main character’s belief about heaven/spirit realm. She believed in a God, but not a heaven. Maybe the author will address this hopefully in a later book?
Personal issues I had with the book:
Was how know-it-all Raven seemed at times. Not an attribute I like to see in a MG main character. There is one instance where she does admit she is wrong, but I would have liked to see her humbled a few more times.
Also the fact that these young kids are going out trying to solve a murder. I’ve never read a Nancy Drew or other MG mystery books, so I guess I’m not sure how mysteries are in those other books.
Also she briefly has a thought “I’ll have to apologize to the trees later for using so much paper” (something along those lines), and no preteen/child is realistically going to have those thoughts.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: none
Violence/gore: Mild-suicide (mentioned from the past), gruesome deaths briefly mentioned, corpses and dead bodies described, corpse decomposition described, mild peril
Substance Use: sleeping drug used on minor
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Talk about belief in God as a creator, heaven/spirit realm
Other: Moderate: Talking to ghosts, seances, death (past), Mild: tarrot cards, divorce (mentioned)
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
Book Info:
Series: Raven Gallows Mystery 1
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Romance Level: none
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
POV: single
Debut fictional novel
I have conflicting feelings about this book and its content.
First off, overall I enjoyed the mystery, the plot, the characters, the plot twists and reveals, and the writing was well done in my opinion.
The character of Raven was interesting, with some quirks. She is very knowledgeable about science, but also believes in God as a creator, which I appreciated that.
I really enjoyed the nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his works, making this a fun, unique read. And it will be a series, so that’s exciting.
The mystery kept me on my toes and second guessing my predictions.
Overall well done!
With that being said, I would NOT recommend this to middle grade aged children.
And here is why:
First, the biggest red flag for me was the talk and use of seances and talking to spirits in a book that is supposed to be for grades 3-6. As a Christian, I did not like that aspect. It also mentions tarrot cards and other witchcrafty things.
Another red flag, was the mention of suicide. Although brief, I don’t think that belongs in Middle Grade books.
A third red flag for me was the main character’s belief about heaven/spirit realm. She believed in a God, but not a heaven. Maybe the author will address this hopefully in a later book?
Personal issues I had with the book:
Was how know-it-all Raven seemed at times. Not an attribute I like to see in a MG main character. There is one instance where she does admit she is wrong, but I would have liked to see her humbled a few more times.
Also the fact that these young kids are going out trying to solve a murder. I’ve never read a Nancy Drew or other MG mystery books, so I guess I’m not sure how mysteries are in those other books.
Also she briefly has a thought “I’ll have to apologize to the trees later for using so much paper” (something along those lines), and no preteen/child is realistically going to have those thoughts.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: none
Violence/gore: Mild-suicide (mentioned from the past), gruesome deaths briefly mentioned, corpses and dead bodies described, corpse decomposition described, mild peril
Substance Use: sleeping drug used on minor
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Talk about belief in God as a creator, heaven/spirit realm
Other: Moderate: Talking to ghosts, seances, death (past), Mild: tarrot cards, divorce (mentioned)
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
Book Info:
Series: Raven Gallows Mystery 1
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Romance Level: none
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
POV: single
Debut fictional novel
March 23, 2025
Based on an earlier negative review of this, I was expecting to see conflict between the author's religion and the spiritualism of the scenario and some of its characters. I didn't get that at all. I certainly saw conflict, mind – an utterly detrimental amount. This is at times nothing but bickering – bickering for want of more interesting dialogue, bickering instead of character, bickering instead of better plot.
This look at nominative determinism has a tweenaged girl called Raven Gallows brought up in a funeral parlour, without a mother, with an absent father and older relatives to care for her. They're all in a small Ozark town in Missouri, where the levels of unpaid child slave labour are so high they'd be illegal here in the UK. Her best friend wants to become a medium like her mother (yes, here she's just a little, boom tish!) and so when they investigate the town's resort hotel, and a ghost gives her messages, Raven crashes through a wall (don't ask) and finds a corpse. From then on a varying number of kids (remember – bickering) try and work out who he is, and why he's there and at whose hands.
The whole thing then swoops later on to be something concerning a real world, true-life crime, which would be interesting if done earlier and done better. The whole thing – the character, plot and bickering alike – also all hinges on, well, not so much a twist but a reveal at the midway point that I saw coming on page five. It all leaves the murder mystery dead in the water, with a very small list of suspects and nothing really to be happy with.
A better hand was needed with the characters (one noted by dodgy eyes and eating a lot, and that's it), and with the small town feel we could have had and didn't. The world is built up by clumsy phrases along the lines of "this wasn't as bad as the time when… this was like it was when x happened… this felt worse than that time with the blowtorch, the stuffed bunny and the revolving chair" (I jest… just). And certainly anyone a second over the target age range would find the crime case here a disappointment – it never tries to justify the fact the dooflidonk was ever in there with the dead man. A pity.
This look at nominative determinism has a tweenaged girl called Raven Gallows brought up in a funeral parlour, without a mother, with an absent father and older relatives to care for her. They're all in a small Ozark town in Missouri, where the levels of unpaid child slave labour are so high they'd be illegal here in the UK. Her best friend wants to become a medium like her mother (yes, here she's just a little, boom tish!) and so when they investigate the town's resort hotel, and a ghost gives her messages, Raven crashes through a wall (don't ask) and finds a corpse. From then on a varying number of kids (remember – bickering) try and work out who he is, and why he's there and at whose hands.
The whole thing then swoops later on to be something concerning a real world, true-life crime, which would be interesting if done earlier and done better. The whole thing – the character, plot and bickering alike – also all hinges on, well, not so much a twist but a reveal at the midway point that I saw coming on page five. It all leaves the murder mystery dead in the water, with a very small list of suspects and nothing really to be happy with.
A better hand was needed with the characters (one noted by dodgy eyes and eating a lot, and that's it), and with the small town feel we could have had and didn't. The world is built up by clumsy phrases along the lines of "this wasn't as bad as the time when… this was like it was when x happened… this felt worse than that time with the blowtorch, the stuffed bunny and the revolving chair" (I jest… just). And certainly anyone a second over the target age range would find the crime case here a disappointment – it never tries to justify the fact the dooflidonk was ever in there with the dead man. A pity.
December 6, 2024
If you have young readers who love mysteries (or if you love a good clean mystery), search no further. The Secret of Moonrise Manor is a wonderful detective story! The novel contains suspense, mystery, intelligent characters, intriguing storyline, clever backstories & humor. Although I am definitely MUCH older than the target audience (children in grades 3-7, ages 8-12) of The Secret of Moonrise Manor, A Raven Gallows Mystery by Stephanie Bearce, I thoroughly enjoyed her fiction debut. The characters and the story Stephanie created brought back my fond memories of reading The Bobbsey Twins and The Hardy Boys. I could not read enough of those mysteries and I sense young readers of the Raven Gallows Mystery will feel the same after reading The Secret of Moonrise Manor. Quite frankly, I can’t wait to read the next book in the Raven Gallows Mystery myself. The Secret of Moonrise Manor is scheduled for release in February 2025.
Raven Gallows, the main character, is a budding scientist and detective who lives with her grandmother and aunt in a funeral home of all places! Sadly her mother passed away six years earlier under mysterious circumstances. Raven discovers a mummified body in a local hotel with a tie to her mother, gathers her friends about her & together they work to solve the mystery surrounding the mummy.
Stephanie develops believable characters who are smart and funny. The story is wholesome and has great themes woven into it: seeking the truth, compassion, brainstorming, logical thinking and forgiveness. A solid good old-fashioned mystery! Two thumbs up!
Full disclosure, I received an autographed advance reader’s edition of the novel from Shadow Mountain Publishing. Happy that I did because Stephanie Bearce has a new fan.
Thank you to @StephanieBearce and @ShadowMountainPublishing
Raven Gallows, the main character, is a budding scientist and detective who lives with her grandmother and aunt in a funeral home of all places! Sadly her mother passed away six years earlier under mysterious circumstances. Raven discovers a mummified body in a local hotel with a tie to her mother, gathers her friends about her & together they work to solve the mystery surrounding the mummy.
Stephanie develops believable characters who are smart and funny. The story is wholesome and has great themes woven into it: seeking the truth, compassion, brainstorming, logical thinking and forgiveness. A solid good old-fashioned mystery! Two thumbs up!
Full disclosure, I received an autographed advance reader’s edition of the novel from Shadow Mountain Publishing. Happy that I did because Stephanie Bearce has a new fan.
Thank you to @StephanieBearce and @ShadowMountainPublishing
January 23, 2025
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all opinions are my own.
Middle Grade Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Conspiracy
Step aside Nancy Drew, Raven from THE SECRET OF MOONRISE MANOR is on the case! This is the next detective everyone wants to follow.
Raven, the main character, is science-oriented, smart as can be (think Sherlock), isn't afraid of death (think Wednesday Addams), has a tempestuous relationship with her older sister, and is DETERMINED. I absolutely adore determined young girls in books! In fact, Raven reminds me of another one of my favorite child detectives—Flavia from Alan Bradley's series. (However, that series is written for adults, and Raven will tickle elementary school kids.)
This is 100% a murder mystery. We've got Edgar Allen Poe quotes, a dead body, a murder weapon, and lots of suspects. AND Raven's mother died 6 years ago, so how does the dead body relate to that?
The characters are spot on for middle grade. Raven is focused on her goals, Miles wants to fit in since he's the new kid, Cosmina is edging towards having crushes, and Eric is techie and wants girls to leave him alone. There's a great balance of personalities and skills. Cosmina is definitely as quirky as Raven (the future mortician) with her belief in ghost, communing with said ghosts, and exuding a hippy vibe. And of course, there is a mean girl, and I'm interested to see how she works into the stories as the series continues. The adults in these kids lives are vested in keeping them safe and are there as a support system.
I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers. I was vested in the outcome from the beginning and couldn't wait to find out the solution.
Happy reading!
Middle Grade Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Conspiracy
Step aside Nancy Drew, Raven from THE SECRET OF MOONRISE MANOR is on the case! This is the next detective everyone wants to follow.
Raven, the main character, is science-oriented, smart as can be (think Sherlock), isn't afraid of death (think Wednesday Addams), has a tempestuous relationship with her older sister, and is DETERMINED. I absolutely adore determined young girls in books! In fact, Raven reminds me of another one of my favorite child detectives—Flavia from Alan Bradley's series. (However, that series is written for adults, and Raven will tickle elementary school kids.)
This is 100% a murder mystery. We've got Edgar Allen Poe quotes, a dead body, a murder weapon, and lots of suspects. AND Raven's mother died 6 years ago, so how does the dead body relate to that?
The characters are spot on for middle grade. Raven is focused on her goals, Miles wants to fit in since he's the new kid, Cosmina is edging towards having crushes, and Eric is techie and wants girls to leave him alone. There's a great balance of personalities and skills. Cosmina is definitely as quirky as Raven (the future mortician) with her belief in ghost, communing with said ghosts, and exuding a hippy vibe. And of course, there is a mean girl, and I'm interested to see how she works into the stories as the series continues. The adults in these kids lives are vested in keeping them safe and are there as a support system.
I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers. I was vested in the outcome from the beginning and couldn't wait to find out the solution.
Happy reading!
June 13, 2025
Book Review: The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished The Secret of Moonrise Manor and honestly, it was such a fun and engaging read! The story revolves around Raven Gallows, a quirky and curious girl who’s part Wednesday Addams, part Sherlock Holmes. She’s got this unique combo of budding mortician skills and a scientific mind, which she uses to dive into a mysterious death linked to her own family. Raven lives in a funeral home and dreams of becoming a famous detective, so when a mummified man tumbles out of the wall at the haunted Moonrise Manor Hotel clutching her mom’s silver locket, she jumps at the chance to solve the mystery.
Raven teams up with her friends—Cosmina, who believes she can talk to ghosts; Miles, who works at the hotel; and Eric, a whiz with computers—to uncover the identity of the mummy and unravel the secrets behind this spooky discovery. Along the way, they stumble upon stolen art and a secret society, making the story even more intriguing.
What really hooked me was how the mystery feels grounded in a real-life unsolved art theft, which adds an extra layer of coolness. Plus, the secret society element has me totally intrigued and excited for the next books in the series. Oh, and I have to say—the cover is absolutely gorgeous and definitely caught my eye before I even started reading!
Overall, this book is a fantastic start to what looks like an awesome new series. If you’re into middle grade mysteries with a dash of friendship, family secrets, and just the right amount of spooky vibes, The Secret of Moonrise Manor is definitely worth checking out. I’m giving it 4 stars and can’t wait to see where Raven’s detective adventures go next!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished The Secret of Moonrise Manor and honestly, it was such a fun and engaging read! The story revolves around Raven Gallows, a quirky and curious girl who’s part Wednesday Addams, part Sherlock Holmes. She’s got this unique combo of budding mortician skills and a scientific mind, which she uses to dive into a mysterious death linked to her own family. Raven lives in a funeral home and dreams of becoming a famous detective, so when a mummified man tumbles out of the wall at the haunted Moonrise Manor Hotel clutching her mom’s silver locket, she jumps at the chance to solve the mystery.
Raven teams up with her friends—Cosmina, who believes she can talk to ghosts; Miles, who works at the hotel; and Eric, a whiz with computers—to uncover the identity of the mummy and unravel the secrets behind this spooky discovery. Along the way, they stumble upon stolen art and a secret society, making the story even more intriguing.
What really hooked me was how the mystery feels grounded in a real-life unsolved art theft, which adds an extra layer of coolness. Plus, the secret society element has me totally intrigued and excited for the next books in the series. Oh, and I have to say—the cover is absolutely gorgeous and definitely caught my eye before I even started reading!
Overall, this book is a fantastic start to what looks like an awesome new series. If you’re into middle grade mysteries with a dash of friendship, family secrets, and just the right amount of spooky vibes, The Secret of Moonrise Manor is definitely worth checking out. I’m giving it 4 stars and can’t wait to see where Raven’s detective adventures go next!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
February 7, 2025
What a fun story! There is a blend of mystery and adventure, featuring an engaging group of characters!
Raven was a lot of fun. While I did not share her hobbies or detective intuition, I felt for her as she tried to solve the mystery she and her friends revealed. I learned a lot from her about a funeral home and the odd scientific fact. She felt very real, even in how she related to her family and friends. Raven loved her family, and you could tell she did, but did not always agree or get along with them. I also enjoyed her interactions with her friends! They were all different, and it showed in some of their disagreements, as well as highlighting each’s strengths. Cosmina was hilarious and I loved her drama! They were such good friends to each other, even when they had to deal with conflict. I would love to read more about them and get to know them more!
The story was so exciting! I was so interested to see how thing would be revealed. I enjoyed the art aspect and the light eerieness of it, with the murder and Cosmina’s love of ghosts. It also had a Southern smalltown aspect that was a fun setting to read about. I appreciated that although Raven and the others did not always agree with their family, and did not always listen either, they respect and cared for them. The themes of friendship and empathy were also lovely.
This is a fun mystery MG with some light spookiness, and a murder mystery elements.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Raven was a lot of fun. While I did not share her hobbies or detective intuition, I felt for her as she tried to solve the mystery she and her friends revealed. I learned a lot from her about a funeral home and the odd scientific fact. She felt very real, even in how she related to her family and friends. Raven loved her family, and you could tell she did, but did not always agree or get along with them. I also enjoyed her interactions with her friends! They were all different, and it showed in some of their disagreements, as well as highlighting each’s strengths. Cosmina was hilarious and I loved her drama! They were such good friends to each other, even when they had to deal with conflict. I would love to read more about them and get to know them more!
The story was so exciting! I was so interested to see how thing would be revealed. I enjoyed the art aspect and the light eerieness of it, with the murder and Cosmina’s love of ghosts. It also had a Southern smalltown aspect that was a fun setting to read about. I appreciated that although Raven and the others did not always agree with their family, and did not always listen either, they respect and cared for them. The themes of friendship and empathy were also lovely.
This is a fun mystery MG with some light spookiness, and a murder mystery elements.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
March 11, 2025
Adventures and secrets unravel when Raven, a twelve-year-old girl, discovers a mummified body at Moonrise Manor – the most haunted hotel in America. Raven lives in a funeral home in her native town of Sassafras Springs, Missouri, with her sister, aunt and grandmother, who is also the county coroner. She is the daughter of an art historian and an anthropologist, and is herself an aspiring scientist, detective and skilled mortician. Yet there is one characteristic that stands out above all – Raven has the drive and desire to seek out the truth. Along with the mummified corpse, she makes other curious discoveries which ultimately link to her mother’s mysterious death of six years ago. With the help of her friends, the Truth Trackers, Raven spurs into action, crafting a thoughtful investigation plan. But probing into crimes can be a dangerous path to follow, and soon Raven finds lies, secret societies, deceiving family and community ties, paranormal activities, and more. Raven and the Truth Trackers prove to be great detectives, but a larger mystery looms in the cliff-hanger ending. The text, which taps into the real-life art theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of the 1990’s, is rich with forensic science terminology and detective and crime-solving strategies. This mystery thriller is an entertaining and informative read that promotes curiosity and the power of truth, while incorporating an abundance of parallel, literary references to Edgar Allen Poe throughout. Discussion questions are found in the back of the text.
Out Now! Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for sharing an advanced digital copy with me to review. All opinions are my own.
Out Now! Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for sharing an advanced digital copy with me to review. All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2025
“What’s you find?” Raven’s pulse quickened. Was it a clue? A helpful clue?
“Not so fast.” Eric shielded the screen of his tablet. “First the name. I put forth the title of Sassafras Truth Trackers. That way we can investigate any type of criminal activity or suspected unnatural phenomenon.”
Miles nodded. “It does cover all the bases.”
Reading this middle grade story out loud to my 8yo and 9yo was such a fun adventure! Watching them process the plot, make predictions, and react was priceless. As soon as we finished it, they begged for the next book!
It all starts with group of four friends: one who’s grandma is a fortune teller, one who lives in a funeral home, another who lives in the most haunted hotel in the US, and one who can search anything. When circumstances arise that lead to endless questions, they can’t help but investigate.
The deeper into the story we got, the more interesting it became. I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here!
Red this book if you like:
🌖 Middle Grade
🌖 Single POV
🌖 Wednesday Addams Vibes
🌖 Besties
🌖 Unanswered Questions
🌖 Psychics
🌖 Funeral Homes
🌖 Chores for Days
🌖 Truth Trackers
🌖 Secret Rooms and Passages
🌖 Scientific Method vs Intuition
🌖 Dupin Society
Content: Precious loss of a loved one, unsolved murder mystery, a very mild seance scene.
I received a complimentary copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Not so fast.” Eric shielded the screen of his tablet. “First the name. I put forth the title of Sassafras Truth Trackers. That way we can investigate any type of criminal activity or suspected unnatural phenomenon.”
Miles nodded. “It does cover all the bases.”
Reading this middle grade story out loud to my 8yo and 9yo was such a fun adventure! Watching them process the plot, make predictions, and react was priceless. As soon as we finished it, they begged for the next book!
It all starts with group of four friends: one who’s grandma is a fortune teller, one who lives in a funeral home, another who lives in the most haunted hotel in the US, and one who can search anything. When circumstances arise that lead to endless questions, they can’t help but investigate.
The deeper into the story we got, the more interesting it became. I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here!
Red this book if you like:
🌖 Middle Grade
🌖 Single POV
🌖 Wednesday Addams Vibes
🌖 Besties
🌖 Unanswered Questions
🌖 Psychics
🌖 Funeral Homes
🌖 Chores for Days
🌖 Truth Trackers
🌖 Secret Rooms and Passages
🌖 Scientific Method vs Intuition
🌖 Dupin Society
Content: Precious loss of a loved one, unsolved murder mystery, a very mild seance scene.
I received a complimentary copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 29, 2025
4.5 stars
I requested a digital arc of this book as soon as I saw that cover, it screams spooky adventures and mayhem.
This was such a fun and quirky story that centers around Raven Gallows, with a name like that of course she happens to live in a funeral home. Along with her grandmother, aunt and a teenage sister. Her best friend is a ghost hunter and new friend works at the haunted hotel, and why not just pull a computer expert in the midst. It all starts as an innocent walk through this supposedly haunted mansion when three of them stumble across a mummy hidden in the walls. They get more than they bargain for as they search on their own to discover the who and why along with what is going on.
I really enjoyed my time spent in this read. It wasn’t hard to connect with Raven, who is still mourning the loss of her mother even though it was 6 years ago. But now she starts to question the past and this community. Like I said it was quirky, entertaining, mysterious, with a great cast of characters, some ghostly vibes and a well written story.
The ending was great in that, I’m hoping that there is a sequel because I think there was a little door left open.
My thanks to Shadow Martin Publishing (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.
I requested a digital arc of this book as soon as I saw that cover, it screams spooky adventures and mayhem.
This was such a fun and quirky story that centers around Raven Gallows, with a name like that of course she happens to live in a funeral home. Along with her grandmother, aunt and a teenage sister. Her best friend is a ghost hunter and new friend works at the haunted hotel, and why not just pull a computer expert in the midst. It all starts as an innocent walk through this supposedly haunted mansion when three of them stumble across a mummy hidden in the walls. They get more than they bargain for as they search on their own to discover the who and why along with what is going on.
I really enjoyed my time spent in this read. It wasn’t hard to connect with Raven, who is still mourning the loss of her mother even though it was 6 years ago. But now she starts to question the past and this community. Like I said it was quirky, entertaining, mysterious, with a great cast of characters, some ghostly vibes and a well written story.
The ending was great in that, I’m hoping that there is a sequel because I think there was a little door left open.
My thanks to Shadow Martin Publishing (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.
February 10, 2025
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
Knocking a hole in the local hotel’s wall was honestly an accident, but Raven (12yo) isn’t sorry when it reveals a mummified body. Spunky Raven and her eclectic group of friends dive recklessly into solving the mystery of Mummy Man, working around working for family businesses and being grounded. Even so, they’re sure to figure out the whos and whys of the murder before the adults do.
Bearce has imbued her characters with big personalities that, at times, both help and hinder their goals as they clash over opinions of science versus paranormal activity and possible truths that hurt more than lies. This group of determined kids can accomplish much good if they’re willing to learn lessons of forgiveness along the way. In order to find the answers to one mystery, Raven and her friends find several other buried secrets, promising future adventures.
The majority of characters are implied White; Eric is implied Asian. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, and mild scary elements. The violence rating is for corpses and mentions of suicide and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Knocking a hole in the local hotel’s wall was honestly an accident, but Raven (12yo) isn’t sorry when it reveals a mummified body. Spunky Raven and her eclectic group of friends dive recklessly into solving the mystery of Mummy Man, working around working for family businesses and being grounded. Even so, they’re sure to figure out the whos and whys of the murder before the adults do.
Bearce has imbued her characters with big personalities that, at times, both help and hinder their goals as they clash over opinions of science versus paranormal activity and possible truths that hurt more than lies. This group of determined kids can accomplish much good if they’re willing to learn lessons of forgiveness along the way. In order to find the answers to one mystery, Raven and her friends find several other buried secrets, promising future adventures.
The majority of characters are implied White; Eric is implied Asian. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, and mild scary elements. The violence rating is for corpses and mentions of suicide and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
April 9, 2025
I read this with my 8 year old and may have even enjoyed it more than him. There were some expressions and themes that were a little over his head, but we both liked it.
Raven, the main character, is a 12 yo girl who has grown up in the funeral home her grandmother runs, and is obsessed with death, science, and all things "creepy". Her best friend Cosmina believes in ghosts and that she can communicate with them (much to Raven's annoyance as a believer in science, not the paranormal).
Raven is intent on finding out how her mother died 6 years prior, and when a skeleton is found in the local Moonrise Manor hotel, she is convinced it is all connected.
Raven and her 3 buddies decide to become detectives and go on a wild goose chase around their small town to try and solve the mystery of the found skeleton. They soon realize they might have bitten off more than they can chew.
The young characters are fun, and the book explores childhood relationships, sibling rivalry/differences, dealing with grief and loss of a parent, and being underestimated as a kid by the adults around you. There are definitely some darker themes in here and the cover is a bit misleading in that it looks geared towards an even younger audience.
I am excited that this is set up to be a series. I'd love to learn more about Raven's friends as well as her mother's past.
Raven, the main character, is a 12 yo girl who has grown up in the funeral home her grandmother runs, and is obsessed with death, science, and all things "creepy". Her best friend Cosmina believes in ghosts and that she can communicate with them (much to Raven's annoyance as a believer in science, not the paranormal).
Raven is intent on finding out how her mother died 6 years prior, and when a skeleton is found in the local Moonrise Manor hotel, she is convinced it is all connected.
Raven and her 3 buddies decide to become detectives and go on a wild goose chase around their small town to try and solve the mystery of the found skeleton. They soon realize they might have bitten off more than they can chew.
The young characters are fun, and the book explores childhood relationships, sibling rivalry/differences, dealing with grief and loss of a parent, and being underestimated as a kid by the adults around you. There are definitely some darker themes in here and the cover is a bit misleading in that it looks geared towards an even younger audience.
I am excited that this is set up to be a series. I'd love to learn more about Raven's friends as well as her mother's past.
August 15, 2025
This is a delightful middle grade mystery! I loved the all the Poe references so much! The atmosphere is just spooky enough and balances fun antics with tough topics and fairly intense scenes really well. I hope that this will become a long-running series. I'd love to follow Raven and her friends on more adventures!
A few negatives to note- in my edition, which was not an ARC, there were a few notable editing issues that took me out of the story. Things like glaring typos, a character named Evangeline once being called Evelyn and the name of the funeral home the main character lives in being misstated. Also, the cover art- while very cute and well done, ages the characters down by several years which will make it a tougher sell to it's actual intended audience. I felt the need to really talk it up quite a bit and specifically mention that the main character was 12 years old before handing it to my 11 year old daughter. Even though I know she would love it and she is the prime audience for it, she is more interested in books that read older. She would never have picked it up on her own because it looks like it is about younger kids. A cover with more macabre details would better align with the actual story.
A few negatives to note- in my edition, which was not an ARC, there were a few notable editing issues that took me out of the story. Things like glaring typos, a character named Evangeline once being called Evelyn and the name of the funeral home the main character lives in being misstated. Also, the cover art- while very cute and well done, ages the characters down by several years which will make it a tougher sell to it's actual intended audience. I felt the need to really talk it up quite a bit and specifically mention that the main character was 12 years old before handing it to my 11 year old daughter. Even though I know she would love it and she is the prime audience for it, she is more interested in books that read older. She would never have picked it up on her own because it looks like it is about younger kids. A cover with more macabre details would better align with the actual story.
January 6, 2025
MYSTERY + ADVENTURE = DROP-DEAD AMAZING READ
When twelve-year-old Raven Edwina Gallows, an unstoppable science prodigy and mystery-lover, literally stumbles into a murder case, the adventure begins in her touristy Ozark hometown of Sassafras Springs, Missouri. Fittingly, the background setting is the Gallow’s family mortuary. An ongoing nod to eerie Edgar Allan Poe solidifies the story’s creep factor, even as the young protagonist grounds the story in the contemporary world with her pre-teen friend and family dramas. Raven, an intent and amusing character, will charm readers on her quest for all things science and her determination to unlock the truth, even if it means revealing family secrets she’d rather not know. Her colorful sidekicks include best friend and ghostly-guru, Cosmina; new kid and fellow science lover, Miles; and ever-dependable techie and Chinese food supplier, Eric. As the mysteries and tension escalate, the team of four take the ultimate risk to track down the murderer. This middle-grade novel is an entertaining escapade that doesn’t disappoint and leaves room for more intriguing adventures to come with Raven and The Sassafras Springs Truth Trackers.
When twelve-year-old Raven Edwina Gallows, an unstoppable science prodigy and mystery-lover, literally stumbles into a murder case, the adventure begins in her touristy Ozark hometown of Sassafras Springs, Missouri. Fittingly, the background setting is the Gallow’s family mortuary. An ongoing nod to eerie Edgar Allan Poe solidifies the story’s creep factor, even as the young protagonist grounds the story in the contemporary world with her pre-teen friend and family dramas. Raven, an intent and amusing character, will charm readers on her quest for all things science and her determination to unlock the truth, even if it means revealing family secrets she’d rather not know. Her colorful sidekicks include best friend and ghostly-guru, Cosmina; new kid and fellow science lover, Miles; and ever-dependable techie and Chinese food supplier, Eric. As the mysteries and tension escalate, the team of four take the ultimate risk to track down the murderer. This middle-grade novel is an entertaining escapade that doesn’t disappoint and leaves room for more intriguing adventures to come with Raven and The Sassafras Springs Truth Trackers.
February 3, 2025
This middle grade mystery was a ton of fun! It’s full of wonderful characters and features a puzzling mystery set in the charming town of Sassafras Springs. One of my favorite parts was all the Edgar Allan Poe references and quotes! So clever!
The characters were wonderfully weird and quirky. Raven was likable, if a little hardheaded. I appreciated her curiosity and her love of all things science. Her friends were also very likable. Cosmina, her best friend who talks to ghosts; Miles, the new boy in town; and Eric, who’s great with research. I enjoyed seeing them all team up and use their unique skills to try to solve the mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, I thought it was really good. They found a mummy at Moonrise Manor, which might have a connection to the mysterious death of Raven’s mother. I had my suspicions about who the guilty party was and why they did it, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until the reveal.
I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more books following this group of mystery-solving friends.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
The characters were wonderfully weird and quirky. Raven was likable, if a little hardheaded. I appreciated her curiosity and her love of all things science. Her friends were also very likable. Cosmina, her best friend who talks to ghosts; Miles, the new boy in town; and Eric, who’s great with research. I enjoyed seeing them all team up and use their unique skills to try to solve the mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, I thought it was really good. They found a mummy at Moonrise Manor, which might have a connection to the mysterious death of Raven’s mother. I had my suspicions about who the guilty party was and why they did it, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until the reveal.
I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more books following this group of mystery-solving friends.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
March 5, 2025
It's always great to find a book that I can read with my middle grader and enjoy just as much as an adult as he does as a child. This book was one of those for us. We both loved the plot, the characters, and they mystery. We were both trying to solve the mystery the whole time.
Raven and her family are a delight. Raven and her sister, Annabel, live with their Grams and Aunt Lenore in the family funeral home. Both of them have chores related to the business that a lot of kids wouldn't have. That was an intriguing aspect of this book.
Raven and her friends, Cosmina and Miles, find a mummy hidden in the wall of the Moonrise Manor and soon they are deep into the mystery. Who was the mummy, why was he there, and why did he have Raven's dead mother's locket? There are so many questions and very few answers. But Raven is not about to let that stop her.
I loved Raven's tenacity. She worked so hard for every answer she got. I really loved the way the author left this one open for a sequel. And I hope we get to read one so soon. I've got to know what happens to Raven and her friends!
Raven and her family are a delight. Raven and her sister, Annabel, live with their Grams and Aunt Lenore in the family funeral home. Both of them have chores related to the business that a lot of kids wouldn't have. That was an intriguing aspect of this book.
Raven and her friends, Cosmina and Miles, find a mummy hidden in the wall of the Moonrise Manor and soon they are deep into the mystery. Who was the mummy, why was he there, and why did he have Raven's dead mother's locket? There are so many questions and very few answers. But Raven is not about to let that stop her.
I loved Raven's tenacity. She worked so hard for every answer she got. I really loved the way the author left this one open for a sequel. And I hope we get to read one so soon. I've got to know what happens to Raven and her friends!
February 18, 2025
Finally, someone who understood the joy of discovering a corpse.
This book is a middle grade adventure lover’s dream. It’s also a great introduction for me to this author’s books. The story had everything I love about middle grade. There are smart kids, friendships, a mystery that kept me guessing, ghosts, secret societies, and stolen artifacts.
I loved the chapter headings. They fit perfectly with Raven’s personality. I also enjoyed her replacement curse words, they made me laugh. Raven is a fabulous character that wants a scientific answer to problems, but add in her mystical friend, Cosmina, and she’s able to see things in a different way. Mikes and Eric bring a lot the investigation too and I appreciated how well they worked together. Grandma and Aunt Lenore were also great.
There are surprises and twists and turn of events that bring more questions and I’m excited to see what is next for Raven and her friends.
I received a NetGalley approval from the publisher. All views are my own.
This book is a middle grade adventure lover’s dream. It’s also a great introduction for me to this author’s books. The story had everything I love about middle grade. There are smart kids, friendships, a mystery that kept me guessing, ghosts, secret societies, and stolen artifacts.
I loved the chapter headings. They fit perfectly with Raven’s personality. I also enjoyed her replacement curse words, they made me laugh. Raven is a fabulous character that wants a scientific answer to problems, but add in her mystical friend, Cosmina, and she’s able to see things in a different way. Mikes and Eric bring a lot the investigation too and I appreciated how well they worked together. Grandma and Aunt Lenore were also great.
There are surprises and twists and turn of events that bring more questions and I’m excited to see what is next for Raven and her friends.
I received a NetGalley approval from the publisher. All views are my own.
May 7, 2025
Raven Gallows is fascinated by forensic science. Just look at the collection of animal skulls she has soaking in bleach water in the bathtub, or her roadkill experiments that she has buried and digs up every month so she can check on their decomposition rates. Her best friend, Cosmina, firmly believes in her ability to communicate with spirits, but Raven takes a more scientific approach--after all, if spirits could communicate, why hasn't her mother communicated with Raven since her death six years before. Raven's number one goal in life is to solve the mystery of her mother's murder, but she is sidetracked by finding a mummified body in the wall of a local tourist attraction, the haunted hotel Moonrise Manor. Working with her friend Cosmina, her computer nerd friend Eric Wong, and new-to-town Miles Farnsworth, she discovers that her mother's murder is somehow connected to the body and to an art theft six years prior. This fast-paced and intriguing novel is a great set up for more books to come, and I look forward to reading them.
July 2, 2025
Raven Gallows lives with her aunt and grandmother who are morticians. Raven's father is an archaeologist away on business, and her renown art consultant mother tragically died...or so she has been led to believe. Following her dreams to be a detective, Raven and her friends stumbled upon a mummified skeleton in the fancy Moonrise Manor - a well-known haunted castle that brings ghost hunters and enthusiasts from all over the world. The skeleton was holding her. mother's longest necklace and locket - making the stakes in solving the mystery much more personal.
At first, I found Raven a little irritating, but as I continued through the book, I began to view her as a very active, imaginative, and assertive child (think: June B. Jones, Clementine, and Greg Heffley.). As a Missourian, I always love books set in my state and love the opportunity to promote a Missouri author on writing a potentially well-received upper grade series. The mystery, tinged with the possibility of ghosts, and the uniqueness of Raven's background bring a pleasant, stand-out change in this genre.
At first, I found Raven a little irritating, but as I continued through the book, I began to view her as a very active, imaginative, and assertive child (think: June B. Jones, Clementine, and Greg Heffley.). As a Missourian, I always love books set in my state and love the opportunity to promote a Missouri author on writing a potentially well-received upper grade series. The mystery, tinged with the possibility of ghosts, and the uniqueness of Raven's background bring a pleasant, stand-out change in this genre.
December 21, 2024
I'm new to middle grade genre, but was really intrigued by the concept of this one. I am so glad I picked it up!
I loved this group of friends. They are fun and bring so many fun elements to this friendship group. Elements like S.T.E.M. thinking, whimsical banter, logic thinking and hilarity situations that will have any young reader find it difficult to put this one down.
The murder mystery was similar to Goosebump vibes. A little spooky, but done in an absolutely entertaining way. I loved finding each clue right along with these friends and figuring out "who dunnit".
My only con is that I need more-please tell me this will be a series!
If you like middle grade books or have a middle grade readers you should absolutely add this to their TBR!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Triggers: discovery of a mummified corpse, mystery, one friend believes she can talk to ghosts and conducts a seance, great friendship vibes.
I loved this group of friends. They are fun and bring so many fun elements to this friendship group. Elements like S.T.E.M. thinking, whimsical banter, logic thinking and hilarity situations that will have any young reader find it difficult to put this one down.
The murder mystery was similar to Goosebump vibes. A little spooky, but done in an absolutely entertaining way. I loved finding each clue right along with these friends and figuring out "who dunnit".
My only con is that I need more-please tell me this will be a series!
If you like middle grade books or have a middle grade readers you should absolutely add this to their TBR!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Triggers: discovery of a mummified corpse, mystery, one friend believes she can talk to ghosts and conducts a seance, great friendship vibes.
March 8, 2025
Working in a middle school, I regularly get requests for murder mysteries, but there are few available for this age level. This is great classic-style murder mystery for kids! The mystery was fast-paced, adventurous, and engaging. It was also solved using facts and logic. I also loved the inclusion of a potential underground secret crime-solving society (and hope that will be played up in a sequel). I can't wait to recommend this one to our middle school readers.
However, I will say that the characters jump from seeming older than their age (it is mentioned they are about to start 6th grade) in the background knowledge they have and the way they logic through solving the mystery, to seeming younger and immature in the way they dress and relate to each other and their families. I did find that a little disorienting. I'm hoping that will be less obvious to our students.
However, I will say that the characters jump from seeming older than their age (it is mentioned they are about to start 6th grade) in the background knowledge they have and the way they logic through solving the mystery, to seeming younger and immature in the way they dress and relate to each other and their families. I did find that a little disorienting. I'm hoping that will be less obvious to our students.
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