The Tontine Caper

by Dianne K. Salerni, Matt Schu (illustrator)

Eleven-year-old orphan Nico Lombardi has been unfairly indentured at a remote mountain inn for five years now.

Just as he gathers the courage to escape, the inn gets booked by the remaining members of a “tontine,” an investment scheme where a cash prize is awarded to whomever lives the longest. In other words, every guest wants access to the fortune. Preferably as soon as possible.

During their stay, a chaotic race to control the fate of the tontine takes over the normally sleepy inn. Nico watches in horror as a series of comically disastrous events unfolds—some of which might aid his escape, and some of which might get him in big trouble. Before he can even put the right clues together, three unexpected revelations change the course of everyone’s future!

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Drama

208 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

DIANNE K. SALERNI, a former fifth grade teacher, is the author of YA and MG novels.

Her upcoming dark MG fantasy, THE CARREFOUR CURSE, explores gothic themes in a story Publisher's Weekly calls "genre-bending" in a starred review.

The EIGHTH DAY fantasy series follows the adventures of Jax Aubrey, who discovers a secret day between Wednesday and Thursday. ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS portrays an alternate historical reality where ghosts are known to be real and threaten the future of a famous family. JADIE IN FIVE DIMENSIONS is an adventure in geometry, physics, and conspiracy theories.

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss

In 1901, Nicodemus Lombardi finds himself working for Gunther Hogg at his Precipe Inn in the Poconos after the death of his grandfather, Nonno. Nonno was a painter who died suddenly, and since Nico’s parents had perished when he was younger, Gunther claims that he is owed money, and puts Nico to work, along with his daughter, Agnetha. The inn struggles, since there are only five rooms, so when lawyer Arnold Hawes convenes a group of investors wishing to dissolve a tontine, there is a lot of work to do. The tontine, an investment scheme, involves shares in the Carbon County coal mine. There are only three remaining survivors, which means that the investment can be divided and distributed, although there has to be a vote to see if members would rather wait until there is only one survivor who would get the entire sum. The elderly Beuregard Ames and his granddaughter Beatrice arrive, followed by Diana Von Tropp and her two sons and the Deetlebaum family with Lottie and her mother, grandmother. The lawyer is late in arriving, so we see the different schemes of those hoping to profit. Nico serves all of the guests, appreciating the ones who aren’t cruel to him, as Gunther is, and is making plans to break free of his servitude, feeling (rightly so) that he will never be able to repay his debt. With so many people trying to get the money, and so much drama, who will finally get the fortune from the tontine?
Strengths: I always enjoy learning things I don’t know, and the idea of a tontine (which has been effectively illegal in the US since about 1906) is an intriguing one. I’m also a fan of English manor house mysteries a la Agatha Christie, so setting this story at a small inn in the Pocono Mountains (which I’ve always wanted to visit), was an intriguing choice. There is an art related mystery that leads to a very satisfying conclusion, but which I don’t want to spoil. Nico’s situation is one that more children in the early 1900s would have experienced; this of the orphaned Anne of Green Gables (Montgomery, 1908) or Understood Betsy (Fisher, 1916). The characters are quirky and interesting, and Schu’s illustrations are fantastic. I’d love to see more illustrations scattered through middle grade books, reminiscent of Joe and Beth Krush’s or Hilary Knight’s mid century work.
Weaknesses: My bloodthirsty students are more interested in gruesome murder mysteries than ones that involve cons or scams, and when this was compared to Knives Out, I sort of hoped for a cozy style murder. (Nico does suspect that his grandfather was killed.)
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like mysteries like Guterson’s Winterhouse or Eagle’s The Pear Affair. This author's Eleanor, Alice and the Roosevelt Ghosts and The Carrefour Curse are also good mystery choices.

[Mickayla Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick short read and interesting throughout. I didn't see the ending coming. The way it is narrated threw me off for a bit. It is a third person narrator and is mainly focusing on Nico. But it will occasionally jump to one of the other kids and I'd have to recognize who is having said thoughts. The interactions between Nico and the girls was endearing having one family want to take him in and the other wanting to focus on their own plan.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid mystery with a satisfying ending that surprised me. I kind of wish it had a different name though, since kids don't know what a Tontine is, and it's always harder to sell a book when you have to explain the name.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early 20th century puzzle-box story with eccentric characters, a remote hostelry, and a substantial cash prize. An orphan named Nico lives at the Precipice Inn, indentured to the awful Gunther following the death of his beloved grandfather, a landscape painter. When Nonno died after a two month stay (leaving behind outstanding bills), Nico remained trapped as an overworked servant, trying to work off his “DEBT”. One weekend, three families arrive, all attempting to collect on a long-ago established tontine, a primitive life-insurance contest in which the oldest surviving signatory finally gets to collect the pot of $150,000. All the families consist of what we are told are elderly contestants and their grandchildren, although because of multiple hidden identities, much of that information turns out to be untrue.  Over one weekend, the characters (and young readers) proceed through the inn’s multiple floors (neatly mapped out in a diagram), trying to unravel the mystery, which includes lockpicks, disguises, valuable artwork, bumbling amateurs, and sneaky professionals. Droll chapter headings, humorous small illustrations, and neatly labelled black-and-white family portraits will help guide upper elementary chapter readers through the book’s twists and turns. Nico turns out to be an appealing and resilient character, as do two of the young granddaughters, and the plot resolves in virtue rewarded and evil doers being handed their just desserts. Back matter includes more information about the history of the tontine, an entertaining personality quiz in which readers get to see which character they most resemble, and a choose-you-own-adventure style extension of the mystery. Nico (an Italian- American) is described as having olive skin; all other characters cue as white. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in an inn in Pennsylvania and the turn of the 20th century Nico Lombardi is an indentured servant at the that he has been living in for the last 6 years. He is paying off is debt left by his grandfather, who died at the inn six years ago. The inn's owner keeps adding on to Nico's debt. The only thing his grandfather left him was a few paintings and a sketchbook. Currently at the inn are three subscribers to a tontine (a financial arrangement) and they must decide if they want to split the $150,000 or wait until there is only one surviving subscriber to collect it all. The characters are unique in their own way and Nico has his own dilemma and he has stolen items from various guests to exchange in the near future for money so he can run away from the inn and make a life for himself. The are various secrets and underhanded wheeling and dealing with the various guests around the tontine. The ending is a bit predictable but a fun mystery that is reminiscent of children's mysteries written in the 60s and 70s. Recommended for middle graders who like humorous cozy mysteries. The book ends with a quiz to find out which character you most resemble in the story and a how the reader would you fare in a tontine caper. There is an author's note about the history of tontines and that Alexander Hamilton suggested using one to raise funds for the United States after the Revolutionary War.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tontine Caper has been described as Clue meets Knives Out, and it really is a lovely blend of mystery and suspense, with a quirky cast, and the perfect setting for intrigue. I love old manors they always make me think of dark halls, hiding spots, and multiple rooms to search. The heirs were entertaining with their scheming and sneaking around at night, and their underhanded tactics to try and gain the fortune for themselves. The dynamics between Nico and the innkeeper added an emotional layer to the story, and the painting added a nice element of mystery too. The black and white illustrations by Matt Schu depict the various characters from the story, I just wish there were more of them. Included at the back of the book is a quiz to determine which character you resemble, and an author's note explaining that the inspiration for the book was an episode of The Wild Wild West that included a tontine. Read this if you enjoy mysteries, old houses, books like Winterhouse or you enjoyed the authors Carrefore Curse. **A huge thank you to Holiday House for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 1900. Eleven year old Nico is an indentured servant at an inn and works for a cheap, grouchy innkeeper. He's been stuck in his position for 5 years, ever since his only living family member, his grandfather, died while they were staying at the inn. Nico has to work there to pay off his grandfather's bill (page 61 goes into detail--good to use for a booktalk) that is ever increasing due to Nico needing new uniforms as he gets taller. His plans of escape are paused when 3 groups arrive at the inn in the off-season to settle a tontine. A tontine is a scheme where interested people contribute in hopes they are the last living contributor and will take all the money. This tontine is worth $150,000, but if the remaining 3 contributors agree to split it evenly now, each will only take $50,000. What would you do? Everyone is keeping a secret though. Is anyone telling the truth? Some drawings of the characters are included. For fans of The Greenglass House and Lemony Snicket.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always learn something new when I pick up a book by Dianne K Salerni. In this case, I discovered what a tontine was. Many of you out there may be familiar with the money scheme, but I was not. Told with wit and humor, this escape to the Pocono mountains in PA in the early 20th Century has a delightful surprise in every chapter. The players gather at the Precipice Inn for what is supposed to be a chance to cash in on the tontine fortune. But nothing is as it seems. In this fast-paced madcap story of money, mayhem, and deception, readers learn not to trust first impressions. Or even believing what is seen with our own eyes. Back matter includes a choose-your-own-tontine adventure kids will enjoy.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast-paced mystery full of quirky characters, sneaky schemes, and unexpected twists. It follows young Georgie as she dives into a wild adventure involving an old tontine, a secretive group with a hidden fortune and plenty of surprises.
Dianne K. Salerni’s storytelling is clever and lively, making this a great pick for readers who love mysteries with humor and heart. It’s like a treasure hunt mixed with a puzzle, perfect for kids who enjoy solving riddles and uncovering secrets.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick, entertaining MG mystery. It's written in an old-fashioned, "on a dark and stormy night" type style that makes it feel like a classic tale. The book's tone is upbeat and engaging, Salerni's prose is clever and funny, the characters are colorful and interesting, and the plot is complex and surprising (although I saw the big twist coming). Is THE TONTINE CAPER the kind of novel modern kids will enjoy? I don't know, but I liked it. It made me laugh.

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had many of the elements I always loved in Agatha Christie: an isolated setting, twists and turns and red herrings, and a surprise ending. It isn't very long, either. The main character isn't a detective searching for clues, but the author several times repeats the same time but from different POV so the reader knows more of what's going on than any one character (but still doesn't know everything).

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tontine is an inheritance and four groups of people meet at a large country estate with all of them trying to finagle getting the money. The are many twists here that should interest the author's targeted young readers.In a way this is like the game Clue without the murder. The "surprise" ending is satisfying and exactly what the young readers are hoping for.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aha! Now I know what a tontine is! This was such a fun book to read. Clever words, believable characters, motives, money, inheritance, mystery! Lightly illustrated pages interspersed throughout added to the story, as did the chapter title subtitles. I enjoyed The Tontine Caper from beginning to end. Fun mystery for middle grade readers (and adults like me).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I love a good mystery that’s a little different from the rest, and this one does the job. Not knowing what a tontine was, I was instantly intrigued. There are lots of twists and turns that will keep readers hooked, and this mystery still felt exciting while avoiding scary or gruesome events.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous middle-grade mystery that will also appeal to adults. The author did a wonderful job capturing the turn-of-the-century time period, and I enjoyed the wry humor and suspenseful story. The author also uses an omniscient narrator to great effect, and the little vignette illustrations are delightful.

[Kristen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of the Tontine Caper from a Goodreads giveaway.

I absolutely loved this style of mystery when I was a kid. This was a really fun read for me. I can’t wait to pass it along to a friend’s child

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light caper - coming in at under 200 pages, with some fun illustrations, this would make a good pick for a young mystery reader. Greenglass House vibes, but pitched younger and lighter (and plenty of twists but no ghosts).

[Victoria B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, clean mystery for kids. Characters are relatable, and the little twists and turns keep you reading without being *too* scary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this but I ended up liking it. I think the language was a little fussy for a middle grade novel. The story was fun, but felt a bit complicated toward the beginning due to the fussy language and character names.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle grade mystery with quirky (and many also disreputable) characters and one poor, orphaned boy as the main character. I enjoyed it but I kept thinking that I'm not sure most kids will. Too much of the action revolved around the adults in the book.

[Sydney Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and enjoyable middle grade read!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read. Like a murder mystery minus most of the murder—good for younger kids who like the genre

Plus, fun activities in the back!

[Alicia Mesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Kellee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read for mystery lovers, appropriate for readers 8 and above, a kids’ version of The Westing Game.

[Maegan Baygents · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute little mystery

[Teresa Osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A middle grade mystery set in a rickety old hotel. Wasn’t super invested in this, but the mystery was wrapped up quite nicely

[Lucky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed this although the characters weren’t defined enough for me to easily distinguish them.

[Caroline Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little mystery!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5