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T. S. Livingston #1
T. S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's
Twin sisters Maddie and Jo Livingston have spent their lives traveling the world with their famous archaeologist parents. But when the Livingstons’ work takes them on a mysterious year-long excavation in Siberia, much too dangerous for two twelve-year-old girls, Maddie and Jo are whisked off to a castle in Switzerland, where they find themselves piecing together a mystery of their own.
Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls is filled with interesting students and professors from all over Europe. But it doesn’t take long for the girls to figure out that this is no ordinary boarding school: bizarre animals, hidden tapestries, secret tunnels, and a long list of unanswered questions keep Maddie, Jo, and their new friends searching for clues around every corner. Where is that snotty Mary Spivey going when she sneaks out of her dormitory at night? What secret is their beloved headmistress is trying to protect? Who is concealing treasures in the unlikeliest of hiding places? The girls must put all these strange pieces together to discover the staggering truth—and to save their school before Madame Molineaux’s closes its doors—for good!
Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls is filled with interesting students and professors from all over Europe. But it doesn’t take long for the girls to figure out that this is no ordinary boarding school: bizarre animals, hidden tapestries, secret tunnels, and a long list of unanswered questions keep Maddie, Jo, and their new friends searching for clues around every corner. Where is that snotty Mary Spivey going when she sneaks out of her dormitory at night? What secret is their beloved headmistress is trying to protect? Who is concealing treasures in the unlikeliest of hiding places? The girls must put all these strange pieces together to discover the staggering truth—and to save their school before Madame Molineaux’s closes its doors—for good!
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First published August 6, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 4, 2015
Twelve-year-old twin sisters Maddie and Jo Livingston may be as different as can be — the former blonde, petite and graceful; the latter dark, tall and awkward — but they’re identical on two counts: their love for one another and their family and their love of adventure.
Sent to an exclusive Swiss boarding school called Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls because their archeologist parents will be working in Siberia, the Livingston twins are the only two Americans in the entire school, which is housed in a castle. How exciting is that? The twins make four fast friends on their very first night in the castle; however, it doesn’t take the girls long to make an enemy — the perennially perfect English girl, Mary Spivey, with her porcelain skin, blonde ringlets and supercilious attitude — and to realize that something is dreadfully wrong at the school.
Why really must a Grand Pyrenees named Albert patrol the boarding school at night? (The reason given, to protect the goats, just leads to the question: Protect the goats from what?) Why does the headmistress, Klara Kronenberg — and so many of her faculty — wander the corridors of the school at night? And are the school’s many ghost stories more than just stories? And what about rumors about a treasure at Madame Molineaux’s? With the help of new friends and their own cleverness, Maddie and Jo found out.
While author Violet Selborne clearly aimed this novel, the first in a projected series of six mysteries, at the tween set, T. S. Livingston and the Mystery of Madame Molineaux’s, with its exotic 1932 settings, clever plotting, suspenseful pacing, and its plucky and kind-hearted girls will appeal to readers of every age. Good stories well told don’t have an age limit, and I highly recommend this one!
I was able to get this novel free during a special offer, but, at $4.99 for the Kindle version, this page-turner is still a bargain!
Sent to an exclusive Swiss boarding school called Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls because their archeologist parents will be working in Siberia, the Livingston twins are the only two Americans in the entire school, which is housed in a castle. How exciting is that? The twins make four fast friends on their very first night in the castle; however, it doesn’t take the girls long to make an enemy — the perennially perfect English girl, Mary Spivey, with her porcelain skin, blonde ringlets and supercilious attitude — and to realize that something is dreadfully wrong at the school.
Why really must a Grand Pyrenees named Albert patrol the boarding school at night? (The reason given, to protect the goats, just leads to the question: Protect the goats from what?) Why does the headmistress, Klara Kronenberg — and so many of her faculty — wander the corridors of the school at night? And are the school’s many ghost stories more than just stories? And what about rumors about a treasure at Madame Molineaux’s? With the help of new friends and their own cleverness, Maddie and Jo found out.
While author Violet Selborne clearly aimed this novel, the first in a projected series of six mysteries, at the tween set, T. S. Livingston and the Mystery of Madame Molineaux’s, with its exotic 1932 settings, clever plotting, suspenseful pacing, and its plucky and kind-hearted girls will appeal to readers of every age. Good stories well told don’t have an age limit, and I highly recommend this one!
I was able to get this novel free during a special offer, but, at $4.99 for the Kindle version, this page-turner is still a bargain!
July 20, 2016
This started out filled with promise. I enjoyed the first half and then the story faltered into tedium. I found myself bored and hoping that it would end soon. I didn't realize this was a series, but I doubt I will read any more. It's not written badly; I guess I just like a lot more action than what was provided. This also had a very old fashioned feel to it which I would normally appreciate, but I think that teens and preteens to whom I assume is the target audience would find Nancy Drew/Trixie Belden more interesting. I recently reread a Trixie Belden since that was my favorite series when I was 9-10 and I enjoyed it just as much as an adult.
September 27, 2014
This is a wonderful story about a group of clever, brave, and interesting girls. The setting, a boarding school in an old castle in Switzerland, adds intrigue to a classic mystery. There's no magic here, no technological marvels, just good, old-fashioned storytelling. My daughters, ages 13, 10, and 7, all enjoyed this book as much as I did.
February 24, 2015
The characters were likable, the villains were evil, the descriptions were clear and vivid, the mystery was mysterious. My only complaint is that the pacing seemed very slow: it took a long time to get to the meat of the story.
February 7, 2015
I SO wish I was 12 again. The adventures never seem to end with these girls. At times this is a light hearted book and again, it's full of mystery and suspense. Well written!
September 5, 2016
Cute book about sisters, school, and a mystery involving treasure.
September 7, 2014
Read the full review on Tales Between the Pages
T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux’s is a fantastic middle-grade novel. It focuses on an all-girl’s boarding school in Switzerland. It reminds me of Hogwarts … only all girls and no magic. Just trust me on this. There are secrets and interesting things to discover at Madame Molineaux’s. There are goats living on roofs protected by a dog named Albert, tunnels that run under the school, some hybrid big cats (I need one), professors to hate, a headmistress to love, and a mystery to solve.
More importantly, the novel is about smart, strong, brave girls. There is an entire school full of them. Maddie and Jo are the kind of characters that girls need to read about. Even though they are twins, they aren’t carbon copies of each other. They have their own unique personalities and are not afraid to strike out on their own when the need arises. Selborne creates a cast of supporting characters who spend an equal amount of time propping up Maddie and Jo’s story while simultaneously showing the value of kindness, friendship, and camaraderie that all girls should have with each other. Of course, there is a catty character that butts heads with them all and of course the younger girls are sometimes teased by the older girls in school, but generally, Maddie, Jo, Francoise, Val, Nixie, Millie, and Estelle exemplify the kind of relationships young girls need. I found it all positive and refreshing.
Selborne leaves enough room at the end of the novel for more books. I believe she has 6 planned in the series. I especially want to know the story behind the mysterious backer of the Siberian dig that Maddie and Jo’s parents run. Something smells fishy. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. But, I’m mostly looking forward to reading more about Maddie and Jo in their next year at Madame Molineaux’s. I also want to find out more about this school for boys across the lake. As curious as Maddie and Jo are, I’m sure they’ll find plenty of mysteries to solve next year.
The pacing is fantastic and the plot well thought out. I didn’t figure out the mystery early. In the end, T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux’s is an absolutely delightful read. Violet Selborne really has her thumb on the pulse of what it means to be a self-published author, though I certainly believe this story is worthy of any large publishing house. Her dedication to her book shows from cover to cover. It has been professionally edited and illustrated. I get a lot of shoddy workmanship from authors who self-publish. Selborne is a gem. Authors like her are the reason why I keep accepting self-published books for review. Bravo.
T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux’s is a fantastic middle-grade novel. It focuses on an all-girl’s boarding school in Switzerland. It reminds me of Hogwarts … only all girls and no magic. Just trust me on this. There are secrets and interesting things to discover at Madame Molineaux’s. There are goats living on roofs protected by a dog named Albert, tunnels that run under the school, some hybrid big cats (I need one), professors to hate, a headmistress to love, and a mystery to solve.
More importantly, the novel is about smart, strong, brave girls. There is an entire school full of them. Maddie and Jo are the kind of characters that girls need to read about. Even though they are twins, they aren’t carbon copies of each other. They have their own unique personalities and are not afraid to strike out on their own when the need arises. Selborne creates a cast of supporting characters who spend an equal amount of time propping up Maddie and Jo’s story while simultaneously showing the value of kindness, friendship, and camaraderie that all girls should have with each other. Of course, there is a catty character that butts heads with them all and of course the younger girls are sometimes teased by the older girls in school, but generally, Maddie, Jo, Francoise, Val, Nixie, Millie, and Estelle exemplify the kind of relationships young girls need. I found it all positive and refreshing.
Selborne leaves enough room at the end of the novel for more books. I believe she has 6 planned in the series. I especially want to know the story behind the mysterious backer of the Siberian dig that Maddie and Jo’s parents run. Something smells fishy. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. But, I’m mostly looking forward to reading more about Maddie and Jo in their next year at Madame Molineaux’s. I also want to find out more about this school for boys across the lake. As curious as Maddie and Jo are, I’m sure they’ll find plenty of mysteries to solve next year.
The pacing is fantastic and the plot well thought out. I didn’t figure out the mystery early. In the end, T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux’s is an absolutely delightful read. Violet Selborne really has her thumb on the pulse of what it means to be a self-published author, though I certainly believe this story is worthy of any large publishing house. Her dedication to her book shows from cover to cover. It has been professionally edited and illustrated. I get a lot of shoddy workmanship from authors who self-publish. Selborne is a gem. Authors like her are the reason why I keep accepting self-published books for review. Bravo.
September 3, 2014
Read the full review at Tales Between the Pages[. . . .]
More importantly, the novel is about smart, strong, brave girls. There is an entire school full of them. Maddie and Jo are the kind of characters that girls need to read about. Even though they are twins, they aren't carbon copies of each other. They have their own unique personalities and are not afraid to strike out on their own when the need arises. Selborne creates a cast of supporting characters who spend an equal amount of time propping up Maddie and Jo's story while simultaneously showing the value of kindness, friendship, and camaraderie that all girls should have with each other. Of course, there is a catty character that butts heads with them all and of course the younger girls are sometimes teased by the older girls in school, but generally, Maddie, Jo, Francoise, Val, Nixie, Millie, and Estelle exemplify the kind of relationships young girls need. I found it all positive and refreshing.
[. . . .]
The pacing is fantastic and the plot well thought out. I didn't figure out the mystery early. In the end, T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's is an absolutely delightful read. Violet Selborne really has her thumb on the pulse of what it means to be a self-published author, though I certainly believe this story is worthy of any large publishing house. Her dedication to her book shows from cover to cover. It has been professionally edited and illustrated. I get a lot of shoddy workmanship from authors who self-publish. Selborne is a gem. Authors like her are the reason why I keep accepting self-published books for review. Bravo.
More importantly, the novel is about smart, strong, brave girls. There is an entire school full of them. Maddie and Jo are the kind of characters that girls need to read about. Even though they are twins, they aren't carbon copies of each other. They have their own unique personalities and are not afraid to strike out on their own when the need arises. Selborne creates a cast of supporting characters who spend an equal amount of time propping up Maddie and Jo's story while simultaneously showing the value of kindness, friendship, and camaraderie that all girls should have with each other. Of course, there is a catty character that butts heads with them all and of course the younger girls are sometimes teased by the older girls in school, but generally, Maddie, Jo, Francoise, Val, Nixie, Millie, and Estelle exemplify the kind of relationships young girls need. I found it all positive and refreshing.
[. . . .]
The pacing is fantastic and the plot well thought out. I didn't figure out the mystery early. In the end, T.S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's is an absolutely delightful read. Violet Selborne really has her thumb on the pulse of what it means to be a self-published author, though I certainly believe this story is worthy of any large publishing house. Her dedication to her book shows from cover to cover. It has been professionally edited and illustrated. I get a lot of shoddy workmanship from authors who self-publish. Selborne is a gem. Authors like her are the reason why I keep accepting self-published books for review. Bravo.
October 23, 2014
Know any young mystery lovers out there? Because they won't want to miss this. This is a delightful mystery with two fun sleuths, the Livingston twins. Now, these are detectives by choice, but rather fall into the mystery by chance. Even their name, T.S. Livingston, is the result of an odd circumstance.
I loved how this book starts out with interesting scenes. The parents are archaeologists in the desert, but need to move to a new sight in Siberia. The girls, who have been accompanying them so far, aren't allowed to continue into Siberia and are sent off to a boarding school in Switzerland instead. Yep, there's exotic in all directions and even their means of transportation, a ship to a mysterious car to a castle, will lure kids into adventure land.
The girls themselves are wonderful. Very nice, loving, but not perfect. They have a flair for a little mischief and trouble, which will guarantee that young readers love them. Even at the school, there's a great mixture of girls from all different cultures and countries. Of course, there are friendships and rivalries which spice up the story as well.
As for the mystery, it's done at a nice pace with clues, twists and turns at all the right places. It was easy to stay involved with the characters as they went from one situation into the next. This wasn't a story easily laid down (and I wouldn't have if I didn't need a few hours of sleep.)
In other words, I give this a huge thumbs up and can only recommend it to all those young sleuths out there and anyone else who simply enjoys a good story.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved how this book starts out with interesting scenes. The parents are archaeologists in the desert, but need to move to a new sight in Siberia. The girls, who have been accompanying them so far, aren't allowed to continue into Siberia and are sent off to a boarding school in Switzerland instead. Yep, there's exotic in all directions and even their means of transportation, a ship to a mysterious car to a castle, will lure kids into adventure land.
The girls themselves are wonderful. Very nice, loving, but not perfect. They have a flair for a little mischief and trouble, which will guarantee that young readers love them. Even at the school, there's a great mixture of girls from all different cultures and countries. Of course, there are friendships and rivalries which spice up the story as well.
As for the mystery, it's done at a nice pace with clues, twists and turns at all the right places. It was easy to stay involved with the characters as they went from one situation into the next. This wasn't a story easily laid down (and I wouldn't have if I didn't need a few hours of sleep.)
In other words, I give this a huge thumbs up and can only recommend it to all those young sleuths out there and anyone else who simply enjoys a good story.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2021
T. S. Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's (T. S. Livingston, #1) — Violet Shelborne (41 titled chapters + List of Foreign Words) April 26-27, 2021
Wow, this is another one of those books that have been hanging out on my To-Read list for a very loooong time. I am glad I took it down and put it in the Currently Reading pile.
This is a great escape book for young girls and (older readers too.) It’s a young person’s mystery that really keeps the reader involved and turning pages.
The Livingston twins have always tagged with their parents on expeditions. Now, their parents are traveling to a place they can’t go it. Instead, they are thrusted into the care of Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls.
There they meet good friends and teachers and some meanies too. But the Headmistress is hiding something, and the girls are up for the challenge of discovering and solving what that mystery is.
This book is good, clean fun. I believe it is set in the 1920’s (though a bit earlier in the book, I thought I understood it to be set in the 1930’s.)
However, there really is no hint of the time in this book, and it could have happened in the present day for how the story reads.
Excellent book to read for the summer.
Five stars.
Wow, this is another one of those books that have been hanging out on my To-Read list for a very loooong time. I am glad I took it down and put it in the Currently Reading pile.
This is a great escape book for young girls and (older readers too.) It’s a young person’s mystery that really keeps the reader involved and turning pages.
The Livingston twins have always tagged with their parents on expeditions. Now, their parents are traveling to a place they can’t go it. Instead, they are thrusted into the care of Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls.
There they meet good friends and teachers and some meanies too. But the Headmistress is hiding something, and the girls are up for the challenge of discovering and solving what that mystery is.
This book is good, clean fun. I believe it is set in the 1920’s (though a bit earlier in the book, I thought I understood it to be set in the 1930’s.)
However, there really is no hint of the time in this book, and it could have happened in the present day for how the story reads.
Excellent book to read for the summer.
Five stars.
March 21, 2015
I didn't realize this was a series book until I got to the end and was like "there's still things that weren't finished!" Bookbub offered it as a free kindle download and I needed another book to read. I enjoyed it a lot. There wasn't a lot of action, but for a girls' school what do you want right? There is more of a mystery to figure out in this book, Hopefully in the ones to fallow there will be more and some from this book solved. I like trying to figure out and attempt to solve Mystery books before or with the characters. So not to spoil anything so stop reading here because this little tidbit is for the author,
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Mrs. Selborne I read this twice and Nixi didn't tell the others what she found! Will she?!
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Mrs. Selborne I read this twice and Nixi didn't tell the others what she found! Will she?!
October 13, 2015
This book is impeccably written and *incredibly* hard to put down! It took me right back to my grade-school days of hatching schemes and solving mysteries with my girlfriends... The wonderful detail and care that Livingston puts into every scene and conversation effortlessly transports you to the magical world she has created. You'll never want to leave! I loved every moment, and can hardly wait for the next book!
March 12, 2015
I enjoyed this book and the fun adventure that the twins get into. It is written for a young audience, but as an adult I still enjoyed it. The twins are enrolled in a school for girls and they solve a mystery while there and help save their school. The girls build new friendships and have a good support system in the school. Nice little refreshing read with lots of humor.
August 16, 2015
This mystery is about twelve-year-old twins and their roommates at a Swiss boarding school for girls. It takes place in 1932. The writing style is delightful. The mystery/adventure is exciting and I look forward to the next book. I recommend it to young readers as well as to adults who like to escape from the adult world on occasion.
April 20, 2015
A fun read
This book is a fun read. Not much in the way of villains and the real excitement isn't until the very end of the book, but it is certainly a great story about the adventures of a bunch of good friends in school.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel.
This book is a fun read. Not much in the way of villains and the real excitement isn't until the very end of the book, but it is certainly a great story about the adventures of a bunch of good friends in school.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel.
January 10, 2017
Didn't want to put the book down.
It was so exciting and so mysterious that I didn't want for put the book down. I loved the book so much that I gave it the highest rating. I would recommend this book to someone who loves or wants a good mystery book.
It was so exciting and so mysterious that I didn't want for put the book down. I loved the book so much that I gave it the highest rating. I would recommend this book to someone who loves or wants a good mystery book.
March 2, 2015
This was an excellent book. The characters were great and the story was really fun to read! Can't wait for the next book!
March 22, 2015
Cute story, but no real sense of time
June 5, 2020
A great young mystery book. Although aimed at a younger audience it was a good fun story.
April 20, 2015
Loved It
I couldn't put it down. Spent the whole day reading instead of doing chores. This story took me back to my childhood summers reading in the garden. Wonderful.
I couldn't put it down. Spent the whole day reading instead of doing chores. This story took me back to my childhood summers reading in the garden. Wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews