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Secrets of the Broken House
From the author of Coop Knows the Scoop and The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle comes a quirky whodunnit that explores friendship, small town secrets, and a twisty mystery that will keep readers guessing.
In the small, southern town of Everson, goats can run for mayor, the mail is always late, and nothing all that bad ever happens. That is, until thirteen-year-old Tucker finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her stairs. At first glance, it looks like an accident. But Tucker has always had a knack for noticing details that others overlook, and the details surrounding Miss Geraldine's death just aren't adding up.
Miss Geraldine was miserable and mean. Miss Geraldine was murdered.
The whole town seems to have reason to want her dead, which makes Tucker's search for the truth nearly impossible. The more he investigates for clues, the more danger he finds himself in, and the more he realizes that maybe Everson was never as safe as he once thought it was. Anyone could be the killer, and in a small town that loves to gossip, if Tucker isn't careful, he could be the next one to have an "accident".
In the small, southern town of Everson, goats can run for mayor, the mail is always late, and nothing all that bad ever happens. That is, until thirteen-year-old Tucker finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her stairs. At first glance, it looks like an accident. But Tucker has always had a knack for noticing details that others overlook, and the details surrounding Miss Geraldine's death just aren't adding up.
Miss Geraldine was miserable and mean. Miss Geraldine was murdered.
The whole town seems to have reason to want her dead, which makes Tucker's search for the truth nearly impossible. The more he investigates for clues, the more danger he finds himself in, and the more he realizes that maybe Everson was never as safe as he once thought it was. Anyone could be the killer, and in a small town that loves to gossip, if Tucker isn't careful, he could be the next one to have an "accident".
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 30, 2025
In Everson, lives Tucker. The son of the small town’s chief of police, the pharmacist, Tucker is good friends with Clemmie.
In Everson, like in all small towns, gossip is life, and no one as worthy of being talked about as Geraldine Guss, the old woman who lives in the dilapidated house the city hall is threatening to tear down.
When Geraldine asks Clemmie’s grandmother if the girl can help her sort and clean some antiques, both Tucker and Clemmie finally get access to the mysterious house Tucker has always been curious about. Things only get more mysterious after Tucker finds Miss Geraldine dead.
What follows is a fast paced, fun-packed mystery adventure, in a story inhabited by unforgettable characters, who feel very life-like, and who had me wishing for friends like those when I was a child.
A really imaginative story, merging adventure and mystery, into a setting that feels both familiar and unique.
I really loved this book.
In Everson, like in all small towns, gossip is life, and no one as worthy of being talked about as Geraldine Guss, the old woman who lives in the dilapidated house the city hall is threatening to tear down.
When Geraldine asks Clemmie’s grandmother if the girl can help her sort and clean some antiques, both Tucker and Clemmie finally get access to the mysterious house Tucker has always been curious about. Things only get more mysterious after Tucker finds Miss Geraldine dead.
What follows is a fast paced, fun-packed mystery adventure, in a story inhabited by unforgettable characters, who feel very life-like, and who had me wishing for friends like those when I was a child.
A really imaginative story, merging adventure and mystery, into a setting that feels both familiar and unique.
I really loved this book.
June 15, 2025
I loved this book! Secrets of the Broken House is a brilliant murder mystery for kids, packed with some of the funniest one-liners I’ve ever read. This author is new to me, and I am completely hooked. The characters are unforgettable—I fell in love with them all—and the story has just the right mix of Sherlock Holmes, Clue, and a cat with a serious obsession with Tupperware. I laughed out loud more than once and was genuinely blown away by the ending. The illustrations at the start of each chapter are phenomenal—they’re not just charming, they give you a clever little hint about what’s to come. Absolutely loved it.
December 13, 2025
Taryn Souders (Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle, Coop Knows the Scoop) has a knack for writing middle grade mysteries and this one may be my favorite so far. Tucker is one of those kids who notices everything and is able to put seemingly random things together and come to accurate conclusions. Most of the time it’s just a fun game he plays with friends Clemmie and Sadie, but this time, he has joined forces with his friends and his police chief father to find a killer.
Geraldine Guss is so cranky and mean-hearted she becomes almost humorous on the page but all her lawsuits, raised rents and complaints are not as funny when she is found dead at the foot of the stairs in her dilapidated old house and it turns out to be murder instead of an accident. Because Tucker, Clemmie and Sadie had been in the house the day before doing some cleaning in order to earn an old rowboat of Geraldine’s and Tucker is the one to find her lifeless body, the trio have much to contribute to the investigation but Tucker wants to solve the mystery. Almost every page reveals something that may or may not be important to the case and readers will be trying to sort out the actual clues and the red herrings and if they are like me, will be flipping back in the book to double check facts and suppositions all the way to the end!
Along with the murder mystery, Souders includes a bit of friend drama between Tucker and his best friend since kindergarten Aiden and neatly ties their animosity and the need for forgiveness to Geraldine and the way she let grudges fester and, by the end, die with only one person who had a friendly word for her. There is a teeny tiny bit of future romance suggested in a few places that some readers will notice plus strong families running throughout the mystery. If used in a literature circle or as a class novel, Souders’ characters are diverse in personality, some of them downright quirky, and would provide the opportunity for plenty of character studies. Certainly with a mystery afoot, ample predictions and providing support for those abound.
Target audiences: grades 4-7
Free of profanity and sexual content with violence extremely limited even with a death as the focus
Representation: Clemmie and her grandmother present as Black, Sadie and Tucker are likely Caucasian; strong female characters who own their own businesses are key figures; families represent several different configurations; no LBGTQ+ characters apparent
Thanks for the print arc, Taryn Souders and Sourcebooks Kids.
Geraldine Guss is so cranky and mean-hearted she becomes almost humorous on the page but all her lawsuits, raised rents and complaints are not as funny when she is found dead at the foot of the stairs in her dilapidated old house and it turns out to be murder instead of an accident. Because Tucker, Clemmie and Sadie had been in the house the day before doing some cleaning in order to earn an old rowboat of Geraldine’s and Tucker is the one to find her lifeless body, the trio have much to contribute to the investigation but Tucker wants to solve the mystery. Almost every page reveals something that may or may not be important to the case and readers will be trying to sort out the actual clues and the red herrings and if they are like me, will be flipping back in the book to double check facts and suppositions all the way to the end!
Along with the murder mystery, Souders includes a bit of friend drama between Tucker and his best friend since kindergarten Aiden and neatly ties their animosity and the need for forgiveness to Geraldine and the way she let grudges fester and, by the end, die with only one person who had a friendly word for her. There is a teeny tiny bit of future romance suggested in a few places that some readers will notice plus strong families running throughout the mystery. If used in a literature circle or as a class novel, Souders’ characters are diverse in personality, some of them downright quirky, and would provide the opportunity for plenty of character studies. Certainly with a mystery afoot, ample predictions and providing support for those abound.
Target audiences: grades 4-7
Free of profanity and sexual content with violence extremely limited even with a death as the focus
Representation: Clemmie and her grandmother present as Black, Sadie and Tucker are likely Caucasian; strong female characters who own their own businesses are key figures; families represent several different configurations; no LBGTQ+ characters apparent
Thanks for the print arc, Taryn Souders and Sourcebooks Kids.
Did Not Finish
January 4, 2026This is an excellent middle grade book with some children amateur sleuths out to solve the murder of an old woman in town who everyone hated.
It took me out of the book because in the first few chapters there were an over abundance of similes and metaphors that just felt like trying too hard, and I found it distracting. Plus, the POV is a 13 year old kid, and it just didn’t fit that he would be thinking that way.
- she collected grudges the same way other people collected salt and pepper shakers or baseball cards
- People who knew her liked her about as much as a skunk on a windy day
- If betrayals were fish, this one would be a barracuda
- Life was as exciting as watching banana pudding set
- People’s nerves are as taut as a tightrope
- If she was a boat, she’d be a fishing trawler
And those were all in the first 30 pages. I started to get distracted by them instead of following the story and ultimately opted not to finish it.
Overall, the story was fun and this would be a great one for your elementary or middle schooler, exactly who the book was meant for.
It took me out of the book because in the first few chapters there were an over abundance of similes and metaphors that just felt like trying too hard, and I found it distracting. Plus, the POV is a 13 year old kid, and it just didn’t fit that he would be thinking that way.
- she collected grudges the same way other people collected salt and pepper shakers or baseball cards
- People who knew her liked her about as much as a skunk on a windy day
- If betrayals were fish, this one would be a barracuda
- Life was as exciting as watching banana pudding set
- People’s nerves are as taut as a tightrope
- If she was a boat, she’d be a fishing trawler
And those were all in the first 30 pages. I started to get distracted by them instead of following the story and ultimately opted not to finish it.
Overall, the story was fun and this would be a great one for your elementary or middle schooler, exactly who the book was meant for.
September 28, 2025
Secrets of the Broken House is such a quick-paced middle grade murder mystery, and you'll instantly love the main character, Tucker. He's an observant detective because he notices all the little details everyone else misses. The whole plot is a total twisty whodunit, keeping me guessing (and second-guessing!) the killer until the final chapters. But the best part? Tucker has to learn to let go of grudges and forgive his old best friend while solving the case, giving the story a really warm, emotional core alongside the suspense!
March 7, 2026
We received this fun middle-grade mystery through SPARK, a book-per-month subscription service for kids run by Parnassus Books in Nashville. I read it aloud to my 11 year old, and my 6 year old listened in on occasion!
As Tennesseans, we all enjoyed the zany Southern characters and plentiful hair salon & coffee shop gossip. At times, it was hard to keep track of all the personalities and their murder motives—and I found the subplot unnecessary and a little too tidily resolved. But the writing was great, and we’ll try other books by this author!
As Tennesseans, we all enjoyed the zany Southern characters and plentiful hair salon & coffee shop gossip. At times, it was hard to keep track of all the personalities and their murder motives—and I found the subplot unnecessary and a little too tidily resolved. But the writing was great, and we’ll try other books by this author!
August 5, 2025
Well suited to upper elementary age kids, this is a solid and engaging mystery. It features an interesting cast of characters, relationships that are authentic and winsome, and the observations of kids who are smart enough to solve this mystery. Well done, Taryn Souders. This book should be added to every school and public library.
March 10, 2026
A very good middle school mystery with Tucker, at thirteen-year-old boy, who is the son of a police officer and has a nose for mysteries like a young Sherlock Holmes. The mystery is concerning the death of a miserable lady who few people like.
October 2, 2025
SECRETS OF THE BROKEN HOUSE is a perfect mystery book for kids! This book made me laugh out loud - reminds me that kids are smarter and wittier than we give them credit for!
Thanks to @taryn_souders for sharing a copy of an ARC with Beyond The Pages. Looking forward to sharing it with my teacher friends so they can recommend it in the classroom!
#btptravelingarc #btpbookclub #aileenonbookz #weareBTP #bookpeoplearethebestpeople #toomanybooksnotenoughtime
January 8, 2026
Secrets of the Broken House is a fun and voicey mystery that'll keep you guessing who done it, right up to the exciting ending. I love the quirky cast of characters, especially Van Gogh the cat!
September 20, 2025
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Tucker lives in the small town of Everson with his father, the chief of police, and his mother, a pharmacist. He has a good friend in Clemmie, who comes to stay with her grandmother, Mama E, who runs the local beauty parlor. There's plenty of gossip in town, and everyone knows that Geraldine Guss (aka "Fussy Gussy") is a cantakerous old woman who has bever gotten over the death of her brother, the town postal inspector. When the town threatens to condemn her house, Ms. Geraldine asks Mama E. if Clemmie can help her clean some antiques for appraisal. She also suspects that the mayor, an electricion, is sabotaging her power box. Clemmie agrees to help, as long as Tucker can as well, and the two are paid by taking possession of an abandoned row boat that Ms. Geraldine has. Their friend Sadie helps as well. Tucker is very observant, and the group makes a list of all of the furniture. This helps when Mr. Linus comes to appraise it. He doesn't offer enough money for Ms. Geraldine's taste, and she yells at him and breaks his fountain pen. The next day, the group returns to help, but Ms. Geraldine doesn't answer the door. Peering inside, Tucker sees Ms. Geraldine sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. The kids break in, and discover that their employer is dead. They follow the correct procedures, calling 911 and not touching anything but the bowl that they accidentally knock over. They take Van Gogh, Ms. Geraldine's cat, and go next door to Miss Rowena's house. Everyone is upset about the death, and the children all are retrieved by caring adults as the rumors start to swirl. Tucker talks to his father and is allowed to check the scene for clues with the permission of the assistant investigator and makes a suspect board. Along with Sadie and Clemmie, he investigates everyone from Mr. Linus, the mayor and his wife, local postal carrier Turtle, and even Miss Rowena, who is set to inherit everything. He also has to deal with his best friend, Aiden, with whom he had a falling out over a fishing contest. Using his skills, Tucker is able to find the culprit, which puts him in some danger!
Strengths: One of my favorite books as a child was Encyclopedia Brown, and Tucker's situation echoes this brilliantly. Everson is a close knit town with lots of quirky characters, and is small enough for the kids to wander about investigating. There are plenty of suspects who all seem plausible (my bet was on Mr. Linus!), and there were enough red herrings that the culprit, when revealed, is quite a surprise! I loved that both of Tucker's parents are around, but give him room to explore. Having some friend drama with Aiden adds some nice tween tension to this, and the kids act like kids, not mini adults. Tucker even forgets some major clues but remembers them in time. The ending had some great feel good elements. This will be a hugely popular title with my students, who are constantly asking for murder mysteries!
Weaknesses: There has been a societal shift in what elderly people look like, but literature hasn't quite caught up with it. My father would be 91, and rarely wore anything but jeans; anyone younger would have been part of the youth movement of the 1960s. Ms. Geraldine and Miss Rowena weren't necessarily portrayed in skirts and cardigans, but they FELT that way. Maybe it was the antique furniture. I'd love to see more older characters fashioned after Pierce Brosnan's or Helen Mirren's characters in the film adaptation of Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
What I really think: Souders' other titles like The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle and Coop Knows the Scoop have some elements of classic adult murder mysteries in them, but Secrets of the Broken House absolutely nails the formula for cozy middle grade MURDER. Ms. Geraldine is old and not pleasant; she dies in a bloodless and not too violent way (even when the mystery is solved), the children have logical access to the scene and the suspects, and it doesn't hurt that Tucker's father is the chief of police. I would be perfectly happy to read more books with Tucker, and would love to see Aiden get involved in the solving of more murders in Everson. There are thousands of murder mysteries for adults, but not many for grades 4-8. This is perfect!
Tucker lives in the small town of Everson with his father, the chief of police, and his mother, a pharmacist. He has a good friend in Clemmie, who comes to stay with her grandmother, Mama E, who runs the local beauty parlor. There's plenty of gossip in town, and everyone knows that Geraldine Guss (aka "Fussy Gussy") is a cantakerous old woman who has bever gotten over the death of her brother, the town postal inspector. When the town threatens to condemn her house, Ms. Geraldine asks Mama E. if Clemmie can help her clean some antiques for appraisal. She also suspects that the mayor, an electricion, is sabotaging her power box. Clemmie agrees to help, as long as Tucker can as well, and the two are paid by taking possession of an abandoned row boat that Ms. Geraldine has. Their friend Sadie helps as well. Tucker is very observant, and the group makes a list of all of the furniture. This helps when Mr. Linus comes to appraise it. He doesn't offer enough money for Ms. Geraldine's taste, and she yells at him and breaks his fountain pen. The next day, the group returns to help, but Ms. Geraldine doesn't answer the door. Peering inside, Tucker sees Ms. Geraldine sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. The kids break in, and discover that their employer is dead. They follow the correct procedures, calling 911 and not touching anything but the bowl that they accidentally knock over. They take Van Gogh, Ms. Geraldine's cat, and go next door to Miss Rowena's house. Everyone is upset about the death, and the children all are retrieved by caring adults as the rumors start to swirl. Tucker talks to his father and is allowed to check the scene for clues with the permission of the assistant investigator and makes a suspect board. Along with Sadie and Clemmie, he investigates everyone from Mr. Linus, the mayor and his wife, local postal carrier Turtle, and even Miss Rowena, who is set to inherit everything. He also has to deal with his best friend, Aiden, with whom he had a falling out over a fishing contest. Using his skills, Tucker is able to find the culprit, which puts him in some danger!
Strengths: One of my favorite books as a child was Encyclopedia Brown, and Tucker's situation echoes this brilliantly. Everson is a close knit town with lots of quirky characters, and is small enough for the kids to wander about investigating. There are plenty of suspects who all seem plausible (my bet was on Mr. Linus!), and there were enough red herrings that the culprit, when revealed, is quite a surprise! I loved that both of Tucker's parents are around, but give him room to explore. Having some friend drama with Aiden adds some nice tween tension to this, and the kids act like kids, not mini adults. Tucker even forgets some major clues but remembers them in time. The ending had some great feel good elements. This will be a hugely popular title with my students, who are constantly asking for murder mysteries!
Weaknesses: There has been a societal shift in what elderly people look like, but literature hasn't quite caught up with it. My father would be 91, and rarely wore anything but jeans; anyone younger would have been part of the youth movement of the 1960s. Ms. Geraldine and Miss Rowena weren't necessarily portrayed in skirts and cardigans, but they FELT that way. Maybe it was the antique furniture. I'd love to see more older characters fashioned after Pierce Brosnan's or Helen Mirren's characters in the film adaptation of Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
What I really think: Souders' other titles like The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle and Coop Knows the Scoop have some elements of classic adult murder mysteries in them, but Secrets of the Broken House absolutely nails the formula for cozy middle grade MURDER. Ms. Geraldine is old and not pleasant; she dies in a bloodless and not too violent way (even when the mystery is solved), the children have logical access to the scene and the suspects, and it doesn't hurt that Tucker's father is the chief of police. I would be perfectly happy to read more books with Tucker, and would love to see Aiden get involved in the solving of more murders in Everson. There are thousands of murder mysteries for adults, but not many for grades 4-8. This is perfect!
July 26, 2025
Thirteen-year-old Tucker anticipated a pretty boring summer in his quiet hometown of Everson, Georgia. He had planned to spend a lot of his time fishing, but a falling out with his best friend Aiden has put an end to that. So when his friend Clemmie, who spends every summer in Everson with her grandmother, lets him know she has secured a job helping his grumpy neighbor Geraldine Guss, he agrees to go along, and they invite another friend, Sadie, to help out too . Miss Geraldine lives in a rundown old house, and asks them to clean some of her old furniture to prepare for an antiques appraisal. Tucker is enthusiastic about the job in large part because Miss Geraldine has agreed to give the kids her dilapidated rowboat in exchange for their services. But when the trio goes to collect the boat the day after they finish the work, they find Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her stairs. It looks like it was an accident, but Tucker notices many details that indicate it might not have been. It doesn’t help that Miss Geraldine was the meanest, most disliked resident of Everson, and there are lots of people who wouldn’t be disappointed by her death. Tucker is well-known for his keen observation skills (Clemmie has teasingly nicknamed him Sherlock), probably inherited from his father, Everson’s chief of police. Because they were among the last people to see Miss Geraldine alive, Dad grudgingly allows Tucker, Sadie, and Clemmie to assist him on the case, and Tucker soon finds his peaceful, boring summer transformed into a murder investigation involving goats, a one-eared cat named Van Gogh, a missing laptop, and a whole cast of quirky, gossipy townsfolk with possible motives.
Taryn Souders has created yet another outstanding, classic-feeling detective story highlighted by an authentic sense of place and a lovable protagonist. A murder mystery with a great deal of humor, memorable characters, and a well-described setting makes for a highly entertaining read for budding detectives and literature lovers alike. Miss Geraldine had trouble with so many people in town; she was constantly calling the police on a perceived enemy or threatening to sue someone for something, whether it was the mayor, his wife, the mailman, the antiques dealer, or the coffee shop owner. With so many separate plot lines and suspects in this case, the audience is truly left guessing right up until the killer is revealed. Readers will need to read closely and look for details, and they will love Tucker’s methodology, especially his notebook pages that appear throughout the book with updates, and his use of a Clue gameboard to map out his theories with his friends. Mildly dangerous situations but no gore make it a great fit for upper elementary kids, who will also appreciate the way Tucker’s friendships grow and evolve over the summer. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Taryn Souders has created yet another outstanding, classic-feeling detective story highlighted by an authentic sense of place and a lovable protagonist. A murder mystery with a great deal of humor, memorable characters, and a well-described setting makes for a highly entertaining read for budding detectives and literature lovers alike. Miss Geraldine had trouble with so many people in town; she was constantly calling the police on a perceived enemy or threatening to sue someone for something, whether it was the mayor, his wife, the mailman, the antiques dealer, or the coffee shop owner. With so many separate plot lines and suspects in this case, the audience is truly left guessing right up until the killer is revealed. Readers will need to read closely and look for details, and they will love Tucker’s methodology, especially his notebook pages that appear throughout the book with updates, and his use of a Clue gameboard to map out his theories with his friends. Mildly dangerous situations but no gore make it a great fit for upper elementary kids, who will also appreciate the way Tucker’s friendships grow and evolve over the summer. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
January 14, 2026
In the small town of Everson, everyone suspects that Miss Geraldine's run-down house is haunted. Even the old rowboat leaning against the siding has seen better days. The place is in such bad shape that the mayor has threatened to have it condemned.
Tucker has his eye on the rowboat, hoping to fix it up so he can continue his passion for fishing. So, when his friend Clemmie is asked to help clean up Miss Geraldine's property and prepare it for an auction, Tucker agrees to help in exchange for the rowboat.
But when Tucker returns to collect it, he instead finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of the stairs. As an amateur sleuth, Tucker quickly recognizes that what everyone assumes is an accident might be a murder instead. Although Miss Geraldine was considered mean by the town, and referred to as Miss fussy gussy, she didn't deserve to be murdered.
After speaking with his father, the chief of police, Tucker gets permission to examine the scene for clues. With help from Sadie and Clemmie, he begins to interview the townspeople and track down leads, determined to uncover the truth about what really happened.
Everson has that small-town charm I absolutely adore. Quiet streets, and a coffee shop and beauty salon serving as the town's hub for gossip. With Clemmie and Sadie's parents working in these two locations, it's easy to gather pieces of information listening in on the townspeople as they speculate on motives and reveal secrets. It's the perfect backdrop for a classic detective mystery, plenty of suspects, quirky townsfolk, and a free-range for curious kids to explore. I'd love to see more adventures with these kids. Ideal for younger mystery fans. **A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**
Tucker has his eye on the rowboat, hoping to fix it up so he can continue his passion for fishing. So, when his friend Clemmie is asked to help clean up Miss Geraldine's property and prepare it for an auction, Tucker agrees to help in exchange for the rowboat.
But when Tucker returns to collect it, he instead finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of the stairs. As an amateur sleuth, Tucker quickly recognizes that what everyone assumes is an accident might be a murder instead. Although Miss Geraldine was considered mean by the town, and referred to as Miss fussy gussy, she didn't deserve to be murdered.
After speaking with his father, the chief of police, Tucker gets permission to examine the scene for clues. With help from Sadie and Clemmie, he begins to interview the townspeople and track down leads, determined to uncover the truth about what really happened.
Everson has that small-town charm I absolutely adore. Quiet streets, and a coffee shop and beauty salon serving as the town's hub for gossip. With Clemmie and Sadie's parents working in these two locations, it's easy to gather pieces of information listening in on the townspeople as they speculate on motives and reveal secrets. It's the perfect backdrop for a classic detective mystery, plenty of suspects, quirky townsfolk, and a free-range for curious kids to explore. I'd love to see more adventures with these kids. Ideal for younger mystery fans. **A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**
November 8, 2025
Life in the small town of Everson is rarely exciting, but that does not stop the community members from finding gossip wherever they can. Geraldine Guss has been the crusty barnacle on the town’s otherwise saccharine exterior for as long as anyone can remember, and when her house is at risk of being condemned, even more people are added to her list of grudges. Friends Tucker, Clemmie, and Sadie have been asked to help prepare Geraldine’s furniture for the antiques dealer, which they happily do to get a closer look at the recluse’s ramshackle house. But when Geraldine is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the townsfolk begin pointing fingers at everyone, and Tucker and his friends are ready to help solve the case. This cozy whodunnit is well suited to the upper middle grade audience reflected in the primary protagonists. Brief chapters and a strong drive keep the momentum of the story progressing forward, and readers will be inspired to continue reading the novel in order to determine what happens next. Everson is a small, southern town, and that fact is clear both thanks to the descriptive writing and to the distinctive residents found there. Each character has a specific and memorable personality, which enhances the enjoyment readers feel as the story progresses. While the novel is a murder mystery on its face, the design and delivery of the novel is suitable to middle grade readers who enjoy solving puzzles alongside the protagonists. Filled with red herrings and just enough clues to be helpful, this novel is engaging and dynamic, encouraging readers to step into the story themselves. This is a positive addition to cozy mystery library collections for confident middle grade readers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Taryn Souders' new mystery makes for a delightful read. Thirteen-year-old Tucker wants a boat really badly. With the help of his friends, Clemmie and Sadie, he agrees to help Miss Geraldine clean some old furniture she wants to sell. Unfortunately, Miss Geraldine's known throughout the small southern town as a nasty, lawsuit-filing neglectful homeowner. And finding Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her staircase wasn't in Tucker's plans for the old rowboat he hoped to get from her. But he won't be able to get the boat until Miss Geraldine's death, which he knows was not an accident, gets cleared up. The only thing to do then is to find the killer himself. Using his unusual observation skills and his friends, Tucker sets out to discover who had the motive, means, and opportunity. The stakes rise even further when Sadie's aunt seems to be the most likely suspect.
In addition to delightful characters, Souders tells an interesting, entertaining story. Tucker and his friends feel realistic with real-life concerns and interests. The conflict between Tucker and his 'former' best friend, Aiden adds an interesting subplot to the main mystery. I loved how the town as a whole came to life, feeling like a character in and of itself. With plenty of suspects and an unsympathetic victim, questions abound, and as one would expect in a small town, rumors spread like wildfire. The book read quickly and is bound to be enjoyed by young mystery lovers. And just when the reader feels like they know what's going on, the author throws in the unexpected. A thoroughly engaging mystery with fun characters and enough excitement to keep the pages turning. Highly recommended.
In addition to delightful characters, Souders tells an interesting, entertaining story. Tucker and his friends feel realistic with real-life concerns and interests. The conflict between Tucker and his 'former' best friend, Aiden adds an interesting subplot to the main mystery. I loved how the town as a whole came to life, feeling like a character in and of itself. With plenty of suspects and an unsympathetic victim, questions abound, and as one would expect in a small town, rumors spread like wildfire. The book read quickly and is bound to be enjoyed by young mystery lovers. And just when the reader feels like they know what's going on, the author throws in the unexpected. A thoroughly engaging mystery with fun characters and enough excitement to keep the pages turning. Highly recommended.
August 2, 2025
Thank you to Sourcebooks Kids for providing an advanced reader copy.
I enjoy Taryn Souders’s mysteries. The character development, the small-town southern settings filled with secrets, and the clues she leaves for readers to piece together make for great middle grade storytelling.
When a misunderstanding with his best friend causes Tucker’s dreams of fishing to wash away, he thinks he’s headed for a pretty boring summer. But when his friend Clemmie (who’s visiting her grandma) comes up with a plan for them to earn a rowboat, things begin to look up. All they’ll have to do is help mean old Miss Geraldine polish up some of her furniture in her rickety old home, and her old rowboat is theirs to fix up and use.
Except…the day after they polish the furniture and come back to collect the rowboat, Miss Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs.
Was it an accidental fall? Or did someone actually murder mean, miserable Miss Geraldine? The list of suspects is endless in this small town.
With friendship as a central theme, an incredible cast of characters, and many laugh out loud moments, this would make for a great mystery read aloud for grades 4+.
Favorite lines:
ARC page 160:
“Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
ARC page 254:
Miss Rowena‘s words about a grudge being a poison were true, but to me, a grudge was something else: a heavy anchor that made my friendship, outlook on life, and even happiness jerk to a stop.
Publishing January 6, 2026.
I enjoy Taryn Souders’s mysteries. The character development, the small-town southern settings filled with secrets, and the clues she leaves for readers to piece together make for great middle grade storytelling.
When a misunderstanding with his best friend causes Tucker’s dreams of fishing to wash away, he thinks he’s headed for a pretty boring summer. But when his friend Clemmie (who’s visiting her grandma) comes up with a plan for them to earn a rowboat, things begin to look up. All they’ll have to do is help mean old Miss Geraldine polish up some of her furniture in her rickety old home, and her old rowboat is theirs to fix up and use.
Except…the day after they polish the furniture and come back to collect the rowboat, Miss Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs.
Was it an accidental fall? Or did someone actually murder mean, miserable Miss Geraldine? The list of suspects is endless in this small town.
With friendship as a central theme, an incredible cast of characters, and many laugh out loud moments, this would make for a great mystery read aloud for grades 4+.
Favorite lines:
ARC page 160:
“Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
ARC page 254:
Miss Rowena‘s words about a grudge being a poison were true, but to me, a grudge was something else: a heavy anchor that made my friendship, outlook on life, and even happiness jerk to a stop.
Publishing January 6, 2026.
February 12, 2026
4.5/ 5 stars. I cannot recommend The Secrets of the Broken House enough! For readers grade 4 and up, it's a near-perfect murder mystery. It's not too complicated nor too scary (though the ending left one of my students a little on edge). 13-year-old Tucker is an observant boy who finds himself in the middle of a mystery. The town is home to a salty elderly woman who is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her ramshackle house. Though many are saying she was the victim of an unfortunate accident, Tucker and his friends aren't buying it. Too many people in town disliked Miss Geraldine for this to be anything but...MURDER!
The story follows Tucker, his friends, and the town law enforcment (his Father is the Chief of Police) as they work through potential suspects. The town's endearing cast of characters adds to the charm of this southern-fried whodunnit. As stated above, it is a near-perfect middle-grade mystery.. I reluctantly took a half-star off for the ending that might be a bit scary for younger readers, but then again, it might not. :) I'm going to read more books by this author and look forward to more of her titles in the future. Thank you to
I added this to our library collection and showcased it, as my students are wild about mysteries.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebookskids for the digital ARC.
The story follows Tucker, his friends, and the town law enforcment (his Father is the Chief of Police) as they work through potential suspects. The town's endearing cast of characters adds to the charm of this southern-fried whodunnit. As stated above, it is a near-perfect middle-grade mystery.. I reluctantly took a half-star off for the ending that might be a bit scary for younger readers, but then again, it might not. :) I'm going to read more books by this author and look forward to more of her titles in the future. Thank you to
I added this to our library collection and showcased it, as my students are wild about mysteries.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebookskids for the digital ARC.
June 24, 2025
I'm a big fan of this author's work and this book is her best yet. I was hooked immediately and never wanted to stop reading. The characters all felt real and the small town setting took on an important role in this murder mystery as everyone knows everyone, or so they thought they did. Mysteries have always been my favorite and this one is brilliant, bringing in clues that felt natural when discovered as well as plenty of red herrings to place doubts in my mind as to who committed the crime or how it even happened. The pacing is quick and the ticking clock aspect of solving the mystery ratches up more at the end with a heart-racing twist full of danger that reaches the perfect level for middle grade readers.
This is so much more than a murder mystery though. Tucker and his best friend deal with a huge misunderstanding and Tucker must decide if his friendship is worth trying to save. He also struggles with overcoming his hurt and pride, a universal experience readers will take to heart. I laughed out loud many times with the humorous lines throughout and also fell in love with Van Gogh and his love of Tupperware (give me characters that care for animals and my heart fills with joy every time). I'm going to be recommending this book to everyone.
This is so much more than a murder mystery though. Tucker and his best friend deal with a huge misunderstanding and Tucker must decide if his friendship is worth trying to save. He also struggles with overcoming his hurt and pride, a universal experience readers will take to heart. I laughed out loud many times with the humorous lines throughout and also fell in love with Van Gogh and his love of Tupperware (give me characters that care for animals and my heart fills with joy every time). I'm going to be recommending this book to everyone.
April 12, 2026
Secrets of the Broken House by Taryn Souders - 5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book. It's rare to find a middle grade mystery that nails every element, but Taryn Souders delivers a genuinely entertaining story that young readers will devour in one sitting.
This Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery follows a group of kids investigating suspicious events at a mysterious old house. The premise is classic middle grade detective fiction, but Souders keeps the stakes kid-appropriate while still delivering real intrigue and a proper murder mystery that doesn't talk down to her audience.
The humor is what really makes this shine. Souders has a gift for keeping things light and fun without sacrificing the mystery's tension. The multi-racial cast of characters feels natural and authentic, and I appreciated how the kids treat each other with genuine respect and kindness. These are healthy friendships that young readers can actually model, not the drama-filled relationships that sometimes dominate middle grade fiction. The detective work itself captures that analytical, deductive spirit of Holmes perfectly, giving kids a chance to piece together clues alongside the characters.
Honestly, I can't think of a single thing that didn't work. That's not something I say often, but this book just hit all the right notes for what it set out to be.
Highly recommended for middle grade readers who love mysteries, humor, and smart kid detectives. This is 5 stars well earned.
**Bottom line: A perfect 5-star middle grade mystery that combines Sherlock Holmes-style detective work with laugh-out-loud humor and genuinely likable characters that young mystery fans will adore.
I absolutely loved this book. It's rare to find a middle grade mystery that nails every element, but Taryn Souders delivers a genuinely entertaining story that young readers will devour in one sitting.
This Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery follows a group of kids investigating suspicious events at a mysterious old house. The premise is classic middle grade detective fiction, but Souders keeps the stakes kid-appropriate while still delivering real intrigue and a proper murder mystery that doesn't talk down to her audience.
The humor is what really makes this shine. Souders has a gift for keeping things light and fun without sacrificing the mystery's tension. The multi-racial cast of characters feels natural and authentic, and I appreciated how the kids treat each other with genuine respect and kindness. These are healthy friendships that young readers can actually model, not the drama-filled relationships that sometimes dominate middle grade fiction. The detective work itself captures that analytical, deductive spirit of Holmes perfectly, giving kids a chance to piece together clues alongside the characters.
Honestly, I can't think of a single thing that didn't work. That's not something I say often, but this book just hit all the right notes for what it set out to be.
Highly recommended for middle grade readers who love mysteries, humor, and smart kid detectives. This is 5 stars well earned.
**Bottom line: A perfect 5-star middle grade mystery that combines Sherlock Holmes-style detective work with laugh-out-loud humor and genuinely likable characters that young mystery fans will adore.
January 12, 2026
Tucker is really good at noticing things that others might miss, this earns him the nickname "Sherlock" from his friends. When the notoriously grumpy Miss Geraldine is murdered after he is hired to help clean her house, he might have all the clues to what happened in his amazing memory. The only problem is the murder might be on to him too!
This was an amazingly well done "cozy" mystery for the middle school readers. Tucker and his coffee loving friends are 13 and are able to sleuth on their own so I would recommend this for ages 10-14. It has great characters, setting, and mystery themes.
As with genre, the murder happens off-stage so the violence is minimal, but Tucker does discover the body and experiences peril when the murderer is revealed. I enjoyed that there was some laugh out loud humor as they sleuthed (the whole beauty salon visit was amazing) and that there is a side story about friendship troubles with one of Tucker's best and oldest friend.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase by middle school and public libraries.
This book was provided by the publisher in ARC format for review by SWON Libraries.
This was an amazingly well done "cozy" mystery for the middle school readers. Tucker and his coffee loving friends are 13 and are able to sleuth on their own so I would recommend this for ages 10-14. It has great characters, setting, and mystery themes.
As with genre, the murder happens off-stage so the violence is minimal, but Tucker does discover the body and experiences peril when the murderer is revealed. I enjoyed that there was some laugh out loud humor as they sleuthed (the whole beauty salon visit was amazing) and that there is a side story about friendship troubles with one of Tucker's best and oldest friend.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase by middle school and public libraries.
This book was provided by the publisher in ARC format for review by SWON Libraries.
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January 24, 2026
Miss Geraldine is the annoying old lady in the town of Everson that causes problems wherever she goes. She also happens to own a boat that 13 year old Tucker would love to have. When a deal is struck to help Miss Geraldine clean up her house in exchange for the boat, Tucker and his friend Clemmie show up to get the job done. The only problem? When they arrive the next day to pick up the boat, they instead find Miss Geraldine dead. But how? Was it actually an accident or will solving the puzzle put Tucker, Clemmie, and their friend Sadie, in harms way?
Secrets of the Broken House is the perfect whodunit murder mystery novel for middle grade readers. Tucker, Clemmie and Sadie (and eventually Aiden too) all have unique backstories that are instantly relatable. Told from Tucker's perspective, it's easy to connect with him as a character. I also appreciated that the story does dive into the murder mystery and investigation surrounding Miss Geraldine death, but also the complexity of tween friendships, how assumptions can make us act rash, and forgiveness.
Invested from start to finish, thank you to Sourcebook Kids for the gifted copy.
Secrets of the Broken House is the perfect whodunit murder mystery novel for middle grade readers. Tucker, Clemmie and Sadie (and eventually Aiden too) all have unique backstories that are instantly relatable. Told from Tucker's perspective, it's easy to connect with him as a character. I also appreciated that the story does dive into the murder mystery and investigation surrounding Miss Geraldine death, but also the complexity of tween friendships, how assumptions can make us act rash, and forgiveness.
Invested from start to finish, thank you to Sourcebook Kids for the gifted copy.
January 26, 2026
Taryn Souders shows up again with an excellent middle grade murder mystery!
Tucker has a "Sherlock thing" his friends rib him about, but he comes by it honestly being the son of the Chief of Police in his small Tipton County town. When the town's mean, grouchy old lady is found dead by Tucker and his friends, he notices things don't quite support law enforcement's theory that she fell down the stairs accidentally. He suspects murder.
Souders has certainly found her niche in middle grade children's books with her murder mysteries. Each of her Tipton County mysteries features well-researched and thought-out clues that easily engage readers of this age, without being graphic or inappropriate for this age group in any way. The figurative language and colloquialisms add to the voice and personality of the readers, and I can relate to the small, southern town setting - another element Souders gets right in every aspect. This title (and others) have justifiably found their way to state reading award lists. I highly recommend this book for upper elementary/middle school libraries and readers.
Tucker has a "Sherlock thing" his friends rib him about, but he comes by it honestly being the son of the Chief of Police in his small Tipton County town. When the town's mean, grouchy old lady is found dead by Tucker and his friends, he notices things don't quite support law enforcement's theory that she fell down the stairs accidentally. He suspects murder.
Souders has certainly found her niche in middle grade children's books with her murder mysteries. Each of her Tipton County mysteries features well-researched and thought-out clues that easily engage readers of this age, without being graphic or inappropriate for this age group in any way. The figurative language and colloquialisms add to the voice and personality of the readers, and I can relate to the small, southern town setting - another element Souders gets right in every aspect. This title (and others) have justifiably found their way to state reading award lists. I highly recommend this book for upper elementary/middle school libraries and readers.
July 6, 2025
This was another great Middle Grade mystery by Taryn Souders. I was intrigued from the start by the dilapidated house and its cranky resident that had the whole town talking. Tucker is determined to get his own boat, so he can take it out fishing. His friend, Clemmie, comes up with a plan to help him get it. The only problem? It requires them entering the possibly haunted old house and helping a 'sue happy' neighbor with a cleaning project. Sadie quickly jumps on board just for the chance to glimpse the inside of the old house. Soon the three of them are wrapped up in a mystery. They discover a body, become witnesses, and their boat....confiscated as evidence.
This book has a great cast of hometown characters. There are plenty of suspects and twists to keep a mystery lover reading. I love how the author creates relationships and situations with the kids and some of the older characters to impart wisdom to the youth. As the story unfolds, we discover the reason Tucker is so desperate for a boat to begin with, and it turns out there is another relationship apart from the mystery that needs some repairing. I will happily add this to my classroom shelves.
This book has a great cast of hometown characters. There are plenty of suspects and twists to keep a mystery lover reading. I love how the author creates relationships and situations with the kids and some of the older characters to impart wisdom to the youth. As the story unfolds, we discover the reason Tucker is so desperate for a boat to begin with, and it turns out there is another relationship apart from the mystery that needs some repairing. I will happily add this to my classroom shelves.
February 5, 2026
Tucker just wants to spend the summer hanging out with his friends, earning money to buy a rowboat so he can go fishing. When one of his friends offers an interesting opportunity--cleaning the house of the grumpiest old lady in town in exchange for her rowboat--he accepts. After spending a day cleaning her giant musty house, Tucker feels that he will definitely earn this rowboat.
When he and his friends show up the next day to continue the job, they discover that she has died--and it doesn't appear to be an accident. Everyone in this town likes to have the most current gossip, so the whole town is an uproar. Tucker has a special trick, though: he has learned to be extra observant, just like Sherlock Holmes. Tucker has noticed a few special things about this case, and his dad--the local detective--might need the help of Tucker and his friends to solve this case.
This was a page turner! I think reluctant readers would love this book--it moved fast, was funny, and featured a great cat. The characters felt real, the mystery clever and layered. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
When he and his friends show up the next day to continue the job, they discover that she has died--and it doesn't appear to be an accident. Everyone in this town likes to have the most current gossip, so the whole town is an uproar. Tucker has a special trick, though: he has learned to be extra observant, just like Sherlock Holmes. Tucker has noticed a few special things about this case, and his dad--the local detective--might need the help of Tucker and his friends to solve this case.
This was a page turner! I think reluctant readers would love this book--it moved fast, was funny, and featured a great cat. The characters felt real, the mystery clever and layered. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy
This middle grade mystery book has everything in it: murder, intrigue, sleuthing, and just enough drama to keep you wanting to read. I enjoyed every page turn and read the book rather quickly.
The young characters in this book are all about 13 years old and downright smart. They are "Clue" players, and the game comes into play a bit but not in a corny kind of way. Upon coming across a death, the kids put together suspects and clues. They are supported by the local police who happens to be the dad of the smartest kid. Of course, they solve the crime but what is fun is reading how they get there. A side twist is the drama of a friendship seemingly gone bad.
Terrific book and a must read for any budding sleuth or kid who likes to figure out a good mystery.
I give the book 4 stars.
Disclsoure: I received an advance copy of this book to read. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
The young characters in this book are all about 13 years old and downright smart. They are "Clue" players, and the game comes into play a bit but not in a corny kind of way. Upon coming across a death, the kids put together suspects and clues. They are supported by the local police who happens to be the dad of the smartest kid. Of course, they solve the crime but what is fun is reading how they get there. A side twist is the drama of a friendship seemingly gone bad.
Terrific book and a must read for any budding sleuth or kid who likes to figure out a good mystery.
I give the book 4 stars.
Disclsoure: I received an advance copy of this book to read. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
January 5, 2026
Everybody knows everybody (and their business) in the small Southern town of Everson. When the infamous curmudgeon, Miss Geraldine, is found dead at the bottom of her stairs, thirteen-year-old Tucker is determined to find out who is responsible. He has an eye for details, and because Miss Geraldine was “sue happy” and difficult to get along with, he has his work cut out for him with the suspect list. If it’s not careful though, he’ll put a target on his own back!
Taryn Souders is the queen of juvenile crime fiction! 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘱 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 are two of my go to recommendations for my elementary students. The mysteries are interesting and the investigative process is fun to follow. In this book, the main character is giving 𝘗𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩 energy.
I don’t know why I’ve never considered this before, but I need to invite her to my school to talk to my students!
Taryn Souders is the queen of juvenile crime fiction! 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘱 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 are two of my go to recommendations for my elementary students. The mysteries are interesting and the investigative process is fun to follow. In this book, the main character is giving 𝘗𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩 energy.
I don’t know why I’ve never considered this before, but I need to invite her to my school to talk to my students!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Middle school Psych edition!
Tucker may be a young man, but his dad has taught him to be observant. This reminded me so much of the show Psych, and how Shawn grew up knowing how to spot the little things. This comes in handy when Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Was it an accident, or was it more?
I really enjoyed the interaction between Tucker and his friends, Clemmie and Sadie. This trio offers something unique in solving the case. Plus, most adults ignore kids and don't think about what they say around them. This gives them an edge. The one difference is that Tucker shares everything with his dad so that the killer can be found.
This may be a middle-grade novel, but I think any adult will also find it entertaining and engaging, with a mystery to solve. I picked up on a clue or two, but I wasn't sure how it fit in until the end, when the killer is revealed. Ok, that might have been a minor spoiler, but you discover pretty quickly that it is doubtful that Geraldine fell or that it was an accident.
I have to admit that I didn't suspect this one character. They are hidden in plain sight!
We give this book 5 paws up.
Tucker may be a young man, but his dad has taught him to be observant. This reminded me so much of the show Psych, and how Shawn grew up knowing how to spot the little things. This comes in handy when Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Was it an accident, or was it more?
I really enjoyed the interaction between Tucker and his friends, Clemmie and Sadie. This trio offers something unique in solving the case. Plus, most adults ignore kids and don't think about what they say around them. This gives them an edge. The one difference is that Tucker shares everything with his dad so that the killer can be found.
This may be a middle-grade novel, but I think any adult will also find it entertaining and engaging, with a mystery to solve. I picked up on a clue or two, but I wasn't sure how it fit in until the end, when the killer is revealed. Ok, that might have been a minor spoiler, but you discover pretty quickly that it is doubtful that Geraldine fell or that it was an accident.
I have to admit that I didn't suspect this one character. They are hidden in plain sight!
We give this book 5 paws up.
January 18, 2026
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Geraldine is the most hated woman in town. Her pet project seems to be making everyone around her miserable. But helping her polish furniture for a morning will get 13yo Tucker the rowboat that he wants, then he is willing to brave her disdain. When Tucker goes back the next morning with his friends Sadie and Clemmie, though, they did not expect to see Geraldine dead in her hallway. Tucker knows something is wrong about the scene; his dad is the chief of police in their little town and Tucker has trained himself to see details. When he finally remembers that elusive detail, however, he may put his own life in danger.
A solid murder mystery with a little friendship drama thrown in. I like that the kids are not cocky or obnoxious and there isn't a bully picking on them.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
APPEALS TO: SOME
Geraldine is the most hated woman in town. Her pet project seems to be making everyone around her miserable. But helping her polish furniture for a morning will get 13yo Tucker the rowboat that he wants, then he is willing to brave her disdain. When Tucker goes back the next morning with his friends Sadie and Clemmie, though, they did not expect to see Geraldine dead in her hallway. Tucker knows something is wrong about the scene; his dad is the chief of police in their little town and Tucker has trained himself to see details. When he finally remembers that elusive detail, however, he may put his own life in danger.
A solid murder mystery with a little friendship drama thrown in. I like that the kids are not cocky or obnoxious and there isn't a bully picking on them.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
August 19, 2025
In the small town of Everson, Miss Geraldine is infamous for holding grudges—and even suing anyone who crosses her. When the town demands she repair her crumbling house or face condemnation, Tucker, Clemmie, and Sadie step in to help her clean antiques and raise the needed funds.
But the plan falls apart when Miss Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Tucker, the observant son of the town sheriff, suspects it wasn’t an accident. With help from Clemmie, Sadie —and later, Aiden—they dig into the mystery to uncover which of her many enemies might be responsible.
Packed with small-town gossip, quirky humor, a Tupperware-loving cat, and a woman with only one eyebrow, this middle-grade mystery is full of twists and laughs that will keep young readers hooked.
But the plan falls apart when Miss Geraldine is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Tucker, the observant son of the town sheriff, suspects it wasn’t an accident. With help from Clemmie, Sadie —and later, Aiden—they dig into the mystery to uncover which of her many enemies might be responsible.
Packed with small-town gossip, quirky humor, a Tupperware-loving cat, and a woman with only one eyebrow, this middle-grade mystery is full of twists and laughs that will keep young readers hooked.
November 14, 2025
I received an electronic ARC from SOURCEBOOK Kids through NetGalley.
Souders sets up a murder mystery that's appropriate for middle grade readers. She blends humor with intrigue including several red herrings. Readers meet three friends who find a dead body in her home. Very few people will miss her but tit becomes a full blown investigation for Tucker's father, the Chief of Police. The three, then four friends work together to figure out who killed Miss Geraldine. I love the way they work together on this mystery and on relationships. Tucker finally listens to his friends and a charming elderly woman to let go of his bitterness toward his longtime friend. The message for readers comes through clearly.
Souders sets up a murder mystery that's appropriate for middle grade readers. She blends humor with intrigue including several red herrings. Readers meet three friends who find a dead body in her home. Very few people will miss her but tit becomes a full blown investigation for Tucker's father, the Chief of Police. The three, then four friends work together to figure out who killed Miss Geraldine. I love the way they work together on this mystery and on relationships. Tucker finally listens to his friends and a charming elderly woman to let go of his bitterness toward his longtime friend. The message for readers comes through clearly.
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