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American Girl Mysteries
The Smuggler's Secrets: A Caroline Mystery
The War of 1812 is still raging when Caroline goes to visit her cousin Lydia and Uncle Aaron's farm deep in the woods. While there, she finds evidence that someone is smuggling precious supplies to the British. She can't believe anyone would help the enemy during wartime! Even could the traitor be her own uncle? Includes an "Inside Caroline's World" essay about smuggling during the War of 1812.
215 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2015
24 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ernst
57 books380 followersI grew up in Maryland, in a house full of books! Both of my parents were avid readers, thank goodness. Before we traveled to a new area, my librarian-mom used to bring home historical novels set in that place. It was a great way to get excited about history.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 29, 2024
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
So even though this was published in 2015 and The Traveler's Tricks in 2014, chronologically this one seems to follow directly on from Traitor in the Shipyard (2013). Meaning, among other things, we never get any resolution to Caroline's Albany trip and the VERY IMPORTANT business she had there. Sigh.
While I'm being grumpy, this one also spends over 100 pages suspecting Uncle Aaron, which wrings a little drama out of tension between Caroline and Lydia, but ultimately violates the "villain cannot be a previously known character" rule. Which admittedly is a rule I made up, but I am willing to bet you Caroline's skiff* that it will hold.
A few notes:
- This time around, Lydia is playing the sidekick role instead of Rhonda, not that you'd notice. Even though they have very different backgrounds and we know both girls' families, somehow they come out sounding and feeling exactly the same to me.
- As in Caroline's other mysteries, the adults are the ones to actually solve the mystery, but the girls do provide valuable clues, which I like for realism.
- Guessing the culprit in this one is kind of like throwing something to a crowd of people: As long as you're pointed in the right general direction (i.e., characters actually in this book), your odds of hitting someone involved are pretty good. Probably more than half of the characters introduced here are in it somehow.
*not a real offer. Void in all 50 states. Also, I don't have Caroline's skiff.
More Caroline babble
Meet Caroline | Caroline’s Secret Message | A Surprise for Caroline | Caroline Takes a Chance | Caroline’s Battle | Changes for Caroline
Traitor in the Shipyard | The Traveler’s Tricks | The Smuggler’s Secrets
So even though this was published in 2015 and The Traveler's Tricks in 2014, chronologically this one seems to follow directly on from Traitor in the Shipyard (2013). Meaning, among other things, we never get any resolution to Caroline's Albany trip and the VERY IMPORTANT business she had there. Sigh.
While I'm being grumpy, this one also spends over 100 pages suspecting Uncle Aaron, which wrings a little drama out of tension between Caroline and Lydia, but ultimately violates the "villain cannot be a previously known character" rule. Which admittedly is a rule I made up, but I am willing to bet you Caroline's skiff* that it will hold.
A few notes:
- This time around, Lydia is playing the sidekick role instead of Rhonda, not that you'd notice. Even though they have very different backgrounds and we know both girls' families, somehow they come out sounding and feeling exactly the same to me.
- As in Caroline's other mysteries, the adults are the ones to actually solve the mystery, but the girls do provide valuable clues, which I like for realism.
- Guessing the culprit in this one is kind of like throwing something to a crowd of people: As long as you're pointed in the right general direction (i.e., characters actually in this book), your odds of hitting someone involved are pretty good. Probably more than half of the characters introduced here are in it somehow.
*not a real offer. Void in all 50 states. Also, I don't have Caroline's skiff.
More Caroline babble
Meet Caroline | Caroline’s Secret Message | A Surprise for Caroline | Caroline Takes a Chance | Caroline’s Battle | Changes for Caroline
Traitor in the Shipyard | The Traveler’s Tricks | The Smuggler’s Secrets
October 15, 2017
Set in New York state during the War of 1812, on the south side of Lake Ontario. Caroline goes to stay with her uncle Aaron and cousin Lydia to help while her aunt Martha is away. But even before they arrive at the farm they encounter trouble: smugglers stealing a wagon of supplies to deliver to the British in Canada. Unfortunately clues seem to suggest that Uncle Aaron might be involved, but Caroline cannot believe it. She and Lydia try to uncover the truth, despite the danger this puts them in. This book presents a good picture of what life was like for settlers struggling to make a living while faced with the obstacles caused by an unpopular war. Recommended.
June 12, 2017
I think this is one of the better AG mysteries I've read. I learned a few things and I also found that the answer to the mystery wasn't so glaringly obvious as it is in a lot of the others. However more suspense would've made it five stars :)
November 25, 2025
Caroline’s stories are consistently engaging! She’s kind of a badass. This mystery wasn’t super predictable either, and I like that it explored a bit of morality for ten-year-olds.
August 14, 2021
The return of Ernst to Caroline's books, and she basically just ignores the previous mystery. While I don't love sending Caroline back to her cousin's farm, it makes more sense than the stagecoach journey had, and centering the mystery around smuggling sticks more closely to the War of 1812 theme. Caroline starts out pretty black and white: smuggling is evil and smugglers are evil. By the end of the book, she's learned that it's not so simple. Top that off with a slightly open ending, and this is a little more sophisticated than the average AG mystery. Sure, the smugglers get punished, but there's more than one motive at work and different levels of sympathy for their choices.
February 13, 2024
Related to the other titles in the American Girl: Caroline Series, this one can be read as a stand alone.
Set in New York state on the south side of Lake Ontario, during the War of 1812. When Caroline goes to help her cousin she also helps look for clues to aid the local customs officer in finding out who is smuggling goods to the British. It is an engaging mystery that shows how war affects families and neighbors. A very interesting two page “Inside Caroline’s World” is at the end discussing war time smuggling.
The only concerns I noted started at pg 151 when a flask that probably held whiskey was passed around. The next page cigars are passed out followed by wine. The customs officer pretends to get drunk to pursue smuggling suspects.
Set in New York state on the south side of Lake Ontario, during the War of 1812. When Caroline goes to help her cousin she also helps look for clues to aid the local customs officer in finding out who is smuggling goods to the British. It is an engaging mystery that shows how war affects families and neighbors. A very interesting two page “Inside Caroline’s World” is at the end discussing war time smuggling.
The only concerns I noted started at pg 151 when a flask that probably held whiskey was passed around. The next page cigars are passed out followed by wine. The customs officer pretends to get drunk to pursue smuggling suspects.
February 16, 2025
3.5, but I'll round up. I read the Caroline books in 2020 so it's been a while since I've seen her family relationships (I don't remember when I read the first mystery, Traitor in the Shipyard but I think it was close to the main books).
Not a bad book, I suspected the customs agent but Caroline had other suspicions and the girls learn that wartime is not cleanly black and white.
Not a bad book, I suspected the customs agent but Caroline had other suspicions and the girls learn that wartime is not cleanly black and white.
Read
September 25, 2025'Smuggler's Secrets' is supposed to come after 'Traitor' where Caroline understands a bit about betrayal, but is now back to hating despite it only being a few weeks after that story. In fact, this is basically a re-write of the 'Traitor' book with a different background (this story taking place in the farmland inward from Lake Ontario instead of town by the sea that Caroline lived in).
December 27, 2020
I liked this at first, but then I felt unfulfilled in the story. Also, ANOTHER Caroline farm setting story? Geeze. It leaves her pretty one-dimensional, I feel that she had almost zero emotions or growth in this.
December 13, 2018
Five star
I like this book because it kinda makes the answers know but in a sly why. 😸. Lol because of the calf
I like this book because it kinda makes the answers know but in a sly why. 😸. Lol because of the calf
November 9, 2019
watch me eat boggers...they taste super good
December 11, 2020
This is a sneaky mystery kind of book and I really enjoyed it.
October 6, 2021
This is a well thought out and well written mystery. I love the historical aspect and theme. This satisfied my thirst for a good mystery on a rainy day.
February 1, 2022
Definitely one of the better ag mysteries
February 26, 2022
A fun mystery with a fantastic heroine!
March 12, 2023
Relatively accurate depiction of life on the US Canada border during the War of 1812.
Read
July 16, 2023Lydia read this book and really like the American Girl series. She has really enjoyed all of the Caroline Mysteries.
April 6, 2024
I actually didn’t (fully) guess the reveal! Exciting.
August 1, 2025
Not my favorite in the series but it was cute.
February 7, 2020
This book is awesome!
March 22, 2024
Second read 22/3/24 - 3* rating:
Caroline is helping at her Uncle Aaron’s farm, but stories of smugglers taking supplies to the British is a huge topic in the farming lands. As the evidence leads to her uncle being the one doing it, Caroline doesn’t believe it at all.
This was a really interesting story, the topic of what it was like for the farmers during the war, trying to live like they did before the war but struggling to make ends meet. Then with the opportunity to smuggle to make some extra money it became the best option for some farmers.
I really liked that not once did Caroline believe what she was being told, she like she does started sleuthing to figure everything out, not letting her uncle be put away for crimes she knows he didn’t commit. Though the answer was right there and apparent fairly quickly within the mystery it was still a really well thought out story and I enjoyed seeing how Caroline solved it all.
First read 24/6/16 -3* rating
Caroline is helping at her Uncle Aaron’s farm, but stories of smugglers taking supplies to the British is a huge topic in the farming lands. As the evidence leads to her uncle being the one doing it, Caroline doesn’t believe it at all.
This was a really interesting story, the topic of what it was like for the farmers during the war, trying to live like they did before the war but struggling to make ends meet. Then with the opportunity to smuggle to make some extra money it became the best option for some farmers.
I really liked that not once did Caroline believe what she was being told, she like she does started sleuthing to figure everything out, not letting her uncle be put away for crimes she knows he didn’t commit. Though the answer was right there and apparent fairly quickly within the mystery it was still a really well thought out story and I enjoyed seeing how Caroline solved it all.
First read 24/6/16 -3* rating
Read
December 31, 2015Much as I like Caroline, I swear her mysteries are all very, very similar. "Someone near to Caroline or her family is a traitor! Can Caroline, who is traveling, figure it out?"
Also, it took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out potash because my brain kept defaulting to potato and that's just not the same thing at all. Definitely a case where the old little illustrations would have nipped silliness in the bud. :P
Also, it took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out potash because my brain kept defaulting to potato and that's just not the same thing at all. Definitely a case where the old little illustrations would have nipped silliness in the bud. :P
March 10, 2020
I like it. There’s real danger and mystery, which the mystery books I’ve read before lack, but that likely must have to do with the fact that I read Maryellen and Julie’s, and they’re much more modern. Life for the average kid was way more dangerous in 1812 than in 1954 or 1974. But it’s well done, and Caroline is smart, and the mystery isn’t super obvious for me, an adult reader.
August 10, 2015
A little bit scary, but Caroline and her cousin Lydia end up being good detectives.
October 5, 2015
A good read!
I felt like I went back in time. I love the historical parts of the book. I felt like I was living in the time of Caroline as I read this book.
I felt like I went back in time. I love the historical parts of the book. I felt like I was living in the time of Caroline as I read this book.
October 10, 2016
I liked this book, but their are many other books I would suggest to you before this book. I felt it was too short, and didn't have many suspensful questions that I wanted the answer to.
November 18, 2016
Yet another fun book from AG, and for 99 cents for Kindle edition on Amazon, count me in! :)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews