The Seventh Cousin

by Florence Laughlin

"There's something spooky going on in my room, Dad. Come and see it, please." It was the Carters' first night in the Tower Arms, an apartment house that once had been the old Truelove mansion.

Genres: Mystery

160 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I love The Little Leftover Witch. It was a good story and a good mystery. I liked the characters. I didn't love it as much as Leftover Witch. Perhaps because I had read it as a child I had more attachment than I did with Seventh Cousin.

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child and enjoyed rereading it as an adult, for a break from a heavier novel. It features clever, brave, and curious children, likable adults, a strange old house, a not-too-scary mystery, and an adorable monkey. One crucial detail was so striking that I remembered it after more than 50 years. I recommend it for 6 to 12 or so and for the young at heart. (You'd have to read it aloud to most 6-year-olds - I think it's on about a 3rd or 4th grade reading level.) The illustrations are charming.

As an adult, a few errors bothered me that I didn't catch as a child. I don't think you can really identify an adult from footprints taken at birth, the genetic "rule" that two blue-eyed parents can't produce a brown-eyed child has exceptions, and monkeys do not make good pets. (I notice that nothing is said about the monkey's diapers.) "Miss Bluebell" is repeatedly called a "little monkey", but she is pictured as a 40-lb chimp with a tail.

[Ann aka Iftcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book shortly after it came out (1966 for inquiring minds) and have, over the years looked for it, but I had no memory of it's title. Finally, someone was able to tell me the title (go What's the Name of that Book group. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... for those of you who are also trying to remember the title of a beloved book.)

I found a copy and have reread it. I didn't remember much of the story, but what I did remember is still bright and shining and well loved.

It's the story of 3 children (around 10 to 12 in age) who set out to solve a mystery and instead, solve a much bigger one. There is a monkey, and a mansion-turned apartment complex full of people.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. fiction, children's fiction, middle grades, inheritance, mystery, Weekly Reader Book Club, Mom's stash, keep

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I have rated in not only for it's interest but also for its appropriateness for the age group it is geared for. I am sure my grandsons would love it. So would my 10 year older granddaughter. Cute book. Interesting.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my mom's childhood books that I read as a kid. One of my favorites of hers.

[Bitsy]

1966