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Kingswell Kid Detectives #1
The Mystery of the Missing Falls
A theologically solid, discipleship-focused middle grade debut from experienced Bible teachers.
Book one in the Kingswell Kid Detectives series follows kid detectives Luka and Ember as they team up with Jake and Callie—cousins at odds with each other—to solve the town's oldest mystery, aid reconciliation in an ancient family feud, and put their new detective agency on the map. Their quest requires a mighty and somewhat unfamiliar secret weapon: prayer.
Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer are a trusted pair that wrote the Kingswell Kids Detective series to equip kids with a foundational understanding of how faith works in daily life. Parents can be confident that their young readers are learning lasting, faith-shaping theology as they enjoy this high-energy adventure.
Book one in the Kingswell Kid Detectives series follows kid detectives Luka and Ember as they team up with Jake and Callie—cousins at odds with each other—to solve the town's oldest mystery, aid reconciliation in an ancient family feud, and put their new detective agency on the map. Their quest requires a mighty and somewhat unfamiliar secret weapon: prayer.
Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer are a trusted pair that wrote the Kingswell Kids Detective series to equip kids with a foundational understanding of how faith works in daily life. Parents can be confident that their young readers are learning lasting, faith-shaping theology as they enjoy this high-energy adventure.
- GenresMiddle Grade
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 19, 2026
The Mystery of the Missing Falls is the first book in the new Kingswell Kid Detectives series, and it did not disappoint. I am already excited for book two!
This was such a well-written, well-paced middle-grade mystery. I enjoyed the characters immediately and found them genuinely likable. In fact, I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book, which is pretty unusual for me. 😂
What I appreciated most was the way faith was woven so naturally into the children’s everyday lives. Luka, Ember, Jake, and Callie learn to include prayer as they search for clues, work through relationships, and navigate the things happening around them. None of it felt forced or preachy. It was simply part of their lives, as natural as breathing.
Coming from the perspective of a Christian homeschooling mom of 30 years, that felt incredibly refreshing. There are so few stories written specifically for Christian children where they can see kids living out their faith and have it simply feel normal. This book does exactly that while also encouraging young readers to continue growing in their relationship with God and discovering new aspects of who He is.
I also loved that Scripture itself is included in the text rather than simply referenced. The children learn meaningful biblical lessons about prayer, friendship, relationships, and getting along with one another, but all of it happens naturally within a fun story and normal kid interactions.
And the mystery really is fun! I became completely invested in their investigation and found myself cheering right along with these young detectives as the story unfolded.
The illustrations throughout the book were another wonderful surprise. They are beautiful and make the story even more captivating.
Kregel Publications did a beautiful job with this one. This is exactly the kind of Christian middle-grade fiction I love finding for families: entertaining, engaging, faith-building, and genuinely enjoyable to read.
I highly recommend it! Book two cannot come soon enough!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a well-written, well-paced middle-grade mystery. I enjoyed the characters immediately and found them genuinely likable. In fact, I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book, which is pretty unusual for me. 😂
What I appreciated most was the way faith was woven so naturally into the children’s everyday lives. Luka, Ember, Jake, and Callie learn to include prayer as they search for clues, work through relationships, and navigate the things happening around them. None of it felt forced or preachy. It was simply part of their lives, as natural as breathing.
Coming from the perspective of a Christian homeschooling mom of 30 years, that felt incredibly refreshing. There are so few stories written specifically for Christian children where they can see kids living out their faith and have it simply feel normal. This book does exactly that while also encouraging young readers to continue growing in their relationship with God and discovering new aspects of who He is.
I also loved that Scripture itself is included in the text rather than simply referenced. The children learn meaningful biblical lessons about prayer, friendship, relationships, and getting along with one another, but all of it happens naturally within a fun story and normal kid interactions.
And the mystery really is fun! I became completely invested in their investigation and found myself cheering right along with these young detectives as the story unfolded.
The illustrations throughout the book were another wonderful surprise. They are beautiful and make the story even more captivating.
Kregel Publications did a beautiful job with this one. This is exactly the kind of Christian middle-grade fiction I love finding for families: entertaining, engaging, faith-building, and genuinely enjoyable to read.
I highly recommend it! Book two cannot come soon enough!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 10, 2026
Firstly, thank you Kregel for my gifted copy. This is my honest review of the story.
Ember and Luka both had much to learn when it came to teamwork, mystery solving and prayer. We find them embarking on their first case in this story, and that becomes the catalyst for helping them learn to work together and with others, problem-solve, and ask God for help. I liked the honesty of how it can sometimes feel awkward to pray in front of others, but getting past that fear and it actually spurring others to do the same later, showing character growth. The mystery was engaging, the coding and mystery solving felt plausible. There were some misunderstanding tropes, but they resolved as these things often do bu story's end.
Overall, a good Christian based, clean mystery for a child in your life to pick up. I'd recommend ages 7-12, based on other books in the genre I have read.
Faith: present throughout shown in an honest genuine way through prayer and listening for God's prompting.
Romance: none
CW: they do cover a story based on Cherokee native Americans. As such there is some spirit animal talk by way of loyal hawks guiding them. One hawk in particular saved one of their lives by taking a rattlesnake away, and then led someone to the falls cave for protection. There is some minor fighting of thw cousins. Mentions of eyerolls, punching and arguing. Some jealousy and being over competitive. It all got ironed out by books end. Mentions of famiy feuds through generations.
Ember and Luka both had much to learn when it came to teamwork, mystery solving and prayer. We find them embarking on their first case in this story, and that becomes the catalyst for helping them learn to work together and with others, problem-solve, and ask God for help. I liked the honesty of how it can sometimes feel awkward to pray in front of others, but getting past that fear and it actually spurring others to do the same later, showing character growth. The mystery was engaging, the coding and mystery solving felt plausible. There were some misunderstanding tropes, but they resolved as these things often do bu story's end.
Overall, a good Christian based, clean mystery for a child in your life to pick up. I'd recommend ages 7-12, based on other books in the genre I have read.
Faith: present throughout shown in an honest genuine way through prayer and listening for God's prompting.
Romance: none
CW: they do cover a story based on Cherokee native Americans. As such there is some spirit animal talk by way of loyal hawks guiding them. One hawk in particular saved one of their lives by taking a rattlesnake away, and then led someone to the falls cave for protection. There is some minor fighting of thw cousins. Mentions of eyerolls, punching and arguing. Some jealousy and being over competitive. It all got ironed out by books end. Mentions of famiy feuds through generations.
August 26, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🙏🏻 believe in the power of prayer
🔎 are looking for a fun middle school mystery
✝️ appreciate faith filled stories
🖼️ enjoy beautiful art work
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Book one in the Kingswell Kid Detectives series follows kid detectives Luka and Ember as they team up with Jake and Callie—cousins at odds with each other—to solve the town's oldest mystery, aid reconciliation in an ancient family feud, and put their new detective agency on the map. Their quest requires a mighty and somewhat unfamiliar secret weapon: prayer.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a great mystery! Not only is this story fun and engaging, but as a Christian myself, I really enjoyed the fact that it includes prayer and Bible verses. I feel like we don’t see this enough in middle school books, and the authors did a great job of including Jesus without sounding preachy or overbearing. The children in the novel have simply lived faith filled lives their entire existence, so it’s second nature to pray and ask Jesus for guidance, including asking for help solving this mystery! I loved the illustrations scattered throughout the story. It helped break up the words a bit and help me visualize the characters. The mystery was a lot of fun, and I’m really eager to see what happens next for our friends!
🙏🏻 believe in the power of prayer
🔎 are looking for a fun middle school mystery
✝️ appreciate faith filled stories
🖼️ enjoy beautiful art work
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Book one in the Kingswell Kid Detectives series follows kid detectives Luka and Ember as they team up with Jake and Callie—cousins at odds with each other—to solve the town's oldest mystery, aid reconciliation in an ancient family feud, and put their new detective agency on the map. Their quest requires a mighty and somewhat unfamiliar secret weapon: prayer.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a great mystery! Not only is this story fun and engaging, but as a Christian myself, I really enjoyed the fact that it includes prayer and Bible verses. I feel like we don’t see this enough in middle school books, and the authors did a great job of including Jesus without sounding preachy or overbearing. The children in the novel have simply lived faith filled lives their entire existence, so it’s second nature to pray and ask Jesus for guidance, including asking for help solving this mystery! I loved the illustrations scattered throughout the story. It helped break up the words a bit and help me visualize the characters. The mystery was a lot of fun, and I’m really eager to see what happens next for our friends!
August 26, 2026
A Middle Grade Mystery that teaches kids about the power of prayer!
In a quest to uncover the town's greatest mystery, Luka and Ember discover something even more important—the incredible power of prayer!
This middle grade mystery follows cousins Luka and Ember as they launch their very own detective agency. Eager to put their agency on the map, they join forces with their classmates, Jake and Callie, on a thrilling adventure to unravel the mystery of a vanished waterfall that disappeared a century ago!
My thoughts:
Wow, this is such a wonderful story! Luka and Ember are relatable and fun characters, making it easy for kids to connect with them. As they navigate tensions and betrayals within their team, young readers can learn valuable lessons from them about teamwork and the importance of kindness.
My favorite part about this book is how it beautifully teaches theological truths to kids in a way that's not just easy to grasp but also incredibly engaging through its adventurous narrative! The central theme revolves around prayer, showing how the characters learn to talk to God and tune in to His voice.
This is a wonderful book that teaches children how to recognize God's voice and shows them just how simple it is to talk to Him!
I already can’t wait to read the next book in this faith-filled mystery series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In a quest to uncover the town's greatest mystery, Luka and Ember discover something even more important—the incredible power of prayer!
This middle grade mystery follows cousins Luka and Ember as they launch their very own detective agency. Eager to put their agency on the map, they join forces with their classmates, Jake and Callie, on a thrilling adventure to unravel the mystery of a vanished waterfall that disappeared a century ago!
My thoughts:
Wow, this is such a wonderful story! Luka and Ember are relatable and fun characters, making it easy for kids to connect with them. As they navigate tensions and betrayals within their team, young readers can learn valuable lessons from them about teamwork and the importance of kindness.
My favorite part about this book is how it beautifully teaches theological truths to kids in a way that's not just easy to grasp but also incredibly engaging through its adventurous narrative! The central theme revolves around prayer, showing how the characters learn to talk to God and tune in to His voice.
This is a wonderful book that teaches children how to recognize God's voice and shows them just how simple it is to talk to Him!
I already can’t wait to read the next book in this faith-filled mystery series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 30, 2026
*Thank you to Kregel Books for the ARC copy of this book. My review & opinion have not been influenced in any way.*
This book is an absolute A+, 10 Stars, 2 thumbs way up for the middle grade genre. If you have kiddos that fall into that age range who love stories with a bit of mystery, then do not wait on this one!
I cannot wait to share this with my kids ~ I know they are going to absolutely LOVE this story!
The mystery is good, and the conclusion is everything I was hoping for! And the faith aspects are INCREDIBLY well done. I LOVE the emphasis put on prayer, trusting God no matter His answer, trusting He is always with us, and asking for forgiveness as well as being quick to forgive. I loved the part where the kids were looking for answers to part of the mystery and it drove them straight into searching scripture. I was “mom cheering” over here as I read that part!
I also really liked the lessons & history on the indigenous nations and how that tied into the story/mystery. It was talked about in a really positive way, and it added so much richness to the story!
I am so excited that this is book 1 in a series because I know my kids are going to be begging for more…..and when I find a good, theologically sound, safe read for them I cannot get enough of it!
This wonderful book is available now so go grab your kiddos a copy!
This book is an absolute A+, 10 Stars, 2 thumbs way up for the middle grade genre. If you have kiddos that fall into that age range who love stories with a bit of mystery, then do not wait on this one!
I cannot wait to share this with my kids ~ I know they are going to absolutely LOVE this story!
The mystery is good, and the conclusion is everything I was hoping for! And the faith aspects are INCREDIBLY well done. I LOVE the emphasis put on prayer, trusting God no matter His answer, trusting He is always with us, and asking for forgiveness as well as being quick to forgive. I loved the part where the kids were looking for answers to part of the mystery and it drove them straight into searching scripture. I was “mom cheering” over here as I read that part!
I also really liked the lessons & history on the indigenous nations and how that tied into the story/mystery. It was talked about in a really positive way, and it added so much richness to the story!
I am so excited that this is book 1 in a series because I know my kids are going to be begging for more…..and when I find a good, theologically sound, safe read for them I cannot get enough of it!
This wonderful book is available now so go grab your kiddos a copy!
September 14, 2026
The Mystery of the Missing Falls by Jen Weaver & Gayle Vietenheimer is book 1 in the Kingswell Kid Detectives series by the authors. This is a great Christian based detective series where the kids are looking to God for help in their cases and every day life guidance. I like a good wholesome mystery for kids and this is a great debut to what I hope, is a long running series for kids. Luka and Ember are our MC's along with dog Gadget who is just adorable. Luka and Ember are 11-year old cousins and partners in solving mysteries. They are looking into a missing waterfall from over 100 years ago. They find a map that they need to de-code what it says, which is an interesting twist to the story where the map is not just handed to the kids. It makes you think, which I love in middle school books! The story is well written and I would highly recommend this one to my middle school students who love a mystery and also are Christian believers!
August 31, 2026
I loved this book because of the engaging story that’s not only captivating and makes you want to keep reading but also elevates for kids a life of faith, walking with Jesus.
I enjoyed the true-to-life characters, with their adventures and their struggles. My girls (11 and 8 years old) and I started reading it at bedtime and at the end of every chapter they would say, “Just one more!”
Our family is always looking for Christian books for our kids that are entertaining and that resist performance-based moral lessons as a picture of our faith. That’s not the message we want to give them.
Finally, we found a chapter book that is kid-loved and parent-approved. It contains life lessons for kids on how to navigate difficult feelings in friendship as well as tangible examples of what prayer and life with God looks like right now, at their age.
I enjoyed the true-to-life characters, with their adventures and their struggles. My girls (11 and 8 years old) and I started reading it at bedtime and at the end of every chapter they would say, “Just one more!”
Our family is always looking for Christian books for our kids that are entertaining and that resist performance-based moral lessons as a picture of our faith. That’s not the message we want to give them.
Finally, we found a chapter book that is kid-loved and parent-approved. It contains life lessons for kids on how to navigate difficult feelings in friendship as well as tangible examples of what prayer and life with God looks like right now, at their age.
September 13, 2026
I loved reading stories about kid or teen sleuths in my early years, such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden stories, so this kid-detectives book really takes me down a nostalgic road. What I especially love about this adventure is it explores themes from the Bible, such as asking God for help and trusting Him to guide you.
The story pulls you in right away, and cousins Luka and Ember are genuinely likable kids who make terrific young investigators. I was invested in the story, enjoyed following the clues, and was eager for them to solve their first case.
Great pacing, inspiring story, and the themes of friendship, faith, and forgiveness shine bright.
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. My honest opinions and thoughts—not influenced by anyone.
The story pulls you in right away, and cousins Luka and Ember are genuinely likable kids who make terrific young investigators. I was invested in the story, enjoyed following the clues, and was eager for them to solve their first case.
Great pacing, inspiring story, and the themes of friendship, faith, and forgiveness shine bright.
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. My honest opinions and thoughts—not influenced by anyone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THE MYSTERY OF MISSING FALLS
By Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer
Release date August 25,2026
This is book #1 of a new series. Kingswell Kids Detectives series. This is a young middle school Christian read. My grandson Son is 12 and I can’t wait to get him his own copy.
It’s been a long time since I read a picture book. But these pictures were amazing. Although it was a Christian book, you did not feel like it was forced. Very well written with wonderful characters. I highly recommend this story for your young children. And I can’t wait for a book to come out.
Well, done ladies!
By Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer
Release date August 25,2026
This is book #1 of a new series. Kingswell Kids Detectives series. This is a young middle school Christian read. My grandson Son is 12 and I can’t wait to get him his own copy.
It’s been a long time since I read a picture book. But these pictures were amazing. Although it was a Christian book, you did not feel like it was forced. Very well written with wonderful characters. I highly recommend this story for your young children. And I can’t wait for a book to come out.
Well, done ladies!
August 30, 2026
Fifth graders Luka and his cousin Ember want to start a detective agency and in their first case they need to solve a mystery that no one else has solved in the towns history.
This book is the first in a Christian mystery series for upper elementary kids. It would be a great book for church youth book clubs as it contains an adventure and teaches religious aspects with a large focus on talking with Jesus. It is a very relatable story with a treasure hunt and kids navigating new and old friendships.
If you love solving mysteries this would be a great book series to start!
This book is the first in a Christian mystery series for upper elementary kids. It would be a great book for church youth book clubs as it contains an adventure and teaches religious aspects with a large focus on talking with Jesus. It is a very relatable story with a treasure hunt and kids navigating new and old friendships.
If you love solving mysteries this would be a great book series to start!
September 1, 2026
As a Christian writer, church librarian, homeschool mentor, and GrandMom, I’m always searching for wholesome, engaging books for children. I highly recommend The Kingsley Kid Detectives: The Mystery of the Missing Falls. Not only will readers discover clues for solving an exciting mystery, but they’ll also gain insights about the power of prayer, forgiveness, and friendship.
It's recommended for ages 8-12. I bought it for my 8-year-old grandson who is a voracious reader.
I think he will love it!
It's recommended for ages 8-12. I bought it for my 8-year-old grandson who is a voracious reader.
I think he will love it!
September 4, 2026
Middle schoolers will enjoy being a part of the Kingswell Detectives, Luka and Ember, as they follow clues to find the missing falls and possibly a treasure too! The illustrations and clues will have children engaged and trying to figure out the mystery too.
If you are looking for a book that shows kids trusting God, talking about God, and encouraging them in their faith, this would be a great choice.
I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
If you are looking for a book that shows kids trusting God, talking about God, and encouraging them in their faith, this would be a great choice.
I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
August 31, 2026
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book for middle grade readers, but I was looking for a book I could recommend to my friends with kids in this season that was engaging and also positive and encouraging. And this book was perfect! I was continually engaged with the characters struggles, found myself laughing out loud, and was invested in the mystery - all while learning the different ways God can and will speak to us. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
September 9, 2026
My granddaughter, age 10, will love this fast-paced, mystery-solving adventure book. Cousins Ember and Luka are relatable characters who encounter and overcome real-life friendship struggles. The authors have cleverly woven gems of gospel truth like prayer, unity, and forgiveness into the treasure-seeking plot. I highly recommend it for young kids, whether for independent reading, or as a fun bedtime storybook.
September 5, 2026
My middle school age daughters and I read this book together and really enjoyed it. I appreciated the themes of prayer and teamwork and especially how jealously can lead I to issues. My girls loved the adventure and also the importance of prayer and how God hears and cares about ALL the little details. I would definitely recommend it for kids and families.
September 8, 2026
An adventure to solve an old mystery will delight middle school readers while they learn about prayer and teamwork. Faith, family, friends are the focus of this engaging read that teaches important values while entertaining. This is the beginning of a fun new series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 29, 2026
I am so glad that I got to read this book and then share it with my middle schooler. I loved the value placed on family and teamwork and sharing your faith in an open straight forward way. I loved seeing the kids’ ingenuity, but also kids seeking parental help when appropriate.
My son said it was really cool. “6.5 stars out of 5”.
Luka and Ember are cousins who are starting a kid detective agency. Their first case could make or break them.
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
My son said it was really cool. “6.5 stars out of 5”.
Luka and Ember are cousins who are starting a kid detective agency. Their first case could make or break them.
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews