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Mo & Dale Mysteries #3
The Odds of Getting Even
Humor and action abound in this second follow-up to the Newbery honor winner and New York Times bestseller, Three Times Lucky.
The trial of the century has come to Tupelo Landing, NC. Mo and Dale, aka Desperado Detectives, head to court as star witnesses against Dale's daddy--confessed kidnapper Macon Johnson. Dale's nerves are jangled, but Mo, who doesn't mind getting even with Mr. Macon for hurting her loved ones, looks forward to a slam dunk conviction--if everything goes as expected.
Of course nothing goes as expected. Macon Johnson sees to that. In no time flat, Macon's on the run, Tupelo Landing's in lockdown, and Dale's brother's life hangs in the balance. With Harm Crenshaw, newly appointed intern, Desperado Detectives are on the case. But it means they have to take on a tough client--one they'd never want in a million years.
For everyone who's already fallen for Mo and Dale, and for anyone who's new to Tupelo Landing, The Odds of Getting Even is a heartwarming story that perfectly blends mystery and action with more serious themes about family and fathers, all without ever losing its sense of humor.
The trial of the century has come to Tupelo Landing, NC. Mo and Dale, aka Desperado Detectives, head to court as star witnesses against Dale's daddy--confessed kidnapper Macon Johnson. Dale's nerves are jangled, but Mo, who doesn't mind getting even with Mr. Macon for hurting her loved ones, looks forward to a slam dunk conviction--if everything goes as expected.
Of course nothing goes as expected. Macon Johnson sees to that. In no time flat, Macon's on the run, Tupelo Landing's in lockdown, and Dale's brother's life hangs in the balance. With Harm Crenshaw, newly appointed intern, Desperado Detectives are on the case. But it means they have to take on a tough client--one they'd never want in a million years.
For everyone who's already fallen for Mo and Dale, and for anyone who's new to Tupelo Landing, The Odds of Getting Even is a heartwarming story that perfectly blends mystery and action with more serious themes about family and fathers, all without ever losing its sense of humor.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
March 29, 2015
Is it weird that I'm really looking forward to this book?
...
I don't even care that I'm 25 years old. I love these books. Mo might be one of the sassiest characters ever. And boy do I have such a crush on Lavender. I'm with Mo...I'd snatch him up and marry him before sundown too.
...
I don't even care that I'm 25 years old. I love these books. Mo might be one of the sassiest characters ever. And boy do I have such a crush on Lavender. I'm with Mo...I'd snatch him up and marry him before sundown too.
January 27, 2022
Excellent! Really enjoyed it. More to come soon...
February 17, 2021
"At least things can't get worse," I said.
"I wish you wouldn't say that," Dale muttered. "You're always wrong."
Me? Crying because Lavender and Dale Johnson deserve the entire world and I'd do anything for them? It's more likely than you think. 😭
Mo, Dale, and Harm are quickly climbing my list of favorite fictional friendships. I can't get over how much they care about each other, it makes me so soft. This whole book was a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm so attached to these characters and I just want to protect them, man ;-; But as usual it made me laugh a lot, and was just generally cozy and wonderful. This story wrapped up some loose ends of Three Times Lucky while also having its own intriguing mystery. And I loved it.
"I'll check the interior. You two check the trunk."
"No," Dale said. "There could be a body in there."
Dale already feared clowns. Now it looked like he was adding random bodies in car trunks to the list. As best friend, I try to be sensitive. "Okay. I'll take the trunk and you search the car," I said. "I just hope there's not a clown in the backseat."
"I wish you wouldn't say that," Dale muttered. "You're always wrong."
Me? Crying because Lavender and Dale Johnson deserve the entire world and I'd do anything for them? It's more likely than you think. 😭
Mo, Dale, and Harm are quickly climbing my list of favorite fictional friendships. I can't get over how much they care about each other, it makes me so soft. This whole book was a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm so attached to these characters and I just want to protect them, man ;-; But as usual it made me laugh a lot, and was just generally cozy and wonderful. This story wrapped up some loose ends of Three Times Lucky while also having its own intriguing mystery. And I loved it.
"I'll check the interior. You two check the trunk."
"No," Dale said. "There could be a body in there."
Dale already feared clowns. Now it looked like he was adding random bodies in car trunks to the list. As best friend, I try to be sensitive. "Okay. I'll take the trunk and you search the car," I said. "I just hope there's not a clown in the backseat."
February 7, 2019
Every trip to Tupelo Landing is a delight. The mystery may be a bit obvious, but at least it is a real and true mystery, not a means to segue to broader topics. The texture of the town-folk and Mo and Dale's engaging personalities brings me joy.
June 29, 2023
I love this series!
July 20, 2022
Dale hung up. "Mama can't come, but I can," he told Miss Lana. "Her new boyfriend's keeping her company. I'd feel like a spare tire around them anyway."
"You mean a fifth wheel, honey," she said.
The Desperados are at it again! I loved reading this new adventure from Mo and Dale. This one felt a bit more serious than the other two, probably because of the potential for murder. But the book was still just as lighthearted and silly as the rest of the series. It gets a big thumbs up from me!
"If you don't stand up for the glimmer of good left in somebody, how will it ever be more?" He side-armed a stone across the water. "Rhetorical," he said. We sat by the river and waited for stars.
"You mean a fifth wheel, honey," she said.
The Desperados are at it again! I loved reading this new adventure from Mo and Dale. This one felt a bit more serious than the other two, probably because of the potential for murder. But the book was still just as lighthearted and silly as the rest of the series. It gets a big thumbs up from me!
"If you don't stand up for the glimmer of good left in somebody, how will it ever be more?" He side-armed a stone across the water. "Rhetorical," he said. We sat by the river and waited for stars.
December 28, 2022
4.5 stars
Like "Three Times Lucky", this book was absolutely lovely. I loved the message, loved the characters, loved the twists. Everything was great.
The reason I knocked off half a star was that the mystery wasn't quite as intriguing this time around... and the whole book felt slower than book one. But other than that, this book was great. Looking forward to the final book!
Like "Three Times Lucky", this book was absolutely lovely. I loved the message, loved the characters, loved the twists. Everything was great.
The reason I knocked off half a star was that the mystery wasn't quite as intriguing this time around... and the whole book felt slower than book one. But other than that, this book was great. Looking forward to the final book!
December 15, 2024
I love these books. Sometimes I need a sweet, southern fried, middle grade mystery to cleanse my palate. I’m so bummed that there’s only one left.
May 18, 2021
I love these quirky characters even more with each new story! This is the best one, so far!
March 17, 2015
I really do love Mo and Dale. I love their offbeat and somewhat eccentric family and friends, the rather oddball but endearing residents of Tupelo Landing, and definitely everything about the way all of them jump in feet first to solve the latest mystery, which of course we all know from the two previous books, will be solved by Mo and Dale and not the police. I love everything about this town and its people that I almost want to move there. Well, almost. I've lived in small towns before and every chance I got I was hightailing it to the city to go to a bookstore, have an expensive coffee drink (yes I know I'm addicted!), see a movie, and eat ethnic food. So as much as I love them all, I don't think I would last long in Tupelo Landing. But I do hope that the author keeps writing a new installment every year or two as I really need something to take the place of the Sammy Keyes series that ended last year. I have been going through serious withdrawal since then and this series is definitely helping me get through it.
May 1, 2015
I thought this book was just a rehashing of book one, but the voice and tone was more grating and wearisome than charming this time around. I had such high hopes too because I LOVED The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing. I thought that this series was only going to get better. Alas, that was not to be.
March 24, 2016
I just love this series. Mo is full of humor and insight, but is also just so delightfully kidlike and naive. I did think it was kind of weird that there is no mention of the ghost from the previous book; like Turnage just kind of threw that in the last book and forgot it happened. But I will continue to keep up with this series by listening to the well-narrated audiobooks.
April 29, 2016
This is such a fun series. Anyone with 3rd to 6th graders who like to read mysteries would be comfortable giving their children these books (this was #3) about the Desperado Detectives. And adults like me get a kick out of them too!
March 13, 2018
This was by far my favorite of the three. This series would make a fantastic TV show.
“‘If you don’t stand up for the glimmer of good left in somebody, how will it ever be more?’ He side-armed a stone across the water. ‘Rhetorical,’ he said. We sat by the river and waited for stars.”
“‘If you don’t stand up for the glimmer of good left in somebody, how will it ever be more?’ He side-armed a stone across the water. ‘Rhetorical,’ he said. We sat by the river and waited for stars.”
February 2, 2017
I absolutely adore this middle grade series! I was sad to finish #3, but rumor has it that #4 is in the works. I can't wait!
May 10, 2019
Maybe Mo and Dale are growing on me. :-) I enjoyed this book more than the previous two.
May 16, 2020
Several years behind on this one, because the last time I checked it out from the library my mom's dog ate it before I could finish. True story.
December 5, 2019
My favorite in the series by FAR! I really enjoyed this read, mainly because it was more like the first one (murder/crime) whereas the second one was not as interesting. This book was a great end[?] to the series! I really enjoyed reading and trying to figure out who was the bad guy/girl. Of course, it was the girl who came into town and was friendly with Mo and seemed like she was just a reporter coming to town and enjoying her self, well YOU GOT IT WRONG not really though. So definitely read this series and enjoy your self.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
Gee the turn of events in this one were sooo unexpected. But I now love Tupelo Landing and the characters even more (if that's possible). I can't wait for book 4. Maybe Mo's mom really is somewhere out there and will show up eventually.
February 12, 2018
I just love these books! Humor, mystery, and some good life lessons. Mo and Dale always crack me up and they are just so much fun. I listened to the audiobook for this one and the reader was great. I often have trouble with audiobooks because I get annoyed with the narrator but this one kept me interested and really fit the book and characters.
November 24, 2019
This series is so good!
February 18, 2021
I appreciated how this one had ties to the first book. Even though the ending was somewhat foreseeable, Turnage always impresses me with her twists in plot.
March 15, 2019
Gave up on it. It drags on. I finally skipped to nearly the end to find out how it ended.
April 25, 2025
4 stars. The desperados have my heart. I am enjoying the return to the people of Tupelo Landing as things continue to develop slowly.
May 21, 2022
childhood fav (reread)
August 23, 2016
I love this series so much. The plots, themes, characters, setting, language--everything is just so well written and such a delight to take in. The mysteries kept me guessing to the very end, and the resolution did not disappoint. I would recommend these books to anyone.
Also, considering how difficult it can be to name a book, The Odds of Getting Even is pretty much one of the coolest titles ever.
Also, considering how difficult it can be to name a book, The Odds of Getting Even is pretty much one of the coolest titles ever.
July 9, 2017
I am probably biased, but I loved this book (and series)! This is the third installment of the Mo and Dale Mysteries. It lives up to the other stories. Mo and the wonderfully wacky characters of Tupelo Landing save the day again. Their voices are witty and sometimes sassy--that's what I love the most. Not sure if it qualifies as a cozy mystery, but there is no blood, language, or uber violence. These series is a great way to cut teeth for heavier mysteries.
January 17, 2016
Another engaging winner from Sheila Turnage. This time, Mo and Dale, along with Harm and their 6th grade friends, try to unravel the mystery of Dale's escaped convict daddy and the attempts at Lavender's life. Inspiring story that you know what you know by heart, believing in others and family isn't always a mom + dad. Can't wait for the next one in the series!
February 21, 2016
I simply love this series. The narration by Lauren Fortgang perfectly matches the southern charm of this series. The humor sprinkled throughout adds to the wonderful, descriptive writing style that still manages to keep the story moving along briskly. I'm totally enamored with Tupolo Landing and all its quirky characters and can't wait for another installment.
November 3, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. I think they just keep getting better and better as the series goes on. I found myself laughing out loud so many times and jotting down great lines like this one that Mo says about Atilla, "Atilla's face would be pretty if she didn't live behind it." Hilarious. Great story, great characters, great writing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews