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The Mystery of Craven Manor
When 11 year old runaway Matt Bright is rescued by Samantha and taken to her creepy home, Craven Manor, he has no idea that he's entering a trap.What is the mystery of Samantha's parents? Who is the sinister Mr Higgins? And the even more frightening Great Aunt Dorothy who lurks on the top floor?When Matt finds his life in danger he tries to escape, and there is only one route. And so begins the most terrifying experience of Matt's life. (Warning to Do not try this at home.)A thrilling story for boys and girls aged 9 to 13.
- GenresYoung AdultEbooks
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2014
218 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 25, 2019
I don't really know how I feel about this book. I mean, it was ok I guess, but at the end it seemed like the writer just wanted to be done. The story is interesting, yeah, and it was also kinda scary, and the main character was an idiot at times, which I really like in books/shows/movies a lot. I would recommend this book to kids around 12-14 and maybe teachers or other people who like moronic main characters.
September 1, 2016
this is a great book! it did make me wonder what the mystery was. it is not like any other mystery book I have read.
August 19, 2019
Scary but amazing!
This book is as amazing it was a detective book and it was thrilling. It is very scary at some parts but it is such a good ending!
This book is as amazing it was a detective book and it was thrilling. It is very scary at some parts but it is such a good ending!
January 31, 2021
This is a fun engaging adventure story, the book is 139 pages long packed fully of mystery and suspense, a great lockdown read for 12-14yr olds.
The main character young Mat, already feeling abandon and alone, takes matters into his own hands, and runs away, from the home he has been placed in when he becoming the target of the foster home bullies. After sleeping rough he is cold wet and hungry when he meets Samanta and her horse. She conveniences him to go with her to Craven Manor the family home for over three hundred years.
Samantha aka Sam is a bossy spoilt girl, who appears to have everything a kid would want, but what she doesn’t have is her loving parents, the Mr. and Mrs. Cooper that Mat meets at Craven Manor are imposters, according to Sam but no one believes her, not even Mat. She is prone to angry outbursts and rude to the adults around her. She convinces Mat to stay overnight at Craven Manor and that’s when Mat discovers that things are not quite as they first appear, including Sams’ tutor the weird and stern Mr. Higgins, and so the adventure begins.
The story is told in a passive voice and gets off to a slow start, the dialogue of the tramp was quite engaging. The book cover as a thumbnail looks ok, but as a paperback cover, the design is disappointing and falls flat.
The story was well written a real page-turner and an enjoyable read.
The main character young Mat, already feeling abandon and alone, takes matters into his own hands, and runs away, from the home he has been placed in when he becoming the target of the foster home bullies. After sleeping rough he is cold wet and hungry when he meets Samanta and her horse. She conveniences him to go with her to Craven Manor the family home for over three hundred years.
Samantha aka Sam is a bossy spoilt girl, who appears to have everything a kid would want, but what she doesn’t have is her loving parents, the Mr. and Mrs. Cooper that Mat meets at Craven Manor are imposters, according to Sam but no one believes her, not even Mat. She is prone to angry outbursts and rude to the adults around her. She convinces Mat to stay overnight at Craven Manor and that’s when Mat discovers that things are not quite as they first appear, including Sams’ tutor the weird and stern Mr. Higgins, and so the adventure begins.
The story is told in a passive voice and gets off to a slow start, the dialogue of the tramp was quite engaging. The book cover as a thumbnail looks ok, but as a paperback cover, the design is disappointing and falls flat.
The story was well written a real page-turner and an enjoyable read.
July 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters throughout, each one was different and showed their different personalities. I thought that the plot was good too and not too over complicated. It does show children what is good and bad and what is right and wrong without being overdone and in your face and I think it was a great way of explaining certain instances and situations. It comes across and real especially with the young boy Matt. His feelings were very realistic. It demonstrates how two different children (people in general) can be so different but can help each other when the chips are down. Loved this and would highly recommend for children and even adults. It's not scary, but it has a great story that has you wanting to turn the pages. :)
April 8, 2020
This is a very engaging story of a boy who is struggling with many problems in his life, brought on by the sudden death of his mother. Cold, wet and hungry after running away from the Children's Home he has been placed in, he meets up with a girl on a horse. She wheedles him into going with her to Craven Manor.
Nobody believes her when she says the two people who look just like her parents are NOT her real parents. Samantha and Matt have a contentious relationship, but in the end they manage to solve the mystery of the look-alike parents.
This is a good read-aloud book, or fun for anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
Nobody believes her when she says the two people who look just like her parents are NOT her real parents. Samantha and Matt have a contentious relationship, but in the end they manage to solve the mystery of the look-alike parents.
This is a good read-aloud book, or fun for anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
May 19, 2020
A good adventure story. Matt, a runaway from a children’s home, meets Sam, a bossy, spoilt girl who lives in a rambling, old house. She swears that her parents have been replaced by look alikes but no one will believe her, including Matt.
When Matt realises that he is trapped inside the estate he tries to escape, thinking first of himself but as he realises that Sam is telling the truth, he embarks on a mission to save both her and her family.
When Matt realises that he is trapped inside the estate he tries to escape, thinking first of himself but as he realises that Sam is telling the truth, he embarks on a mission to save both her and her family.
December 25, 2021
Great Book!
This book was honestly awesome, the characters, the plot, etc. Some things I expect, others, I did not. Overall great. I liked the happy ending, it both surprised me but was unexpected. I didn’t expect they’d (SPOILER ALERT) sell the place, but I did expect what happened next. The book gave me a lovely feeling, but I still believe their are some more interesting paths it could have taken. All in all, it was great. Perhaps I put my expectations too high. Loved it.
This book was honestly awesome, the characters, the plot, etc. Some things I expect, others, I did not. Overall great. I liked the happy ending, it both surprised me but was unexpected. I didn’t expect they’d (SPOILER ALERT) sell the place, but I did expect what happened next. The book gave me a lovely feeling, but I still believe their are some more interesting paths it could have taken. All in all, it was great. Perhaps I put my expectations too high. Loved it.
December 29, 2021
Great deading
A awesome read!!! A story of how a young boy whom runs away because he thinks he not loved by his dad and meets a girl whom convinces him to stay with her. The 2 get involved in a mystery of lies that are told about her parents and how they form A bond in solving the mystery.
A awesome read!!! A story of how a young boy whom runs away because he thinks he not loved by his dad and meets a girl whom convinces him to stay with her. The 2 get involved in a mystery of lies that are told about her parents and how they form A bond in solving the mystery.
August 2, 2018
It didn’t make sense
There was no background story and it did not capture me in it. It was confusing as some of the chapters were called the same thing. I found it was not interesting at all
There was no background story and it did not capture me in it. It was confusing as some of the chapters were called the same thing. I found it was not interesting at all
January 21, 2021
I enjoyed this immensely. A great protagonist who wobbles around for a bit, but comes into his own and saves the day, finally. Scary in parts, a bit creepy in others, but I'd say that was part of its charm.
August 26, 2024
I found this book surprisingly good. The mystery is well written and full of twists and turns. The characters are well written and the growing relationship between Sam and Matt and the unfolding mystery are quite gripping.
October 13, 2020
I read this book to my kids during quarantine and they loved it . It gave great mystery and something different t for them they range between the ages 7-14 and they all enjoyed it !
December 22, 2020
Suspenseful and a fun read aloud. My entire family enjoyed this book!
February 16, 2021
A very interesting fast-paced young readers novel that it relatable, exciting and thought provoking.
March 3, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this! totally cliffhanging and fun!
October 28, 2021
Great book!
This was a great book! I like the suspense, the action. I could really imagine the words with these words. This was awesome!
This was a great book! I like the suspense, the action. I could really imagine the words with these words. This was awesome!
July 7, 2022
An enjoyable read aimed at 9 to 13 year old, a young boy meets a young girl, she convinces him a mystery needs to be solved, easy, quick page turner a great introduction to mystery novels.
March 28, 2025
Rather boring.
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June 26, 2025Sometimes you’ve gotta read books you found on your little sister’s bookshelf to make sure you meet your reading goal. I lowk enjoyed it though.
November 13, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I found it entertaining, but I could not connect to the characters
I found it entertaining, but I could not connect to the characters
February 10, 2024
I read this alongside my son for his 4th grade book report that required him to read a mystery novel. For a children’s book, I was impressed that it kept me intrigued and interested. I would recommend it for kids who enjoy mystery novels.
July 23, 2020
It's a great book to read if you're in to mystery books.
June 8, 2023
I recieved this years ago, and only just got around to reading it today. I sat in the garden in the sunshine, and read it through, not expecting much from it.
However, it exceeded my expectations.
I've always enjoyed mystery novels, and if I had read this when I was younger, I have no doubt it would have been one of my favourites. I can't say I enjoyed the first half, in particular, but I had no trouble reading it though. The halfway mark is when it really comes into its own - classic mystery conventions are utilised, such as sneaking around at night and ruses, but other unique plot points were particularly effective, particularly climbing the chimney. No, it wasn't very tense, or creepy, or nerve-wracking, but it was still a solid read.
I wasn't a big fan of the characters, especially Sam and at times Matt, but they did grow on me towards the end, and I can see why Sam would be so explosive whilst worrying about her parents and why Matt would be so cold due to believing he'd be better off alone.
Overall, I would definitely recommend to children and teenagers who enjoy adventure/mystery stories - I'm 17 and I was quite happy reading it, too! Probably a book I'd reread on a lazy day, and it doesn't take long to finish.
However, it exceeded my expectations.
I've always enjoyed mystery novels, and if I had read this when I was younger, I have no doubt it would have been one of my favourites. I can't say I enjoyed the first half, in particular, but I had no trouble reading it though. The halfway mark is when it really comes into its own - classic mystery conventions are utilised, such as sneaking around at night and ruses, but other unique plot points were particularly effective, particularly climbing the chimney. No, it wasn't very tense, or creepy, or nerve-wracking, but it was still a solid read.
I wasn't a big fan of the characters, especially Sam and at times Matt, but they did grow on me towards the end, and I can see why Sam would be so explosive whilst worrying about her parents and why Matt would be so cold due to believing he'd be better off alone.
Overall, I would definitely recommend to children and teenagers who enjoy adventure/mystery stories - I'm 17 and I was quite happy reading it, too! Probably a book I'd reread on a lazy day, and it doesn't take long to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
A very interesting fast-paced young readers novel that it relatable, exciting and thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews