Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy

Amanda Lester, Detective #1

by Paula Berinstein

Twelve-year-old Amanda Lester wouldn't be caught dead going into the family business. Just because she's related to Inspector G. Lestrade, that bumbler who sometimes worked with master sleuth Sherlock Holmes, doesn't mean she should become a detective and give up her dream of becoming a filmmaker. Unfortunately, her plans are in jeopardy. Her latest project with the Stick Dog Filmmakers Club and Production Company isn't coming together, and her control freak tendencies have driven away all her actors. If she doesn't make a winning film soon, her parents will insist that she go into the L.A.P.D. young cadets training program, and her budding career will be over. So when Herb and Lila Lester suddenly send her to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives, Amanda resists-until she and her new friends notice drops of blood and weird pink substances in odd places. Are these strange happenings clues to a real mystery or simply part of the elaborate class project the teachers assign every year? The answer comes all too soon. When Amanda's father disappears and the school's cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, the kids are certain that crimes are taking place. Now Amanda must embrace her destiny and uncover the truth. The only snag is that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty, a descendant of Holmes's nemesis Professor James Moriarty, might be involved, and he doesn't like nosy little girls interfering in his business.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult, Crime, Fiction, Childrens

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2015

About the author

Paula Berinstein is the author of the Amanda Lester, Detective middle-grade/YA series, which features a descendant of the Sherlock Holmes character Inspector Lestrade and is set in the English Lake District.

She is also the author of the Indigo (time travel) and The King's Alchemist (historical fantasy) series for adults.

From 2005 to 2012, Paula produced and hosted the popular podcast The Writing Show (http://www.writingshow.com). She holds degrees in English literature and librarianship from UCLA.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy is the first novel of the Amanda Lester, Detective series which overtly tries to homage young detective stories like the Nancy Drew series, the Hardy Boys, and mash them up with Harry Potter's Hogwarts. (Berinstein cites that J. K. Rowling is a favored author so is it a stretch to believe that the secret detective school in the United Kingdom might be connected by some common threads?) The entire enterprise amounts to a good, fun, intriguing read, but for me it ends there.

Amanda is a twelve-year-old who not only knows what she wants to be when she grows up, but she is taking strides toward making the dream a reality. She wants to be a filmmaker, and she along with her theatre group have already made a few movies, established industry contacts, and are tossing around ideas for a new film to be released at a film festival as an entry for an award when her parents put the kibosh on that. Amanda has been accepted at a secret boarding school in the United Kingdom for wannabe legacy detectives.

One minor problem falls on the idea that Amanda does not wish to become an actual detective despite being a descendant of Lestrade, the infamous detective from the Sherlock Holmes novels. Point of fact is that the Lestrade ancestry embarrasses her. Unfortunately, she is twelve and twelve-year-olds do not command their own destiny. So, she acquiesces to being shipped off and finds the school fascinating and her skills may actually amplify her abilities as a detective.

Amanda attends class, makes friends with other students from her house, is just about to learn about a class project when a dead body is found, an explosion occurs, and another dead body is found. The story makes sense, but a suspension of disbelief must happen along the line. I don't know. If I'm to be honest, Hogwarts seems more believable. I'm not sure that I would send my sons to this school. The characters at this school are twelve and there's a lot of death and horror. It was a sore spot.

Good story, but I'm concerned about the age appropriateness of the subject matter. Hence that's why I'm calling it right down the middle with three stars. That's not bad, but I guess I'm a little old-fashioned with the content.

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my stop during the blog tour for Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein. This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 30 November till 13 December, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.
So far this series contains 3 books: Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1), Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis (Amanda Lester, Detective #2) and Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle (Amanda Lester, Detective #3).

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy, was a cute story. It had an interesting concept and room for development and growth of the characters. I do admit, while reading this my initial thought screamed, Harry Potter. A 12 year-old girl is forced away into a boarding school where she learns the skills she needs in order to become a detective. She gets sorted into one of the four houses, which ends up being a house she didn’t particularly want. Sounds fun right?

I enjoyed the story. It was a quick read. Amanda at first is very reluctant when it comes to going to the school. She does not want to be a detective, she wants to be a film maker. I have to admit, 12 years-old seems very young to be worrying about your career, and Amanda was very serious about growing her career. Once she gets to the school and meets a few friends, I think she slowly ends up warming up to the idea. Besides, the school offers her plenty of opportunities to help work on her film-making stuff, and when things start to go downhill in school, including a murder, Amanda and her friends find themselves in the thick of things.

As much as I enjoyed the story, there was a thing or two that did bother me.

As I pointed out before, I felt 12 years old Amanda was too focused on her career, and did not feel like a 12 year old. Maybe the book would have benefited if it was made for an older audience? The age and her ambitions sometimes did not match, but it was definitely written like a middle grade book, which clashed a bit for me. There was a scene about dead bodies, something I feel no 12 year old should witness. The character definitely should have been older. There had been instances that made her look older, and then there had been tantrum throwing that was age appropriate. There was also an attraction to a boy named Nick, once again the age kept swinging up and down for me.

There is a huge pet peeve in the book for me. The parent bashing as I like to call it. It suffers from the bad parent syndrome. The fact that this is a middle grade book made me frown a little. Amanda calls her mother stupid, there is a disconnect, and she hates the fact that her mother does not support her film-making career and is trying to send her away. The parents are portrayed badly in this too. Her mother says that film-making is dangerous, but she sends her off on a career path that can get her daughter killed.

Nonetheless, it has a lot of potential as Amanda carries on at the academy and grows as a character. Plus the artwork for the covers are stunning, absolutely adore them. As a middle grade book, it was also fast and easy to get through, but a few concepts felt a little heavy and confusing for the targeted audience.

I received this book for free from Author, Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ecopy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Don't think that just because Amanda Lester is descended from Inspector G. Lestrade that she's interested in going into the family business. She wants to be a filmmaker, not a detective, although admittedly her film club isn't really coming together since her control freak tendencies are driving members away. Amanda's life changes dramatically don't give her any choice and suddenly enroll her in a boarding school for the descendants of well-known detectives - and it's halfway around the world in the United Kingdom. She resists as much as she can when she gets there, but once she and her new friends notice blood droplets and a strange pink substance in weird places she realizes she has to know what's really happening. Is it part of a real mystery or part of an elaborate class project the teachers assign each year? When Amanda's father goes missing and the school cook is found dead with her head stuffed in a bag of sugar, the kids realize that they are right in the middle of a very real mystery. Amanda realizes she's going to have to embrace her family name and discover the truth. Here's the thing, it looks as if Blixus Moriarty is involved, a descendant of Professor James Moriarty, the arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, and he doesn't like kids interfering in his criminal enterprises.

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein is easily a new favorite middle grade novel featuring a fantastic mystery for any fan of the genre. I was absolutely hooked by the premise of the story and shortly after I began I realized I couldn't put it down. I would love to study at the school Amanda attends, which in it's own way reminds me of Hogwarts from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series in that it's a secret boarding school in the U.K. that teaches very specialized classes. In this case, it focuses on detective work, rather than witchcraft and wizardry. Who wouldn't want to go to a school for the descendants of some of history's greatest detectives, right?

Well, Amanda wouldn't, for one. She has no plans to follow in the footsteps of G. Lestrade - the bumbling Scotland Yard Inspector who sometimes worked with the brilliant Sherlock Holmes - and I don't blame her for not wanting his name hanging over her head for the rest of her career. However, once she begins to get into the swing of things at the school and make some friends, she begins to realize that detective work isn't all that different from film making. Amanda is a great leading character - she's independent, driven, smart, and very capable. That said, she isn't without flaws, for example, she's a bit of a control freak and she can sometimes jump into things without thinking them through. However, she is able to recognize her flaws and try to do better, and it was a pleasure watching her character grow over the course of the story.

The rest of the cast of characters, including Ivy, Nigel, Amphora, Simon, and Nick, plus school professors, are all as well-written as Amanda. While I enjoyed getting to know her friends, but I believe Ivy was my favorite of the group, as she manages to steal all of her scenes. I loved the fact that she doesn't let her disability, blindness, dictate what she can and can't do - and Nigel is just the best guide dog there is. Nick is also an intriguing character, and I loved seeing what he becomes. There's also the barest hint of a possible romance between him and Amanda, but the story doesn't focus on it. They're all too busy trying to work out the developing mystery to have the time to think about that sort of thing.

Now, the mystery is top-notch and I enjoyed working it out with Amanda and the rest. I won't say much more about it to avoid spoilers, but I was certainly hooked when it came to figuring out the meaning of the title and the bigger picture for the story. This book also has some great twists and turns, some of which I had predicted, but the execution is very well done. I liked discovering the truth alongside Amanda.

Overall, I can't recommend Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein enough. If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, and Middle Grade mysteries, you will absolutely love this brand new series. I can't wait to read Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis (Amanda Lester, Detective #2)!

By the way, I was totally picturing Blixus Moriarty like this:




This review is also on my blog.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Middle Grade and mystery books I've read in a while! I don't read a lot of Middle Grade books, but this one immediately captured my attention with the beautiful cover and interesting blurb. And I am so glad I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar mystery is about a girl named Amanda, who wants to be a filmmaker, but her parents want her to be a detective as they are descendants of Lestrade and they sent her to a school to become a detective. Lots of fictional detectives are real in this book and there's a secret school where the descendants of famous detectives can go to learn what it takes to be a detective. The boarding school for detectives was really cool and interesting and it made for a great setting. I also liked how the book is set in modern times and things like phones, internet, camera's and 3D printing all made an appearance.

I loved this book and had so much fun reading it. The story had me hooked from the first page and I had a hard time putting this book time, telling myself I would read just one more chapter and then one more chapter etc. This book is very well written and I really liked the author her writing style. The pace is well done and there isn't a dull moment. Also while this is a Middle Grade book it is suited for readers of all ages. The feel of the book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter but instead of wizards and magic this book has detectives and mysteries. It also had a pretty mature feel and even deals with serious topics, like criminals, death, murder, kidnapping and crime.

I haven't read a lot of books about detectives, so it was fun to learn more about them. And the mystery was done really well. It's obvious the author did her research before writing this book. Strange things start happening and then there is the class project and just like the characters I kept trying to find out what was part of the class project and what not. There are lots of clues and slowly things start to make sense. I kept guessing what was exactly going on and only figured it out when Amanda and her friends did. I liked how they talked about the mystery and speculated about what was going on, that way it was easy to keep up with their thoughts and ideas.

The pace picks up towards the end when the mystery comes to a conclusion and I couldn't put the book down till things calmed down a bit. There was a really well done plot twist towards the end that took me by surprise and I really admire the author for how well she wrote that part. The sugar conspiracy made for a great mystery and I liked how the author still made everything feels believable and real, it all made sense and I really liked that. After the fast paced scenes, things calm down a bit and the plot lines for this book are neatly wrapped up, while the stage is set for the next book and a hint of what to expect next.

While I would describe this book as story driven, the characters also play a big part and are well developed. I instantly connected with Amanda with her slight control freak tendencies and she was such a great character. She is very smart and capable. She wants to be a film-maker, but now she has to go to a school of detectives, which she hates. It was fun to see her opinion of the school change as the book progressed and she finds her place eventually. She also has her flaws, which made her even more real. She makes some mistakes, but also realizes that and tried to prevent it from happening again.

Then there are some awesome side characters, like her friends Nick, Simon, Ivy, Nigel and Amphora. I especially liked Ivy, she is blind, but doesn't let that restrict her from becoming a detective. She has a great guide dog Nigel, who was adorable, and her hearing is fantastic and she helps Amanda and the rest out quite a few times with that. There is a hint of a possible romance with Nick, but there's not a lot of focus on that. I got a good feel for all of the characters and liked meeting them. I am looking forward to see more of them in the next book. We also get a feel for most of the school teachers and they all had some kind of quirk or background.

There are also some extra's in this book that make the world come alive even more. The stunning cover and back cover show two scenes from the book and give readers a feel for what the characters look like. You can also see character sketches of the characters on the author her website. Then there is a floorplan of the school and a list of classes and what they are about. I wish I could go to this school and follow some of the classes as they all sounded so interesting. I am really happy I had a paperback copy as while reading I sometimes flipped back to the start of the book to check out the floorplan of the school and see where the characters were then and where certain rooms and classes were located. It really helped the whole school and characters come alive and I could vividly imagine how everything looked like.

To summarize: I loved this book, I was hooked from the start and enjoyed figuring out the pink sugar conspiracy alongside Amanda and her friends. The story is really well written, kept my attention and had a consistent pace. There is a great plot twist towards the end. I only figured out what was going on with the mystery and who was behind it alongside Amanda and her friends. The characters are great and I really liked Amanda, she was smart and capable, but also had some flaws. There are also some great side characters, like Ivy, Simon, Nick and Amphora. The floorplan and cover made it easy to imagine how everything looked and I liked the extra's in the book like the class descriptions, reading group questions and a Q&A with the author. I could vividly imagine everything and I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's a great book suitable for readers of all ages. I can't wait to read the next books in this series and experience more of Amanda her adventures!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in an amazing new series. It's fun to read and there are lots of red herrings that really do end up being important to the story. Amanda Lester is a bright young lady and a good detective.

Amanda Lester is ashamed to be descended from Inspector Lestrade of Sherlock Holmes fame. She has no desire to be a detective. Her aim is to be a film maker. When her family moves from California to England they enroll her in a secret boarding school. Only descendants of famous detectives are allowed to attend this school. The curriculum reads like a Harry Potter one, only think detecting rather than magic. The teachers all have rather odd names. Most of them are- well, odd. Amanda thinks she will hate school but slowly she makes friends. Her blind roommate Ivy is amazing in the way she can detect things using her other senses. The class is told that there will be a class project and they will know when it happens. The students are responsible for solving the mystery and presenting their conclusions to the class at the end of the semester. So what is the class project? Two missing teachers? The school garage blowing up? The cook who mysteriously is carting sugar away? Why? What does the pink sugar lying around mean? And what are the blobs of slime in the pink sugar?

This was a really good story with a rather ingenious surprise toward the end. I have one complaint about this series: Amanda is only 12 years old. 12 year olds aren't as interested in boys as Amanda is and there is some sexual tensions which doesn't belong in a 12 year-old world. She needs to be 14 or 15.

I have the first 4 books and have begun to read #2.

[Patricia Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy features the hijinks of Amanda Lester, an avid filmmaker who’s been enrolled in a secret school for the descendants of famous detectives. Still, Amanda’s having none of it until some very strange things start to happen and she and her new friends get caught up in figuring it all out.

I thought this was a lovely story. Set in the UK at a private school, a secret one, it was reminiscent of Harry Potter, but instead of focusing on magic, it focuses on detective work, forensics, and sleuthing in general. Unlike Harry, though, Amanda doesn’t want to be a part of her school, holding close a desire to be a famous filmmaker against the wishes of her parents, and it doesn’t help that she considers the man she’s descended from to be a joke.

I thought the cast of kids that make up Amanda’s circle of friends were well done and entertaining. There’s just enough drama, puppy love, and special skills between the lot of them to draw in a young reader. There’s also a good bit of danger even though the story revolves around a sugar-based conspiracy. Nothing sweet about it. And, I must say I love the gluppy things. Read the story to find out what those are.

As for quality, this book is very well put together and edited. The pacing is engaging and draws the reader along quite well, even for a longer book. After the story, there’s a listing of famous sleuths, both fictional and real, and their claims to fame as well as a list of book club questions for young readers. I think the listing of class descriptions and other information about the school might have been better at the end with the other things because, while interesting, they went on for quite a while, and to me, the important stuff seemed to be pretty well described in the book.

Overall, I loved this story and would recommend it to those who love middle-grade stories, particularly tweens and tweens at heart. The detective theming throughout is sometimes corny, but in a good way.

I received the review copy of this book from the author via Lola’s Book Tours.

[Eva • All Books Considered · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cute -- a cross between Nancy Drew and Harry Potter. Amanda's life is in complete upheaval when her parents decide to move to the UK so that Amanda can attend a super secret school to become a detective, a school which only invites the progeny and relatives of the world's best detectives. Unfortunately, Amanda loves living in LA because she is obsessed with movies and directing movies and has no interest in becoming a detective despite her famous relative. It was fun to see how Amanda could use her movie making skills in detective work and how they eventually solve the mystery -- definitely a fun, middle grade read!

[Siobhan Davis]

FREE TO DOWNLOAD on Kindle today.

[Esperanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

  If
you are a middle grade book fan, and I don't care what age you are
you can be one, you will definitely be wild about the author Paula
Berinstein. Berinstein gives her readers a chance to connect to her
characters and does so with precision. The first book in the series
that I read was Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy and I am
so glad that I did. I homeschool my children and read aloud to both
of them because they are years apart but both can still enjoy a story
being told to them. Well that is exactly how the first book in this
series was presented to my homeschool, by reading aloud. My youngest
son loves to snuggle in and listen to me read and this was a chance
for him to hear a middle grade story. Suffice to say he loved it just
like mom and his older brother did! To me, when children take a
liking to a story it means something. It means that the author has
connected with her readers in a good way. That to me is what is one
of the most important aspects of writing for children, the fact that
they connect. Berinstein gives you just what you need in order to
keep going!

The
characters are written well and in depth. I didn't feel lost at all
because Berinstein keeps the reader well informed. That is another
aspect of her writing that I totally love! It matters and I am so
happy to see a middle grade author that really connects. I recommend
Berinstein's books in the Amanda Lester series. If you are looking
for awesome writing and excellent storylines check out this series. I
rate this book a FULL Five Stars and can't wait to read the next book
in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Four stars for a tween book, but really not a bad read for an adult who enjoys YA fiction. Regardless of Berinstein's admitted admiration for Rowling, this book does not try to be Hogwarts-ian.

"I, Amanda Lester, solemnly promise not to reveal the existence of the Legatum Continuatum School to anyone outside the school and my immediate family. If I do so, whether purposely or inadvertently, I may be expelled, imprisoned, or otherwise punished as the board sees fit." (p. 22-23)

Amanda Lester is a 12-year-old filmmaker-wannabe who has trouble relating to others, whether they be friends, coworkers (in her Stick Dog Filmmakers Club and Production Company), or her family. She is descended from Inspector Lestrade from the Sherlock Holmes stories, though her parents have changed their name to Lester to lessen the likelihood someone will make the connection. Just after she's offended her fellow Stick Dog members to the point they won't even talk to her, Amanda receives an acceptance letter into a secret school for descendants of detectives. Evidently her parents expected this, and they've already made plans to uproot the family and move to the UK to be nearer to her while she's attending Legatum Continuatum School. There, Amanda meets new friends and tries to keep them this time, all the while trying to settle in, keep her relation to Lestrade under wraps, and go about her school day--which involves solving a mystery that may or may not be coursework.

This, the first book in the series, introduces the school (and its faculty and courses) well, though I would have preferred more on-campus, class-related chapters. Berinstein provides spot-on commentary on Amanda's transition to the UK [mannerisms, biscuits/cookies, weather, accents, views of Americans (specifically Californians), etc]. Berinstein has a grasp of the emotional turmoil of being a tween. Evidently, the next two books in the series are already complete, so I'd check them out given the chance.

[CheyAnn Robin ·ᴥ· · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy:
I stopped reading this book at Page 29.

I couldn't stand Amanda, all she ever did was complain about every little thing. The first sentence was her complaining. "Amanda Lester was so tired of hearing about the great Sherlock Holmes she could scream. Mr. La-di-da boring detective, whoop-de-doo". Sherlock Holmes is not boring?? She acts like her life is so unfair. She literally gets to go to detective school, why would you complain about that I would love to go to detective school.

I understand that she wants to make films but c'mon girl quit being rude all the time. The thing I don't get is why she complains because her friend called her fat. She was upset (this time she was a right to be complaining) but then a couple pages later she's comparing some guy to a whale. why would you call someone else fat if you don't like being called fat?

She acts like she's way older than 12. She receives a letter that she was accepted to the detective school, she gets angry about that and throws a hissy fit and screams at her mother.
"She’d screamed, threatened, and cajoled, and finally they had dropped the idea—she’d thought. So why was this letter here now?" Why is a 12 year old threatening her parents. She is so dramatic.
“You can’t do this to me!” screamed Amanda. This was the worst news ever—far worse than the time Billy Banana had pulled her skirt up at recess in the first grade. “I don’t want to go to that filthy old school. I want to stay here and make movies.”

I also don't think it's appropriate that the author wrote the part about her being harassed by a boy. Little girls don't need to read about a girl getting he dress pulled up by a boy.

Amanda gets even worse when she is at the school.
She gets angry that she was chosen to be in Holmes House (house thing sounds so familiar the author is obsessed with J.K. Rowling, she mentioned this in a q&a in the back of the book) she yells out she doesn't want to be in the Holmes House. This girl is so dramatic about everything.
When she unpacks her clothes she finds a couple of books her mother packs for her.
"Her mother had hidden several of the books she’d written in her luggage. Amanda was so furious that she picked up the top one and threw it across the room, where it hit a wall and fell down behind a dresser. How could she?" (How could you throw a book? she has no respect for anything.) "She had no right, no right to invade her privacy and try to propagandize her with that detective junk. She threw the other two books under the bed and practically ripped the rest of her clothes out of the trunk."

Amanda is very rude to everyone she meets. When she first meets her roommate she mentions that the girl is blind and she think who ever heard of a blind detective?

After Amanda threw the books and was rude to ivy I gave up on the book. The author wrote 9 books about her. Who could even stand writing about her?? The author mentions that her test readers didn't like how Amanda was, "I ended up making her less angry and her parents less overbearing." Amanda is still a very angry girl. I feel bad for the people who had to read this book for the author because I'd hate to see what the other drafts looked like.


I would not recommend this book to anyone to read. Read Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys instead.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:

Title: Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy
Author: Paula Berinstein
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 16
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 16 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘Interesting detective story. I liked the school setting a lot. The characters were interesting, and the surprise ending was surprising. It’s a little too long in parts but other than that it’s really good.’ Girl, aged 14
‘Loved the cover, loved the plot, loved the ending. A bit too much telling and not enough showing. I like a good detective book so this was perfect for me.’ Boy, aged 15
‘Very Nancy Drew. Fun story.’ Girl, aged 16
‘A very long book but it kept me interested until the very last page.’ Girl, aged 15
‘The best part is the school. It was like Hogwarts for detectives. Clever plot. Children will enjoy trying to work out the mystery. Writing style was convoluted and went on too long. I think it needs editing to cut out parts of it.’ Boy, aged 16

‘An exciting mystery that packs a punch. A FINALIST and highly recommended for YA.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy" which I won through Goodreads/First Reads is a tween adventure filled with mystery and intrigue that begins when twelve year old Amanda Lester a descendant of Scotland Yard Inspector G. Lestrade is reluctantly enrolled at " Legatum Continuatum: the Enduring School for Detectives" at Lake Windemere in England. A filmmaker at heart Amanda not only deplores any connection to her bumbling ancestor who worked with master sleuth Sherlock Holmes, a detective she considers egotistical and overrated but being forced to study at the secret detective school.

But as Amanda makes new friends especially the good-looking, magnetic Nicholas (Nick) Muffet and strange events begin to unfold that rouse her curiosity she slowly becomes embroiled in a mystery and a conspiracy that goes far beyond an assigned school project.

Paula Berinstein sets the stage for this captivating tale of secrets, lies, murder and deceit at the Legatum Continuatum a covert school that teaches the young descendants of famous detectives the "tools and tricks of the trade". Divided into five houses with fifty students each the plot heats up when Gaston Thornkill the headmaster advises the students that they must solve a crime before the end of the term and that the winning house will receive future privileges. But to Amanda and her friends who have found blood spatters and heard noises in the walls the mystery has already begun.

With an explosion on school grounds, a pink powder found in odd places and suspects murdered not only does the author build tension and suspense but the intensity and pace of the plot escalate. And if that's not enough to start Amanda's investigative skills boiling, her father disappears and she begins receiving threatening emails. With natural dialogue and humor Paula Berinstein cleverly captures not only the emotional upheavals of being a tween but in the case of Amanda her angst and her family's interaction when she's forced to move away from all she knows and loves, as well as the flattery and confusion of a first attraction.

Like the plot the characters are realistic and engaging especially Amanda Lester who was told she's close-minded, dictatorial and a micromanager by her girlfriends in the Stick Dog Filmmakers Club. Yet in the detective school her flaws are minimized as she becomes more of a team player, showing a resourceful, clever and impulsive nature. Smitten by the dashing and creative Nick Muffet who has a similar interest in film, she's quickly enchanted by his niceness and easy smiles that mask secrets and a connection to an infamous villain.

Of the other characters who add their intelligence and expertise to the investigation are blind but perceptive and cheerful Ivy Halpin; her loyal, curious and likeable dog Nigel; the strong-willed and moody Amphora Kapoor; and the brilliant, dependable, but awkward and sometimes annoying Simon Binkle.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy" and highly recommend it to tweens and teens alike. I look forward to seeing what's in-store next for Amanda and her friends.

[Carol Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her friends in California consider Amanda Lester a know-it-all. Amanda disagrees. She just wants things done right, especially when it comes to her film-making. She can't help it if her way is always right!

Amanda's parents are another problem. They seem to be plotting out her whole future for her. Their lifelong dream is for her to carry on the family tradition by becoming a great detective in the manner of their esteemed ancestor, G. Lestrade. They've even enrolled her -- against her will -- in a secret school for the descendants of great detectives. In England no less!

Amanda hates detective stories, and especialy those connected with Sherlock Holmes! Why can't her parents just accept that and move on? Why can't they understand she's a film-maker and always will be.

But from the moment Amanda arrives at her new school strange things begin to happen. In spite of herself, Amanda's curiosity is piqued and she's soon deeply ensconced in the intrigue and challenge of solving a real mystery. Dead bodies. Missing persons. Explosions! She and her new friends, including her super cool friend and schoolgirl crush, Nick Muffet, can't figure out if it's part of a class project or something more sinister.

Then her father is kidnapped.

The story builds to a crescendo with the guarantee of plenty of excitement along the way. I don't want to give away the surprise ending other than to say it will not disappoint.

Young Amanda comes off as a very believable "tween." She's smart beyond her twelve years, and spunky, with just the right touch of teen angst.

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy is just the first of a series of detective stories by author Paula Berinstein. While her target audience is primarily those in their tween years, Amanda is advanced beyond her years and will likely appeal to young teens as well.

[Derrick Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy is a smashing Holmesian debut from Paula Berinstein. The book involves a plucky young girl by the name of Amanda Lester who is a descendant of Inspector G. Lestrade, the Scotland Yard friend of Sherlock Holmes. Despite her rich ancestry, Amanda wants nothing to do with Inspector Lestrade nor with the world's first consulting detective. She would rather be a film student than work on solving a mystery. Poor Amanda is out of luck as her parents who don't understand her, send her away to The Secret Detective School, a Hogwarts of sorts for descendents of famous detectives. At the school, Amanda must help her friends solve a mystery involving murdered cooks, sugar powered weapons, and the evil descendents of Professor Moriarty. What I found particularly compelling was how rich and believable the teen characters are in the book. As a middle school teacher, I always look for books to share with my students, and I know my students, especially the girls, will find Amanda Lester a character they can relate to. Facing the dilemmas of parents who don't understand her, crushes which are unrequited, and friends who are not always friendly, Amanda is a character all students can understand. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of mysteries and young adult literature. I look forward to reading the further adventures of Amanda Lester in books two and three, and hopefully more!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery for preteens and young adult readers. I love reading these books written for our youth which is somewhat expected since I am an 8th grade English teacher. It is so much better when the book is well-written -- and this one definitely is. There are no "lags" in the storyline, and the mystery is set up so that readers can try to work out the mystery as things evolve. Anybody who is a lover of mystery books and books for our younger generation should try this one. Although it is a somewhat lengthy, I read it in one day (but I had to stay up until 11:00 pm to finish it!).

I loved the characters. They were well-developed, and there were some surprising elements about them. Amanda was no surprise, though. But I DID love her! "Pink sugar," you ask? Intriguing, isn't it? Read the book and find out (AND you will find out how it fits with a murder investigation).

I'm sure you'll enjoy this novel as much as I did. I look forward to the upcoming series!

[Absurd Book Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! If you love detectives and mysteries, this will be right up your alley. Amanda wants to be a filmmaker, but her parents want her to follow in the family tradition and become a detective like her famous ancestor, Lestrade. So they send her to detective school where she meets lots of other kids descended from famous detectives. The school makes a great setting for this well-done mystery.

The mystery itself was well written. It kept me guessing and I didn't figure it out until Amanda did. The author kept t he story believable and the pace was perfect. The characters are nice and fleshed out, including the side characters who were awesome. This is a great introduction to the series!!!

I received a free ARC in return for my honest review.

[Kim Pumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Paula! My 9 year old Granddaughter (Lily) and I so enjoyed your book. Lily was so excited that I had a chance to meet you in Westlake and when I told her a little about your book she couldn't wait to start reading. We both had a hard time putting the book down and couldn't wait to pick it up the following day to continue the adventure. We both are looking forward to your next book. Thank you for make our Summer reading so fun.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

not my typical selection , but well written. liked the Sherlock Holmes tie in with school and villain bravo PAULA BERINSTEIN.. Thanks for the free reads on GOODREADS ...

[Criticalmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite his name, Cricket Martini-Curls was a tea man. He despised how fellow members of the criminal aristocracy assumed he could be appeased with one of those vermouth concoctions. Fools! One would think that the magnificent Martini-Henry rifles which had conquered half the world would have made a lasting impression. Two cups of Tetley’s, leaves couriered from the most underhanded tea shop in Edinburgh?, soothed his temper sufficiently that chief henchman Simcoe Alehops dared to approach his decommissioned Soviet Balzam-class intelligence ship’s command chair again.

"Apologies, sir, but there was a call on the sat phone. A distressing incident at your son’s school."

Ah, young Karl! Probably put a few of the older aspiring criminal geniuses into Schola Sceleratorum’s infirmary again. A generation of supervillains would long remember Karl’s cunning in battle and superior physical prowess- a miniscule price for any momentary trouble with the headmaster. "Proceed, Alehops. Spare no detail."

His henchman shifted from foot to foot, appearing ready to duck behind the radar console. "The academy requires a small tuition increase to cover recent damage. Very small. Well. Doubling, in fact."

"What?" Martini-Curls vaulted from his command chair as if the boat had been struck by a missile. "How? Why?"

"It seems," Alehops quivered from behind cover, "it’s all the fault of a student from Legatum."

"Legatum Continuatum!" Britain’s hated secret academy for young detectives. Every underworld kingpin’s nemesis was an alumnus of that exclusive school. Cricket Martini-Curls longed for nothing in the world so much as to cause its towers to crumble. Many of his peers had tried. None yet had been able to penetrate its defences or out-manoeuvre its faculty of goody-goody investigators to slay its brood of teen detectives.

"The student’s name is Amanda Lester. A descendant of Sherlock Holmes’ vile law enforcing halfwit, Inspector Lestrade."

"Amanda Lester, eh?" Martini-Curls hurled his teacup, missing a damned cat who leapt to the salvation of the comms station with a hiss. "Tell me more."

###

"The Moriarty family has compiled extensive files," Alehops shared eagerly. Blixus Moriarty, Cricket’s old roommate at Schola Sceleratorum! The world had not forgotten his illustrious great-great uncle, the lucky worm. "Amanda Lester, age twelve, transferred in this past January. Initially she had difficulty settling in to Legatum, with its classes on pathology, toxicology, disguise and other crime-fighting skills. I understand that detective work held no appeal for her. She aspired to be a film director like the famous Darius Plover, back in her native Los Angeles."

Film. As if endless enigmatic species of myxomycetes did not promise warty plasmodia enough for a lifetime of fascinating scientific study! Martini-Curls simply could not understand the youth of today. "We have a mole inside Legatum, do we not? Could our sleeper not sabotage this fish-out-of-water Lestrade and undermine the morale of the student population?"

Alehops furiously consulted his notes, white cat hair flying about. "Ah! Yes, sir, there are observations here that could only have been gathered by someone planted inside the school! Amanda Lester faced challenges considerable enough to make most children despair, but with the help of friends like Amphora Kapoor, Nick Muffet, Ivy Halpin and Simon Binkle she... well, obviously must have triumphed over those challenges if she was able to obliterate your son’s-"

"OBLITERATE?" Martini-Curls screamed. Schola Sceleratorum, obliterated?

"When I said tuition fees doubled," Alehops danced with practiced agility, dodging everything Cricket could throw at him, "I meant, doubled by a scale of ten. I don’t know the word for when they add an extra zero to the price."

"Simpleton!"

"Yes, they simpletoned the bill. Place needs to be rebuilt, really."

Martini-Curls grabbed the nearest Chinchilla Persian and wound his arm back, but the spitting beast’s claws dug deep into sleeve and flesh and made it impossible to throw. Cricket felt like a fool, hopping around the bridge screaming expletives and flailing a cat. Simcoe Alehops eventually set a hot cup of relaxing tea at his command chair. Cricket collapsed, grudgingly appreciating that his chief henchman was not altogether worthless. "You handle the expenses for my son’s school, Alehops. Please tell me that you were trying to extort an inflated sum from your employer, like any competent criminal would."

Alehops blushed again. "I was, sir. Not quite ten times an increase. It’s eight."

###


"Damn that ingenious Amanda Lester!" Martini-Curls quietly savored a sip, belligerent Persian still clinging to his forearm. "This ship cannot afford any increase! Can you conceive how completely I have invested into this sugar opportunity? And today’s smuggling operation?" Rats squeaked in surprise. Cats stopped chasing them. The battered heads of the full crew swiveled at that too-loud pronouncement. "Mu-ha, I meant," Cricket recovered, "of course you’ll all be paid! Back wages and everything. Mu-ha! Alehops, please report the favorable news."

"Good news? Of course, sir, if you wish! It is not all easy sailing for Amanda Lester. She has weaknesses. Her best friend is blind. That should be a doddle to exploit. Her weakness for cute boys, too! Her relationship with her parents is notably strained. That is an area where adversaries like ourselves can cause her pain. Plenty of opportunity for conflict, unless she grows and develops."

"Excellent!" Martini-Curls drained his cup. Simcoe had ducked behind two of the larger mercenaries. "What now? Expound, Alehops, or be damned!"

"A second call came through, from our del- erm, smugglers," Alehops proffered. "I’m afraid they’ve been nabbed by detectives ashore. They rang requesting you to organize a solicitor."

"Dimwits! And the slow lorises?"

"For the vetting process, the buyer brought her own veterinarian, sir. All had a bad dose of monkey pox, I’m afraid. Wouldn’t part with a cent."

All those eyes stared unblinking again. "What, the scope of exotic pet smuggling is second only to illegal narcotics!" Martini-Curls vehemently defended. "There’s a lot of money in monkeys. Usually. Just not this time."

"So we’re not getting paid?" Simcoe dared. The crew menaced a step closer.

Schola Sceleratorum had a semester-long study of the Technique and Application of Mu-ha-ha-ha. Martini-Curls had earned one of his few A’s. He demonstrated now that his skills remained undiminished. The crew were visibly reassured. "Of course you will get your due! Mu-ha! On a completely unrelated note, look off to our port bow! No, your other port! Left, ‘port’ means ‘left’! Do you see that? Keep looking out to sea, quell! There, on the horizon, I see a purple rainbow approaching."

Pocketing the ship’s precious orange crystal, Cricket crept through the hatch and into his escape craft. Motoring across rough swells at speed, he realized he had forgotten his bug-out bag stuffed with bundles of tea and Swiss francs. Tears streaming from the salty gale, Cricket Martini-Curls vowed revenge against that meddling girl.

The cat on his sleeve growled and eyed him malevolently.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda is a typical tween, at odds with her parents and enjoying her life in LA as an aspiring filmmaker. When her parents announce that they are moving to England and that she will attending a top secret Detective school, she is devastated. As a descendant of the bumbling Inspector G. Lestrade, she has been exposed to Sherlock Holmes all her life. However, she hates Holmes and relates more to his nemesis, Professor Moriarty. She has no desire to be a Detective!

After arriving at the School, Amanda begins to make friends with her roommates as well as the devastatingly handsome Nick and a nerdy, yet brilliant boy named Simon. Her roommate Ivy is blind and comes with a wonderful Golden Retriever named Nigel. Of course, there is a bully who makes life difficult for Amanda at every turn.

Soon, things start to happen around the School that make Amanda and her friends wonder what is really happening. Are the strange events all a part of their class project? Or, is there something much more nefarious going on?

I absolutely loved this book and all the characters in it. The story was humorous, engaging, and had a great series of mysteries behind it. The Professor's names were hilarious (Professor Pickle!) and each of them came to life as the story progressed. The author did a wonderful job in character development as well as story development.

The narrator did a spot-on job with this book. His voices were perfect and added a lot to the book. Even though I am well past the middle grade age, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you love Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, or just a fun mystery, give this book a try. I look forward to reading the next adventure in this series and know that Amanda and her friends will continue to bring enjoyment to Ms. Berinstein's readers for a long time!

[Greg Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and the pink sugar conspiracy

A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a little slow to start but picks up towards the end shaping up to be a enjoyable read

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who is a descendant of the ever famous Inspector G. Lestrade, a colleague of Sherlock Holmes, Amanda is not very happy about it. In fact, she is already fed up since that’s what all her parents want to talk about. All she hears about everyday are either stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Inspector G. Lestrade or anything related to detective works and she’s already sick of it! Can’t her parents understand that she doesn’t want to do anything with it, and directing movies is where her passion really lies? Her goal in life is to be a successful director like her favorite, Darius Plover.

However, her parents are not the only problem she had to deal with. She also had a fight with Laurie Wong and Jill Javor, her co-members of the Stick Dog Filmmakers Club and Production Company. Their secret meeting for the Kangoroo Egg Film Festival was ruined and turned into a brawl when Jill suggested that they should make a detective story and forget all about the Psychological Thriller. With that she doesn’t have anyone to help her do the movie.

What Amanda thought a bad day turned to worst when her Uncle Randy mentioned a letter she received. She was pretty excited about it thinking it came from the West Coast Young Filmmakers, but all her hopes were gone when she saw ‘Legatum Continuatum: The School for Detectives’ written at the envelope. Her parents enrolled her to The Legatum Continuatum School, the most prestigious detective training institution in the world. They did it without her knowledge and without saying goodbye to anyone from her previous school, her family moved to UK during the Christmas Break.

Everyone was very excited about the move except for Amanda. Her mother told her that her father was offered a job from the Crown Prosecution Service in London, just a few hours away from her school. Since she had no choice but to comply to her parents decision, Amanda started her spring term in her new school. There, she met a lot of people such as her three roommates — Ivy Halpin, her guide dog, Nigel, and Amphora Kapoor. She also met the handsome, Nicholas Muffet or Nick for short and Simon.

Needless to say, her new school literary changes her life and her whole perspective of the detective world. In there, she finally accepted her destiny and heritage little by little.

I’m not gonna lie, the very first time I saw Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy, I was literally in awe. I mean, it has the most colorful and beautiful front and back covers I’ve ever seen! I can still remember myself staring at the monitor for hours just looking at the book covers. I was just mesmerized by it!

The front and back covers are very helpful for the readers because it will give them the idea of what the characters looked like and the overview of the school, and some parts of what happened in the book. Aside from that, the first pages had a floor plan of the whole school and important notes about the rooms and class descriptions while the back pages had a summary of some of the famous detective in the world. I think this is a brilliant idea because I was able to picture the whole thing!

This book reminds me of Harry Potter but full of twist, and brought me back to the days I was still Nancy Drew! There are four houses at The Legatum Continuatum School —- Dupin House, Father Brown House, Van Helden House, and Holmes House which made me think of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Overall, this book is a complete package! It has an amazing cover with fun characters and a great story line that every reader will totally enjoy and get hooked with!

**Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.**

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about this book that draws me in and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Perhaps it was the concept. It was the concept that made me interested in this book before I even read the description. This isn't a school for fairy tale characters, which seems to be a popular theme at the moment. No, it is a school for the descendants of famous detectives, and this is a very different theme than fairy tale characters. I enjoyed reading about the way that the school functioned, as well as about the different classes offered. It was a new take on the 'Descendants School' theme and I enjoyed that.

Perhaps the thing that drew me in was the characters. I can honestly saw that reading about the different characters and their interactions was my favorite part of this book. I enjoyed watching their relationships with each other develop change. I particularly liked Ivy. The reason for this is because even though she is blind, she still attends this detective school and is one of the best sleuths in our cast of characters. Due to her lack of eyesight, Ivy has a wonderful sense of hearing, and it was interesting to see how this, as well as the use of her Seeing Eye dog, played into solving the mystery.

Also, it was unique how the main character was not descended from Sherlock, or Moriarty, or a 'cool' main character like them. No, she is descended from Lestrade, and that, also, played into the plot.

In the beginning of the novel the character has a rather strained relationship with her parents, and she dislikes both them and her Lestrade family ancestry. Near the end of the book you can see her opinions changing and she comes to appreciate, and even love, both of those things.

Now it is time to talk about the mystery itself. In the book, there are really two mysteries going on, and the characters have to sort out which clues go with one, and which with the other. This makes it trickier for the reader to figure out, and will keep them guessing at the solution. The last 20% of the book was very exciting, and that was where you learned the answer to the mystery.

I would be shocked if you managed to figure out the mystery's answer. It was very creative and very unique.

The writing could seem a bit simple at times, but it didn't bother me significantly, and for the most part the writing style was pleasing. Strangely, my interest waned during the middle of the book. This only lasted for a few chapters, however. Also, the fact that my interest waned could very well have been because I was approaching a reading slump.

So perhaps it is the characters who are drawing me to this series, or perhaps it was the uniqueness of the plot, the mystery, and solution. Either way, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Amanda Lester is a descendant from G. Lestrade, a detective that worked with Sherlock Homes. Her father, Herb, is a detective and her mother, Lila, is a well-known author of detective novels. Is it any wonder that Amanda wants nothing to do with the detective world. She wants to make movies and living outside Los Angeles is the place to do it, that is until the family moves to the UK and she is enrolled in a secret school for detectives. Only descendants of famous detective families are allowed in, but Amanda wants out, until ....

The school seems rather strict and she has no choice what team she is on or who her roommates will be but she has lucked out. When they find blood droplets, pink sugar, the garage explodes and the cook gets murdered, Amanda and her friends are up to their eyeballs in clues to solve the mystery. But, is this a real crime or just part of the elaborate crime set up each year for the students to solve. When Amanda's father disappears, she begins breaking the rules to save him.

Move over Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon, this is an updated to the twenty-first century female buddy crime solving series. Amanda's friends are loyal and smart, her nemesis is handsome and sometimes smart. She uses both her detecting skills and her movie knowledge to find clues to solve the mystery. Her friends stick by her even when she is wrong and does not tell them what is going on. She learns to trust others and use their skills as well as her own.

I thought the cast of kids that make up Amanda’s circle of friends were well done and entertaining. There’s just enough drama, puppy love, and special skills between the lot of them to draw in a young reader. There’s also a good bit of danger. There were some spots that seemed a little long and too drawn out, but overall the plot was engaging and moved well. After the story, there’s a listing of famous sleuths, both fictional and real, and their claims to fame as well as a list of book club questions for young readers. The beginning of the book included information such as the types of classes etc which I believe would have worked better at the end of the book. To be honest, I skimmed them and went back and looked at them later in the book.

This would be a great series for girls looking for a hero or role model in the 9 to 12 year old range. It might pull in some of the boys as well.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy - Amanda Lester Mystery 1
Author: Paula Berinstein
Published: 5-22-15
Publisher: The Writing Show
Pages: 335
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Sub Genre: Mystery and Detectives, Children's Fiction
ISBN: 9780986030482
ASIN: B00Y41B470
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley

.
Twelve year old Amanda lives to create films, living in L.A. that is not surprising. When her latest project goes south and her actors quit, because of her micromanaging and her pushy style, her parents decide to send her to a secret Academy for the descendants of famous detectives. Amanda does not want to be there and is not about to give up her dreams of becoming a film maker just because her ancestor was Inspector Lestrand of Scotland Yard who sometimes worked with Sherlock Holmes.


When she begins to find drops of blood and an odd substance in strange places. She, at first believes it may be a test set up by the teachers so she was not too worried at first. Then her father disappears and the school cook is found dead. Amanda must embrace her talents as a detective and her new friends at the Academy to find her father and solve the mystery of the Pink Sugar Conspiracy.



A wonderful book for readers both young and those young at heart. Whether you are ten or Fifty you will find the Amanda Lester series an enjoyable read. To help the reader understand the different classes discussed in the book there is an explanation of what each class involves as well as floor plans and maps. The help the reader to picture the different places and events as they happen in the book.

I would rate this series close with the potential to match the popularity of the Harry Patter series. Follow the clues and be drawn into the world of Amanda Lester and never want to leave.


Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Lester-S...

Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Amand...#

Goodreads link : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/The-Reading-...#

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first paragraph already made me an Amanda Lester fan. I have a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes (always have had), and the idea that one of Detective Lestrade's (a police detective who had close ties with Mr. Holmes) descendants would be a girl, who wants nothing to do with her ancestry had me smiling right away. Especially when she calls Sherlock Holmes 'Mr. La-di-da boring detective, whoop-de-doo.'

Another huge bonus is the added information at the front of the book. There are maps, floor plans, a glossary and other goodies which allow a reader to visually get everything laid out before the mystery begins--and also as a great aide once the story gets underway. And at the end of the book, there is a list with descriptions of other great detectives, questions to help with class discussions and a nice author interview.

Amanda is a girl with lots of spunk, tenacity, and won't take no for an answer. . .unless it's her parents. Even when she's forbidden to follow her hobby (film-making) and shipped off to some detective school in the UK, she manages to make it all shift in her direction. She's easily distracted and, at times, a little bit scattered brained, but it makes her that much more lovable.

I really enjoyed the fact that the mystery takes place in a 'detective' school. In some ways, it reminded me of the famous Hogwarts (4 different houses, unexpected things around every corner), which made the story that much more endearing. There's lots of fun little details here and there, but there's never an overload on descriptions either. It's just enough at the right times.

As to the story itself, it's a wonderful mystery which is perfect for kids around ten to fourteen years old. Amanda and her friends aren't out to find trouble, but rather notice that something is up bit by bit. This allows the tension to build, while the layers of secrets slowly come to light. It's unpredictable, full of surprises and seasoned with just the right amount of humor.

Summed up, this is a great story which is sure to catch young mystery lovers' attention, and I can only recommend it.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristine (The Writer's Inkwell) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review was originally posted on The Writer's Inkwell

As a child, I never really got into the whole detective thing. I was more into horror, so I've never really read any of the classic detective stories. I say this with a sense of irony, seeing as I own a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories and have never even cracked open the book.

Going into this series, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm clearly out of the age range for the book and it's a genre I rarely explore, unless you count the Alex Cross series. But, I'm becoming a teacher and I have a son who is the correct age for the books, so I felt it was imperative that I check out this book and I'm glad I did.

I felt a connection to Amanda from the very beginning. Though I have never experienced a desire to be a film maker, I too, have struggled with the idea that things should be my way or the highway. So as Amanda's last set of friends closes the door in her face, I couldn't help but feel for the character. This connection helped to draw me in as Amanda's life is turned upside down and she's forced into a secret detective school in England. In a way, I felt Amanda's new surroundings were reminiscent of the towns featured in cozy mysteries. Much like a cozy mystery, it is the quirky characters and mysterious plot that really added strength and charm to Amanda's story.

My lack of knowledge of classic detectives did hinder my reading at times, but not because of the writing or the story. I found that it was my own OCD and desire to look into each detective, that kept distracting me. Regardless of this hindrance, I did find this book to be a delightful read and I look forward to reading more of the series... as well as eventually finding time to investigate historically famous detectives. This is definitely a series I plan to introduce my own children to and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did!

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Lester is a 12-year-old budding filmmaker, just about to enter a competition in her home- town with her company the stick dogs, when her ancestor G. Lestrade, bumbling detective who basked in the reflected glory of Sherlock Holmes steps in and propels her off to Lake Windemere to attend Legatum, a secret school for detectives.
Amanda does not want to go into the family business, she has no pride in her connections, in fact quite the opposite. But, she's 12. She has no choice. Despite objecting to the idea once Amanda settles down she finds not only that she's making friends but that she seems to have a natural aptitude for this kind of thing. With her friends Ivy, Amphora, Simon and Editta she learns things she thought she'd never learn. And of course, there's Nick Moffat, dishy and charming he seems to have taken a shine to plump and tempestuous Amanda Lester.
Part of their first-year project is to solve a mystery that the teachers have set up for them. They'll know it when they see it and when the garage explodes that's got to be it, right?
But there's more to this. Amanda's sweet tooth detects a lack of sugar in the desserts, and when she finds sprinklings of what appears to be pink sugar around the school the cogs of her mind start to turn in spite of herself.
There's more to this story than I can put in one review, let's just say that there's a lot more to this book than meets the eye, so much so that uncharacteristically I have now moved straight on to the next in the series.
Amanda, although a prickly character is still loveable, the idea of a junior detective brings to my mind the Secret Seven and Famous Five books by Enid Blyton as well as a touch of Harry Potter. It all combines to make a really enjoyable read. Recommended if you want something light, entertaining and fun.

[Penny Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Lester and The Pink Sugar Conspiracy is the first book in the series. It is directed towards middle schoolers but I have to say that I loved reading it and I am an adult sometimes. LOL The cover is striking, that is what caught my attention but when I opened it and began reading I didn't want to stop. I loved reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries as a middle schooler but would have loved to have had the chance to read this series too. Harry Potter also came to mind while reading but without the magic. It is packed full of mystery and detective work by some very bright kids.
Amanda wants to be a film maker but her parents expect her to follow in the foot steps of her descendant, Lestrade. He was a detective that would work alongside Sherlock Holmes. Actually lets tell the truth he kinda messed somethings up. Embarrassing! Her parents have planned this her whole life to end up going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives. YIKES, not really her idea of a good time at the beginning. She does come around and makes some new friends as well as ends up in a mystery. What is the pink substance they keep finding??? Is this really a mystery or some school assignment that no one knows they are participating in???
Things turn very serious very fast when her father goes missing and the cook is found dead! This is no game! She and her friends are now in the middle of this mystery and must find all the clues and solve this crime. They need to do this quickly before her father is missing permanently. There is a catch, a nemesis of Holmes, Moriarty has a descendant at the school too. Does he hold the key?
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this fun series.
I recieved this book from NetGalley for an honest review.