Hidden

by Dotti Enderle, T. Kyle Gentry (Illustrator)

Twelve-year-old Fiona finds an unopened love letter containing mysterious symbols when she and her parents clean out her recently deceased grandmother�s house. She soon realizes the symbols contain clues to a long-hidden treasure. Solving the mystery requires Fiona to learn more about astronomy and mythology as she discovers evidence of two murders and a kidnapping, encounters a ghost, and eventually finds treasure.

Genres: Mystery

104 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2007

About the author

I'm the author of literally (get it) dozens of books for children.

Born in Killeen, Texas on a cold January day in 1954. My family moved around a lot, allowing me to, over the years, live on a farm, in an historic home and always near rivers or bayous. My playthings were hula-hoops, old typewriters and a wooden leg named Charlie. (Yep, you read that right.) If you want a true glimpse of my childhood dreams, read my novel, Man in the Moon. The character Janine allows you inside my young mixed-up mind.

I’ve lived most of my life in Houston and still live there today. You’ll find me here reading, writing and smiling.

Reviews

[Terry]

This is a well-crafted story that is enjoyable and fun to read. The author knows her audience. The author sustains the reader’s interest by creating believable characters and a plot that is full of surprising twists and turns.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You can learn a lot from dead people. You just have to know where to look," says twelve-year-old Fiona, the day after her grandmother's funeral. She's none too happy about being recruited by her mother to help sort through Grandma's worldly possessions. That is, until underneath the drawer of an old cash register, Fiona finds an intriguing anniversary card to Millie from Don, with a strange message about having found "a new hiding place." A new hiding place for what?

Unable to draw her mother or dad into the mystery, she turns to a newfound friend named Eugene who seems to appear at the drop of a hat, and disappear just as quickly, especially when Fiona wants to introduce him to her parents. They work together to interpret the clues hoping a valuable treasure will be found. The mystery turns deadly when Grandma's house is broken in to and searched, or as Fiona observes; It looks like the house puked.

Hidden is a real page-turner. I know that's an overused expression, but I couldn't stop reading! A very enjoyable story for 8-12 and beyond. This adult reader enjoyed it immensely. Dotti Enderle's writing is funny, family-friendly, descriptive and concise. No words are wasted in this 'tween mystery. T. Kyle Gentry's illustrations are an added bonus. I'd recommend it for all.

[Kayla Cook]

Loved it