Where Would Cows Hide?

by Donald C. Stewart

The Parker twins, Brad and Charlie, didn't want to join their parents on vacation in Hawaii. A little sister can be annoying, but little sister, Zoey, was over the top. "The three of us aren't going to Hawaii," she told them. Her parents were shocked by her statement even though it was true. This was not the first time Zoey offered surprising knowledge of future events, nor would it be the last. Arriving at their grandparent's cattle ranch in Oklahoma, the twins learn of the disappearance of cattle from the ranch. This knowledge would set of a series of events that would challenge any detective. There were the mysterious neighbors, the strange lady at church, a psychic lazy dog, and a weird little sister to keep the twins totally confused in their efforts to solve this strange mystery.

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2008

Reviews

[Lacy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie and Brad Parker may be twins, but they couldn't be more different.

Brad is a tech-geek – he loves to take apart and put together all kinds of gadgets. Charlie thinks that his kindly old neighbor is a government spy and tries to watch her through the telescope – when his parents don't catch him, that is.

One thing both brothers can agree on is they love spending time at their grandparents' farm. But when Charlie and Brad, along with little sister Zoey, arrive in Oklahoma, they find that things aren't as they remember.

For a farmer, what could be worse than losing cattle? Not much. Unfortunately, Grandpa Parker and many of his neighbors have recently been subject to thefts of one of their most valuable resources.

When Brad and Charlie overhear the cattle thieves making plans to steal more of their granddad's stock, they start making plans to catch the bad guys. But can they stay out of trouble long enough to help?

Stewart's debut YA novel is witty, action-packed, and appropriate for kids of all ages. This book took me back to my own childhood, when I voraciously devoured the Boxcar Children mysteries.

Brad and Charlie are typical boys, who get into scrapes and fight with each other and their sister… but they’re also NOT just typical boys, because of the unique traits Stewart has given them. They love spying, but they’re also good at it thanks to the information Stewart builds into what the reader knows about Charlie and Brad.

This book wouldn’t be complete without the deftly handled details. Stewart slips some farming information into dialogue, lets us know that it’s HOT in the summer in Oklahoma, shows us a yard filled with junk, all of it done without overloading the reader with paragraphs of information.

Lastly, humor seems to be the author’s middle name. Stewart uses both funny scenes and silly dialogue to add another facet to a wonderful story.

If you’ve got a tweener who enjoys mystery, fast-paced fiction, and humor, this book is a must-buy.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Would Cows Hide was written by D.C. Stewart. It is a comic mystery about two twins spending two weeks on their grandparent’s farm with their eight year old sister, Zoey, who continuously hears “God talking to her”. Is she really? You decide. But the farm is anything but peaceful. Their grandpa’s cows are getting stolen by rustlers. The eleven year old twins, careful Brad and lover of espionage Charlie, decide to investigate. Meanwhile, Zoey is having nightmares of the twins’ terrible demise in a dark place. Will they be okay, or will Zoey’s vision of death come true? This book is very up-to-date and is easy to understand. Mystery is its backbone, but its witty humor makes this book enjoyable for rereads. This book will appeal to ages eight to twelve, both genders. Well worth the buy! 5 stars!

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite the adventure for the entire Parker family, but especially for twin brothers Charlie and Brad. For a tweener novel, this book is great. For an adult, it is also interesting and entertaining. The end of the book held me in such suspense that I just could not figure what would happen next! I'm excited about the prospect of reading other novels by D.C. Stewart and recommend her books for others to read as well. This story would be enjoyed by girls and guys alike. Read it, and let me know what you think!!

[Terry]

This is an exciting and enjoyable book. Teen readers will be quickly engaged in the story and easily identify with the characters. The author has crafted a believable story, developed recognizable characters, and provided enough twists and turns of the plot to keep the reader happily glued to every page.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.