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Amanda Lester, Detective #1-4
Boxed Set: Amanda Lester, Detective, Legatum Continuatum Year 1
The books readers are calling "Sherlock Holmes meets Nancy Drew meets Harry Potter."
This set includes all four Amanda Lester, Detective books from the first year at the Legatum Continuatum Enduring School for Detectives.
Book 1, Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy
Book 2, Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis
Book 3, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle
Book 4, Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret
Amanda Lester wouldn’t be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes’s colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she’s going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.
When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away—until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they’re not sure whether these oddities mean anything, but when Amanda’s father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they’re 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.
Follow the exciting adventures of the girl who learned that sometimes you need to be part of something larger than yourself.
This set includes all four Amanda Lester, Detective books from the first year at the Legatum Continuatum Enduring School for Detectives.
Book 1, Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy
Book 2, Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis
Book 3, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle
Book 4, Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret
Amanda Lester wouldn’t be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes’s colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she’s going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.
When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away—until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they’re not sure whether these oddities mean anything, but when Amanda’s father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they’re 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.
Follow the exciting adventures of the girl who learned that sometimes you need to be part of something larger than yourself.
1527 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2016
9 people want to read
About the author
Paula Berinstein
67 books358 followersPaula 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2016
As this is a box set I copied the summaries of my reviews from each book here:
Book 1, Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy - 5 stars
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!
Book 2, Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis - 4 stars
this was a great sequel with both new plot lines and in a sense a continuation of the plot lines from the first book. I really liked the mysteries in this book and figuring out what's going on and if and how things tie together. I did figure one thing out shortly before the characters did, but I didn't mind that. It's fun to feel like I am alongside the characters figuring things out. The focus in this book is n the orange crystal and while I kinda liked the concept, I didn't like the scientific explanation behind it as it made no sense. And a scene towards the end felt a bit off to me due to what the orange crystal are and how they got used. I liked meeting some of the new characters in this book and getting to know the familiar ones more. Amanda is a great main character and she struggles with a lot of things in this book. There is a change in her attitude towards someone at the end that bothered me a bit as it felt too quickly. All in all this is a great series with enough interesting plot lines, mysteries and more personal things that are going on. I am looking forward to read the next book.
Book 3, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle - 4 stars
this was another great book in this series. I love how the story is a direct continuation of what happened in the previous books, while also dealing with new problems. I like that continuity and how the problems in this book are a direct result of what happened in the previous books. There are a lot of mysteries and things going on in this book and it could be a bit difficult to keep everything straight at times, but I really enjoyed the story and figuring out what had happened. I did have a small issue with the science, which seemed more like fantasy at times and how the detective bible was so important, but if felt a bit silly as we never know what's exactly in it and why it's so important. The characters are great and I start liking most of them more with each book. I am curious about Nick his character. The villains do seem a bit too evil and nasty at times, but we did learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains. I really like Amanda and her friends, there are some interesting developments with some characters too and I feel like we get to know them better in each book. I am looking forward to the next book!
Book 4, Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret - 4 stars
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Another great book in this series. This series is a lot of fun and the continuity is great. There are some storylines that were set up earlier already and continue here, some get resolved and other probably will continue further in the next book. There is lots of things going and it makes for an exciting read. It's very well written. There was one storyline I wasn't a fan of, but eventually was happy with how it got resolved. There are some nice twists and surprises in this book as well. This series has a great group of characters and it's fun getting to know them better and seeing them change and develop. There's also a bit more romance than in the previous books and it's turning into a bit of a love triangle. While it is realistically written, it's also a bit frustrating as I want her to end up with Nick. All in all another great book in this series and I am looking forward to the next one.
Book 1, Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy - 5 stars
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!
Book 2, Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis - 4 stars
this was a great sequel with both new plot lines and in a sense a continuation of the plot lines from the first book. I really liked the mysteries in this book and figuring out what's going on and if and how things tie together. I did figure one thing out shortly before the characters did, but I didn't mind that. It's fun to feel like I am alongside the characters figuring things out. The focus in this book is n the orange crystal and while I kinda liked the concept, I didn't like the scientific explanation behind it as it made no sense. And a scene towards the end felt a bit off to me due to what the orange crystal are and how they got used. I liked meeting some of the new characters in this book and getting to know the familiar ones more. Amanda is a great main character and she struggles with a lot of things in this book. There is a change in her attitude towards someone at the end that bothered me a bit as it felt too quickly. All in all this is a great series with enough interesting plot lines, mysteries and more personal things that are going on. I am looking forward to read the next book.
Book 3, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle - 4 stars
this was another great book in this series. I love how the story is a direct continuation of what happened in the previous books, while also dealing with new problems. I like that continuity and how the problems in this book are a direct result of what happened in the previous books. There are a lot of mysteries and things going on in this book and it could be a bit difficult to keep everything straight at times, but I really enjoyed the story and figuring out what had happened. I did have a small issue with the science, which seemed more like fantasy at times and how the detective bible was so important, but if felt a bit silly as we never know what's exactly in it and why it's so important. The characters are great and I start liking most of them more with each book. I am curious about Nick his character. The villains do seem a bit too evil and nasty at times, but we did learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains. I really like Amanda and her friends, there are some interesting developments with some characters too and I feel like we get to know them better in each book. I am looking forward to the next book!
Book 4, Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret - 4 stars
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Another great book in this series. This series is a lot of fun and the continuity is great. There are some storylines that were set up earlier already and continue here, some get resolved and other probably will continue further in the next book. There is lots of things going and it makes for an exciting read. It's very well written. There was one storyline I wasn't a fan of, but eventually was happy with how it got resolved. There are some nice twists and surprises in this book as well. This series has a great group of characters and it's fun getting to know them better and seeing them change and develop. There's also a bit more romance than in the previous books and it's turning into a bit of a love triangle. While it is realistically written, it's also a bit frustrating as I want her to end up with Nick. All in all another great book in this series and I am looking forward to the next one.
February 16, 2021
Great value on a terrific series! Move over Nancy Drew, there's a more modern detective in town!
The pink sugar conspiracy book 1
Move over Nancy Drew because Amanda Lester brings a whole new era of modern fun to the genre. Currently academy series are very popular. Harry Potter may have started the trend but it still seems to be going strong all these years later. Now is the best time to enjoy Paula Berinstein’s Amanda Lester series!
Amanda Lester is descended from Lestrade of Sherlock Holmes fame. She has heard so much from her parents about her famous ancestor that now she automatically hates everything to do with Lestrade, Holmes or detectives. Her mother writes mystery novels. Her father is a prosecutor and they are determined to turn Amanda into a detective. All she cares about is filmmaking.
Her parents are less than supportive. They pull her from school, mid-year to move to England where they have enrolled Amanda in a secret detective academy. Will the school be able to win her over? Or will she continue her hate/hate relationship with all things mystery?
The orange crystal book 2
This second book in the Amanda Lester series is a very strong follow up to the first. Having an academy series for the younger readers is wonderful. If you know any middle school aged people, I highly recommend you share it!
Amanda went through a lot in her first semester of detective school. She formed strong friendships, helped solve several mysteries and foiled villains. She also saw someone she cared for turn on her just before he was killed. That is something she is really struggling with. Not knowing if anything about their friendship was real is the hardest part.
Now she is supposed to show a new student around. The problem is that she has things against him before even meeting him. He is a descendant of Sherlock Holmes, the detective she despises more than anyone. Amanda is sure he will be just as smug as the other Holmes.
When she blurts out a rude comment in front of the whole class on first seeing him, it isn’t something she will be able to get over. What is more, everyone else seems smitten with him, even her friends. Has Amanda just found her new rivalry? Will the Summer session go better than the last?
The purple rainbow puzzle book 3
The saga continues! Things just won’t seem to go Amanda’s way. At least others are taking her more seriously.
Things didn’t go well when Amanda and her friends, including her new boyfriend Holmes, battled the Moriaritys. Seeing Amanda’s reaction when she discovered that Nick was still alive, brought Amanda and Holmes budding romance to a halt.
Beyond Amanda’s personal problems, the school is in trouble. The teachers are divided. In fact one group threatens to leave the school and start their own.
Holmes hasn’t been able to track the hacker that is interfering with the school. Now it seems the hacker is able to affect reality! Can the school be saved?
The blue peacock’s secret book 4
Nick is back and so are Amanda’s confusing secrets! Another great mystery for Amanda Lester.
Amanda is sure her feelings for Holmes are still strong, though he is quite hurt. But when Amanda has an accident, being knocked off her skateboard by a rare peacock, she wakes up on Nick’s boat. Was that kiss a dream or did Nick really kiss her?
There is too much happening for Amanda to spend much time on her love life. One group of teachers has left the school. Amanda’s cousins and several of the students along with the headmaster are still with their kidnappers, and there is a huge archeological find near the school.
With so many things to be involved with, how can Amanda hope to solve any of the mysteries? After finding a page of the missing Detective’s Bible She is also immersed in trying to break its code with Holmes. Which feelings will win out? Holmes vs Moriarity on a whole new level!
Merged review:
A modern academy series for the younger reader! Great series. Move over Nancy Drew, meet Amanda Lester!
The pink sugar conspiracy book 1
Move over Nancy Drew because Amanda Lester brings a whole new era of modern fun to the genre. Currently academy series are very popular. Harry Potter may have started the trend but it still seems to be going strong all these years later. Now is the best time to enjoy Paula Berinstein’s Amanda Lester series!
Amanda Lester is descended from Lestrade of Sherlock Holmes fame. She has heard so much from her parents about her famous ancestor that now she automatically hates everything to do with Lestrade, Holmes or detectives. Her mother writes mystery novels. Her father is a prosecutor and they are determined to turn Amanda into a detective. All she cares about is filmmaking.
Her parents are less than supportive. They pull her from school, mid-year to move to England where they have enrolled Amanda in a secret detective academy. Will the school be able to win her over? Or will she continue her hate/hate relationship with all things mystery?
The orange crystal book 2
This second book in the Amanda Lester series is a very strong follow up to the first. Having an academy series for the younger readers is wonderful. If you know any middle school aged people, I highly recommend you share it!
Amanda went through a lot in her first semester of detective school. She formed strong friendships, helped solve several mysteries and foiled villains. She also saw someone she cared for turn on her just before he was killed. That is something she is really struggling with. Not knowing if anything about their friendship was real is the hardest part.
Now she is supposed to show a new student around. The problem is that she has things against him before even meeting him. He is a descendant of Sherlock Holmes, the detective she despises more than anyone. Amanda is sure he will be just as smug as the other Holmes.
When she blurts out a rude comment in front of the whole class on first seeing him, it isn’t something she will be able to get over. What is more, everyone else seems smitten with him, even her friends. Has Amanda just found her new rivalry? Will the Summer session go better than the last?
The purple rainbow puzzle book 3
The saga continues! Things just won’t seem to go Amanda’s way. At least others are taking her more seriously.
Things didn’t go well when Amanda and her friends, including her new boyfriend Holmes, battled the Moriaritys. Seeing Amanda’s reaction when she discovered that Nick was still alive, brought Amanda and Holmes budding romance to a halt.
Beyond Amanda’s personal problems, the school is in trouble. The teachers are divided. In fact one group threatens to leave the school and start their own.
Holmes hasn’t been able to track the hacker that is interfering with the school. Now it seems the hacker is able to affect reality! Can the school be saved?
The blue peacock’s secret book 4
Nick is back and so are Amanda’s confusing secrets! Another great mystery for Amanda Lester.
Amanda is sure her feelings for Holmes are still strong, though he is quite hurt. But when Amanda has an accident, being knocked off her skateboard by a rare peacock, she wakes up on Nick’s boat. Was that kiss a dream or did Nick really kiss her?
There is too much happening for Amanda to spend much time on her love life. One group of teachers has left the school. Amanda’s cousins and several of the students along with the headmaster are still with their kidnappers, and there is a huge archeological find near the school.
With so many things to be involved with, how can Amanda hope to solve any of the mysteries? After finding a page of the missing Detective’s Bible She is also immersed in trying to break its code with Holmes. Which feelings will win out? Holmes vs Moriarity on a whole new level!
Merged review:
A modern academy series for the younger reader! Great series. Move over Nancy Drew, meet Amanda Lester!
September 24, 2018
They're twelve year olds for heavens sake.
I enjoy the story of the detective school and the adventures the children go on. I do have exceptions about the faculty though. However, its fits with the unrealistic theme that permeates these books. All the talk about love, and soul mates, and kissing...its just disgusting. They are 12, not 22. Kids that age don't know anything about love and shouldn't be in situations for that type of contact to be permitted. Some very dangerous ideas are being planted in the minds of children and teens who read this and believe they should indulge in this behavior. Won't be keeping these books in my library and certainly won't be reading any more. Sad really since the concept of the detective school could have been awesome.
I enjoy the story of the detective school and the adventures the children go on. I do have exceptions about the faculty though. However, its fits with the unrealistic theme that permeates these books. All the talk about love, and soul mates, and kissing...its just disgusting. They are 12, not 22. Kids that age don't know anything about love and shouldn't be in situations for that type of contact to be permitted. Some very dangerous ideas are being planted in the minds of children and teens who read this and believe they should indulge in this behavior. Won't be keeping these books in my library and certainly won't be reading any more. Sad really since the concept of the detective school could have been awesome.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews