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Ava & Carol Detective Agency #1-3
Ava & Carol Detective Agency Series: Books 1-3
If you enjoy Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and the Boxcar Children, you’ll love the ‘Ava and Carol Detective Agency' series, a thrilling mystery series for children of all ages.
This exclusive box set includes:
Ruthless international diamond smugglers think they’ve gotten away with the perfect crime, stealing the famous Ramesses diamonds from the Hancock Museum of Archeology. Until…
Twelve-year-olds Ava and Carol explode onto the scene. Bursting at the seams with energy and sass, the humbly hip duo is determined to catch the bad guys and return the stolen jewels.
It’s a race against time as the girls realize the thieves plan on smuggling the diamonds out of the country. If they don’t hurry, the bad guys will get away and the priceless diamonds may be lost forever!
Which would you choose? Helping an old man that’s being kidnapped, or endless plates of delicious pasta? Ava and Carol were about to take a stroll through Italy, when an old man is chased down and then thrown into the back of a car. At the last second, using sign language he sends a secret message to the girls.
The girls hide in the shadows as the car races away. Fearing for the man’s life, the girls begin to track down clues. Only what they discover this time, is a religious relic that has magical powers. Suddenly evil and powerful villains are chasing them. The clues lead to France, where Ava and Carol are thrust into a secret battle between the Knights Templar and a group of Criminals that will stop at nothing, to get Solomon’s Ring.
It’s Christmas – so why not accept a dare to explore a creepy old haunted house? Fearless best friends Ava and Carol set out to prove that the Butcher house isn’t haunted. Only, Carol is pretty sure she saw something inside one of the windows – and moments later they are chased by a headless monster?!
The girls receive an ominous threat, Stay Away or Else! Now, more than ever the girls are determined to find out who is trying to scare them away. But before they can continue their investigation, a string of mysterious robberies take place. The thieves simply vanish without a trace.
Join Ava and Carol as they race against time to track down a headless monster terrorizing the neighborhood, solve the mystery behind the Butcher house and stop a band of ruthless thieves before they strike again!
- GenresMystery
340 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2018
1090 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Lockhaven
46 books95 followersSo grateful to have won the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award! Thank you!
You can blame my 7th grade English teacher, Mr. Ownby. I began writing mysteries in middle school, with gripping titles like, The Secret in The Swamp and The Ghost of Hollow Lake—Mr. Ownby, would kindly read them, and then encourage me to keep writing and reading the classics. His words, some day I'll be reading your mysteries with the rest of the world inspired me.
Forty years later, I was able to fulfill my dreams and become a full time writer. When I began writing, I decided that my books would be a safe-haven from the real world. My children's series all have strong messages of perseverance, thinking outside the box, friendship and loyalty. I have a daughter, and as I work through my manuscripts, I always try to imagine what I can say to inspire and entertain at the same time.
For my cozy readers, I spent much of my life traveling to small coastal towns in North Carolina and then later in my life to the coastal towns in New England. I've always loved the idiosyncrasies of the locals, and I've always wanted to bring them to life in a book series. My Coffee House Sleuths stories are just that. And just like my children's books, I endeavor to write stories that are clean, with very little violence and no profanity. I do my best to help people disappear from the craziness of life, even if just for a little while.
I currently live in Boston, but my dream is to move to a small coastal town, stare out over the ocean, and to let the words flow. I have an incredible wife who constantly inspires and encourages me- and an amazing daughter who is my most harsh, but loving critic. As I said earlier, my passion is to write and to continually improve and perfect my craft. For those of you who read my books, I humbly thank you. For those of you who have never read my books, I welcome you with open arms.
You can blame my 7th grade English teacher, Mr. Ownby. I began writing mysteries in middle school, with gripping titles like, The Secret in The Swamp and The Ghost of Hollow Lake—Mr. Ownby, would kindly read them, and then encourage me to keep writing and reading the classics. His words, some day I'll be reading your mysteries with the rest of the world inspired me.
Forty years later, I was able to fulfill my dreams and become a full time writer. When I began writing, I decided that my books would be a safe-haven from the real world. My children's series all have strong messages of perseverance, thinking outside the box, friendship and loyalty. I have a daughter, and as I work through my manuscripts, I always try to imagine what I can say to inspire and entertain at the same time.
For my cozy readers, I spent much of my life traveling to small coastal towns in North Carolina and then later in my life to the coastal towns in New England. I've always loved the idiosyncrasies of the locals, and I've always wanted to bring them to life in a book series. My Coffee House Sleuths stories are just that. And just like my children's books, I endeavor to write stories that are clean, with very little violence and no profanity. I do my best to help people disappear from the craziness of life, even if just for a little while.
I currently live in Boston, but my dream is to move to a small coastal town, stare out over the ocean, and to let the words flow. I have an incredible wife who constantly inspires and encourages me- and an amazing daughter who is my most harsh, but loving critic. As I said earlier, my passion is to write and to continually improve and perfect my craft. For those of you who read my books, I humbly thank you. For those of you who have never read my books, I welcome you with open arms.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 7, 2024
Great read!
These books are fun for all ages! I love the relationship between Ava and Carol they balance each other so well and the teasing is hilarious. The mysteries are quite clever and the books are light, quick and enjoyable.
These books are fun for all ages! I love the relationship between Ava and Carol they balance each other so well and the teasing is hilarious. The mysteries are quite clever and the books are light, quick and enjoyable.
September 17, 2025
The first book is very funny! I love Ava she’s so funny and easygoing, where Carol is more serious but still really funny !
October 28, 2024
Ava & Carol Detective Agency (Books 1 - 3) — Thomas Lockhaven /Narrator: Amy Johnson (20 chapters) October 13-27, 2024
Book 1: Mystery of the Pharoah’s Diamonds (14 chapters) The girls get wind of a diamond heist at the local museum and work undercover without their parents' knowledge to solve the case. With help from a few different sources, they can solve the mystery. It is a nice pre-teen (the protagonists are 12 years old), young adult mystery. It is a short but great story that is complete enough for even older adults to enjoy or read together as a family.
Book 2: The Mystery of Solomon’s Ring (19 chapters) While on vacation in Italy, the girls witness a man being beaten and become embroiled in a mystery surrounding Solomon Ring, leading to dire straits for Ava’s mom and themselves.
Book 3: The Haunted Mansion (20 chapters) This story begins with the girls listening to a spooky tale featuring a spooky, abandoned house during the holiday season. They decide to walk past the house after the tale and Carol swears she sees a light on in the basement. Later, when two businesses, a bank, and a jewelry store, are robbed, they are roped into investigating the bank theft, as there were no signs of entering and exiting, and the security system hadn’t shown signs of tampering. Another great story in this series.
Reading this three-book set is an excellent way of seeing if you like to read more of the series. All three are different from each other and offer a good sampling of the author’s style.
The stories were well narrated. These books would be good reading for pre-teens or as a family.
The first story was listened to on October 13, and the last two were listened to on October 26-27.
Five stars.
Book 1: Mystery of the Pharoah’s Diamonds (14 chapters) The girls get wind of a diamond heist at the local museum and work undercover without their parents' knowledge to solve the case. With help from a few different sources, they can solve the mystery. It is a nice pre-teen (the protagonists are 12 years old), young adult mystery. It is a short but great story that is complete enough for even older adults to enjoy or read together as a family.
Book 2: The Mystery of Solomon’s Ring (19 chapters) While on vacation in Italy, the girls witness a man being beaten and become embroiled in a mystery surrounding Solomon Ring, leading to dire straits for Ava’s mom and themselves.
Book 3: The Haunted Mansion (20 chapters) This story begins with the girls listening to a spooky tale featuring a spooky, abandoned house during the holiday season. They decide to walk past the house after the tale and Carol swears she sees a light on in the basement. Later, when two businesses, a bank, and a jewelry store, are robbed, they are roped into investigating the bank theft, as there were no signs of entering and exiting, and the security system hadn’t shown signs of tampering. Another great story in this series.
Reading this three-book set is an excellent way of seeing if you like to read more of the series. All three are different from each other and offer a good sampling of the author’s style.
The stories were well narrated. These books would be good reading for pre-teens or as a family.
The first story was listened to on October 13, and the last two were listened to on October 26-27.
Five stars.
November 5, 2024
This set of books (books 1-3) were first of all, a great value! I got three books in one! But the stories themselves were great. The writing was hilarious! These girls sense of humor just made the stories all the more enjoyable, but they didn't distract from the danger and fear that were in the stories. Two good friends, always seeking to solve a local mystery, always having fun and enjoying each other.
These would be great for gifts for girls who were bored during the summer, or great Christmas gifts, etc.
These would be great for gifts for girls who were bored during the summer, or great Christmas gifts, etc.
October 11, 2025
This is a review of three books published both separately and as a bundle. It is intended as a gift for my 14-year-old granddaughter. I always read the books ahead of gifting them because I enjoy books written for children and teens.
I very much enjoyed these stories about two girls who fancy themselves as detectives and who actually solve some complicated crimes. Following their thought processes was quite interesting.
I very much enjoyed these stories about two girls who fancy themselves as detectives and who actually solve some complicated crimes. Following their thought processes was quite interesting.
November 3, 2025
AVA AND CAROL DETECTIVE AGENCY
IN THIS SERIES AVA AND CAROL, TWO BEST FRIENDS SOLVE DIFFERENT MYSTRIES OF PRICELESS DIFFERENT ARTIFACTS THAT WERE STOLEN. LEADING THEM ACROSS THE WORLD AND DISCOVERING VARIOUS CRIME CIRCLES. THEY THWART ALL THEIR PLANS AND SOLVE VARIOUS CLUES TO SOLVE THE CASES. THEY ARE VERY BRAVE AND ARE SOMETIMES HELPED BY THEIR FRIEND DERIK. THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK AND I LOVE IT.
IN THIS SERIES AVA AND CAROL, TWO BEST FRIENDS SOLVE DIFFERENT MYSTRIES OF PRICELESS DIFFERENT ARTIFACTS THAT WERE STOLEN. LEADING THEM ACROSS THE WORLD AND DISCOVERING VARIOUS CRIME CIRCLES. THEY THWART ALL THEIR PLANS AND SOLVE VARIOUS CLUES TO SOLVE THE CASES. THEY ARE VERY BRAVE AND ARE SOMETIMES HELPED BY THEIR FRIEND DERIK. THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK AND I LOVE IT.
February 2, 2024
This series is the funniest, most charming, and most delightful mystery series I have EVER read. The characters are fun and engaging. Ava Clarke is my spirit animal. I want no other. Ava and Carol are bright and relatable and I love reading about their adventures. I look forward to each of their new adventures eagerly. Best. Series. EVER.
March 31, 2024
I really really like that book, but I really didn’t like chapter 12 on the second book which is called Solomon rings. I really like it now I’m on my second book. You did so great writing this book. I bet you’re such a really really good author.
October 23, 2024
a cute collection of cozy mysteries for kids
Move over Encyclopedia Brown, the Ava and Carol Detective agency is on the case. Cute and cozy my 8yo loved this collection of fun mysteries to solve alongside our heroes. Get the full bundle for a deal.
Move over Encyclopedia Brown, the Ava and Carol Detective agency is on the case. Cute and cozy my 8yo loved this collection of fun mysteries to solve alongside our heroes. Get the full bundle for a deal.
April 3, 2025
I wrote an earlier review of the use of “Oh my God” in the first book. I don’t remember…I don’t think the 2nd and 3rd books had any language issues. All three books were great!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews