The Cry of the Loon: A Samantha Mystery

American Girl Samantha Mysteries #3

by Barbara Steiner

Samantha can't wait to take Nellie to Piney Point, Grandmary's summer home in the mountains. Samantha is sure that Nellie will love the lodge as much as she does. But the girls arrive to find Piney Point plagued with accidents--and Grandmary thinking of selling. Samantha and Nellie have to figure out what's going on before they lose Piney Point forever!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical, American

181 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Also writes under the name Barbara A. Steiner.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

** NOTE: This should be book 5 of the Samantha Mysteries, see spoiler at the end of the review for details.**

"The little steamboat sounded a mournful hoot as it approached the dock at Piney Point. Fingers of fog slipped under Samantha's coat collar, making her shiver."

Every year, Samantha, Grandmary, and Uncle Gard spend the summer at Piney Point - a beautiful lodge with surrounding cabins that is set into a mountain are.

However, this trip is going to be a little different from usual. Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia just had their first baby and decided not to make the trip up to Piney Point

But no matter - Samantha cannot wait to share this amazing place with her newly adopted siblings (Nellie, Jenny and Bridget)...only things begin to go wrong. Very wrong.

As Grandmary's birthday approaches, more and more things seem to be off. Fires spread, things are breaking and now Grandmary is wondering if she should even keep Piney Point.

Samantha MUST get to the bottom of this or lose this treasured place forever.

Swinging back to my review of the book - I thought this was a really nice addition to the Samantha Mysteries. It wasn't the spookiest, nor was it the twistiest but it did have a lot of heart.

I enjoyed seeing how much this place mattered to Samantha and how far she was willing to go to protect it.

Additionally, I liked how Grandmary's character was expanded upon - for so long she's been a distant but strong character, someone for Samantha to depend on but missing a bit of that warmth.

Now that Grandmary is married to her longtime sweetheart, I was so pleased to see the lady come out of her shell - and for Samantha to realize that Grandmary had been distant for so long because she had been grieving the loss of Samantha's parents. It felt like a very humanizing moment.

Overall, this was a great wrap up to the overall series. I'm happy to have read all of these books and equally sad that the journey is over...luckily there's about a hundred more American Girl books to dive into!

A Peek into the Past

As with most American Girl books, we have a short section that expands upon a historical point mentioned in the story. Here we learn about the Adirondacks, located in the northern area of New York State, that is well-known for its natural beauty and is the area that Piney Point is based on. We're taught about how people vacationed in the past and the tourism industry as well.

This should be book 5 of the Samantha Mysteries because:

While this series of mystery books are amazing they are published out of order.

This one is published as the third book in the series but I believe (chronologically) it belongs at the end of the Samantha Mysteries.

Thus the order should be: The Curse of Ravenscourt, The Stolen Sapphire, Clue in the Castle Tower, Danger in Paris, and finally: The Cry of the Loon.

My Evidence is as follows:

In Ravenscourt - Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia just adopted the girls and decide to renovate the house to accomodate the growing family, including their first child together (not born in this book).

In Stolen Sapphire, Samantha and Nellie are traveling on the Queen Caroline in winter with Grandmary and Admiral Beemis. Samantha says

"It'll be so exciting to travel around England and France!"

In Clue in the Castle Tower references are made to the wild ocean voyage and that they are on a winter trip to Europe. This book is set in England and this is mentioned:

"Samantha had been to Europe once before, but Nellie had never been there."

We know Samantha has been to Europe once before because of Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure and Nellie was not invited.

Obviously, Danger in Paris is set in Paris and it immediately followed the events of Clue in the Castle Tower.

In both books, the girls mention living with Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia, and that Bridget and Jenny are staying behind in NYC with them. However, as far as I can tell, no one mentions whether the baby has been born. Ergo, I believe those two books happen chronologically after Stolen Sapphire.

Therefore, the Samantha Mysteries SHOULD end with Cry of the Loon where Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia decline to come to the summer trip because their child is born.

Also, and this is just a matter of personal preference, I think the set of five mysteries really tie up well if you read it in that order - much more satisfying of an ending for the overarching storylines.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.



More reviews in the Samantha-verse

Main Series:
Meet Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha Learns a Lesson - ★★★★★
Samantha's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha Saves the Day - ★★★★★
Changes for Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆

Best Friend Book:
Nellie's Promise - ★★★★★

Short Stories:
Samantha's Winter Party - ★★★★★
Samantha Saves the Wedding - ★★★★☆
Samantha and the Missing Pearls - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Blue Bicycle - ★★★★★
Samantha's Special Talent - ★★★☆☆
Samantha's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆

Mystery Books (My Order):
The Curse of Ravenscourt - ★★★★★
The Stolen Sapphire - ★★★★☆
Clue in the Castle Tower - ★★★★☆
Danger in Paris - ★★★☆☆
The Cry of the Loon - ★★★★☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books:
American Girl Cross-stitch - ★★☆☆☆
The American Girls Cookbook - ★★★★★
The American Girls Party Book - ★★★★★
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From American Girl - ★★★☆☆
The Making of American Girl - ★★★★★
Minute Mysteries - ★★★★☆
Minute Mysteries 2 - ★★★★☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Cookbook - ★★★★★
Samantha's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Samantha's Craft Book - ★★★★★
Samantha's Friendship Fun - ★★★☆☆
Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure - ★★★★★
Samantha's Theater Kit - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Valentine Crafts - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha's Wedding Memories - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha's World: A Girl's-eye View of the Turn of the Century - ★★★★★
The Titanic (American Girl: Real Stories From My Time) - ★★★☆☆
Welcome to Samantha's World · 1904 - ★★★★★

Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in mid 2010s):
Manners & Mischief - ★★☆☆☆
Lost and Found - ★★★☆☆

Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2020s):
Samantha: The Gift - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha: Lost and Found - ★★★★☆

Beginner Reader & Picture Books:
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Making a Difference (Little Golden Book) - ★★★☆☆
My First American Girl Boxed Set - ★★★★☆
Samantha Helps a Friend (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆

[Babbity Kate]

GRANDMARY LORE YES

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.

Steiner lays it on thick in the first page: A mournful steamboat horn. Fingers of fog. Clouds like ghosts. Welcome to Piney Point, mystery version.

By this point in the Samantha books, between Grandmary's second marriage and the O'Malley girls' adoption, her family takes some explaining. But overall, everyone plays a useful role and it's lovely to see everyone again.

The mystery here is sabotage: someone seems to be trying to scare the family off. I had one of the culprits figured out around the halfway point, though I don't think I would have guessed it when I was the target age for this book. (It's never the obvious suspects. Samantha's guesses are misdirections, and while the book has enough new characters to have a handful of suspects, there aren't as many as some of Sam's other mysteries. The other culprit surprised me because their motive for participating in the sabotage wasn't given to us until the end.

But the real pleasure of this one is watching Samantha consider her family and their history at Piney Point - and for what it's worth, I don't think this book would work at all without having at least Samantha's core series under your belt. We hear more about Grandmary's past than anywhere else in the series, and we see Samantha take note as Grandmary starts treating her as a little more grown up than she used to, sharing stories about her youth and courtship. It's always hard to give Samantha real character growth because she never had a coherent arc, but this comes closer than most attempts.

The one continuity fumble is the point where Samantha seems to consider herself a poor artist, where Nellie's Promise had her aspiring to be like Mary Cassatt. (Both versions feel off to me. A girl of her position would have been taught, but you'd think we'd see it more if she really excelled. Yes, a girl of her age could easily change her aspirations and perception of her own skills in a year, but in fiction, I want those feelings spelled out.)

But while Samantha and Grandmary's pleasure and feeling of belonging at Piney Point is sweet, it's worth remembering the place of (a) great privilege and (b) white supremacy/colonialism that make it possible. Samantha being taken aback by the idea of more people building homes in the area and bringing the city with them is probably the biggest single moment of unexamined privilege, but the assumption that the family owns/deserves/should have exclusive access to this extensive area underpins the entire story. And to go one level deeper, Trapper Jim (who is described, and for that matter, named in a way that makes me assume he's Native, though it isn't discussed) mentions Cree and Chippewa stories about the loons. If anyone belongs to this land, rightfully it should be the Indigenous peoples. All of this is not central to the story, but it would be great related-discussion material.

More Samantha babble:
Meet Samantha | Samantha Learns a Lesson | Samantha's Surprise | Happy Birthday, Samantha | Samantha Saves the Day | Changes for Samantha

Nellie's Promise

Samantha's Winter Party | Samantha and the Missing Pearls | Samantha Saves the Wedding | Samantha's Blue Bicycle | Samantha's Special Talent | Samantha's Short Story Collection

The Curse of Ravenscourt | The Stolen Sapphire | Clue in the Castle Tower

The Lilac Tunnel

[Virgil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooo-oooo, ooo-oooo.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first attempted to read this in 2009, it was so boring that I gave up on it. I never felt any need to go back, but since the book is no longer in print and there are now only two copies left in my library system, I decided that I might as well read it, just for the sake of completion. I am glad that I did, because there were some great moments with Grandmary, but the book was just as boring as I had remembered, and I predicted both plot twists.

This book is also too similar to the first Samantha mystery to have much of a place in the series. Even though this book returns the characters to Piney Point, it is another mystery about things going wrong at an expensive property and someone unlikely being responsible for the accidents and damage. I would encourage future readers to read The Curse of Ravenscourt: A Samantha Mystery and skip this book, unless they also want to read to completion.

[Daurie Bogart]

It’s frustrating the author couldn’t take 30 minute to read Samantha Saves the Day before writing a book that takes place in the same setting. No mention of Wood Tick Inn, Teardrop Island, or Samantha’s parents drowning?

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also 5 stars for nostalgia. Samantha is my all time favorite American Girl character, and I always look forward to going back to her stories. She and Nellie sneaking around Piney Point is very accurate to their original characters, but I loved the twist at the end. I had suspicions throughout, but I was a bit relieved to have been wrong about what actually happened. Also Grandmary must be protected at all costs. Even before the movie came out in 2004, I pictured Grandmary looking like Mia Farrow (who played her) and Julie Andrews

[Little Seal]

I was a little surprised by one of the bad guys, but the other one wasn't all that shocking. However, I *loved* the glimpse into Grandmary's earlier life and even having a "scandalous" talk with Samantha about having two male suitors. It was great development of the Grandmary that was presented in Samantha's first book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this American Girl History Mystery. Samantha is one of my favorite characters and I really enjoyed this story with Nellie and all her sisters. This story was vivid in wildlife imagery too. A perfect addition to the American Girl library.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Cry of the Loon” was my first Samantha mystery and I really enjoyed it! I chose it because it takes place in the summertime at Piney Point. The descriptions of the natural scenery are lovely and make me want to vacation in the Adirondacks.

The mystery kept me guessing & Samantha’s sleuthing would make Nancy Drew proud. 😉

I also loved that we see a softer side of Grandmary and even get a glimpse of her as a beautiful young woman with suitors!

This story takes place after Gard and Cornelia have adopted Nellie, Bridget, and Jenny, and I liked seeing them referred to as Samantha’s sisters and for all the girls to be on more equal footing, so to speak.

I hope to read more Samantha mysteries in the near future! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Elise • valkyrieslanding · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Samantha loved the loon’s cry, but she had to admit it sounded spooky in the fog.”

Strange “accidents” kept happening at Piney Pointe and Samantha and Nellie were determined to get to the bottom of it! This was a great northern cottage read, some loons even flew over while I was reading. I too love the sound of the loon’s cry, the eery sound echoing across the water. I also enjoyed learning more about Grandmary’s past.

[Erica Leigh]

Cute and cozy. We’re back at Piney Point! Mysterious accidents are occurring at Grandmary’s campground! Spooky bird calls in the background! Samantha + Nellie together again!

Love that we get some new Grandmary lore (ooo her slightly ~scandalous past 😆❤️‍🔥) and I absolutely lost it at the Easter egg references to some of the objects that existed as doll accessories (Samantha’s mother’s sketchbook 😭)

[Katie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me, reading about a murder: Meh.

Me, reading about Grandmary considering the possibility of selling off Piney Point: AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! [hyperventilates]

I like that these AG mysteries are about minor accidents and not brushes with death, but the stakes on this one were too high!

A Peek into Grandmary's Past was fun though. :)

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the best. At first I thought where is the mystery? but as you get more into it you learn more and more and you get more suspicious and concerned. You have your idea of who did it and really it was someone else. It was a great book and all the accidents are kind of scary how close they could've been to being terrible. It was a great book.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Sarah Frick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joy Rosales]

DNF @ 46%

[Emily Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. I don’t think that the title matches the story. Grand Mary was thinking About selling piney point .

[xeioo · Rating 2 out of 5]

cover is honestly so beautiful but the actual book… be_better_art.gif

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

[S'Vana Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for young mystery readers looking for a place to start. If you like Nancy Drew you will like the Samantha Mysteries!

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probs my favorite Sam book

[Shayla Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story and the importance of the outdoors, but the scene between Samantha and Grandmary on the porch really is the MVP of the book. I think the whole book was worth that one chapter

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptionally sharp critical analysis within 'The Cry of the Loon: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl Mysteries)' by Barbara Steiner, challenging prevailing assumptions with a sophisticated perspective that resonates deeply, establishing a refreshing benchmark for critical intellectual inquiry.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Samantha Mystery

Samantha can't wait to take Nellie to Piney Point, Grandmary's summer home in the mountains. Samantha is sure Nellie will love the lodge as much as she does. But the girls arrive to find Piney Point plagued with accidents - and Grandmary thinking of selling. Samantha and Nellie have to figure out what's going on before they lose Piney Point forever!

About The Author:
Barbara Steiner started writing stories and poetry when she was eight years old. Her favorite books were mysteries, and sometimes, all alone in a big house, she'd scare herself reading. She has hiked and backpacked all over the world. She has ridden elephants in India and climbed into tombs in Egypt. She has claustrophobia but loves to explore caves. Her motto is "Do something once a year that scares you." She has published many books for children and young adults, including an American Girl History Mystery, Mystery at Chilkoot Pass. Her book Ghost Cave, set in her home state of Arkansas, was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children's Mystery. She now lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her three cats.

I loved every minute of this book. It kept you interested in the story the whole way to the end. I can't get enough of these American Girl mysteries, it doesn't matter who wrote them they all have a way of pulling you into the story so that the reader almost feels like you're right there in the story.

[Rachel B · Rating 2 out of 5]

#5 of Samantha's mysteries in my opinion. I found this book pretty boring, definitely the least interesting of the Samantha mysteries. It was pretty slow and I didn't find the mystery all that engaging. It felt like a rehash of The Curse of Ravenscourt, just in a different setting. Also, why do these adults who get to know these little kids have no compunction about doing things that could cause them to literally die? At least in The Curse of Ravenscourt, one of the malfeasors had a change of heart for that reason.

Also in this book, Samantha and Nellie feel pretty generic and like they aren't given much to do as themselves, unlike The Curse of Ravenscourt or Clue in the Castle Tower, where both Samantha and Nellie were recognizably themselves and brought their unique perspectives to the mystery at hand. This book felt very generic, but not even satisfying as a mystery because the clues didn't fit together in such a way as to let the reader solve the mystery before Samantha and Nellie do.

I did like Samantha getting to talk to Grandmary about her past, but also Grandmary felt out of character; Grandmary talking to eleven-year-old Samantha about two young men fighting over her when she was younger didn't feel realistic to her character, and her running into one of the young men unexpectedly seemed unrealistic too. Also, Samantha and Nellie investigating without letting any adults know what they're up to is so dangerous and I did not approve. 2 stars for this book.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read: I guess Steiner didn't read the other Samantha mysteries, because the plot here is functionally the same as in The Curse of Ravenscourt. Where Ravenscourt had a sabotaged apartment building, this one has a sabotaged vacation home. And if you've read Ravenscourt, you'll guess the solution to this book immediately, because both guilty characters serve the same role in the narrative. I think I enjoyed this book slightly more, since I like Grandmary a lot more than I'd liked Raven and didn't care if he got sabotaged. But it's still kind of strange that American Girl would just let two incredibly similar mysteries get published for the same girl.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had an impulse to read Adirondack stuff. This is one of the few semi-interesting things to turn up in our library catalog.

I've never read an American Girl book before. I can't say I'm too thrilled with it, but it wasn't _bad_ really. And it was interesting to get a look at the Adirondacks of the past, I guess.

Samantha and like.. newly adopted sisters or something.. go visit her grandmother and her new husband at a lake house. And I think it's like the late 1800s or early 1900s. And mysterious things happen. And will her grandmother sell the place?

[Becca Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and semi-mysterious story that reminds us that rich people in the early 1900s had problems, too. I.e., Losing their ritzy summer home because it's getting a bit stressful.
I'm kidding. It was a fun book, and I know I would have loved it in early elementary school. Samantha was my favorite as a kid, and she is a smart, heroic, and fun character for young girls to read about. I do hope that American Girl soon releases some books that highlight the value racial diversity and encourage young girls to think outside of their own stories!

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that the Samantha mysteries frequently include Nellie to the point that it's partly her mystery, too. I just wish she had her own as well. Anyway. Extra love for the Samantha/Grandmary affection and the Admiral is awesome as always.

I didn't figure out who did it [well, I was partly right:] but I did nail the motivation.