Shadow in the Dark (The Harwood Mysteries Book 1)

The Harwood Mysteries #1

by Antony Barone Kolenc

An attack by bandits in the middle of the night leaves a young boy with no memory of who he is or where he is from. Nursed back to health by the devoted monks in a Benedictine abbey, he takes the name Alexander, or Xan for short. Aided by the kindly Brother Andrew, Xan commits himself to finding out who he really is.

Does he have a family? Are they still alive?

And who—or what—is the shadowy figure creeping around the abbey in the dead of night?

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Religion

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2020

About the author

Tony is the author of The Harwood Mysteries--a medieval historical fiction series for youth published by Loyola Press, which has won eight book awards. He is a law professor who also writes a legal column in Practical Homeschooling Magazine and speaks at writing, legal, and home education events. His family has homeschooled their five children.

Tony retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps after 21 years of military service. During his career, he has litigated both civil and criminal cases before trial and appellate courts. His professional writings have focused on matters of constitutional law and military policy. He has also taught undergraduate courses at the Air Force Academy and Saint Leo University.

Reviews

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow in the Dark is an exciting middle-grade adventure set in a medieval village. The story is about a boy who is injured and loses his memory. With the help of a group of Benedictine monks, Xan (short for Alexander) begins to heal and discover his identity. But, in the process, he uncovers a sinister plot that not only involves his past but places him in danger.
This short novel has a lot to offer. Adventure, mystery, history, and faith. I think older elementary and middle school boys will enjoy this swashbuckling tale. There are plenty of things modern-day readers will relate to, friends sharing scary tales of dark shadows, peer pressure, standing up for what is right and discovering one's faith. Enjoyable read.

[Susan Peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a homeschooling mom, always on the lookout for good books, this novel is an absolute treasure. Written for teens and preteens, this exciting mystery set in Medieval England is a perfect supplement for any history course, or simply to read for fun. It has wonderful historical detail and just enough suspense and spookiness to keep you reading deep into the night, but without being too scary for sensitive readers. The main character, Xan, instantly won my heart and, while always remaining relatable, turns out to be a wonderful example of bravery and compassion for Catholic boys. The book starts tragically, with him losing both his home and memory at the hands of evil bandits. At first I wondered if it would be a cliched plot, as many stories I've read have a similar initial set-up. But such was not the case. The author did an admirable job of keeping the plot fresh and unpredictable. Lucy, the heroine, is likewise a very well-crafted character and one that girls will love. The twists and turns of the plot genuinely surprised me and kept me flipping the pages to find out how everything would turn out. I'm super excited to hear that there's a second book to this series. My only regret is that my adult children missed out on this delightful novel when they were young. Mr. Kolenc is definitely on my list now of favorite authors!

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I need to state that this is an amazing read. And I really look forward to reading the other two volumes as they release. Second I need to state that books with the same titles were released by this author in 2013, those ones were published as a series called The Chronicles of Xan. The author has stated that the books, though carrying the same title are substantially rewritten, tony stated:

“The prior series is entirely overhauled, including new plot lines and new major characters, as well as an entirely different writing style. So, yes, there are major differences.”

So even if you have read the earlier version, it would be worth picking up this version, as it is an excellent read. And if you love this one, wait for the new versions of books 2 and three. But now that you have the back story, back to this specific novel.

This story is historical fiction set in medieval England in 1184. Bandits attack in the middle of the night. A young boy tries to help his father. As he is heading away being chased by a bandit, he was knocked on the head. He wakes up later at the nearby abbey. They give him the name Alexander, Xan for short to use until he regains his memories.

Xan soon realized he has a role to play in figuring out who attached his village, and why. He is working with a young monk. He finds a role protecting the younger children and ends up in conflict with a bully. But underlying it all is his need to figure out who he is, and why God has brought him here. The story has amazing characters. And great attention to detail the research done to situate it historically so well must have been immense. You will find yourself drawn in and immersed in the story.

The book is marketed for Middle grade readers but would also be great for tweens and teens. I am in my fifties and I loved it. An excellently written novel and one that will leave you excited for the next book in the series. Antony ‘Tony’ Barone Kolenc is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He currently teaches law. But in this story, he has shown that he has great skill with the quill and ink. And it is a story sure to entertain.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written medieval novel that will appeal to readers from grade school through adult who like mysteries. We have a brave young man as our hero who helps discover who raided his village and took the lives of his friends, neighbors and family. This has the intrigue of a Harry Potter book without the dark magic. The tagline says its all: "Mystery. Danger. Adventure. It's all here. And true forgiveness and courage too."

[Layla Crowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This historical fiction had a lot of promise, sadly I felt it under delivered on the suspense and mystery I was looking for from the description of it. I liked the character of Xan, I feel he was plucky and thoughtful. I just wanted a lot more from the other characters and the plot.

I do think that the helpful notes at the beginning will be helpful for younger readers who are reading historical fiction for the first time.

If you're wanting to branch out into historical fiction for the first time, then this might be a good start for you. It is very religion heavy, so if this is something that is perhaps triggering for you in any way, then perhaps skip it.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow in the Dark is a clever historical novel for tweens and teens. Xan turns up at a medieval monastery, unable to remember anything about himself. With the help of the monks and Lucy, who resides in the neighboring convent, he must navigate the resident bully and discover what's become of his family and whether that mysterious dark shadow roaming the abbey grounds is a wandering monk or something more sinister.

The mystery aspect is well done and will keep readers flipping pages. The setting is well-suited to the story, immersing kids in medieval European life. I look forward to reading more books in the series and sharing them with my kids!

[Sarafina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catholic MG, really fast-paced interesting plot. Different from anything else I have read. There was a word glossary for those of us not proficient in Catholic terms. The historical setting was really fun too.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in an abbey of the twelfth century, this well-researched novel is the story of a boy who loses his memory when his village is destroyed by raiders. (A pity it reinforces the old myth that medieval villagers couldn’t read—but unless you’ve dipped into Louise Bishop’s Words, Stones, & Herbs: The Healing Word in Medieval and Early Modern England, it’s a fallacy that’s all too easy to perpetrate. ‘Illiterate’ in the Middle Ages meant unable to read Latin, not unable to read English. The reason there were so many laws passed about translating into the vernacular was precisely because people could read English. Although Bishop does not reference it, Tyndale’s famous remark about every ploughboy being able to read the Bible doesn’t make sense otherwise.)

Anyway, to the story: the very depth of research in this novel seems to make for a stiff unwieldy pace. Somehow the story seems weighed down by worthy intentions and the desire to convey several sets of knowledge—the social and geographical arrangement of a feudal manor, as well as a wealthy abbey; how to deal with a bully; laudable notions of forgiveness in the intersection of mercy and justice.

The plot, which should have been sizzling given the amnesia trope, only starts to evidence real spark as Xan (short for Alexander) finally pieces the mystery together towards the end.

I didn’t so much find the story boring, as heavy. It had a strange inertia. Perhaps as the author gains more confidence this will disappear as the storyline had such massive potential and the plot had sufficient intrigue to be very engaging.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me awhile to connect with the main character, Xan, and the actual mystery of his identity. The solution to the mystery itself was somewhat predictable, at least for an adult reader. Obviously since this is published by a Catholic press, the perspective is very Catholic, and some non-Catholics like me will be bothered by reading about the brother who disciplines his own body with a whip. Not for all readers but for those who share a Catholic perspective, this is a solid middle grade historical mystery.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done historical fiction centered around a Benedictine abbey with a mystery involving a young boy whose village was raided. This title would fit under the classification of Christian fiction and gives the reader good insight into the religious teachings of the day.

[Rose Q. Addams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow in the Dark was really, really cool!!

Before I go farther in this review, I should like to add that this book is very much full of well-researched historical content-- so there IS violence. There IS mention of various practices that some would find offensive or strange that would or did happen at that time. There ARE terms that some will not be familiar with. Read it anyway. It is meant as an accurate depiction of the time in a pleasant story, which it perfectly achieves.

I would compare this book to the Cadfael series, but at MG reading level. (However, this doesn't mean that older readers would not enjoy it.) It's a lovely, thoughtful mystery in the time of the Crusades and the Catholic Church's height that presents both history and glimpses of the Gospel in a narrative that readers will find keeps them coming for more.

The main character, a boy that is called Xan, awakes from an attack with no memory of who he is or where he comes from, and finding out the answers leads to the discovery of a villain. Along the way, he makes allies and enemies in other wards of the church and in the Benedictine brothers he's staying with.

I think my favorite character was Brother Andrew, in all honesty. He was a really cool, intriguing mentor who had a great deal of compassion and an active imagination, which helped inspire our hero. 😁

Parents' guide to this one:

I know some people might take issue with Catholicism being presented as The Religion. I would like to say that, first off, there wasn't really an option besides the Catholic church at the time. I do not think the author meant that Catholicism is the only way to know God. Secondly, I did not see anything that was inaccurate about God's character. There is a passing reference to someone praying to Mary, and Mary being that person's mother when their own had passed, but that was the most objectionable content in the pages, and I filed that under the historical accuracy umbrella.

The other things that might bother readers who don't know about it are the mentions of the Crusades (which really happened, and each person's motivation and behavior are between them and God, so I'm not going there with this... suffice to say, the author doesn't offer an opinion on the righteousness or evil found in the Crusades, and I like it that way), and the topic of self-flagellation. There is a character who believes that we must bring our mortal bodies into submission, and he practices what he preaches in that fashion. He has received permission from the abbot to do this (after a certain point, there was a mandate in the church that it was NOT allowed unless you had the priest's permission), he does not majorly injure himself through it (he's spoken of as walking with a limp due to soreness at the worst), and he is not shown doing it "onscreen", as it were. I don't think it was an issue-- it balanced the character well and made for a great alibi, but I always suggest looking at things you're letting kiddos read.

All in all, I liked it and will be looking for more!

[Grace Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Loyola Press for sending me a complimentary copy of Shadow in the Dark! I was happy to read and receive this book. My review of this book is entirely my own. Wow, I was not expecting to like Shadow in the Dark as much as I did! The whole story was intriguing, and I could not put it down until I learned who Xan was and who was the shadow in the dark. Xan loses his memory and is taken care of by Benedictine monks and, with the help of his new friend, Lucy, solves the mystery of the shadow, the raid of his village, becomes closer to God and learns why he lost his memory. I have always been interested in medieval times, and by reading Shadow in the Dark, I feel as if I took a quick stop to 12th century England and partook in a fantastic adventure.

The characters in Shadow in the Dark all felt so real to me that they could have been actual people living in medieval times. The writing was done so fantastically and captured me so much that I don't have any negatives about the book. I usually have a favorite character in every book that I read, but in this book, it was a tie between Xan and Lucy. Xan is still just a boy in this book, but his courage and ability to adapt to his surroundings are admirable, but like any real person, he has flaws and fears that he must overcome. When Xan learns who is responsible for most of the heartache that he has endured, he says he can never forgive him. Still, I believe that as the story continues to the next book, Xan will be confronted many times by this problem and will have to grow in his faith in God to overcome his grief. Lucy, Xans best friend staying with Benedictine nuns, is a perfect example of what I want to be more like. Throughout the whole book, she always put God first and drew her strength from Him. Lucy was in the chapel praying and growing closer to our Lord whenever she had the opportunity to do so.

The cover was well done, and I think it is so clever that there is a cross in place of the t in the title. I loved every point of the book and can't wait to read the next one. Shadow in the Dark is a fantastic adventure and mystery novel aimed at middle school boys, and even though I am neither of those things, I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great story!

Things to Mention: Xan was attacked by bandits and lost his memory. There is a brief talk about a monk who whipped his own back as a sacrifice for Jesus. People are hurt in fights, and there are some other minor acts of violence.

Come check out more of my reviews of clean wholesome books at:
https://www.acatholicgirlreads.com/

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow in the Dark introduces us to the endearing Alexander, a young boy whose whole world is turned upside down by a gang of murderous bandits, leaving him wounded – with no memories – as our story begins. Fortunately for Xan, and for readers, he is taken into the care of a nearby Benedictine abbey where he befriends Brother Andrew (who becomes his mentor too) and a young girl – Lucy – who is staying at the adjacent convent. This inimitable trio tackles a variety of issues relevant to the time period, providing an entertaining learning experience for young readers, and Xan quickly proves himself to be a boy of cleverness and courage. I really loved these characters, not to mention the supporting cast that includes a grumpy monk who may not be what he seems, an adorable orphan boy who looks up to Xan, a friendly nun, and even a bully.

The mystery in Shadow in the Dark is more than just who Xan really is and how he came to be at the Abbey, though that certainly plays a significant role. There’s also a mysterious figure that can be seen skulking around the abbey grounds each night. This story is full of adventure and intrigue, as well as solid faith lessons in forgiveness, grace, and trusting God – lessons that continue throughout the series. No pat answers here, either; Xan struggles realistically with areas of spiritual growth that challenge adults as well. Kolenc doesn’t dumb down the sins or violence of the time period (not so very different from the ones in our own), but he also handles them in an age-appropriate manner.

Bottom Line: Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc is an entertaining mystery full of layered characters and a plot that captures the imagination. Readers will be drawn into this compelling story right from the beginning and they will stay invested in the outcome. While the third person narrative is written from the perspective of a young boy, the writing is elevated enough to appeal to adults and accessible enough for upper elementary, tween & teen readers at the same time. The spiritual message is woven naturally through the story, and the historical backdrop of medieval England is well-researched and engagingly drawn. This would be a great resource for homeschoolers as well as a delightful addition to any family’s library.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[A.J. Cattapan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy’s village is attacked by bandits in the middle of the night. The next morning, he wakes up injured in Harwood Abbey with no memory of who he is, much less where he’s from or what happened to his family.

The Benedictine monks at the monastery take him in and set him up in a dormitory for orphaned boys on the grounds of their abbey. A kind monk named Brother Andrew gives the boy the name Alexandar, or Xan for short. With Brother Andrew’s help, Xan sets out to learn what happened to him and his family, but as their search continues, they discover that the bandits that attacked Xan’s village aren’t finished with their raids yet, and Xan and his new friends may still be in grave danger.

Author Tony Kolenc has created a fun cast of characters. The monks range from kindly and helpful to stern and cranky. The orphan boys in the dormitory include a bully intent on making fun of Xan at every turn for being clumsy, and a young friend who is eager to help Xan and who looks up to him as if he were a big brother. In fact, Xan realizes that many of the young boys in the dormitory look to him for reassurance when a shadowy figure is seen walking the grounds at night, and the bully tries to convince everyone that the shadowy figure is Death looking for his next victim. Xan also befriends a girl named Lucy and some nuns from a nearby convent. This adds just a hint of potential future romance for Xan, but nothing that would scare off any young boy readers.

Fans of historical novels will appreciate the research that went into making this story authentic to its 12th century setting. Mystery and adventure lovers will appreciate the suspense as the story tension ramps up to the climax.

If you’re a parent looking for a clean read for a boy or a girl who enjoys adventure stories and mysteries, Shadow in the Dark is a great find!

[Marie C C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young peasant boy wakes up in a monastery with no memory of his previous life or the attack that robbed him of both his family and his past. He is given a new name, Alexander or “Xan” for short, and thrown into a new life, learning the ways of the monastery, trying to figure out who he is, and especially trying to solve the mystery of the dark figure that wanders the monastery grounds at night.
It started off like a typical middle grade medieval-setting story, but quickly impressed me as being a cut above most.
The monks are multi-dimensional characters rather than paper cut-outs, and the plot is anything but predictable.
Xan and his friend Lucy are both courageous and intelligent children that kids will love to read about. Xan solves some of his mystery, and learns some things, but he’s not a perfect character at the end. He still needs to figure out his path in life. It’s satisfying in itself, but ready for a sequel as well. Fortunately, there are two more books in the series.

[S Tondra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the year 1184 in England and bandits are out burning villages. A young boy tries to defend his village with is father but while fleeing from a bandit he falls, the bandit hurts him and leaves him for dead. He wakes up in a monastery with no memory of who he is or where he comes from. While the monks try and help him find out who his is, his memories come back little by little and he wants to help the monks, who are also being attacked by the same bandits, find out why and who is behind it all. This adventure takes readers back in time while they learn about the way life was in medieval England they also go on a quest to find out who is behind all the chaos. I found this to be an enjoyable historical fiction and mystery behind who/what the shadow that roams at night.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Phillip Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

With his village burned down and his memory gone, a boy receives a new identity. While hoping that his memory and life will return, he stumbles on a mystery that gives him a purpose, even after he learns the fate of his family. Xan, as he is now known, sets out to find the person behind all the terror being raised in the area.

Though the book is aimed at older children, it contains several themes that they can use as they mature. Xan learns about not taking revenge and forgiving others. He is frequently told about Christ dying for the sins of all, and how he should show the same selfless love.

These themes are wrapped in a story of mystery and suspense, with some action added in. This book does a good job of holding readers’ attention and keeping the plot moving along. In fact, even older ages could enjoy reading it.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book geared towards Middle-School children, and yet I think there is something for older teens and parents and adults as well. This book being centered at an abbey gives many details of what that would be like, but even beyond that it really incorporates faith and prayer into the whole experience. Mentions of the Eucharist, Confession, mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Latin, and more are weaved into the text, along with the very person prayer and searching of the main character. While I wouldn't want every book to be repetitive in that, it is refreshing to read something so wholesome and God-centered. Beyond that, there is a neat little mystery, if a simple one, that guides the story to it's conclusion and gives something tangible that the reader is working on with the Xan, the protagonist. I also think his experiences are very real, and this book does what it sets out to do, in a very fulfilling way.

[Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow in the dark es el primer volumen de una trilogía medieval, bien ambientada que cuenta con un fuerte componente histórico, en una trama sencilla, pero efectiva que habla desde la ambición, el perdón y la identidad. No obstante, su exaltación del personaje principal y el cierre débil en torno a su elemento más atractivo le resta una buena parte de lo que podría haber sido.

En mi opinión, el mayor problema con la historia fue cómo responde la pregunta sobre la sombra. Desde las primeras páginas, hay énfasis sobre una figura de túnica negra que porta algo en la mano, en una referencia muy estereotipada de la muerta. Pero luego, la sombra desaparece hasta casi casi la segunda mitad del libro, donde vuelve con apenas dos o tres momentos que se resuelven de una forma demasiado simplista para todo lo que fue.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, especially because I’m a mystery-lover.

“Xan” (Short for Alexander) is introduced at the beginning of the book, in a crisis event. He is a young boy in England in the Middle Ages, who is hurt during a bandit attack on his village, and gets amnesia. As he tries to find out who he is, with the help of Benedictine monks who take him in, we get to know his natural goodness as he is attacked by a bully his age, and by a more ominous adult enemy as well.

The suspense as the mystery unfolds keeps the reader engaged. We also learn about life during feudal times, as this is historical fiction.

It’s a wonderful story, which I will give my 8th grade son.

The author also explains what historical fiction is, and has a glossary of terms for the youth to understand all that is presented.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one with my kids. There is some violence and darker themes (The main character is injured and presumably orphaned in the first chapter, though we don't officially learn the fate of his parents until later.) that would make it a bit scary for young children, but mine are older. Xan's loss of memory is treated more as a barrier to making friends and adjusting to a new setting than as a truly traumatic incident, which I think is appropriate to how a child would handle it. The title shadow is a fairly minor part of the plot and something some of the children use to torment the others while a real threat looms. The book has some depth for adults, with the monks naturally weaving in Catholic ideas, and action and mystery to keep the younger readers engaged.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just discovered this YA mystery set in the medieval days involving a young man whose village is overrun by bandits. His father tells him to run and he does and next thing he knows, he is waking up with no memory of who he is. He is also a guest of Benedictine Monks.

I loved this book. Mystery, obvious good guys and obvious bad guys. Is the book Catholic, yes. Is it overwhelming religious, No, but it does dwell on the Will of God and how God can use each one of us. This is a great book for young adults or even old adults like me.

This is the first in a series and I guess I will have to track down book number two.

[Alexandria ( Allie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Shadow In The Dark, was quite a read!
At first, it took me some time to dive into it, for some reason, the action didn’t grasp me at first. Then, when conspiracies surrounding Br. Leo came about, I found I couldn’t put the novel down.
This book truly shows how to forgive, even if a person is truly devious. The monks were a very beautiful example, and Xan was an excellent character.
I can’t wait to read the next novels in this series, and I hope the bring me as much excitement as this one did!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting title with a mystery. Alexander finds himself at a monastery surrounded by orphans. He has no memory of his life before that day, just hearing that he was found on the roadside injured.

In the days that follow, he uncovers not only his identity but a threat to the peaceful life at the monastery.

Set during the reign of King Henry II, the reader gets a glimpse of life during that time period of the Middle Ages.

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An attack by bandits in the middle of the night leaves a young boy with no memory of who he is or where he is from. Nursed back to health by the devoted monks in a Benedictine abbey, he takes the name Alexander, or Xan for short. Aided by the kindly Brother Andrew, Xan commits himself to finding out who he really is. Does he have a family? Are they still alive? And who – or what - is the shadowy figure creeping around the abbey in the dead of night?

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for catholic and Christian kids

Great mystery intertwined with battle and depicting a child with difficult choices to make who relies on God to help him.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia received for Christmas and is really liking this new series of historical fiction Catholic mysteries for kids. She rates this first book in the series 4 stars.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery set in England in the Middle Ages. Set in a Benedictine Monastery where the orphans think that the grounds are haunted by the Grim Reaper. This is a novel for young readers.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery for children. Good start to the series, my children were excited to want to continue to the next book.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book I, Shadow in the Dark, begins with the sound of thundering hoofbeats. Our young protagonist sees a group of bandits riding and is in a hurry to go tell his father of the danger approaching. Unfortunately, he is too late. The village has been destroyed. Everyone he knows; everyone he loves has been killed. The bandits attempt to kill him as well, but somehow he manages to survive only without his memories. Inside an abbey, he awakes as a blank slate. He does not remember his family or where he is from. He doesn't even know his name. Brother Andrew, who eventually becomes the boy's spiritual guide and I'd say one of his closest friends, suggests the name Alexander (Xan for short). While trying to discover both his identity and his place in the world, Xan and some of the other orphan children at the abbey notice that there is an ominous figure roaming the grounds, and that wherever this figure appears, people die. In an effort of equal parts adventure and self-preservation, the youth attempt to solve the mystery of who this deadly shadow is.

This story is not only an adventure story, but also a mystery and a coming of age story. Kolenc combines these elements while painting an accurate picture of life in the 12th century. We see this in minor things like descriptions of everyday life and appropriate language, and he even helps the younger reader by explaining what unknown terms might be. I won't tell you the resolution to the story, but there's are very good Catholic messages running throughout this book, which include Christian love/charity and above all forgiveness of those who have wronged you. I'm always wary of younger kids books when mystery is involved, because they are sometimes a bit too simplistic. That was not the case, as there were some red herrings to keep you guessing. This was a very enjoyable book and is appropriate for ages 10 and up.