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Ethan Murphy #1
Ethan Murphy and the Quest for the Minal
A middle-grade action, adventure, and mystery—a must-read!
Thirteen-year-old Ethan Murphy lives with his mother and has little to do with the outside world. He possesses unique puzzle-solving abilities.
When he receives his grandfather's letter, which says, "Your aunt has been abducted just like your father," everything changes for Ethan. He sets out to rescue his aunt, only to learn about his father's secret life and the ROM Agency.
Ethan's team has to solve the most complicated riddles written by his father and find the centuries'-old buried treasure to rescue his aunt from a dangerous gang.
But wait, riddles are not the only thing that blocks their way.
Can Ethan survive outside his comfort zone and rescue his aunt before it’s too late? Can he confront external challenges while still facing his inner demons?
Join Ethan Murphy and his team to solve the codes, unravel the mysteries, and earn a chance to be an agent of the ROM Agency.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan Murphy lives with his mother and has little to do with the outside world. He possesses unique puzzle-solving abilities.
When he receives his grandfather's letter, which says, "Your aunt has been abducted just like your father," everything changes for Ethan. He sets out to rescue his aunt, only to learn about his father's secret life and the ROM Agency.
Ethan's team has to solve the most complicated riddles written by his father and find the centuries'-old buried treasure to rescue his aunt from a dangerous gang.
But wait, riddles are not the only thing that blocks their way.
Can Ethan survive outside his comfort zone and rescue his aunt before it’s too late? Can he confront external challenges while still facing his inner demons?
Join Ethan Murphy and his team to solve the codes, unravel the mysteries, and earn a chance to be an agent of the ROM Agency.
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Anita Mishra
3 books36 followersAnita Mishra is living in El Paso, Texas. She is an author, an engineer, a teacher, a baker, and a homeschooling mom of two amazing children.
She enjoys writing middle-grade adventures and mysteries.
Anita loves mystery books in which you can connect with the characters and escape into their world.
Connect with Anita here:
➜ WEBSITE: www.anitamishra.net
➜ NEWSLETTER: www.anitamishra.net/newsletter
➜ INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ TWITTER: www.twitter.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ CONTACT: www.anitamishra.net/contact
She enjoys writing middle-grade adventures and mysteries.
Anita loves mystery books in which you can connect with the characters and escape into their world.
Connect with Anita here:
➜ WEBSITE: www.anitamishra.net
➜ NEWSLETTER: www.anitamishra.net/newsletter
➜ INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ TWITTER: www.twitter.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/anitamishrasp/
➜ CONTACT: www.anitamishra.net/contact
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 3, 2021
Ethan Murphy and the quest for the Minal
Right off the bat I really love Ethan. He’s intelligent and has a great vocabulary. I think is fantastic for younger readers and will aid them in learning new words. The other thing I like about Ethan is he’s brave and he doesn’t hesitate.
I also really love Steve and Grace. Grace is smart and witty. Steve tends to make me laugh. I think if I was in these situations I’d be most like Steve.The three of them make a great team. Another character I enjoyed was Hakim. He really seems to make Ethan think.
The addition of names for the chapter titles is a nice touch.
This book has fantastic characters, an amazing plot, lots of action, suspense, and really cool riddles.
Great read!
Right off the bat I really love Ethan. He’s intelligent and has a great vocabulary. I think is fantastic for younger readers and will aid them in learning new words. The other thing I like about Ethan is he’s brave and he doesn’t hesitate.
I also really love Steve and Grace. Grace is smart and witty. Steve tends to make me laugh. I think if I was in these situations I’d be most like Steve.The three of them make a great team. Another character I enjoyed was Hakim. He really seems to make Ethan think.
The addition of names for the chapter titles is a nice touch.
This book has fantastic characters, an amazing plot, lots of action, suspense, and really cool riddles.
Great read!
December 18, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book with my boys, both teens, and they really enjoyed it! It has codes and ciphers, the intrigue of a mystery (which ends in another mystery...), and good characters. We can't wait to read the second one and see what happens next!
February 4, 2021
Ethan Murphy is just an average boy living an average life… or so he thought. The only thing marring it is the fact that his dad broke a promise. Four years earlier, he promised to come back from one of his expeditions and never did. On Ethan’s thirteenth birthday he receives a gift from his grandfather, a very strange gift of some of his father’s belongings and an invitation to visit his grandfather’s house. That visit changes everything for Ethan who discovers that his archaeologist father was far more than that, his Aunt Matilda has been kidnapped, and that his family is involved in a secret organization! Moreover, his dad went missing while searching for a fabulous emerald, the Minal, supposedly belonging to Cleopatra. From an ordinary boy Ethan is turned into an extraordinary young investigator, relying on his wits, his skill in solving puzzles and acrostics, and his love for his family. With two new agents helping Ethan, this team of young agents must survive encounters with the bad guys, work out some very cryptic clues left by Ethan’s father, rescue Aunt Matilda, and retrieve the Minal before it falls into the wrong hands. When Ethan must finally go it alone, can he do it? Who can he trust? Who is a friend and who is a foe? Can he save his aunt and his new friends?
What a rollicking adventure! This story is full of action, many surprising twists and turns, nail-biting suspense, danger, history, mystery, and intrigue. The journey takes them to Egypt, and into a completely different geographical location, one they have never experienced before. Author Anita Mishra perfectly captures the mindset of this reluctant young hero and his compadres and the dialogues reflect teen concerns. Readers who are explorers at heart, who love mysteries, riddles and clues, and enjoy deciphering codes will devour this book. The puzzles are cryptic indeed, the clues are confusing at times, and time is running out! The dangers come thick and fast and Ethan must get to the bottom of the mystery because lives are at stake. Themes include loyalty, family, trust, betrayal and disillusionment, as well as courage, perseverance and hope, and not forgetting staying alive. I also really enjoyed the fact that there are no electronic communication devices (you never know who can hack in) so Ethan and his friends must work things out the old-fashioned way, using their minds. Egypt is a fascinating place and for the young reader interested in geography, new cultures, and faraway places, this is the perfect story to whisk them off to an ambiance of mystery and mayhem.
What a rollicking adventure! This story is full of action, many surprising twists and turns, nail-biting suspense, danger, history, mystery, and intrigue. The journey takes them to Egypt, and into a completely different geographical location, one they have never experienced before. Author Anita Mishra perfectly captures the mindset of this reluctant young hero and his compadres and the dialogues reflect teen concerns. Readers who are explorers at heart, who love mysteries, riddles and clues, and enjoy deciphering codes will devour this book. The puzzles are cryptic indeed, the clues are confusing at times, and time is running out! The dangers come thick and fast and Ethan must get to the bottom of the mystery because lives are at stake. Themes include loyalty, family, trust, betrayal and disillusionment, as well as courage, perseverance and hope, and not forgetting staying alive. I also really enjoyed the fact that there are no electronic communication devices (you never know who can hack in) so Ethan and his friends must work things out the old-fashioned way, using their minds. Egypt is a fascinating place and for the young reader interested in geography, new cultures, and faraway places, this is the perfect story to whisk them off to an ambiance of mystery and mayhem.
March 26, 2021
My son and I read this book together, and we both absolutely loved it. Our rating is 5 stars, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, but only because we couldn't give it more! This book would be categorized as a mystery, I guess. But it's not like any other kid's mystery that I've ever read. Its a wonderful mix of intrigue, action, and drama.
Ethan is a thirteen year old boy who is living a normal life with his mom when he's called upon to complete a near impossible task. Following a series of clues that are presented in the form of a complex riddle he has to find a treasure and save his aunt. Can he do it, and within the timeframe allotted?
The story that unfolds is action packed and filled with lots of tense moments that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Ethan and his team make for a cast of well-drawn characters. My son's favorite was actually Grace, who is a grade A chatterbox. 😂😂😂 Ethan is super smart and very mature for his age, and as for Steve my son said, "he's that guy. You know? He's just cool." 😎😎
So there you have it, a wonderful and unique mystery novel that is sure to delights kids of all ages. Its a middle-grade book intended for children aged 8-12, but I think children even younger would find it extremely entertaining. We loved it, rated it 5 stars, and highly recommend it as a fantastic read. Happy reading! Oh, and there's a second book that's coming out soon! We can't wait!!! 😊😊😊
Ethan is a thirteen year old boy who is living a normal life with his mom when he's called upon to complete a near impossible task. Following a series of clues that are presented in the form of a complex riddle he has to find a treasure and save his aunt. Can he do it, and within the timeframe allotted?
The story that unfolds is action packed and filled with lots of tense moments that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Ethan and his team make for a cast of well-drawn characters. My son's favorite was actually Grace, who is a grade A chatterbox. 😂😂😂 Ethan is super smart and very mature for his age, and as for Steve my son said, "he's that guy. You know? He's just cool." 😎😎
So there you have it, a wonderful and unique mystery novel that is sure to delights kids of all ages. Its a middle-grade book intended for children aged 8-12, but I think children even younger would find it extremely entertaining. We loved it, rated it 5 stars, and highly recommend it as a fantastic read. Happy reading! Oh, and there's a second book that's coming out soon! We can't wait!!! 😊😊😊
February 7, 2021
Ethan Murphy and the Quest for the Minal - Anita Mishra
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Anita.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan Murphy lives with his mother and has little to do with the outside world. He possesses unique puzzle-solving abilities.
When he receives his grandfather's letter, which says, "Your aunt has been abducted just like your father," everything changes for Ethan. He sets out to rescue his aunt, only to learn about his father's secret life and the ROM Agency.
Ethan's team has to solve the most complicated riddles written by his father and find the centuries'-old buried treasure to rescue his aunt from a dangerous gang.
This book has ciphers and riddles, which you are given the opportunity to solve alongside the characters. There is also a mystery to be solved which takes the main characters on a trip to Egypt.
This book is a quick read and I think it will be a perfect book for children to read (probably 8+) as it is engaging and educational. It is a short book with many twists in the quest for the Minal to keep the reader interested.
Rating 5/5
A perfect introduction to the series.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Anita.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan Murphy lives with his mother and has little to do with the outside world. He possesses unique puzzle-solving abilities.
When he receives his grandfather's letter, which says, "Your aunt has been abducted just like your father," everything changes for Ethan. He sets out to rescue his aunt, only to learn about his father's secret life and the ROM Agency.
Ethan's team has to solve the most complicated riddles written by his father and find the centuries'-old buried treasure to rescue his aunt from a dangerous gang.
This book has ciphers and riddles, which you are given the opportunity to solve alongside the characters. There is also a mystery to be solved which takes the main characters on a trip to Egypt.
This book is a quick read and I think it will be a perfect book for children to read (probably 8+) as it is engaging and educational. It is a short book with many twists in the quest for the Minal to keep the reader interested.
Rating 5/5
A perfect introduction to the series.
January 18, 2021
Great read for children aged 8 and above. I read this book with my son aged 10 and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The book has awesome riddles and codes to decipher and we had a great time trying to solve those along with the characters. It's like Indiana Jones for young children. The pacing is highly engaging. The characters and events are woven nicely. I would recommend this book for middle-grade children.
April 6, 2021
What a fun middle grade book! It's a mystery and an adventure filled with extremely creative puzzles and codes that have to be solved by some very smart and brave kids. With lots of twists and turns, the author keeps the readers guessing until the end of the book. Young readers everywhere will definitely enjoy this series!!
January 19, 2021
One of the best books for kids aged 8 years and above... My 8 year old loved it and enjoyed each chapter.. In the books these kids are always trying to help others and do the right thing. Author has mastered this art very well and these books convey this message very effectively to our kids. There's nothing scary in these books, the chapters are short, and everything wraps up nicely at the end of each book.
March 11, 2021
Riddles, codes, adventure... This is my kind of book!
It felt like an Indiana Jones for kids, and a perfect book to read in the classroom or together with your child if you're a parent. You'll be hooked by the twists, turns, and puzzles to solve... Readers of Rick Riordan's books or S.W. Lothian's Axel Rhodes Adventures will love this series.
I look forward to reading Ethan Murphy's next adventure!
It felt like an Indiana Jones for kids, and a perfect book to read in the classroom or together with your child if you're a parent. You'll be hooked by the twists, turns, and puzzles to solve... Readers of Rick Riordan's books or S.W. Lothian's Axel Rhodes Adventures will love this series.
I look forward to reading Ethan Murphy's next adventure!
January 22, 2021
This must be how James Bond got his start
Great story for any age. Join Ethan and his unlikely cohorts try to solve riddles, kidnapping schemes and high stakes treasure hunting while working as agents-in-training for a secretive organization.
Ethan is just a normal thirteen year-old, living with his loving and protective mother. He has no idea or intention of joining ROM until his hand is forced.
I would recommend this book to anyone ages 8+.
Great story for any age. Join Ethan and his unlikely cohorts try to solve riddles, kidnapping schemes and high stakes treasure hunting while working as agents-in-training for a secretive organization.
Ethan is just a normal thirteen year-old, living with his loving and protective mother. He has no idea or intention of joining ROM until his hand is forced.
I would recommend this book to anyone ages 8+.
January 19, 2021
This book is simply amazing. I bought this for my grandson, and he loved it. The characters are great. And he stopped only after finishing the entire book. He liked the riddles and puzzles in it. I plan to read it myself. I highly recommend it for every school-going child.
March 26, 2021
Fabulous book! My son and I loved it. It’s a most unusual mystery in that Ethan needs to uncover the location of a treasure to save his aunt by solving a coded message from his father.
Great story. Must read middle grade novel!
Great story. Must read middle grade novel!
March 28, 2021
Well well well ! in the book 'Ethan murphy' I felt sad at one point, when Ethan left all the mess to be cleaned by his mother after the party. But, it was very fictional and I loved it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2021
This book has a very interesting storyline and there are many shocking events that made me want to finish the book, but there are some reasons why I don’t like this book.
The main reason that I wasn't a huge fan of this book is it is very unrealistic and not believable, in my opinion. I know this was meant for kids, but there weren't any real challenges and figuring the riddles out was way too easy. I also wasn't a fan of the narration changing from third to first person with the use of words like "Mom" and/or "Grandpa". Another thing that I disliked was the constant change in font style and size—it threw me out of the story every time and it was really hard to read when mixed with other font sizes/style. I also feel that the ending could have been a little bit better, but I still did enjoy this story.
If you like riddles, mystery, and are looking for a book for the younger age group, this book is for you. Although there were many things I did not like, this was a good story that many people will love. I'm personally not a huge fan of books with riddles and puzzle solving, but I was given this book as a gift, so I decided to read it anyway. This might have been one reason why this book is not one of my favorites.
So, despite the things I did not like, and a few things most younger kids would not notice, this is a great book that you or your kid should read is you like riddles.
The main reason that I wasn't a huge fan of this book is it is very unrealistic and not believable, in my opinion. I know this was meant for kids, but there weren't any real challenges and figuring the riddles out was way too easy. I also wasn't a fan of the narration changing from third to first person with the use of words like "Mom" and/or "Grandpa". Another thing that I disliked was the constant change in font style and size—it threw me out of the story every time and it was really hard to read when mixed with other font sizes/style. I also feel that the ending could have been a little bit better, but I still did enjoy this story.
If you like riddles, mystery, and are looking for a book for the younger age group, this book is for you. Although there were many things I did not like, this was a good story that many people will love. I'm personally not a huge fan of books with riddles and puzzle solving, but I was given this book as a gift, so I decided to read it anyway. This might have been one reason why this book is not one of my favorites.
So, despite the things I did not like, and a few things most younger kids would not notice, this is a great book that you or your kid should read is you like riddles.
August 2, 2022
This is a fast-paced read – Ethan keeps moving! He is an interesting character with multiple layers of confidence tempered by appropriate questions about what he is doing and hesitations about whether it is the right action. But he acts decisively and loyally when his mind is made-up. His struggle about his relationship with his father adds a realistic complexity to his teenage character.
The puzzles and riddles add a bonus to the ongoing storyline. The challenge is to make them solvable for middle grade readers. The early riddles work the best. Pre-teens and teenagers can work them out or see how they are solved. Some of the late riddles are more difficult with prior knowledge or context most likely missing, thus making them harder to solve.
The puzzles and riddles add a bonus to the ongoing storyline. The challenge is to make them solvable for middle grade readers. The early riddles work the best. Pre-teens and teenagers can work them out or see how they are solved. Some of the late riddles are more difficult with prior knowledge or context most likely missing, thus making them harder to solve.
January 23, 2021
In this book, Ethan sets out on a mission to rescue his aunt and retrieve a long-lost emerald—the Minal.
I loved this book because it has many riddles and codes and is chock-full of adventure. There are unexpected plot-twists and many other parts that will keep you engaged till the end.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure and mystery.
I loved this book because it has many riddles and codes and is chock-full of adventure. There are unexpected plot-twists and many other parts that will keep you engaged till the end.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure and mystery.
April 10, 2021
Creative and Fun
This is a such a creative and fun middle grade book filled with codes and puzzles as the characters journey through their adventure. Lots of twists and turns to keep young children engaged.
This is a such a creative and fun middle grade book filled with codes and puzzles as the characters journey through their adventure. Lots of twists and turns to keep young children engaged.
March 24, 2025
This is an exciting story full of kids traveling all over the world--even inside the Sphinx! The language has a flavor of its own. I wouldn't call the language standard American English, but let its richness draw you in. It felt more and more compelling as I read on and I'm sure young readers will feel the same.
Ethan was an active and thoughtful hero and had a lot to figure out--do you know how to ride a camel? I'm interested in seeing Grace and/or Hannah take a stronger role in the next story. I'm sure there's more to both characters than Ethan has realized so far.
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My series for ages 9+:
book 1
book 2
book 2.5
book 3
book 4
book 5
Ethan was an active and thoughtful hero and had a lot to figure out--do you know how to ride a camel? I'm interested in seeing Grace and/or Hannah take a stronger role in the next story. I'm sure there's more to both characters than Ethan has realized so far.
My website
Get a little magic for the kids
My series for ages 9+:
book 1
book 2
book 2.5
book 3
book 4
book 5
December 14, 2021
This review is long overdue, but I so enjoyed this fast-paced adventure with a treasure quest that leads to Egypt, has clues and riddles to be solved, and a heartfelt story at its heart. Ethan Murphy is the quintessential reluctant hero when he gets thrown into the world of secret agents, treasure quests, a really cool Grandpa, and a kidnapped Aunt! Ethan has to solve clues and riddles left by his father, a secret agent, and what ensues is an adventure with thrills, plot twists I didn't see coming, and some entertaining sleuthing! This is a book to be enjoyed by all but especially your middle-grader who enjoys exciting adventures and a page-turner!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews