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The European Adventures #1
Mystery at Mouse Castle
Agatha Harrington and her three cousins Maxine, Simon, and Jane are not expecting to be dragged into an investigation of an international crime syndicate when they move to Frankfurt, Germany. But when a series of coincidences leads them to the medieval Mouse Castle on the Rhine River, they quickly realize the thieves have their eyes on a precious coin with ties to the Holy Roman Empire. It is up to them to solve the mystery at Mouse Castle before an important piece of history is lost forever. It’s a race against time and unknown criminals to save the coin.
If you enjoy reading Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, A to Z Mysteries, National Park Mystery Series, Timmi Tobbson you'll love reading The European Adventures!
Shelve Especially for fans
Rachel Selle writes history-filled mystery stories set in Europe. A teacher at a German elementary school by day, and author by night, she finds inspiration in her travels through Europe.
"Growing up in Alaska, I didn’t have the opportunity to travel to faraway places. I wrote The European Adventures for children who want to experience new cultures and delve into a mystery at the same time."
Each installment explores its host country's art, history, food, culture, and language. Stay tuned for the group’s next adventure in France.
Mystery at Mouse Castle is the first book in The European Adventures series.
If you enjoy reading Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, A to Z Mysteries, National Park Mystery Series, Timmi Tobbson you'll love reading The European Adventures!
Shelve Especially for fans
Rachel Selle writes history-filled mystery stories set in Europe. A teacher at a German elementary school by day, and author by night, she finds inspiration in her travels through Europe.
"Growing up in Alaska, I didn’t have the opportunity to travel to faraway places. I wrote The European Adventures for children who want to experience new cultures and delve into a mystery at the same time."
Each installment explores its host country's art, history, food, culture, and language. Stay tuned for the group’s next adventure in France.
Mystery at Mouse Castle is the first book in The European Adventures series.
- GenresChildrens
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2022
32 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2023
Lots of fun and facts and then even more fun!
MYSTERY AT MOUSE CASTLE is a chapter book/early reader that’s perfect for 7-10 year olds but will easily entertain the entire family for story time.
Three siblings and a cousin are a combined family due to hardship. They have left Boston for Germany as Mom and Dad, (Aunt & Uncle) have new jobs in Europe and every one is excited about the changes and opportunities.
Author, Rachel Selle, wastes no time laying down clues for this mystery. These 4 young sleuths encounter an unusual couple at the airport in Frankfurt while looking for Mom, after reaching Germany for the first time.
Selle provides beautiful descriptions of landscapes, architecture and historical information that’s interesting and appropriate for her audience. The family dynamics are refreshingly peaceful and it’s wonderful to see kids being respectful to each other, the adults around them and their surroundings.
Book 2 was released in late May of this year, (2023), and takes the 4 kids to France. I can’t wait to read that mystery and adventure story 📚
MYSTERY AT MOUSE CASTLE is a chapter book/early reader that’s perfect for 7-10 year olds but will easily entertain the entire family for story time.
Three siblings and a cousin are a combined family due to hardship. They have left Boston for Germany as Mom and Dad, (Aunt & Uncle) have new jobs in Europe and every one is excited about the changes and opportunities.
Author, Rachel Selle, wastes no time laying down clues for this mystery. These 4 young sleuths encounter an unusual couple at the airport in Frankfurt while looking for Mom, after reaching Germany for the first time.
Selle provides beautiful descriptions of landscapes, architecture and historical information that’s interesting and appropriate for her audience. The family dynamics are refreshingly peaceful and it’s wonderful to see kids being respectful to each other, the adults around them and their surroundings.
Book 2 was released in late May of this year, (2023), and takes the 4 kids to France. I can’t wait to read that mystery and adventure story 📚
September 16, 2023
This was a fun, easy to read mystery!
January 12, 2024
Nice mystery book with some historical and geographical facts as part of the plot. Easy chapter book for 3rd grade and up. First in a series.
December 19, 2025
I heard about “Mystery at Mouse Castle” a few years ago from a social media page I follow called German Girl in America. It is a children’s book about a group of kids who solve a mystery in Germany. It piqued my interest. The cover illustration reminded me of “The Happy Hollisters,” a book series about a group of kids who solved mysteries. I loved them when I was a kid!
In this book, we follow a group of American kids who are in Germany due to their mom/aunt’s job assignment as an architect. The kids run into a lady who lives in Mouse Castle (which is really a castle in Germany, Maus Castle–pretty sure I’ve passed by it on a Rhine River cruise). They also run into some shady characters, and there is a crime to be solved (or prevented?). The book is a fun way to travel to Germany vicariously and learn a bit of history too. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was in elementary school. I only wish the kids had visited Neuschwanstein Castle too.
The whole thing is wholesome and clean, which I appreciated too. Nothing “woke” here. I was interested to read that author Rachel Selle is an American who lives in Germany now and teaches at a school there. She credits her love of reading and history to her childhood participation in “Battle of the Books” which I coached at the elementary school where I taught. Good memories!
If you know an elementary age kid who’d enjoy a mystery set in Germany, you might recommend this book to them.
In this book, we follow a group of American kids who are in Germany due to their mom/aunt’s job assignment as an architect. The kids run into a lady who lives in Mouse Castle (which is really a castle in Germany, Maus Castle–pretty sure I’ve passed by it on a Rhine River cruise). They also run into some shady characters, and there is a crime to be solved (or prevented?). The book is a fun way to travel to Germany vicariously and learn a bit of history too. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was in elementary school. I only wish the kids had visited Neuschwanstein Castle too.
The whole thing is wholesome and clean, which I appreciated too. Nothing “woke” here. I was interested to read that author Rachel Selle is an American who lives in Germany now and teaches at a school there. She credits her love of reading and history to her childhood participation in “Battle of the Books” which I coached at the elementary school where I taught. Good memories!
If you know an elementary age kid who’d enjoy a mystery set in Germany, you might recommend this book to them.
September 8, 2023
I read Mystery at Mouse Castle after it appeared on my BookBub weekly email and was immediately intrigued to see a mystery series for kids set in Europe. The author did a great job of weaving a mystery in with history. Very well written and definitely would recommend for kids ages 7-12. Obviously, as an adult reading a children’s book, I keep my expectations realistic to that genre. I will be sending a copy to my niece for sure.
September 4, 2023
Needed a palate cleanser and this is what I needed. It’s like if the boxcar children were wet turn in 2022 and took place in Europe.it was fine. Poorly written but I love the vibes. Good for kids! Not good for adults (unless your like me and can’t get enough of stuff like this inbetween heavy reads)
March 20, 2022
entertaining and informative
Serves as both an entertaining mystery and travel guide to Germany, past and present. Great description of the beautiful surroundings on their river cruise to a typical, but mysterious castle.
Serves as both an entertaining mystery and travel guide to Germany, past and present. Great description of the beautiful surroundings on their river cruise to a typical, but mysterious castle.
March 3, 2023
Wonderful book for all ages! It has a great plot along with beautiful descriptions of German landmarks.
November 12, 2025
Simple read
This book has a straight forward simple plot. It has a lot of information about the background of the story. So it's educational as well as entertaining.
This book has a straight forward simple plot. It has a lot of information about the background of the story. So it's educational as well as entertaining.
October 1, 2023
Sweet middle grade mystery that added in historical elements.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews