The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle

by Taryn Souders

When Grady and his dad learn that the town oddball, Eudora "Kooky" Klinch left something for them in her will, they can only imagine what it might be. When it turns out it's an old 300-year-old piece of cloth, they are bitterly disappointed. But the cloth comes with a note saying, "This is no ordinary piece of needlework. It's a treasure map. Riddles and Clues. To the victor go the riches." Grady's dad dismisses it, but Grady thinks this could be the chance of a lifetime. With the help of his friends Thad, Clemmie, and the town dog Ophelia, Grady is determined to crack the clues and find the treasure.

But when someone tries to break into Grady's house one night, and then the local antiques expert who examined the tapestry is found unconscious, Grady realizes that he's not the only one who knows about the treasure map. There's more at risk than he bargained for, and solving this mystery just got a lot more dangerous.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Family

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2023

Reviews

[Sierra Dertinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coop Knows the Scoop has my heart, but The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is just as thrilling! The perfect read to kick off summer. A great mix of mystery, history, small-town drama, and quirky characters. I will definitely purchase for our Elementary library!

[Leslie Santamaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is a fun and well-plotted mystery filled with quirky secondary characters and a trio of young main characters with compelling backstories and inner challenges. I think middle grade readers will enjoy seeing Grady, Clemmie, and Thad piece the clues together, but the story is even more than a mystery because it’s also layered with subtexts. Grady and his dad are trying to get along following the death of his mother a couple years ago, but it’s not easy because they are very different. They also struggle financially because of the extensive medical bills from Grady’s mother’s illness. The mystery is linked to the real War of Jenkins’s Ear, which took place in both the Caribbean and GA, and that’s something educators can build upon in the classroom. The small town setting is vivid, with a coffee shop/diner as the hub of activity and a graveyard Grady and his pals search at night. The story demonstrates how people with differences can get along, and there’s plenty of humor for kids to enjoy along the way.

[Lindsay Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taryn Souders has done it again. I loved COOP, so I strongly suspected I'd enjoy this one as well. I was hooked from page one. Fantastic voice, quirky small town dynamics, lovable characters you can't help but root for and a clever mystery all rolled into one. The perfect summer read!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if you discovered you had an unknown relative who left you a treasure map in their will? Could you and your friends find the treasure? Grady hopes to in this story, especially as he and his father are about to be evicted from their home. Can you solve the mystery before Grady? If there is a treasure, where is it and what could it be? Like her first book, Coop Knows the Scoop, this one also includes a murder. Young mystery fans and sleuths will want to give this one a try along with fans of other mysteries set in the south (i.e. Three Times Lucky, Last in a Long Line of Rebels).

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s not to love about a book that has rich character development, (including one character that swears using the names of famous architects) references Emily Dickinson, takes readers on a fun treasure hunt, and mentions Eph. 2:8?
Loved this one!

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will love the mystery; parents will love the history.

Taryn’s signature southern grace always hits the mark. Her witty humor, heart-warming storylines, and ability to weave a mysterious tale will grab readers from the first dig. She never misses a teachable moment-history, vocabulary, character, and random trivia- it’s all woven seamlessly into her charming masterpiece. Taryn is a breath of fresh air in the world of middle grade fiction and the Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is sure to be a another favorite.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle introduces readers to Grady and his father. Things have been tough for the pair since Grady's mom died. His dad has been distant and financial problems are looming large over their heads. Grady unexpectedly inherits a mysterious cross-stitched sampler after the death of one of his town’s eccentric residents. His dad dismisses it as junk, but a note with the sampler leads Grady to believe it is actually a treasure map. With his dad needing money to save their house from foreclosure, Grady teams up with his two best friends to solve the puzzle in the sampler. He soon finds they're not the only one looking for the treasure & someone is willing to murder to get it!

The book features great characters and a well-developed, quirky small town setting that plays an important role in the story. I've had many requests from upper elementary age readers for murder mysteries and I've had a hard time finding good ones for them. With its mix of adventure, history, and intrigue, I think this book will be perfect for my school's readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

[Enchanted Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute and fun read. I will definitely be getting a copy to put into my classroom. The book has well developed characters that are interesting, and the setting adds to the overall plot which is great especially when wanting to get students to read how setting can impact a story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this great ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Francesca O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book! I haven’t loved a book THIS much in a LOONG time. Brava Ms. Taryn Souders!! I was engaged right from the start and the themes of loss, friendship, family, and ambition felt like they were spilling out of the pages into the real world with how raw, engaging and beautifully written they were. The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is so descriptive but there is ZERO filler in this novel. Everything is important!! From small parts to develop characters or huge plot points, everything is necessary. Taryn Souders is such an incredible author and I fell in love with all of these characters! The little details she added made me smile and laugh a ton, ie instead of swearing, Thad says the names of architects, the playful banter between the three kids, the Bonnie and Clyde reference (I am a huge B&C buff) and the mention of dyscalculia! I myself have this and even though these details are small, it’s things like this that mean so much to me. Personally, it’s the little details that make or break a story; creating a story to feel like you could almost see yourself there, running alongside these characters can be a life changing experience for someone. Another huge thing for me was the Christian overtone/theme. While this book isn’t solely about Christianity, it has the perfect balance whereas if someone who wasn’t familiar with that type of worldview, would still absolutely enjoy this book. It’s a perfect way to bridge the gap between people!

Thank you for tagging along on this review! I hope so many more people love it just as much as I do.

Needless to say, this book is going on my very exclusive (3 now 4 books <3) “favs,favs,favs” bookshelf. ❤️

I CANNOT wait to read more books by Taryn Souders, she deserves so much more acknowledgment, seriously. I will forever stand by the fact that anyone of any age can read this book, thank you.

It’s time to give Kidlit/middle grade authors the attention and credit they deserve.

[Heather Iseminger · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But whether you’re a half-full or half-empty type of person isn’t important.” She leaned closer to me. “What’s important to remember the glass is refillable.”

Like a perfect glass of cool, summer lemonade, The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle examines real pains in life, while stirring in the sweetness of friendship and the freshness of wisdom. Taryn Souders refills our glasses with an exciting mix of southern charm, hot summer days, and childhood escapades in her latest middle grade novel. Sure to be another hit, Radcliffe brings each young-at-heart reader a murder mystery with all the mischief expected of a small town. So pull up a porch swing and take a sip of all that Souders has to offer in this delightful sleuthing adventure. You’re cup will runneth over…

(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.)

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out well. I liked the characters, the humor and the mystery until it got more complicated. The audio was nicely done.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun middle grade mystery with a touch of history, adventure and even murder!! Perfect for those middle grade ages that love to use clues to track down long lost treasures!

Grady and his dad are left in the will of the town oddball. This comes in the form of an old embroidery piece that claims it is a treasure map. With the help of his friends, Grady sets out to solve the riddle and save his family home.

Would also make for a fun classroom read aloud!

[Kayla Pitoniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I believe the first half of the book was a little bit slow on the uptake, Souder's narrative style is pleasant to read and I enjoyed Grady as a protagonist (not so much his friends). As the story progressed, I did become much more interested and invested in the mystery.

I also enjoyed the actual historical portions that were explored and introduced over the course of the novel. Learning about events I didn't know existed is always fun.

[Cora Mabry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fun middle grade mystery with light Christian themes! I really enjoyed this and highly recommend the audiobook!

CW: maternal death, car accident, grief, loss of spouse, brief mention of child loss

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grady and his dad are about to lose their house to foreclosure. So they get pretty excited when they learn that the local eccentric is a long-lost relative of Grady’s mom and Grady is inheriting something from her. But when it turns out to be some old sampler, a bag of cat food, and some mail they get less excited. The lawyer says the sampler is supposed to lead to a long-lost family treasure, but his dad thinks it is a wild goose chase and tells Grady to sell the sampler to the local antique shop. Grady still thinks it is worth a shot, especially when they are about to lose their house and have to move away from his best friends. So he swaps out the real sampler with an old one of his mom’s, takes the fake to the antique shop (in the old frame), and recruits Thad and Clemmie to help him chase down the treasure. If only they can figure out what a 12 year old girl would have left as clues in a sampler 200 years ago. Their only hope that they are on the right track is someone went to the effort of stealing the swapped one from the antique shop. But what are the chances a buried treasure from 200 years ago is still around even if they can decipher the clues?
This was a well done mystery with some vibrant small town characters, some really good friends, and some little-known history thrown in. The treasure hunt also becomes a murder mystery because the break-in at the antique shop accidentally caused a cascade of shelves that killed one of the owners. Grady’s friends and church and broader community are really supportive. I like how these people care for each other. The one bad person is not the norm for the town, and there are just enough clues careful readers can figure out who done it before Grady and gang (though it is hard). The treasure relates to a battle in the Southern US in a war I had never heard of before, but is a real part of history. The end of the book has a bit of a twist that was satisfying. The cover makes this look a bit dark and spooky, but it really isn’t. Yes, there’s a murderer on the loose. And yes, they are chasing clues all over (and at first hiding that from adults, but they soon realize they need adult help and fess up). It feels more National Treasure-ish than Agatha Christie.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: One accidental death (no gore described), one person is in serious peril at another point. Deaths from old age, disease, and accidents in past are mentioned.
Ethnic diversity: Grady and Thad are white American, Clemmie is Black American. You meet a lot of the town and it seems half/half Black and white, and many friendships cross those lines.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: A woman suffering from memory loss is depicted, grief, fear of losing home

[abigail ⋆.˚☾.⭒˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 ⭐️

This book honestly fell a bit flat for me, which I’m sad to say, yet I honestly expected it.
One, I didn’t find the plot very interesting or gripping. I never read this book more than I had to because it just didn’t catch me, you know? Also, when I read the blurb, I had thought the sampler would be the first of many clues in some sort of epic -well, not epic, but at least cool- treasure hunt around their town. But the sampler was it. And I get it, it makes sense for what it is, but it just seemed to fall short.
Two, the feeling in this book just didn’t hit for me. Grady’s grief about his mom is decently well shown, and I like the tension in him and his dad’s relationship because of their great loss. But other times, in more recent moments of grief or anguish, I just didn’t feel it like I would have expected and wanted.
Three, the characters were sort of… planned. I know that doesn’t make any sense, but each one had a “talent” or “thing” that was shown in the book, sometimes throughout and sometimes only once or twice. When I saw these “talents” come into play, and saw them in relation to the plot and events within it, it felt like these characters were made to have this one interest or specialty for this part of the plot, and that’s it. Im only talking about four characters -Grady, the MC, and Thad, Clemmie, and Grady’s dad- but with the role these characters play in the story and in finding the treasure, I guess I just wish their talents were more diverse and interesting, not so simple as being bossy or liking music or liking architecture; that really specific sort of stuff that feels like it was there for one purpose and one purpose only.
Basically, I honestly wasn’t a huge fan of this book, just due to its flatness and almost redundancy at times.

[papasteve · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the aspects of this book that I liked most were the voices of the main characters. They were authentic and true to themselves throughout the story. I could hear the despair and growing cynicism in Grady’s voice as it appeared the inevitabilities of his situation grew nearer, and his frustration with a universe that never seemed to give a kid a break. I’ve never known poverty like that, but I got a tiny glimpse of what it would be like through Grady’s voice.

I also loved the descriptions of the small town people and their quirks. I have spent most of my adult life in small, rural towns and I knew people exactly like that.

[Wendi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was absolutely incredible! Pulled me into the story right away! There were lots of twist and turns which kept me surprised throughout the entire book. I couldn’t predict who the “thief” was and I couldn’t put the book down till I found out. I was shocked by the “bad guy” reveal! The ending made me so happy for the main characters too! I think this is a great book for 5th graders and up!

Thanks to #netgalley for allowing me to have this copy!

#themysteryoftheradclifferiddle #kidsbooks#bookreview #netgalley #tarynsouders #sourcebookskids

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thad, Clemmie and Grady are on a mission to save Grady from losing the home he shares with his father and moving away from their small town. When the town’s oddball leaves something for Grady in her will, mysterious things start happening. The old sampler from long ago might hide the clues to a buried treasure that could change everything for Grady, but someone else other than Grady is after it, too. Together, the three friends band together to solve the mystery, save their friendship and quite possibility take over the town, too. This is an engrossing middle grade book for the reader that loves books with big themes like loss and friendship with a bit of mystery and mischief, too.

[Rebecca McPhedran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Maine Student Book Award nominee for 24|25.

Grady is struggling with his dad. Since the death of his mother, it seems like they can’t connect, but thankfully, he has his two best friends Thad and Clemmie.

When an old reclusive woman in town dies; she leaves something to her closest living relative-Grady. And this inheritance could lead to treasure. Grady could save his home, if they can survive to unlock the clues. Full of mystery and adventure, this was a fun ride.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title.

Kids who love mysteries are going to devour this book. The characters are believable and fun, the town and its inhabitants are quirky, and the story pulls at the heart just enough to keep readers invested in the protagonist beyond his treasure hunt. If you have a reluctant reader, hand them this book. And if you have a voracious reader, hand them this book. It's sure to be a hit.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did Eudora Klinch leave Grady and his dad? With the help of his friends Thad and Clemmie, they are out to solve the Radcliffe Riddle. Read this fantastic mystery and find the secrets this small town holds. A cool tie in with history too!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the history in it, (kid has to solve history puzzles to find the treasure). Lots of grief processing and at one point the main character is going to lose his home. Grief from death of parents, spouses, friends, other family members, kids.

[Craig Paulshock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story, great mystery! Just the right amount of scary. I recommend this to all mystery lovers!

[Perez-B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75

[Katie]

read with my class for Battle of the Books

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grady and his dad inherit an old sampler rumored to be a treasure map from the town’s eccentric (who left the bulk of her estate to her cats!). Grady’s Dad wants to sell it immediately to help stave off their looming foreclosure. Before the sale, Grady switches the sampler for one made by his mom and strange things start to happen – first they have an intruder on their property and someone burglarizes the antique store that purchased the sampler. Grady and his friends become convinced there really is a treasure and are determined to solve the puzzle. This mystery manages to weave in a story of loss and grief, small-town life, poverty and hard times, a real War over an ear, and a rip-roaring whodunit.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful middle grade novel with a treasure hunt complete with secrets, robbery, and even murder. Grady and his dad are struggling to find their way after the death of his mother. Her medical bills have left them financially hard-pressed, their home in foreclosure and the two of them barely speaking. But an old sampler is bequeathed to Grady from a surprise relative and sets him and his two best friends, Clemmie and Thad, on a search for hidden treasure. Souder writes a pretty exciting treasure hunt but woven into that story arc is the theme of hope, even when it looks like there isn’t any to be found. The image most often used comes from the Emily Dickinson poem “Hope is the Thing With Feathers,” but there are other metaphors and examples throughout Grady’s search for both a physical treasure and one that is buried deep within him. Outstanding character development in more than just the trio of friends—there are quirky townspeople and even a squirrel chasing townsdog. Colonial history also finds its way into the story and may have some of the book’s readers searching for more information about a war over a chopped off ear. And Souder aids that search with a bit of extra info in the back matter. Text is free of profanity, sexual content, and even though there is a murder, it is completely bloodless.

Thanks for sharing a print arc with #BookAllies, Taryn Souders!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle by Rayn Souders would. A big fan of adult cozy mysteries, this mystery story for kids gave me the same vibes and had several fun twists and turns. Grady, our main character, is having a tough time - his mom passed away, his father is struggling (with finding work, with paying bills, with connecting with Grady), and what he thought was going to solve all their problems, a bequeath from an unknown relative really was NOT what it seemed to be. But Grady is also determined - he has a feeling that maybe, just maybe, he can find a missing treasure (which may or may not be true) and change their luck.

With a likeable cast of characters, some unexpected twists and turns, a "villain" that isn't quite expected and a quirky little town with a lot of heart, this book was a fun read that absolutely would appeal to kids. As an added bonus, real history is woven gently into the story, providing some new knowledge that isn't dry or boring.

[Tara Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest Taryn Souders mystery is my favorite of her books so far! Grady, Thad, and Clemmie are such lovable characters (reminiscent of our favorite Harry Potter trio) and the setting had me longing for that small-town life. After things get set up in chapter one, the mystery moves quickly- full of cliffhanger chapter endings that kept me turning pages. I found the embroidery sampler/inheritance/treasure map theme to be unique and fun, and the librarian in me loved how much the characters relied upon real, honest-to-goodness library research to help them solve the mystery. This book is going to fly off the shelves in my elementary library!