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Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues

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Leila Beal and her little dog, Nugget, are back in this second installment of Leila & Nugget Mysteries. A treasure hunt ensues at Englewood Elementary. There's just one problem—there are no clues!
Mr. McGee was the principal of Englewood Elementary in 1947, and the students have just discovered that he created a massive treasure hunt all those years ago... But Mr. McGee disappeared before he could share any of the clues. Seventy years later, Leila and Nugget are ready to crack the case and find that missing treasure.
 
Leila & Nugget Mysteries reward developing readers with nonstop laughs, twists, and—of course—cute pets.

Audiobook

Published March 7, 2023

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Dustin Brady

73 books64 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Angie.
1,110 reviews16 followers
March 12, 2023
This early chapterbook by Dustin Brady is a fantastic option for young mystery readers ready to get their hands on something great! The story is about Leila, a little girl who loves to solve mysteries. There are multiple clues, and nothing too scary! The book as 12 chapters and is about 120 pages long, so each chapter is relatively short. There are black and white pictures, spread throughout the book to help readers who benefit from images to help them comprehend the story. The font is fairly large, well spaced and is easy to read, making it the perfect transitionary book for young readers who are moving from picture books to longer texts. I could definitely see my grade 3 students enjoying this book and would absolutely purchase a copy for our classroom library. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 6-9 range. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
Profile Image for Matthew.
2,890 reviews52 followers
March 18, 2023
Review copy provided by NetGalley

This early middle grade mystery has great pacing and just enough intrigue to the reader at right up to the finish line. Though it takes place over a span of months, I never felt as though it dragged. In all, this was a well-told mystery with interesting clues and enjoyable characters. After this one, I'd be glad to try another adventure involving this duo.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews454 followers
April 3, 2023
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


I just couldn’t resist this book when I saw it on Netgalley. I mean, cute dog? Sold me. Haha, but also the mystery sounded like a lot of fun.

The treasure hunt was a delight, I can imagine that no one ever managed to find anything. One, the whole thing with the principal and what happened makes things hard. But then that first clue. You would really have to know a certain thing and then a specific item. After that it also wasn’t the easiest, especially in the now time. Thankfully, Leila does have some help from an elderly neighbour who went to the same school as Leila and at the time of the treasure hunt even! Yep, even she tried, but just couldn’t manage as no one knew the first clue. I loved that the older lady was just as excited as Leila and that she was so curious to see if Leila figured out things and helped Leila out at times. I just loved all the clues and hints and little things and had fun thinking if I could figure out the clue.

She also, later in the book, gets help of her friend. I really liked the friend and loved the fresh perspectives she gave that helped with the hunt! Though who would sell chocolate bars without even checking the date. XD Oh boy.

I also loved that there is a time limit. Leila’s school is going to be demolished so there is only x weeks/months before the treasure hunt is no more. Well, given the ending I would say that maybe there is at least some chance for something… that is all I will say. XD

And it was fun that she didn’t just BOOM BOOM solve the clues or get very far. We do see weeks pass by, see the deadline get closer, that made me happy, I would have definitely been scratching my head if she had solved it very easily. Afterall, no one solved it for 70 years, so it is just not logical for someone now to do it so fast.

Nugget was just the cutest, I love it that he is a cavapoo. I did have to find out what that one was, the name seemed familiar but I just couldn’t match an image to it and then I was just like, but the dog on the cover and in the illustrations doesn’t really look like a cavapoo, so I am still a bit confused. XD But I loved Nugget and I love the bond Leila and Nugget have. So cute!

I definitely could relate to Leila at points. Haha, I would also have liked to keep that treasure hunt and its clues to myself. I know it is something that multiple people should do, a whole group, but yeah, I would have also liked to be the one discovering it all! No competition. No stress. Just fun.

The ending was fab, I am happy that Leila decided to do that, it must have been hard for her to decide on that, so I was proud. I am not sure if I would have done the same, haha. But in this case it definitely helped out with figuring out things. Sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes to figure things out. And I loved that she figured out that last clue and what the price was and what Leila decided to do with it. I am sorry, but I don’t see it as a spoiler. It is a children’s book and the whole message of the book is happy and positive, so I knew from the start what would happen.

All in all, I would like to read more Leila and Nugget book. This was fun, adorable, and full of mystery! I would recommend it.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Anastasiya M.
1,237 reviews13 followers
October 11, 2023
I enjoyed this audiobook quite a bit and a lot more than some of the other middle-grade books I've requested on NetGalley.

It had a good pace with enough curious moments laid out to keep you listening until the very end to find out what happened. It was a good mystery with cool characters. The treasure hunt was my favourite part!

Read more here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.wordpress...
Profile Image for Barbara Schultz.
4,176 reviews303 followers
March 8, 2023
Book Title: Leila & Nugget Mystery: The Case with no Clues
Authors: Dustin and Deseree et.al (April) Brady
Series: Leila & Nugget Mysteries #2
Narrator: Emily Eiden
Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing
Genre: Children’s Mystery
Pub Date: March 7, 2023 (Happy Pub Day!)
My Rating: 4+ rounded up

Seventy-five years ago, the Principal of Englewood Elementary who was big on history created a hunt but Mr. McGee disappeared before he could share any of the clues.
Now Leila and her cute dog Nugget are ready for another mystery adventure and are out to find the missing treasure.
The clues are great and any child will be in their glory trying to figure them out.
Plus there are some good ‘messages’ that we can all relate!

Dustin Brady writes funny, action-packed books for children. Although he regularly gets locked out of his own accounts for forgetting passwords, he still remembers the Super Mario Bros. 3 Game Genie code for infinite lives. Dustin lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, children, and a small dog named Nugget.

I am not the target audience for this book but as an educator I love to read. I remember how I got turned on to reading especially mysteries when I was a young girl. I loved reading children’s stories to our daughters and then grandchildren. So it is not unusual for me to read a fun child’s or middle school book. When parents find out that I am an avid reader they’ll often ask if I have any recommendations. ~ I can always say~ as a matter of fact - Yes I do!

Want to thank NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 7, 2023
Profile Image for Martha.
867 reviews49 followers
December 26, 2023
This is a fun 'treasure hunt' mystery for young people. My Rating 4.5.
Leila is a third grader who, with her small dog Nugget, likes to visit neighbor, Mrs. Crenshaw, who used to be a teacher at Englewood Elementary where Leila attends. Leila likes mysteries and is excited when Mrs. Crenshaw tells her that the first principal of the school, Mr. McGee, created a treasure hunt for the students seventy years ago. The special event never took place and the treasure has never been found.

Leila and Nugget set out to look for clues. The search distracts her from even her best friend, and Leila begins to be disappointed after months with little progress. Finally, she gets a breakthrough and it isn’t long before her friend and other students are looking too. Can they solve the case and find the treasure?

The clues are wonderful riddles and the author takes Leila (and the reader) on a search up and down halls in the school, through a Hall of Presidents, and finding a “zoo” of critters with the help of some older teachers and the elderly janitor. There is history of the school, and, along the way, Leila learns a few lessons on friendship and working together. The story is sweet, and I enjoyed the treasure hunt. I do think that my grandchildren (4th and 1st graders) would enjoy this story. The images that are available at the Amazon link are very cute too so I would recommend the print version as well as the audio.

Audio Notes: Emily Eiden does a very nice job of narrating this children’s audiobook. The voice fits Leila and she provides distinct voices for the other characters too. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 4/1/2023 NetGalley Title.
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,766 reviews29 followers
March 12, 2023
First chapter book-- mystery. Leila and her dog nugget have befriended the elderly neighbor, Mrs. Crenshaw. When she tells Leila about an unsolved mystery left over from her school days, Leila is hooked. In the spring of 1947, the school principal organized a schoolwide treasure hunt, but then left town before the treasure was found. As the school is about to be demolished, Mrs. Crenshaw knows this is her last hope. Unfortunately, there are no clues. Leila examines her school thoroughly, looking for anything that connects to that school year. When she finds a hidden picture of the president William Henry Harrison, she races to tell Mrs. Crenshaw.

This sets the two of them off on the treasure hunt in earnest, with the fortunate ally of Mrs. Crenshaw's nephew the janitor. While Leila tries to keep the treasure hunt to herself, word quickly spreads around school. It's a race against the clock as the school year comes to a close and the case remains unsolved. But of course Leila comes through in the end, though she has a lot of help along the way.

This book is fairly quick paced and the hunt for treasure keeps it exciting. While several of the characters from book 1 are featured, this book works as a standalone.
Profile Image for Bella.
293 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2023
A fun detective story for kids. We follow Leila and Nugget as the embark on a treasure hunt with Leila's best friend Kate. The story has many lessons and teaching moments for kids. In this book we explore the Dewey Decimal System, which I found really cool. Throughout the treasure hunt Leila learns some very valuable lessons that helps lead her to the treasure.
At first, I was off put by the narration. It was a bit caricatured, and I didn't know if I could finish, or it would be a pleasurable read. However, as I listened, I found that the narration was great for this book and story. I think I was so used of listening to British narration that my ears had to now adjust to American narration, which this book was. Soon I was used to it, and it reminded me of an American ballpark narration. It felt all American which I enjoyed! It even included the pledge of allegiance and the American Flag which all added to the setting of the story.
This book would be a great edition to any school library and a great book to listen to during car rides to school, soccer games or any car trips.
Profile Image for Monique (abooklovingleo).
188 reviews57 followers
April 7, 2023
Super cute and fun! The mystery pacing for Leila & Nugget Mystery was done extremely well, leaving the reader intruiged and wanting to know what is going to happen next.

Synopsis:
After finding out about a massive treasure hunt principal Mr. McGee created in 1947, Leila and Nugget are ready to find clues and crack the case after the students find out that Mr. McGee had gone missing before he could ever share anything about the treassure hunt.

I don’t typically read these books in my spare time and I’m definitely not the target audience but working as an elementary teacher I’m always trying to find fun and new books to read to my class and I’m so happy to say even I enjoyed this book and wanted to continue listening to the audiobook!

The narrator’s voice suited the characters exceptionally well and made listening to this book extra enjoyable!

And if the story wasn’t cute enough, there’s an adorble dog!
Profile Image for Amy.
450 reviews10 followers
March 4, 2023
This story is adorable! I love that the detective is a young girl and that her cast of characters include not only her best friend, but also her dog, an elderly neighbor, and her “nemesis” at school. This book falls completely within the primary school age bracket. The situations and ultimate “message of the story” are much to in-your-face for anyone over the age of 10, but it’s well done for the younger kiddos.
Leila is charming without being overly precocious and sweet without crossing into saccharine. The mystery is fun to follow and I can’t wait for Leila and Nugget’s next adventure!
I think the voice narration was great - appropriately childlike without crossing into caricature. The length of the audiobook is perfect for a long car trip or waiting for an appointment.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #AndrewsMcMeelAudio for an ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Profile Image for Marion .
484 reviews11 followers
January 6, 2023
Leila & Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues (Volume 2) (Leila and Nugget Mysteries) is a darling book. Leila fancies herself as somewhat of a detective, and after talking with her neighbor Mrs. Crenshaw, she embarks on an adventure to locate a treasure hidden at her school many, many years ago. The book is easy to read for younger children with some great illustrations. Not only will it appeal to a child’s sense of adventure, but there are lessons to be learned, as well. Whether you are reading this book to your child or your child is reading it on their own, this is definitely one that you want to add to your library. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
9,011 reviews130 followers
January 19, 2023
This wins for the liveliness with which it's told, but it remains for people in the right age range and nobody any older. Leila is tasked by an elderly neighbour to do a favour – start to solve a treasure hunt laid out just after WW2 by the then-head teacher at the school they have in common – the school that will be bulldozed soon in a campus move. Ooh, deadlines! At times the mystery is hampered a little by there not being enough characters for things to be a real surprise, at other times the whole is worse off for the platitudes and 'it's not the winning but the taking part' and teamwork ideas. Still, as I say this is a brisk entertainment first and foremost, and for the right reader is probably a four star effort.
1,252 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2023
I enjoyed this story with all of the characters. The main character was Leila Beal and also her dog.

Leila Beal likes mystery so when a neighborhood friend tells her a story of a treasure that could still be at her school. She decides to look for it. The treasure as been  not found in the year 1947 when principal put it there. The principal wife got sick and he left it.

This was a fun children story to read. It has action and adventure throughout. It had a few giggles within. It was fun trying to solve the mystery within.

I received a complimentary audio copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions. The narrator of the audio did a good job to.
193 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2023
I do love a good audiobook! I never seem to have time in the week to sit down with a book so I enjoyed listening to this on my daily commute to work.
It was fast paced with brilliant characters. And I do love a good mystery story and this one was perfect!
Leila and Nugget embark on their latest mystery. They uncover fascinating clues while trying to find where the retired teacher has hidden the treasure! They must visit past employees to try and aide their quest.
A cute children’s story to read or listen to. Full of action and adventure with some laughs along the way!
Profile Image for Kirsten | KirstenLeeReads.
113 reviews4 followers
March 17, 2023
I listened to the audiobook version of this with my 7 and 5 year old and we absolutely loved it. We listened in a single sitting because my kids kept wanting to know what would happen next. The mystery solving and clues were fun to speculate about with them and the narrator did a fantastic job telling the story. We can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received an ARC copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Alice.
5,098 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2024
4 stars
This short chapter mystery features a girl and her dog (plus her friend and some others) trying to solve a mystery from 1947! Leila's friend Mrs. Crenshaw tells her about a scavenger hunt in their elementary (set to be demolished soon) initiated by the school principal in 1947. Are there any clues left after so many years? It appears that there are and Leila soon learns how teamwork makes the hunt more fun.
Profile Image for Cherry London.
Author 1 book83 followers
January 12, 2023
Leila’s imagination was on overdrive when her elderly friend Mrs. Crenshaw told her about the treasure no one had ever found. Leila couldn’t resist the sound of solving the age-old treasure hunt. So, along with her friends Mrs. Crenshaw, Kait, and her trusting pal Nugget, they put on their sleuthing caps and began hunting for clues. It was an entertaining and enjoyable story.
2,714 reviews9 followers
February 22, 2023
This is the second title in an enjoyable mystery series for kids. This one has elements that will definitely appeal. These include a seventy year old mystery and a treasure hunt. Luckily Leila and Nugget are on the case. Kids will enjoy following the clues with them!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
55 reviews
March 15, 2023
This book is a fun mystery for elementary aged students about a school treasure hunt planned by a previous principal. I’m sure children will have fun trying to solve the mystery before the end, but there are some twists and turns that you won’t want to miss along the way. I have recommended this book to young family members who love a good puzzle to solve.
Profile Image for Laura Persson.
56 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2023
This was adorable and brought me back to my childhood chapter book days. I loved listening to it on audio with my 3 year olds even though they aren’t old enough to follow the story, it was so well narrated that they did stay engaged on long car rides. It was very cute and even educational. Will definitely be purchasing a copy and looking into the series in the future.
153 reviews7 followers
October 3, 2023
A fun mystery scavenger hunt. I really enjoyed listening to this adventure and look forward to sharing it with my grandchildren. Encourages children to use their thinking skills and be observant of their surroundings. High recommend.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,267 reviews16 followers
January 5, 2023
This is an adorable picture book with a heartwarming story. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful

Thank you to Dustin Brady, NetGalley and Andrews Mcmeel for the arc of this book.
Profile Image for OjoAusana.
2,265 reviews
April 29, 2023
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Very cute lower grade mystery book! I have another book from this series i have to read but so far a very cute series!
Profile Image for Morgan.
861 reviews9 followers
June 23, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This was a nice introduction to the mystery genre for kids. The mystery stayed hard to solve until the very end and there were plenty of misdirections.
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