Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Nooks and Crannies by Jessica Lawson-4 stars


Lawson, Jessica, Nooks and Crannies. 6 CDs, 7:27 hrs. Dreamscape Media, 2015. Mp3 download.

Source: Review Copy

Tabitha Crum has always wondered what it would be like to be loved. Forced to be her parents’ servant, her only companion is her mouse, Pemberley. It hardly comes as a surprise when her parents announce their moving to Spain that she’s not invited. With no future or hopes of becoming an inspector for Scotland Yard, Tabitha is excited to get invited to the reclusive Countess Camilla DeMoss’s house for the weekend.  There, the countess claims that she is looking for her estranged heir. After the heir’s parents were killed in a drowning accident, the child was adopted out to be never seen again. She isn’t, however, sure which of the 6 children it is and is using the weekend to figure it out. Things, however, aren’t always what they seem. As the kids are left alone with the Countess, the woman’s personality seems to take a 180. Mysteries regarding murders, ghosts, a mysterious heir, hidden nooks and crannies, and disappearing children are but a few that Tabitha will have to solve if she wants to survive the weekend. Will she solve the mysteries before it’s too late? Could she be the long-lost heir? Who really is the Countess?

Narrator, Susan Riddell’s intonations are unique and easily bring to life the characters in Lawson’s novel. Her narrative style complements Lawson’s story and adds depth to the plot. Although the adult characters seem unbelievable, they have a similar feel to Roald Dahl’s loveable. The kid characters are fun and engaging and add a level of humor to the novel. Plot is well-developed and has lots of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what will happen next. Fans of Roald Dahl, Barbara Brooks Wallace, mysteries, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.

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