Posts Tagged 'ransom'

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Published February 16, 2021 Uncategorized 1 Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Number of Pages: 420

Ellingham Academy was founded in the 1930s by Albert Ellingham who wanted to created a school for talented young people. It was made famous in 1936 when Ellingham’s wife and daughter were kidnapped and ransomed. After Ellingham paid the ransom, however, they still were not returned. The whereabouts in particular of little Alice Ellingham has been a mystery ever since. In present day, Stevie Bell has been admitted to Ellingham Academy and she cannot wait to try to solve this decades old case. She wants to be a detective when she grows up and she feels she has learned enough about the case and sleuthing techniques to be able to solve this case once she is able to get onto campus. Shortly, after the school year begins, a fellow student is found dead in a recently unearthed tunnel. Was it an accident or was it murder? Stevie begins to grow convinced that the present day mystery is connected to the 1936 mystery and is determined to prove it. If there is a murderer on campus, though, will she be next?

This is the first in a three part mystery series and each one provides clues and shocking twists to the eventual reveal of both the 1936 mystery and the present day events. The cast of characters that Stevie meets at Ellingham Academy are interesting and colorful, but most importantly they are all supportive of each other’s interests and strengths. The story flips between Stevie in the present tense and then events and news clippings from the 1930s to help the reader piece together the mystery at the same time as Stevie. Fans of mystery stories will enjoy this series because since it take place over three books and therefore has the ability to truly develop at a natural pace while also fleshing out the unique culture of Ellingham Academy.

The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong

Published November 23, 2015 Mystery , RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
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masked truth

Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Mystery

# of Pages:  340

RAC:  Yes

Riley witnessed the couple she was babysitting for get murdered and has never been the same since.  She blames herself for not doing more to help them.  She has tried multiple counselors and the latest one has suggested she come to a weekend-long retreat with other troubled teens.  They are not there very long, however, when masked men come in and declare they are holding them hostage until a wealthy teen’s dad pays a hefty ransom for them.  Things begin to go wrong almost immediately and it quickly becomes obvious that they may not leave alive. Riley is now getting her chance to see if she were in a life threatening situation again if she would run or stand and fight.

Fans of mystery thrillers will enjoy this title because it is a lot more than it first appears.  The beginning even lags a bit as they struggle to find a way to defeat their kidnappers, but then things take a turn when everything Riley thought was happening is completely turned on its head.  For the most part any inconsistencies in the motivations of the characters are explained away and the resolution is exciting and captivating.  Fans of mystery books and shows should check out this title.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Published January 14, 2011 RAC , Realistic Fiction 3 Comments
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Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  213

RAC Book:  Yes

Cheyenne is a sixteen-year-old girl who has pneumonia.  When her stepmom runs into the pharmacy to get Cheyenne’s prescription a teenage boy jumps in the car and steals it, without knowing that Cheyenne is lying in the back seat.  Once he discovers her he also learns that she is blind.  Unsure of how to handle this situation, he goes home hoping his father can help.  Unfortunately, his father merely sees this as an opportunity to collect a ransom.  As the ransom plan moves forward Cheyenne starts to fear they have no intention of keeping her alive.  Can she manage to escape a place she has never seen before using her four remaining senses?

The fact that Cheyenne is blind lends a unique twist to a fairly common storyline.  She is a complex and interesting character that the reader naturally roots for.  Griffin, the boy who inadvertently kidnaps her, is struggling with a terrible home life and the apparent abandonment by his mother.  The two together grow quite a bit throughout the ordeal and end up finding courage they never thought they had.  Fans of Carolin B. Cooney’s novels will enjoy this one as well.

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