The Mystery of Shadow Hills (Skylar Robbins #1) by Carrie Cross Series: Skylar Robbins #1
Published by Ward Design LLC DBA Teen Mystery Press on July 30th 2013
Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery
Pages: 260
Source: Author
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins is horrified to learn that she'll be stuck at her bullying cousin Gwendolyn's creepy mansion for the summer. She has no idea how much excitement and danger awaits her in Malibu’s Shadow Hills.
As soon as Skylar arrives at the estate, unexplainable events begin to happen. She discovers a hidden garden in the huge back yard, and her new friend Kat pronounces it the perfect place to perform spells. Practical Skylar is skeptical, until the magic appears to start working.
Is Kat a real middle school witch and a true friend, or is she just interested in the cute stable boy? Did she use magic to control Skylar’s body, or was it all part of a complicated hoax? Who or what is making those terrifying noises up in Shadow Hills at night?
Rumors are flying and the locals are afraid. Kat challenges Skylar to take increasingly dangerous risks while she tries to solve the mystery. Armed with her detective tools, brains, and a huge dose of courage, Skylar will face her deepest fears to find the truth.
Skylar Robbins is not looking forward to spending the summer at her bullying cousin’s house. Feeling abandon by her parents she does the best to make due with her summer by sleuthing. Skylar’s goal is to be a detective like her grandfather was. Skylar’s detecting skills brings her into the mystery of shadow hills. There is something nefarious that happens after dark, especially on full moons. Will Skylar get to the bottom of this mystery?
In ” an Oyster Shell – A fun middle grade read that will have you following Skylar on all of her curious adventures.
The Pearls – It was an interesting concept to have a middle-grade aspiring sleuth. Skylar’s curiosity makes for some exciting adventures.
The setting of the old mansion where Skylar spends the summer makes for endless fodder for the imagination. There were lots of places for Skylar to explore. It made a great place for a mystery.
Skylar was a really fun character. She was curious and determined. The other characters were not as appealing but made for a great story with the conflict they created.
The Sand – In this book I didn’t like the occult references but it resolves itself in the end.
3.5 Pearls!
About Carrie Cross
Carrie Cross is an avid reader who fell in love with books as a little girl after reading Goodnight Moon. She wrote her first “book” at age four: Blackie the Little Black Dog and the Flying Washing Machine. Carrie discovered her love of mysteries reading Nancy Drew books and The Happy Hollisters series, and after writing THE MYSTERY OF SHADOW HILLS, she continues to look for clues in unexpected places to this day.
Carrie Cross’s influences include Judy Blume, Deb Caletti, Sarah Dessen, and Lee Child. In addition to writing Skylar Robbins mysteries and reading, Carrie loves to cook, hike at the beach, go boating, and travel.
During a recent interview she was asked, “Where do you get your inspiration?”
“When I was six years old, my parents decided we needed to buy a bigger house. We looked at a creepy two-story in Santa Monica Canyon, and I played hide-and-seek with the little girl who lived there. There were closets and secret hiding places with doors that opened into other rooms. Later, I wondered, “What if there was a clue hidden in one of those closets?” And the idea for the Skylar Robbins mystery series was born.
Skylar’s adventures continue in THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN JEWELS. After she solves her second big case, the Skylar Robbins Detective Agency tackles the MYSTERY OF THE MISSING HEIRESS. Carrie Cross is currently at work on her fourth Skylar Robbins novel, THE CURSE OF KOMA ISLAND.
