The Virginia Mysteries, Book 8 - Escape from Monticello

It's back to Virginia with the eighth installment of this mystery series for children by Steven K. Smith. As the series has progressed, so has Smith with his writing, his characterization, and his ability to weave more complicated mysteries with more dangerous elements to them.  With this eighth book, readers will find that Sam, Derek, and Caitlin have all matured and grown based on their experiences in the past seven books, so when the door of opportunity drops yet another mystery in their lap, they each face it in their own unique way...

Escape from Monticello is another mystery about Thomas Jefferson - or rather, about his grandchildren.  When Sam and Caitlin come across a journal written by one of Thomas Jefferson's granddaughters, they find some clues in the girl's writings about possible treasure that was hidden by Jefferson when he had to flee his home hundreds of years ago. But when the journal is stolen from the bookstore that Caitlin's mom owns, the kids are left with just one page from the journal - a very important page that leads them on a hunt for the possible treasure!  The only problem is, someone else is also on the hunt. The girl who stole the journal keeps turning up - first, at the library in the University of Virginia, and later at Jefferson's homestead, Monticello.  Who is she, and why is she following them?

The clues Sam, Derek, and Caitlin find seem to be leading them back and forth, and when the thief owns up to what she did, Derek and Caitlin are willing to join forces - after all, she is in college and old enough to drive, meaning they won't have to be dependent on their parents to take them where they need to go.  But Sam is not so sure. He is wary of the thief, and his warnings go unheeded.  Then, Sam gets the worse possible news: a villainous criminal from their past (one they helped put away in an early case) has been released from jail!  Sam is fearful and can't seem to shake the feeling that their enemy is coming for them.  Of course, his fears turn to reality when Derek and Caitlin are kidnapped, their parents are out on the town for a night, and the only person who can help Sam is... Mr. Haskins?!

Smith, as with his previous novels, manages to put enough historical facts into the story to ground the story in reality, while adding in just the right mix of mystery, adventure, and danger to keep readers turning page after page.  Smith has gotten the hang of intertwining the real history with the fictional history, and readers of this mystery will never feel like they are sitting through a history class or being beaten over the head with stories from the past.

A very satisfying read, and it leaves me wondering...will there be a ninth book?

RATING:  9 loose bricks out of 10 for maturing the mysteries right along with the characters for a fantastic read.