The Virginia Mysteries, Book 12 - Conspiracy at the Launch

When I picked up the first couple of books in this series years ago, I never expected it to actually last as long as it has. It has been nearly 10 years since I started reading this series, and we are now up to book 12, which in today's book market, is quite an accomplishment.  Most series I see on the shselves, particularly "mystery" series for young adults, never seem to last more than three or four books, possibly five or six if they are lucky.  So, for a series to make it to book 12 is an achievement for which author Stephen K. Smith should be very proud.  He has created a series with some fun, engaging characters, some great mysteries grounded in a lot of historical fact, and some stories that are entertaining for audiences of all ages.  Plus, I have enjoyed that Smith's characters have been aging, maturing, and learning as the series progresses, and I hope he has the opportunity to continue beyond this 12th mystery.

 

Conspiracy at the Launch takes the kids into some dangerous territory,  and takes readers into some new areas of Virginia.  This has been a huge plus about this series, in that Smith sets each of the books in a different part of Virginia, so those readers unfamiliar with the state and its history (such as me!), it's an opportunity to learn some geographical and historical facts about Virginia while enjoying a great fictional mystery.  Such as Wallops Island Space Center.  I was not aware, before reading this book, that Virginia had its own space center from which rocket were sent into space - yet, it is a real place (Wallops Island Space Center), found on Virginia's eastern shore, not far from the Virginia/Maryland border.  Surprisingly, there have been more than 16,000 launches from there since it was founded back in the 1940s!  So, as with all of his previous books in this series, Smith manages to integrate real Virginia history into the story, while still providing readers with an exciting mystery for young readers to enjoy.

 

This time around, Sam, Derek, and Caitlin find themselves entangled in a rather topical mystery for this day, involving conspiracy theories, whistleblowers, and tech billionaire who believes the ends justifies the means, no matter the cost to human life!  It is definitely a dangerous adventure, as the villain is pretty clear from the get-go - the question is, how can the kids go about proving that Aiden Hart is more concerned about getting a government contract than he is about the safety of the people involved in the space project.  But did he really kidnap a whistleblower to keep him from revealing the insufficient safety protocols?  Did he threaten a former partner in order to keep her quiet?  And what will he do to three kids who just happen to be in the wrong place at the right time to overhear the truth about what is really going on?  

 

Now, as is the usual thing with these mysteries, one must suspend their disbelief that adults would allow children this young to have such unsupervised freedom, or that they would allow them to go off with total strangers to solve a mystery - otherwise, there is no way they would be able to make their way stealthily past security and into a billionaire's private tent or  sneak into a billionaire's private estate in the hopes of getting the proof they need to prove their theories.  Setting that aside,it is a fun ride, and I am enjoying watching the kids grow and mature - Sam no longer takes his brother's ribbing, Derek is not so childish in his antics (and he is actually starting to consider what he wants to do when he grows up!), and Caitlin is becoming somewhat more adventurous in terms of digging to the bottom of the mystery.  Smith writes the children with a bit more growth with each book, which must come from his own experience in watching his own children grow and mature.

 

The climactic scene in Washington, D.C. as the kids, with the help of a young reporter, make heir way into a closed Senate hearing on whether the government will contract with Aiden Hart's company feels almost cinematic as they create an outburst to stop the proceedings, with the proof they nee to convict Hart showing up at the most appropriate moment!  I could easily visualize the scene in my head, and I must say, it would make for a great conclusion to a movie or television episode.  It's a shame Smith can't option this out for the small or big screen. 

 

One thing I must mention is Smith's reference to the Challenger explosion back in 1986.  That was truly a sad day, and like Colonel Banks in the story, I remember sitting in my science class at school, as we all watched the lift-off, and the shock everyone felt when the shuttle blew apart.  I remember the teacher immediately turning off the television, and we all just sat there, trying to comprehend what we just witnessed.  It is a bit hard for me to imagine that even took place nearly 40 years ago and is now considered just another piece of history... 

 

I was a bit worried when the book started that this would become another soap box (especially when the term "conspiracy theorist" was thrown around when their neighbor started talking about drones and the government watching him), but Smith took it in a different direction, for which I was grateful.  The book was a very satisfying read, and I hope we don't have to wait another two and a half years for the next book!

 

RATING:   8 silver pins in the shape of a rocket out of 10 for a good mystery that explores a different part of Virginia and offers up a new kind of mystery for the kids to solve.

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 10 - Pirates on the Bay

After the last book in this series went overboard with what felt like the author trying to make a political statement and join the bandwagon of far left, liberal wokeness, completely losing any element of mystery to the book, I had pretty much decided I was done with The Virginia Mysteries.  Up until that book, the stories had been very good, the mysteries fun as well as educational, and the characters had been slowly growing and evolving.  But book nine in the series was a total step away from what made this series so good, and I was afraid Steven K. Smith had lost sight of what these books are.  So, I let book ten sit in my Amazon want list for ages.  I eventually, though, decided I kind of liked the pirate theme of this book, so I decided to give it a shot (figuring if it continued the ideology of the previous book, then I would simply end it with this one).  Now, I'm glad I bought it.

Pirates on the Bay returns Sam, Caitlin, and Derek to their roots - solving mysteries!  This time, though, it's the mystery of a pirate's treasure that is believed to have been left by the infamous Blackbeard on a small island off the coast of Virginia.  While on vacation at Virginia Beach, the trio of sleuths learn from the boys' father that legend has it Blackbeard had buried some of his treasure somewhere in that area.  Derek is all excited at the thought of treasure, but Sam is not sure he believes there is any.  And then they meet One-Eyed Jack.  After helping the man after he is harassed by some local kids, the wanna-be pirate tells the three youngsters the story of Edward Treach, otherwise known as Blackbeard.  It's a great story, but they wonder if that is all it is.  Until Jack gives them a map - one that he says will lead them to the hiding place of Blackbeard's buried treasure!

Treasure hunts are always fun, and this book is no exception.  Smith manages to keep the reader in suspense all the way through - is there a treasure? where is the treasure?  what is the treasure?  And this book gives readers a whole new look at the characters - Derek suddenly takes centerstage, as he is the one intent on finding the treasure, and he'll stop at nothing to get to it - even if it means disobeying his parents and even breaking a few laws (such as sneaking into a military training center, "borrowing" a boat [a/k/a stealing!]).  Caitlin seems to be a bit more adventurous in this book; while she's still a know-it-all, with an encyclopedic mind full of knowledge, she has relaxed her uptightness a bit and is willing to go along with some of Derek's more outlandish plans.  And Sam ... poor Sam ... he appears to have regressed a bit in this book - or perhaps it's just all of the adventures that have come before are making him more timid.  In this adventure, Sam is afraid of lighthouse stairs ... afraid of dark caves ... afraid of tight places ... afraid of shark-infested waters.  In fact, he spends a good portion of the book afraid of something!

The fact that the Jacksons and the Murphys happen to have rented yurts just down the beach from a military training site had me wondering if perhaps the mystery might actually involve the military - but thankfully, that was not the case.  Although the training site and the military do have some importance to the story, Smith manages to keep the focus on Blackbeard's treasure.  And, as with all of the prior books, along the way, he slips in plenty of factual history about Virginia and its past.

The villain of this tale is not really hard to spot at all, and perhaps Smith intended it that way.  His name (SPOILER ALERT!) is Mike Prince, which sounds oddly a lot like "Mike Pence," and it left me wondering if the similarity was intentional on the author's part (particularly after the political leanings of the last book).  But I let it go and just enjoyed the ride as I followed the kids on their hunt.  And I give Smith credit for keeping the three youngsters true to form, because even when Prince threatens them, they don't hesitate to help him when he gets hurt.

The one thing I found a bit disappointing is that the story ends without some resolution as to the trouble Sam, Derek, and Caitlin face once they are rescued and returned to their parents.  I mean, let's face it - they do some incredibly illegal things in this book - trespassing, destruction of property, theft, and not to mention the amount of lies they tell their parents so they can sneak off and go treasure hunting.  But there is no payoff, so I'm hoping it will at least get a mention in the next book, because I can't imagine Smith leaving his young readers to think that they can do all of these things and get away without any punishment at all!

Overall, this as a refreshing tale of mystery and treasure hunting, and an enjoyable read.  Definitely brings me back into the series, and I look forward to book 11.

RATING:  7 crusty chain necklaces with oval lockets out of 10 for returning the series to its roots and putting the kids in some truly dangerous adventures!

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 9 - Pictures at the Protest

Thus far, "The Virginia Mysteries" series by Steven K. Smith has been a great little series to read.  The two brothers, Sam and Derek, along with Sam's classmate and best friend, Caitlin, have had some fun adventures where they have not only solved mysteries, put some crooked people behind bars, and discovered some truly amazing treasures, but they have provided readers with some fantastic looks back at the history of our nation and its founding fathers.  The one thing that has remained consistent, though, is that each book features a mystery for which the three young sleuths must dig out clues, solve codes and puzzles, and ultimately stop the "bad guy" from stealing a piece of history.  Those are the things that have made this series, and its educational backdrops, so enjoyable.  Thus, I opened the pages of this ninth book expecting to find more of the same great reading.  Unfortunately, such was not the case.

In his acknowledgements at the end of the book, Smith indicates Pictures at the Protest was the hardest book he has had to write.  It definitely deals with a "hot" and sensitive topic, especially in today's climate, and considering the subject matter, I do give Smith props for even daring to approach the subject.  Instead of founding fathers and pre-20th century history, this time Smith broaches the fight for civil rights from the late 1950s and into the '60s.  In the book, a university librarian is putting together an exhibit to showcase the protests from back in 1959, when the Prince Edward County, Virginia schools were closed simply because the residents did not want to desegregate their schools - they would rather close the schools than have the races mingle in the same school.  Caitlin's father is helping the librarians with identifying individuals in the photographs uncovered, and naturally, Caitlin, Sam and Derek jump on board to help out.  They start with one picture of a young girl holding a sign that says, "Educate don't segregate!"  And that right there is the "mystery" to be solved in this book.

Now don't get me wrong.  I like the fact Smith has been utilizing this series to help share a lot of history that young readers may not be paying attention to in school.  And I especially like the fact he is willing to tackle the topic of racial injustice.  The problem I have with the book is that there is no real mystery at all for the children to solve - they manage to uncover the identity of the young girl in the photo within just a few chapters, they meet her daughter and grandson who are still alive and live in the area, and the only danger / trouble they face is on their way to what they hope is the home of the girl in the photo, when they run into a group of kids spraying graffiti on the stones near a bridge they are crossing and Sam is forced to swing off the rocks into the water below.

As with the previous books, Smith does an excellent job of intertwining the fictional story with historical facts, including true stories about real-life activities Barbara Johns, Oliver Hill, and Maggie Walker.  But instead of focusing on a mystery, Smith instead focuses more on the headlines of today with regards to the toppling of statues, the ideas of white privilege, and the idea that being "white" should come with a feeling of guilt (as Sam is forced to reckon with throughout a good chunk of the book).  I like that Smith addressed the issue of the kids' biker friends being Confederate supporters (this was the perfect book to do so), and also the fact that he showed the criminal nature of utilizing protests as a cover to loot and steal - both of these are very good points.  He also addresses the need for protests at times to truly raise awareness and seek change.  But I think the racial injustice and civil rights issues could have been better addressed through a mystery that the kids had to solve (such as, perhaps looking for the diary of one of the protestors that would reveal some unknown secret about those days, or maybe a lost deed that would provide new ownership for the cemetery where the civil rights activists and their families lay buried and nearly forgotten).  Without the mystery, the book feels like nothing more than a political platform being pushed rather than a story for kids to enjoy and learn from.

This isn't to say there aren't good moments in the book, nor to say that there is not good historical information in the book, because there are both.  It's just the fact that this book is completely lacking in mystery and does not fit with the previous eight books that come before.  I agree with Smith when he says in his acknowledgements at the end that "remaining uneducated about a topic is often the easiest way to 'innocently' ignore injustice."  There's no doubt about that at all.  But I don't necessarily agree that utilizing a children's mystery series for the political platform that he pushes forth in this book is the proper place.  I think he may have had a bigger impact if he had simply written a separate, stand-alone book about the topic, or, as I said above, had he integrated these things into a real mystery for the kids to solve.  As it is now, I'm not sure the age group of readers for which this series is aimed will find this book as interesting or as engaging as the previous books, and for them to lose interest in the story would also defeat the underlying "cause" Smith is hoping to raise awareness for in the book.

 

(SIDENOTE - I should make it perfectly clear there that I don't disagree with many of the points that Smith raises in the book.  There is certainly racial injustice in the world, and it's sad to see that there are still people who seek to divide us simply by the color of our skin.  We all, as a society, have the responsibility to do what we can to put an end to inequality between races, between genders, and between any other line used to divide us.  But my point in this blog post is that children's mystery books are not the appropriate forum for the full force of these topics and societal problems, and when such a topic becomes the sole focus of the book, with the mystery non-existent, then it sidelines the series and lessens the impact of the intended purpose.)

In any event, I can't fault Smith for writing as he feels compelled to do, and I know the 10th book in the series is already listed on Amazon, so there's more mysteries for Sam, Caitlin and Derek to solve.  I hope Smith in future books is able to return to that perfect balance he has found in prior books with factual history and fictional mystery that is what draws readers into his stories and makes his books so engaging and fun to read.

RATING:  6 lost pairs of glasses out of 10 for choosing to tackle a tough issue and introducing a (hopefully) new friend with whom Sam, Caitlin and Derek can solve mysteries !

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.

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 7 - Spies at Mount Vernon

Those mystery-solving brothers, Sam and Derek, are back doing what they do best - delving into our country's history to solve another mystery! Author Steven K. Smith takes the young brothers a bit out of their element in this seventh installment of The Virginia Mysteries, as they, along with Sam's friend and classmate, Caitlin, take a trip to Washington, D.C., where they get to explore the nation's capital (while Sam and Caitlin have fun pretending to be spies, watching every man and woman very carefully). But what happens when a man they watch begins to act very shady? And what happens when he leaves behind a very suspicious clue at the Lincoln Memorial? And what happens when the three kids unscramble the code to figure out that something is going down at the historic Mount Vernon?

Well, I think the title, Spies at Mount Vernon, says it all!  See, it turns out the man Sam and Caitlin were shadowing really is a spy - and there is something that is going to take place at Mount Vernon. As fate would have it, Mount Vernon also happens to be the site of a presidential appearance, where the President of the United States will be meeting foreign dignitaries.  It is an important occasion, and it is clear something bad is going to happen.

Enter: Federal Marshal Drake! Remember him from the prior book, when Sam, Derek and Caitlin helped stop some poachers?  Well, he's back and in the nation's capital. So, when Sam, Derek and Caitlin find themselves in a tight spot with national security, it's Marshal Drake who steps in - not only to help free them from any trouble they might be facing, but also to ask their help in identifying the spy they saw and his co-conspirator.  So, from Washington, D.C. down to Virginia, the kids travel back to their home state, where they find themselves facing greater danger than ever before. Plus, they get to meet the President of the United States!

Smith once again manages to seamlessly interweave historical facts about Virginia, and this time our nation's capital, into the mystery, so it is a learning experience for both Sam and the reader. And he also ups the ante for the kids, as they must face down the danger of real spies, who are not afraid to harm others! The climactic chase, both on land and water, is well worth the read, and Smith creates some very tense moments there near the end! Yet, with all this seriousness, Smith makes sure that Sam, Derek and Caitlin still act like and talk like the kids they are. Caitlin only has eyes for the President's son. Derek gets thoroughly engrossed with a famous sports star who is at the Mount Vernon gathering. And Sam? Well, Sam continues to second-guess himself, but he isn't afraid to do what needs to be done, and he keeps his eye on the mystery all the time, no matter what is happening around him.

It is great to see this series continue, in a day and time when mystery series for children do not seem to fare well.  It's a shame Smith's books are not being carried by some of the bigger chains, such as Barnes & Noble and/or Books-A-Million - but hopefully his sales on Amazon and other websites are sufficient to keep the series going and that an eighth book will be forthcoming!

RATING:  9 crab cake sandwiches out of 10 for keeping the mysteries fun and engaging, as well as educational - for readers of all ages!

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 6 - Shadows at Jamestown

This series has really grown on me.  I was a bit hesitant at first, when I picked up this series, as I'm not a huge fan of boys' mystery series, as they tend to be more about adventure and less about mystery. Plus, the historical aspect about the series was something I thought would border on the boring side of things. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I was completely wrong! Author Steven K. Smith, with his Virginia Mysteries series, has created some very well-rounded characters, placed them in some very interesting and often dangerous situations, and provided readers with well-plotted and engaging mysteries.

Shadows at Jamestown is the sixth book in the series, which, in and of itself, is a huge accomplishment, since so many series on the market today rarely make it past three or four books. In this mystery, Sam and his older brother, Derek, along with their friend Caitlin, head off to Jamestown at the invitation of Professor Evanshade to join an archaeological dig for a week at the Jamestown Field School. For Derek, it's a time to pretend like he's a college student and perhaps have some college girls fall madly in love with him. For Caitlin, it's an opportunity to study and learn more about the history of the site. For Sam, though, it's a chance to show he's no longer a child - he can handle being away from home and can take on the responsibility associated with an important historical dig like this.

This is a mystery series, so before the kids even have a chance to start digging for treasures, they overhear Professor Evanshade on an angry phone call; however, when they ask him about it, he tells them it's nothing to worry about, just school business. But these kids are smart, and even they notice the concerned looks on the faces of Toby and Grace, the two college students who will chaperoning the kids to the dig site. There is no time to look into it, though, as Sam, Derek, and Caitlin are shown their dorm rooms then taken to the "West Wall," where the group of professors, teachers, and college students are digging carefully or artifacts.

Smith's own experience raising three sons clearly shows his knowledge and understanding of children, as his writing of the characters is natural and believable. Sam, Derek, and Caitlin each have their own unique personalities, and as the series progresses, so do they. They have begun to mature, they have learned from their experiences, and they have even begun to develop a bond that only siblings and their friends can do. And they use that to not only tease each other, but to work together to solve the mystery surrounding the Jamestown dig.  An artifact sent to the Smithsonian has been determined to be a fake, much to the surprise of the Professor and his assistants. If they cannot figure out what happened, the Professor's reputations, and the entire Jamestown dig could be on the line! Away from their parents and with more freedom than they expected, Sam, Derek, and Caitlin put their sleuthing skills to the test to figure out what is going on.

No spoiler here, but being as it is their mystery series, it's a given that the three kids do end up solving the mystery, putting themselves in danger, and worrying the heck out of their parents! But Smith provides a logical resolution, and at no time does he have any of the children do anything that ordinary pre-teens wouldn't do. In fact, it's fun to read Sam's concerns with their decisions, Caitlin's determination to be cautious, and Derek's carefree attitude of "jump right in and worry about the consequences later." But, in the end, each of them shine in their own way, making the book a fun read.  Glad to know there is already another book out there, with more on the way!

RATING:  8 small worthless pieces of iron out of 10 for proving a children's mystery series can be continuing without losing, but rather, with gaining quality!

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 5 - Midnight at the Mansion

That pre-teen trio of detectives - Derek, Sam, and Caitlin - return for their fifth mystery-solving adventure in this latest book from author Steven K. Smith. And as Smith continues writing this series, his familiarity with the characters shows in their development as individuals,  and his storytelling techniques improve in keeping the story moving and keeping the reader engaged!

As with all of his prior books, Midnight at the Mansion is set in Virginia, this time at Richmond's historic Maymont mansion and its sister palace, the Swannanoa up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mystery involves the theft of two bald eagles that were kept in the animal sanctuary on the Maymont estate, and an FBI agent that literally stumbles across the three children as he attempts to evade capture by the criminals.  He barely has time to whisper, "Save the eagles," before he is up and running, leaving Sam, Caitlin, and Derek to wonder who he is and what he meant.

This book definitely has a stronger mystery than the last one, and it's got all the spooky elements that make it reminiscent of the old Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. There's an old, abandoned mansion isolated in the mountain.  There's a dark, creepy tower with a locked room.  There are cryptic clues that the kids have to decipher before it's too late.  And the villains are the heartless, ruthless kind who are kidnapping endangered animals and selling them for profit in the secret of night.

The characters of Derek and Caitlin are much stronger in this book - Smith definitely has them growing up, which is nice, as it gives the reader an opportunity to watch as they mature and change in personality. Sam, however, seems to do nothing but whine in this book, which is somewhat annoying at times. I realize that he is the youngest of the three characters, but it would be nice to see him do something other than worry and complain (in a lot of ways, in this book Sam reminds me a lot of Bess Marvin - and all the Nancy Drew fans out there will know what I'm talking about).

On the lighter side, it's nice to see Smith utilizing other supporting cast members, such as Caitlin's father (who is the one who takes the kids hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains) and their neighbor, Mr. Haskins (who is always ready to impart some knowledge on the kids).

And I can't let it go by without saying something about the cover. Not sure who the artist is, as he or she is never identified (all the copyright page says is "Cover Design by EBookLaunch.com"), but I will admit to a smile at seeing the mansion, with the bird flying overhead. With all the blue and grey, the night sky, and the design of the mansion itself, I immediately had a flash of Scooby Doo, Where Are You? run through my mind.  It also bears some resemblance to the cover of the next Nancy Drew book coming out in January, The Haunting of Heliotrope Lane. It's nice to know the Gothic mystery covers are coming back in style!

Don't see any news about a sixth book in the series, but the author's website indicates there is an online short story available, so I supposed I'll have to check that out while I wait for the next book to be written (at least, there better be one on its way!).

RATING:  8 piercing warning whistles out of 10 for putting the "mystery" back into children's mysteries!

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 4 - Secret of the Staircase

It turns out that this is NOT the final book in the series.  When I initially bought this series of books, there were only four of them, and I had thought that it was a complete set.  So, as I sat down to read the Secret of the Staircase, I was expecting it to give some kind of finale to the adventures of young Sam and his older brother, Derek.  Turns out, though, that author Steven K. Smith was not quite finished with his adventurous duo, as Amazon.com lists a fifth book that has come out, one I have yet to get but will eventually have to do, if for no other reason that to have a complete set (and those who know me, know that I am definitely anal-retentive about having complete sets!  once I start a series, I have to get them all).

As this series progresses, it seems the mystery aspect becomes less and less and the adventure part becomes more and more the focus of the story.  I'd almost have to compare these stories to the Hardy Boys, who always seemed to spend most of their time in their books stumbling through a mystery by having one grand adventure after another.  Sam and Derek seem to be following in their footsteps.

Secret of the Staircase finds the brothers heading to The Jefferson, a famous hotel in Richmond, Virginia.  Smith integrates a considerable amount of true history into the story with regards to the hotel, its founder, the fire that nearly destroyed it back at the turn of the 20th century, and the rather unusual pets that were kept on the premises for many years - alligators!  Even the famous guests that Smith mentions in the book as having stayed in the hotel actually did stay in the real hotel in Richmond.  And Smith's descriptions of the lobby and ballroom are spot-on with the actual image of the hotel today (as can be discerned by taking a quick look at the hotel's website online).

The only real mystery in this book is who is stealing things.  First, Nathan's Gameboy is stolen (and he blames Sam for it), and then the bride and groom's wedding rings are taken from their room.  Could it really be the mysterious alligators that used to reside on the hotel premises?  Or does the hotel have a thief on their hands?  While Derek and Sam, along with Caitlin, never really search for the stolen items, they do stumble upon the secret door under the grand staircase in the ballroom, which leads them on a rather frightening adventure under the city of Richmond, where they come face to face with a most dangerous and unexpected guest!

Ultimately, though, the boys do happen upon the true thief, and the stolen items are returned to their owners.  And while Derek and Sam do end up in trouble once again for their escapades, they (as well as the readers!) do end up soaking up a bit more of Virginia's rich history along the way.

RATING:  7 rusty oil lanterns out of 10 for keeping the history lessons fun, the characters real, and the boys always inquisitive.

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 3 - Ghosts of Belle Isle

Okay, while I was not entirely enthused with the previous book in this series, I can say that I found this third book to be a bit more enjoyable to read.  And while Ghosts of Belle Isle may not have had much of a mystery to it (nor did it have the treasure hunting adventures that the prior two books had), it does have something the first two books lacked - stronger characterization.

Perhaps the author, Steven K. Smith, is getting a better hold on his three main characters by this book.  Derek, Sam, and Caitlin are no longer cookie-cutter kids - instead, in this mystery, they actually read and feel very natural, both in dialogue and in action.  Which, obviously makes for a better read.  And once again, Smith provides a number of history lessons scattered throughout the story, this time involving the Civil War and the surrendering of the South to the North.  As the kids learn about Jefferson Davis and General Lee and the number of lives lost in the war between brothers, so do the readers.  Thankfully, Smith manages to integrate the history lessons pretty well into the story so that the reader does not feel like he or she is being hit over the head with it.

Now, as far as the mystery goes - as you can expect with a title like Ghosts of Belle Isle, there are ghosts.  Only, they are not the "ghosts" in the typical sense.  Sure, the kids' crotchety neighbor, Mr. Haskins, tells the boys about the mysterious lights that appear on the river that separates Belle Isle from Richmond and how those could possibly be the spirits of the hundreds of men who gave their lives for the South right there on Belle Isle.  The only problem is, the kids never really see those ghosts at all (albeit one very brief moment near the end); rather, the "ghosts" more prominently on display throughout the story are a motorcycle gang who appear to not only be rough and tough, but are also involved in some very suspicious and mysterious activities in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

I'd have to say this story is more of a typical "day in the life" type story - the kids' parents go away on a vacation, leaving them in the hands of an older cousin who pays little attention to them, leaving them to fend for themselves; they have to face bullies who are intent on making their lives miserable (although Caitlin does have the right attitude when it comes to bullies, and there is a scene at the end where the bullies get what's coming to them in a very deserving way), and having to face the consequences of their actions.  There are no really overly dramatic scenes, no big cliffhangers or foibles standard to the children's mystery genre, and no scary moments.  So, for those looking for a mystery to solve, or hoping for another "National Treasure" type adventure, this is not the one for you.  However, if you want a quick, nice little read, then you'll probably enjoy this one.

RATING:  7 Eiffel Tower snow globes out of 10 for good, clean family fun - would have preferred an actual mystery for the kids to solve, but hey - you can't have everything.

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 2 - Mystery on Church Hill

Steven K. Smith brings Derek and Sam back in the second book of his Virginia Mysteries series, Mystery on Church Hill.  The books are aimed at a younger audience (the higher end of elementary school age children), but I did find the first book to be not so bad, so figured the second book would hold up as well and, perhaps, might even be better.  Unfortunately, after reading it, I came out with some mixed feelings.

The underlying mystery is actually the one really good thing about the book.  Along the lines of National Treasure, the boys find a letter that was written by Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, which seems to indicate that Wythe was in possession of an early draft of the Declaration of Independence - one hidden in Wythe's house in Williamsburg, Virginia.  This sets the boys off on a scavenger hunt to find the draft, and they have to work hard to stay ahead of an unscrupulous actor who is determined to get his hands on it first and sell it off to the highest bidder.

This book also introduces Caitlin Murphy, a classmate of Sam's who begins as an antagonist, but ultimately helps the boys out and becomes integral to their solving the mystery.  An interesting new character, but not sure if she will remain part of the "team" for future mysteries.

Sadly, though, that is about where the interesting parts of the book end.  The banter between the brothers starts to get old real quick.  While I get that Smith is trying to make them playful and act like you would imagine brothers do - with the difference in their ages, I had a hard time believing they would be continually playful all the time as they are in the book.  I know my brother and I were never that close all the time.

Further, Smith's desire to integrate historical fact into his books, I feel like this one went too far pushing the history of Patrick Henry, the signing of the Declaration, Williamsburg, the reenactments, etc.  It felt forced in many places - really unnecessary to the story or the plot - more like a history lesson that you would read in an elementary school book.  I am sure that's not the way Smith intended it to be, and perhaps from an elementary school student perspective, it won't come across that way.  As an adult reading this, however, the interjections of history did not meld smoothly into the story, and it took the reader away from the mystery for those few moments.

Another factor that takes away from the enjoyment factor (for me, anyway) in this book is the nearly complete lack of identity for Derek and Sam's parents.  They are simply "Mom" and "Dad."  They have no names and, for the most part, have no identity, outside of Mom and Dad.  They only appear when it's necessary for Derek and Sam to get somewhere, or when the brothers need to be rescued (or reminded that they are children).  Obviously, in Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, the parental figures were much more stand-by characters - however, ND and HB were also in their later teens, able to drive, and much more able to be independent.  Derek and Sam are in middle school and definitely not at an age where they should have so much freedom from their parents.  Granted, this is fiction, so to ground it too much in reality would pretty much render the boys unable to solve a mystery - but taking the parents completely out of the picture creates a scenario that is not plausible enough to make it believable.

This second book was much more difficult to get through than the first book, so we'll see what lays ahead with the third and fourth books.  I hate to be so negative about a book, particularly with children's mysteries, since this is a genre I love and wish there were more of on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.  There are only four books in this series (not sure if any more are intended or will be written), but if this is any indication of what books three and four are like, then I can see why there haven't been any more published.

RATING:  4 solar microscopes out of 10 for bringing a third 'sleuth' into the mix in an effort to vary the characters a bit.

The Virginia Mysteries, Book 1 - Summer of the Woods

Sometimes you stumble upon a book that you enjoy, but you can't quite put your finger on what exactly it was that you enjoyed so much about it.

Summer of the Woods is one of those books.

The first of "The Virginia Mysteries," the book is written by Steven K. Smith.  A father of three boys, he shares the adventures of his sons on his blog, MyBoys3.com, which, coincidentally enough, is the name of his self-publishing group (MyBoys3 Press).  The book is set in Virginia, which is also where Smith lives (write what you know about, they say).

Maybe that's why the book was so enjoyable.  It was simply written, aimed at an audience of perhaps 8 - 10 year olds (and since his two main characters, Sam and Derek, are those ages respectively, it definitely reaches its target audience).  The introduction of the boys flows easily, and their personalities and characteristics are well developed throughout the course of the story.  Derek is the prankster, Sam is the heavy sleeper.  Derek is afraid of thunderstorms, Sam is afraid of snakes.  Derek is all about adventure, Sam is more reserved and wants to think things through.  There are definite limits to their knowledge, and they aren't afraid to ask about something they don't know.  They also have to face the consequences of their actions (as one of them finds out in this story), no matter what good they may have done.

The mystery centers around the woods behind the boys' new house in Virginia.  When they go exploring for the first time, they discover a huge boulder with a plaque on it, indicating the area was owned by the Virginia Mining Company.  They spy two other boys about their age exploring around the rock, but when they are noticed, they take off running for home - but not before Sam finds an old penny in the stream.  That penny leads them to discover a story about a valuable coin collection that was stolen from a local museum years ago.  Their curiosity peaked, they decide to search some more.

A hidden cubby-hole in their very own house.  An antique box with a cryptic notebook and another old coin.  A map to an old mine.  A secret passage beneath the boulder.  All of these things make for some interesting, and sometimes dangerous, adventures for the two boys, and ultimately leads them to the find of a lifetime!

The story has everything a good mystery should have, and it is clearly Derek and Sam's story.  Their parents are simply "Mom" and "Dad."  Alex and Henry are introduced, but there is little to their story (although whether the reader learns more about them in future books, we shall see).  Their neighbor, Mr. Haskins, is described amusingly from a young boy's perspective.  "It was the middle of summer, but for some reason, old people seemed to always dress like it was winder, noticed Sam.  He thought Mr. Haskins must be a hundred years old."  (p. 40).

And perhaps that is the key. The storytelling, while in third person, definitely comes across from a child's point of view, and in reading it, one almost feels as if you are drawn back to that age, looking at everything from that innocent perspective again.  Whatever the reason, Smith hit the nail on the head and told a great story that was certainly worth the read.

Now to see if the second book, Mystery on Church Hill, holds us just as well!

RATING:  9 Indian head pennies out of 10 for taking me back to my childhood and reminding me of a more innocent age.