Books read Sept 12

Collection of mystery books I started to read because I thought my 13 year old grandson would be interested and I got wrapped up reading them all. They are fun, about 1950's in England and the kids are at Smuggler's cove for the summer and other holidays and they are able to put clues together to find the bad guys and help the cops out. Can't imagine being able to ride my bike along the road during the 1950's and not getting into trouble. Parents were ok to let the kids explore the area.  Must not be like where I grew up in the US. Fun reads and I can't wait to read more from this author. He's got a way to telling a story. Some books are short, some a lot longer.

The Mystery of the Strange Notebook (The Mystery Series Short Story Book 4) by Paul Moxham 
The kids take off for an island and find some things tossed about. a notebook but it's in a foreign language that none of them understand.
They are soon in the middle of another mystery when a mother and her child are found and then others are out to get them.
The foursome help the cops again...

Mystery of the Burning Plane by Paul Moxham
In this mystery the children at home see a plane and it crashed into the ground. They watch a few men leave the scene and try to follow them to find out why they crashed it.
They soon learn there is more to the story as they are now avoiding the men.
They are able to put the clues together to help the cops solve this one.

Mystery of the Russian Spy by Paul Moxham
In this one the cops have told them of a Russian that is on the loose. The kids follow who they think might be who the cops are talking about.
Clues add up to help solve this one. Kids are kidnapped and taken to Heron Island where they gather more clues to help solve the mystery.
 

Mystery of the Perfect Thief by Paul Moxham
This one the kids accidentally figure out who is taking shiny jewelry from people around town.
They never see a person and the clue that helps Amy solve this one happens when they are having a picnic.
Good eyes!  Not familiar myself with the culprit as this was written in England but wow what a story. Kept my interest til the end.

Mystery of the Mysterious Man by Paul Moxham
The kids are out and about and Will wants to meet up with his other friend but he's visiting his uncle but he discovers things aren't right.
The kids follow the clues to see the dad going to the island and then coming home and then noticing others who visit the island.
Will doesn't think his friend is at the uncle's at all and they all combine clues to find out what is going on.
Great read!

Mystery of Adventure Island by Paul Moxham
This longer story is about the kids and how they are given instructions on how to sail a boat and are given one for themselves to use.
They sail to an island and don't expect to be gone long but things happen that prevent them from getting off the island.
Their boat gets damaged on rocks, they find caves, the find a house and are able to put a few clues together to realize they are in big trouble.
A woman officer comes to the island impersonating herself so the kids help her out.
They are able to put a raft together and the men chase them and the raft falls apart but they are saved from that disaster.
They put more clues together as the cops swarm the island.

Mystery of the Underwater Car by Paul Moxham
The kids are just biking around when they see a van and hear noises inside. They are able to discover a man with handcuffs in a car in the back of the van.
Will was able to get the men out of the way by leading them away from the scene on his way to notify the cops.
The other 3 kids get into the van and talk to the inventor of the car to find out it's features. They are all brought to a house and locked in.
They soon discover things to help in getting away and they are chased.
Didn't see this ending happening in the way it did. They are top notch solvers.

The Mystery of the Missing Money (FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS CHILDREN MIDDLE GRADE MYSTERY ADVENTURE) (The Mystery Series, Short Story Book 1)  by Paul Moxham
This book starts out with listing of other works by the author-in series format but each can be read as a stand alone. I am reading them in order so I am familiar with the children in the story.
Love the part about being bored and just relaxing it's summer and the girls are lying back looking at the clouds making shapes out of them. I remember doing that when it was in the 60's also, but from RI, they are in the UK.
Joe and Will bring up the bank robbery and how the money was never seen as they head towards the Blacknesh Castle and learn that the twins are still alive and think that's where the money is.   They slowly investigate and know they are on target when they hear their voices.
Interesting how short this story is and it gets the job done with all the clues and investigating..
Can't wait for the next mystery.

The Mystery of the Missing Gnomes (The Mystery Series Short Story Book 2)  by Paul Moxham
This story starts out when the kids meet the new police sheriff and he's asking for their help in solving the mystery of the missing gnomes out of others gardens. He has more important cases to attend to I think.
Children gather their friend Will and they put the clues together-times all were committed, the locations and form a stake out the next day. Love that they meet at the ice cream store to compare notes as Will's father is a famous writer and he always has money from his father.
They put the list of suspects together and figure out which one couldn't have done it til they are playing ball in Will's back yard and he sees things in the old man's house next door that he can't believe. He tells the others and they know they have to notify the police ....
There are circumstances that only the police can handle and this one they take over and come to a decision....
Can't wait to see what trouble the kids get into next....

Christmas Time: It’s All About Jesus! by Sue M. Barksdale
Too difficult to read the words as they are not typed onto the page, some are on same background.
Looks like a cute story for very young children.