Tucker and his friends go to Miss Geraldine’s house to collect her old boat as payment for the cleaning they did for her. However, when they arrive, they find Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of the stairs. And Tucker knows the truth:
She was murdered.
Tucker wants to spend his summer fishing, but that isn’t an option after he falls out with his best friend, Aiden, who owns a boat. Thankfully, Tucker’s pal Clemmie comes up with a great idea: they can clean grumpy Miss Geraldine’s house in exchange for the old rowboat she doesn’t use. Their friend Sadie joins them, and their prize is within sight—until they find Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her stairs.
At first, it looks as though Miss Geraldine simply tripped. But Tucker notices details most people miss, and he wastes no time informing his dad, the police chief, that Miss Geraldine was murdered. The friends try to solve the case so they can gain custody of their boat. But as the evidence piles up, they soon have more serious problems: Sadie’s aunt becomes a prime suspect.
The friends frantically try to solve the case and prove Sadie’s aunt is innocent. Tucker feels the pressure, and it doesn’t help that the bitterness he’s carried against Aiden is weighing him down. He’ll have to use all his skills to solve the case, or an innocent person could go to jail.
Noah, the devil and the town’s pastor are mentioned. Tucker’s family attends church.
Tucker and his friends discuss whether Miss Geraldine’s house is haunted. Sadie wonders if the house is cursed. Conspiracy theories, aliens, mojo (as in luck) and ghosts are mentioned.
Tucker’s dad is the chief of police. He cares about justice and the community. Aiden’s parents are divorced.
Tucker and his friends find Miss Geraldine dead. Clemmie calls Tucker a dork. People call Miss Geraldine a “fussy gussy.” A character named Marcie May is known as the “mouth of the south” because of how much she gossips. Another character, Mr. Linus, frequently gambles. Someone kidnaps Tucker, who hits his head in the back of the van. A character describes shoving Miss Geraldine. Champagne is mentioned.
None.
How was Tucker’s refusal to forgive Aiden hurting both of them?
Is there anyone in your life you’ve been unwilling to forgive? How can you work toward forgiveness?
Read Ephesians 4:25-32. In what ways to do you need to apply these verses to your own life?
Author Taryn Souders writes memorable characters and weaves a fun mystery that many kids will enjoy. However, the severity of the crime could be difficult for some young readers.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
