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The A&A Detective Agency #2
The A&A Detective Agency: The Grimthorpe Grave
"It’s a delight to see Asha and Alex solve clues and help some clueless adults right a wrong. I can’t wait for the next book!” —Margaret Peterson Haddix, New York Times bestselling author of the Greystone Secrets series on The Fairfleet AffairHow do you save a witch who’s been dead for centuries? Alex and Asha of the A&A Detective Agency are on the case! Summer is over, and Asha and Alex haven't had a decent case in months. But just as a chill begins to stir the air, and the autumn leaves start to turn, Dr. Wright from the Fairfleet Institute comes to them with a cryptic note, signed by “The Witch of Waverly College,” about Hannah Grimthorpe, the notorious witch from Northbrook’s colonial past. This is the perfect case to reinvigorate Alex and Asha's interest in keeping up the agency, but distractions come their way as school activities divide their attention. When more clues appear and Dr. Wright is forced out of the Institute, the two detectives decide they are going to need help from their classmates to solve the mystery. With sneaky adults out to thwart the kids' mission, shadows lurking in corn mazes and cemeteries, and a Halloween deadline looming to uncover the truth about Hannah Grimthorpe, it's a race against time and a lesson in who to trust for the young detectives of Northbrook. The A&A Detective The Grimthorpe Grave is the perfect autumnal read for kids ages 8 to 12.
- GenresMiddle GradeMystery
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 17, 2024
5 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 14, 2024
Ghosts, unidentified skeletons and the witch trials come together to form a mystery with more than a few surprises.
Alex and Asha are getting settled into the new school year, both busy with school activities and wondering if the A&A Detectives will ever have a mystery to solve again. But when a self-declared Witch of Waverly College leaves threatening notes surrounding a legend of the death of a supposed witch during the colonial era, Alex and Asha's friend and head of the institute's job is in danger. Although the institute wants to keep the secret past under wraps, Alex and Asha promise to discover who this witch is and what they truly want.
This is the 2nd book in the series, and while the first book does add a little background, this can be read as a stand-alone.
After seeing the cover, I was expecting a bit more of a Fall Fair atmosphere, which this read doesn't have. It's about unidentified skeletons, creepy mausoleums, ghosts, grave robbers and more. While it doesn't grow super creepy, it does carry grim tones, at times, and has the sleuths on an eerie trail with unknown villains and criminals in the background. Even with new found friends and a growing detective group (this mystery is challenging enough to need to add a few more heads to their gang), it's not an easily solved mystery. They have to do plenty of research, figure out codes and clues, and wonder about more than a few very suspicious entities. It's a well-laid mystery which takes thought, and the solution isn't clear until the end.
Despite the darker scenes and more dangerous situations, this stays nicely set for the middle grade audience. It's not gruesome but tends toward clever. And there's a weave of history tossed in to give it a thought-filled feel. There is some back-and-forth on the friendship end to add a little character depth, but it's the mystery and clue-solving which keep this plot going. Every moment reveals something important, even subtle points, which weave into a larger picture, bit by bit. It's a grabbing read with a lovely pacing and a group of detectives to root for until the end. I received an ARC and enjoyed the mystery quite a bit.
Alex and Asha are getting settled into the new school year, both busy with school activities and wondering if the A&A Detectives will ever have a mystery to solve again. But when a self-declared Witch of Waverly College leaves threatening notes surrounding a legend of the death of a supposed witch during the colonial era, Alex and Asha's friend and head of the institute's job is in danger. Although the institute wants to keep the secret past under wraps, Alex and Asha promise to discover who this witch is and what they truly want.
This is the 2nd book in the series, and while the first book does add a little background, this can be read as a stand-alone.
After seeing the cover, I was expecting a bit more of a Fall Fair atmosphere, which this read doesn't have. It's about unidentified skeletons, creepy mausoleums, ghosts, grave robbers and more. While it doesn't grow super creepy, it does carry grim tones, at times, and has the sleuths on an eerie trail with unknown villains and criminals in the background. Even with new found friends and a growing detective group (this mystery is challenging enough to need to add a few more heads to their gang), it's not an easily solved mystery. They have to do plenty of research, figure out codes and clues, and wonder about more than a few very suspicious entities. It's a well-laid mystery which takes thought, and the solution isn't clear until the end.
Despite the darker scenes and more dangerous situations, this stays nicely set for the middle grade audience. It's not gruesome but tends toward clever. And there's a weave of history tossed in to give it a thought-filled feel. There is some back-and-forth on the friendship end to add a little character depth, but it's the mystery and clue-solving which keep this plot going. Every moment reveals something important, even subtle points, which weave into a larger picture, bit by bit. It's a grabbing read with a lovely pacing and a group of detectives to root for until the end. I received an ARC and enjoyed the mystery quite a bit.
April 30, 2025
This is the second book in the A&A Detective Agency series.
I enjoyed the addition of characters Lainey, Felix and Mateo. At first they appeared to be your standard popular girl, socially awkward nerd and jock but time showed the many sides of their personalities through their actions and their conversations and interactions with others.
Anyone who thinks they fall into one of these social groups or that they are on the outside looking into these groups would benefit from reading the book.
The series original protagonists Asha and Alex continue to mature leaving me wondering where time will take their relationships with their new friends.
A fun read.
I enjoyed the addition of characters Lainey, Felix and Mateo. At first they appeared to be your standard popular girl, socially awkward nerd and jock but time showed the many sides of their personalities through their actions and their conversations and interactions with others.
Anyone who thinks they fall into one of these social groups or that they are on the outside looking into these groups would benefit from reading the book.
The series original protagonists Asha and Alex continue to mature leaving me wondering where time will take their relationships with their new friends.
A fun read.
August 27, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a really fun read especially as we gear up for fall and spooky season! This book was described as being great for fans of The Westing Game, and I'd also say it's great if you're a fan of Chasing Vermeer or any of Blue Balliett's books. The mystery was fun and engaging and I loved the use of codes, as well as the cast of quirky characters (including a basset hound named Agatha Christie)
This was a really fun read especially as we gear up for fall and spooky season! This book was described as being great for fans of The Westing Game, and I'd also say it's great if you're a fan of Chasing Vermeer or any of Blue Balliett's books. The mystery was fun and engaging and I loved the use of codes, as well as the cast of quirky characters (including a basset hound named Agatha Christie)
February 13, 2025
This book. THIS. BOOK. Oh my god. 👏 Perfection. I'm truly stunned. I enjoyed the 1st book, but this 2nd installment absolutely blew me away. Think of "The Goonies" meets "Hocus Pocus." Loved all the new characters, and Alex & Asha are such a dynamic detective duo per usual. Can't wait for the next in the series!
October 13, 2024
very sweet and full of autumnal cozy vibes. i did feel like there were a lot of characters to keep up with, and a few of the adults felt interchangeable to me. asha and alex are great characters, and the setting is very charming. perfect for a rainy october weekend in.
July 30, 2024
the A&A Detective Agency does it again 🧡 the perfect fall middle grade, in my opinion
November 28, 2024
Cute and I love a clever group of friends working together. Maybe a tad too drawn out and could've had a bit more intrigue and building stakes as the plot went on.
July 15, 2025
Nowhere near as good as the first book.
April 12, 2024
I read an Advance Reader's Copy that I picked up at the recent Public Library Association conference. The book is set to be released in September 2024.
This is the second book in the A&A Detective Agency series, and they do need to be read in order. Much of the character development was in the first book. Additional characters come into play in this book.
I thoroughly enjoy this series, which, in my opinion, is aimed at middle school and higher (including adult) readers. The mysteries are localized, as befitting two middle-school age detectives, but nonetheless intriguing, with codes and clues and literary references and a denouement at the end.
Very fun! Looking forward to the third book in the series!
This is the second book in the A&A Detective Agency series, and they do need to be read in order. Much of the character development was in the first book. Additional characters come into play in this book.
I thoroughly enjoy this series, which, in my opinion, is aimed at middle school and higher (including adult) readers. The mysteries are localized, as befitting two middle-school age detectives, but nonetheless intriguing, with codes and clues and literary references and a denouement at the end.
Very fun! Looking forward to the third book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews