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Herculeah Jones Mysteries #7
The Black Tower
Herculeah Jones gets involved in another dangerous mystery when she goes to visit old Mr. Shivers Hunt, resident of the forbidding Hunt House.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2006
4 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Byars
138 books158 followersBetsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 10, 2024
Although this book was obviously written for a younger generation, I found it better than many books written for the older generation.
August 11, 2016
Вече ви запознахме с Еркюлея Джоунс, младото момиче-детектив от книгите на Бетси Байърс. Благодарение на издателство „Монт” поредицата с нейните мистерии продължава и Еркюлея демонстрира завидни умения в разнищването на криминални случаи, които я превръщат в първа конкурентка на нейната колежка Нанси Дрю! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
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February 21, 2008
Chloefaith A. Casilag Pages:136
Herculeah Jones, a girl who likes to solve murder mysteries, reads to an old man named Lionus Hunt. He is paralyzed and talks by blinking, 1 for yes, 2 for no. The book Herculeah reads him is "Terror in the Black Tower". Herculeah realizes that there is a black tower in Mr. Hunts house. She is also curious about Mr. Hunt's new nurse, Ms. Wegman. Meat, Herculeah's friend, says that Ms. Wegman is a man! Herculeah goes to the black tower and finds a suprising person in there. But when she was there, "Ms. Wegman" tries to kill her. In the end, Herculeah finds the shocking answers to the mysteries and solves it!
Herculeah Jones, a girl who likes to solve murder mysteries, reads to an old man named Lionus Hunt. He is paralyzed and talks by blinking, 1 for yes, 2 for no. The book Herculeah reads him is "Terror in the Black Tower". Herculeah realizes that there is a black tower in Mr. Hunts house. She is also curious about Mr. Hunt's new nurse, Ms. Wegman. Meat, Herculeah's friend, says that Ms. Wegman is a man! Herculeah goes to the black tower and finds a suprising person in there. But when she was there, "Ms. Wegman" tries to kill her. In the end, Herculeah finds the shocking answers to the mysteries and solves it!
April 27, 2020
This book was a great one to end the series with because it was an actual mystery with creepy characters and a haunted house where bad things have happened. My imagination conjured such a creepy but livable house and with its crazy architecture, I loved the fast pace surrounding this family where a murder took place.
The first murder was jealousy and the wrong target.
There luckily wasn’t a second or third because the murderer’s son was determined to find money that legend tells was buried in the house somewhere.
The amount of deception and cunning of the nurse mixed with the seemingly eccentric older sister was really interesting to see how these two characters never battled until the very end, yet the sister left eerie clues and hints with her “childlike” demeanor.
I wonder if the old man was drugged at the end or in a sleepy state and that’s why Herculeah couldn’t get him to respond coherently.
The book reminded me of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo as it surrounds a family and murder on the property, so maybe part of that is why I enjoyed it a lot. The final premonition is also about the Dragon Lady lipstick, so hey, there is a connection. Somewhere.
Plus, it was about Herculeah reading to an invalid from a book seemingly foretelling her fate. I clearly enjoy reading as well, so the way those two things worked together was interesting.
Sadly, there’s no resolution of Meat admitting his feelings for Herculeah. But Meat is starting to bond with his dad more and change his image. Since this book was released almost 14 years ago, I wonder what Meat and Herculeah would be like had the series continued.
I’m actually a bit bummed now that I sped through this series that it’s over. Final. Betsy Byars has passed, RIP, so there is no final chapter to this saga. I’ve really enjoyed the series as a whole and I would love to show it to my own kids if I’m lucky enough someday.
The first murder was jealousy and the wrong target.
There luckily wasn’t a second or third because the murderer’s son was determined to find money that legend tells was buried in the house somewhere.
The amount of deception and cunning of the nurse mixed with the seemingly eccentric older sister was really interesting to see how these two characters never battled until the very end, yet the sister left eerie clues and hints with her “childlike” demeanor.
I wonder if the old man was drugged at the end or in a sleepy state and that’s why Herculeah couldn’t get him to respond coherently.
The book reminded me of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo as it surrounds a family and murder on the property, so maybe part of that is why I enjoyed it a lot. The final premonition is also about the Dragon Lady lipstick, so hey, there is a connection. Somewhere.
Plus, it was about Herculeah reading to an invalid from a book seemingly foretelling her fate. I clearly enjoy reading as well, so the way those two things worked together was interesting.
Sadly, there’s no resolution of Meat admitting his feelings for Herculeah. But Meat is starting to bond with his dad more and change his image. Since this book was released almost 14 years ago, I wonder what Meat and Herculeah would be like had the series continued.
I’m actually a bit bummed now that I sped through this series that it’s over. Final. Betsy Byars has passed, RIP, so there is no final chapter to this saga. I’ve really enjoyed the series as a whole and I would love to show it to my own kids if I’m lucky enough someday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2021
Book seven in the Herculeah Jones Mystery series, Herculeah finds herself swept into a captivating mystery at the eerie Hunt mansion. Although Mr. Hunt could not speak he was definitely trying to communicate something to Herculeah. Was it about the murder that happened years ago? Did it have anything to do with the book she was reading aloud? Best friend Meat keeps Herculeah company in this fast-paced and well-developed story with believable and likable characters. Whether a previous fan of the series or just uncovering their first book, readers will enjoy entering the mysterious world of Herculeah Jones.
October 2, 2019
Betsy Byars definitely knows how to write a suspenseful mystery perfect for young mystery enthusiasts. I could not put this book down until I reached the end. She gives just enough clues to make you think you can figure things out but leaves out a few so that the ending is still a surprise. Certain to keep you on the edge of your seat especially as Herculeah goes up that scary Black Tower!
June 18, 2018
My 4th grade class loves this book!!
July 22, 2023
best book I ever read!❤️💕
I love the Betsy Byars books. I started read them in AAP book club, “the dark stairs” and though it was a while back I still remember the feeling of curiosity that sustained the whole way through the book. (Unlike the others I’ve read) the writing is also the best writing that I’ve ever come across of. (Other then my own, but not this because I just want to get down the review)
I love the Betsy Byars books. I started read them in AAP book club, “the dark stairs” and though it was a while back I still remember the feeling of curiosity that sustained the whole way through the book. (Unlike the others I’ve read) the writing is also the best writing that I’ve ever come across of. (Other then my own, but not this because I just want to get down the review)
November 24, 2018
My thoughts on the entire Herculeah Jones series can be found here in my review of the first book, The Dark Stairs. This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
June 2, 2009
Herculeah Jones is a cute mystery series, especially if you are looking for something a little more hip for the 9 to 10 crowd than Nancy Drew and has more depth than your Cam Jansen or Jigsaw Jones mysteries.
Besty Byars delivers a mystery in a style that I can say it reminiscent of that Agatha Christie style of leading the reader down a twisting path with the fearless and charmingly quirky detective... only in an abriged format. So you still have the sudden leaps, all to convient coincidences, and suprising interconnectedness between characters that stays just inside the bounds of plausability to provide the astonishing finish I crave in a good mystery!
Besty Byars delivers a mystery in a style that I can say it reminiscent of that Agatha Christie style of leading the reader down a twisting path with the fearless and charmingly quirky detective... only in an abriged format. So you still have the sudden leaps, all to convient coincidences, and suprising interconnectedness between characters that stays just inside the bounds of plausability to provide the astonishing finish I crave in a good mystery!
February 6, 2010
I'm currently reading this book with one of our school's 5th grade Iowa Children's Choice Book Clubs. So far we're only a few chapters in but I'm loving it! It's so good I have a hard time stopping. Overall the book was very suspenseful throughout, however the end was a huge disappointment. This is the only book I've read in this series so maybe I would had a different reaction if I was more familiar with Byars' books.
October 4, 2011
Wow, the suspense... It's indescribable. It had so much mystery. It is about a creepy house, the Hunt House and this girl named Herculeah Jones has to go there to read to a paralyzed man, Mr. Hunt. It had this weird sensation that I loved. I might even read more in the Herculeah Jones series. It is soooo good!
May 24, 2012
The Black Tower is so far about a girl named Herculeah Jones who goes to a elderly man's mansion, he talk he can only blink once for yes and blink twice for no. Herculeah read's to him everyday. There is a Nurse that is kind of wired. Herculeah has a friend named Meat. I have a lot more to read to get to the interesting part of the book.
November 12, 2008
A couple of my students recommended this book to me. I can see why they liked it: it's short, easy to read, and the plot is fun yet a little creepy. If I was 13, I would've given it 4 stars; as a much-older-than-13-year-old, though, I give it 3.
January 31, 2010
If you like mystery book than this is the right book for you! Herculeah reads the book, Terror in the Black tower to Mr.Hunt who is paraylized and only blinks. But there something that Herculeah doesnt know about the tower! Read the book to find out what's the secret about the tower!
April 29, 2011
In spite of never reading any of the other books in the Herculeah Jones series and this being the last, I was able to enjoy the book without feeling like I'd missed out on too much background.
Good elementary school mystery.
Good elementary school mystery.
November 18, 2007
It was very interesting in fact, it was a great book!
February 4, 2009
My kind of book XD
July 1, 2009
this book is very exciting and makes you want to read more.
November 11, 2009
Yes, I read kiddie books. There is no excuse.Well, maybe 1. Black Tower and the rest of he books like this areamazing book. I love them all and would recommend hem to anyone.
Read
November 22, 2009she reads to a old man.
March 19, 2017
This was a great little mystery book. I'd recommend this series to Nancy Drew fans.
February 26, 2011
3.5 stars perfect for tween mystery fans
December 19, 2013
global reading challenge book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews