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Nooks & Crannies

Jessica Lawson (Goodreads Author),

Natalie Andrewson (Illustrations)

4.06 · Rating details · 2,243 ratings · 403 reviews

Tabitha Crum is a girl with a big imagination and a love for mystery novels, though her parents think her only talent is being a nuisance. She doesn't have a friend in the world, except her pet mouse, Pemberley, with whom she shares her dingy attic bedroom.

Then, on the heels of a rather devastating announcement made by her mother and father, Tabitha receives a mysterious i ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published June 2nd 2015 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

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Average rating 4.06 ·

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· 2,243 ratings · 403 reviews

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Mar 21, 2019 Miranda Reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook

4.5 stars

If only life were a book, and I could choose precisely what part I played.

Tabitha Crum is absolutely obsessed with mystery novels.

Her pet mouse, aka Pemberley aka her assistant detective, is her only friend in the world.

Her parents fed and clothed her...but they never went beyond the most basic of caretaking needs:

Love, Tabitha Crum, is to be earned, not given away to just anyone like a festering case of fleas.

Tabitha's parents have always said that she's too much of a burden an ...more

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Jun 16, 2015 Shannon marked it as to-read

Shelves: novels, middle-grade, childrens, mystery, check-out

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Clue when six children navigate a mansion full of secrets—and maybe money—in this humorous mystery with heart."

Um.

*puts on hold immediately* ...more

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Jun 28, 2015 Alexandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: avail-on-kindle, own-on-audible, middle-grade, kindle-too-high, read-in-2016

Animal sensitive young readers will want to know (view spoiler) ...more

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Oct 19, 2014 Mehsi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-twinkling-stars, the-butler-did-it, cover-love, warning-english-books, children-s-books

Due to the fact this book is easily spoiled, and I don't want that, as this book was a delightful Middle Grade mystery, I will keep it mostly to the basic stuff, even though I would love to go further into things, I just don't want to spoil anything! This book has some masterful twists and turns that will surprise you.

Let me start that I just was delighted with the story idea. It sounded a bit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 6 children + parents being invited to a big mansion in the midd ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Bookishrealm rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, books-i-own, books-read-in-2017, middle-grade-mystery, middle-grade

Update: Here's my full review - http://www.bookishrealmreviews.com/20...

This book was excellent! I really enjoyed the audiobook! I loved that the characters varied so much from each other and that it had so much historical aspects as well as mystery. If you haven't read this book I would definitely recommend picking it up!! ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Kathryn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade, winter, 1910s-1950s, mystery, british, grandparents

"And Then There Were None" meets "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" -- I loved this book! Loved it so much that I've waited and waited to try and find time to write an adequate review. It's been six months since I read it and it's still vivid, though I'm no closer to finding time to write what I really want to say. But, it's Halloween-time and this would make an excellent choice for a spooky-but-not-toooo-scary middle grade read, ghost and all. Honestly, this book got a little bit too spooky fo ...more

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Oct 28, 2015 Suad Shamma rated it liked it

Shelves: own, 2015

Despite my star rating, let me start by saying how much I liked this book. It was very well-written, with a solid plot and storyline and a diversely great bunch of characters. The premise of the book was this great combination of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vs. Matilda. Basically, very Roald Dahl-ian.

However, I have been reading so many incredible middle grade novels this year, and in comparison this felt like it fell a little short. In Nooks & Crannies we meet Tabitha Crum, who lives in Despite my star rating, let me start by saying how much I liked this book. It was very well-written, with a solid plot and storyline and a diversely great bunch of characters. The premise of the book was this great combination of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vs. Matilda. Basically, very Roald Dahl-ian.

However, I have been reading so many incredible middle grade novels this year, and in comparison this felt like it fell a little short. In Nooks & Crannies we meet Tabitha Crum, who lives in the attic and cleans and cooks and does all the chores for her horrible parents, who seemingly have zero affection for their daughter. Tabitha is one of six lucky children, who is sent an invite to meet the Countess of Windermere at her home, which is rumored to be haunted by ghosts. No one knows the purpose of these invitations, but they are all excited to have been invited as the Countess is known for her charitable generosity and wealth. Tabitha's parents jump on the chance to climb the social ladder, even though they had planned to permanently leave London and go to Spain abandoning their daughter in a shelter.

Once the children arrive at the Countess's home, whom no one has ever met before, they are all aware of a certain strangeness in her, but nobody could quite put their finger on it. They are quickly informed by the Countess that they were all adopted by their parents from the same orphanage in the same year, and one of them is her estranged son's child, who is set to inherit quite a large sum of money.

Tabitha is immediately suspicious, and with the help of her pet mouse, Pemberley, she sets off trying to discover the secrets behind all the mysterious disappearances of the children, the ghostly sounds in the house and the strange Countess and her servants.

A very good read. However, it seemed to take me much longer than needed to get through it, and once I did get through it, the whole thing seemed incredibly predictable and a little too middle grade for me. In fact, I really hated the ending and how it all wrapped up nicely with the twin siblings thing, which I felt was an unnecessary addition to the storyline. Obviously, this IS a middle grade story, so I can't complain (much) and it does feel unfair, but I guess I've been spoiled by such wonderful middle grade novels that were easily suitable for any age that I couldn't rate it as highly. ...more

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Jul 19, 2015 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade, books-i-would-let-my-kids-read, strong-female-lead, kid-s-books, i-love-an-underdog, mystery

I knew as soon as I read the book flap that I was really going to like this one. This book was like a quirky mixture of Murder by Death (a movie that pokes fun at traditional mysteries. It really is quite funny; I highly recommend...probably not for younger kids...)and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Tabitha Crum is not liked by her schoolmates or even her parents. She has a sloppy haircut, funny clothes, a love of mystery novels, and a rumor floating around that she likes to talk to herself. I knew as soon as I read the book flap that I was really going to like this one. This book was like a quirky mixture of Murder by Death (a movie that pokes fun at traditional mysteries. It really is quite funny; I highly recommend...probably not for younger kids...)and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Tabitha Crum is not liked by her schoolmates or even her parents. She has a sloppy haircut, funny clothes, a love of mystery novels, and a rumor floating around that she likes to talk to herself. What people can't see is that she actually is talking to someone, that someone being her pet mouse, Pemberley. Her schoolmates who have actually seen Pemberley call Tabitha "the rat girl". So Tabitha is surprised when she receives a sealed note at school with strict instructions to take it straight home for her parents to read. Tabitha's surprise turns to wonderment when she realizes she has received an invitation from the reclusive Countess of Windermere for a weekend at the countess' estate, Hollingsworth Hall. And then Tabitha realizes that she is one of six children who will be spending the weekend with the countess. Why have the children been invited to the hall, when no one has ever been invited to visit it before? When the electricity goes out and a dead body is on the floor, Tabitha suspects the innocent invitation might not be so innocent after all...

I loved Tabitha. She was smart and resourceful. She was also, amazingly, not bitter at all about her poor life circumstances. She found solace in the novels about Inspector Pensive (which I wish were real; Pensive seems like a Sherlock with a sense of humor and a taste for fine food...)and her friendship with her equally bright and spunky mouse, Pemberley. She was able to keep her head under pressure and had the courage to explore hidden passages and, generally, do a lot of investigative work of her own. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and I imagine anyone from 10-13 probably would as well, especially if they are fond of mysteries. (I am not generally fond of mysteries, but this book was delightful good fun). ...more

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Jun 25, 2015 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens-adventure, children-s-mystery, children-s-historical-fiction

Best of 2015. LOVED this! Couldn't put it down! Unexpected twists & turns--just when I thought I had everything figured out...BAM! Nope--and full of sly humor. Strong heroine who is true to herself and handles tough stuff with great equanimity. Admirable friendships/enemies. Want more! ...more

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Mar 30, 2020 Sarah (treesofreverie) McMahon rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-books, audiobooks, read-in-2020

What a delightful read!

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Jan 05, 2015 Christen rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-ya

I am a Young Adult & Children's Librarian and I definitely will be recommending this one to my library patrons.

I couldn't wait to read "Nooks & Crannies" and it definitely did not
disappoint! What a fun mystery. When I read the description it sounded like Clue meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and that's exactly what it reminded me of. I see that other goodreads reviewers have listed a similar description.

Tabitha Crum is a lonely girl, who only has the company of her pet mouse Pemberley a ...more

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Jan 12, 2015 Leah rated it really liked it

Shelves: standalone, setting-england, ghosts, genre-historical-fiction, genre-victorian, kickass-covers, genre-mystery, awesome-creepy-characters, genre-middle-grade, pub-simon-schuster

Tabitha Crum would put Orphan Annie to shame. Her parents use her as their own personal maid (when they actually remember and acknowledge her existence, of course,) she has a terrible haircut, sleeps in the cold attic, and her only friend is a mouse named Pemberley. As if that wasn't bad enough, after some rather shady bank transactions, the Crums announce they're going on holiday to Spain...and that they're sending Tabitha to the local orphanage. As fate would have it, however, Tabitha receives ...more

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Jul 14, 2015 Louise Galveston rated it it was amazing

I seldom have read a book where I so passionately rooted for the main character and absolutely loathed the antagonists. Brava to the author for creating characters so thoroughly lovable and hatable. Tabitha Crum is a wonderful mix of cleverness, imagination, vulnerability, and feistiness. The mystery plot has a dash of Dahl, Austen, and Christie and there are more plot twists than the hidden passages of the old manor house where the story is set. I love the boy/girl friendship that Tabitha forms ...more

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Apr 26, 2019 ♠ TABI⁷ ♠ marked it as to-read

I feel kindred-bound to read anything with a character that has my not-so-typical name in it

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Mar 14, 2020 Rachel rated it it was amazing

I abslutely loved this book. I think all ages would get a kick out of this. Definitely gave me a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel.

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May 28, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery

Originally posted at Log Cabin Library

Nooks and Crannies is the kind of book for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Westing Game, Matilda and Clue. There were so many things that I loved about this book. For starters, that cover, I love how a keyhole was incorporated into the title. Just lovely. And all the details, Tabitha running with a key in her hand, Pemberly peaking out of the pocket of her apron. The old mansion in the background and the books and cobwebs on the table. There is a Originally posted at Log Cabin Library

Nooks and Crannies is the kind of book for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Westing Game, Matilda and Clue. There were so many things that I loved about this book. For starters, that cover, I love how a keyhole was incorporated into the title. Just lovely. And all the details, Tabitha running with a key in her hand, Pemberly peaking out of the pocket of her apron. The old mansion in the background and the books and cobwebs on the table. There is a very British feel to the story in the characters and words that Lawson chooses to use to describe the setting, like this passage "The cobblestone streets in the village of Wilting were made eerie and muted by thick November fog, and clip-clopping carriage horses snorted up and down the road emerging, and disappearing into the mist. Almost like ghosts, Tabitha mused."

Lawson created the perfect kind of setting for her murder mystery. Hollingsworth Hall is a creepy mansion set in the Lake District of England during 1907. The mansion is filled with hidden passageways, locked doors, a lovely large library and creepy mysterious noises at night. It's the kind of place that you can just see yourself inside with its long corridors and old paintings on the walls. There are "plenty of mysteries but no crime" at first, but then the maid Mary Pettigrew is possibly murdered and a series of plot twists, dangers and a need to figure out just what this countess has planned for her guests ensues.

Tabitha is such a wonderful character who reminded me so much of Roald Dahl's Matilda. She has this miserable home life with parents that are unloving, neglectful and downright rotten. They were set to send her off to an orphanage at the beginning of the story, that is until they thought a weekend at Hollingsworth Hall might turn out to be "profitable." Tabitha's only salvation are a love for reading her Inspector Pensive novels (think Sherlock Holmes) and her friend and confidant Pemberley (kinda like a Watson to her Inspector Pensive). Having Pemberley as her partner, Tabitha can say all the things she would want to say, but is to shy to say. Problem is that people think she is talking to herself and this alienates her from making friends. Tabitha is very imaginative, observant, a storyteller and clings to the hope that one day her parents will grow to love her, so she minds what they say, doesn't complain, despite her mother telling her "You want us to love you, is that right? Love, Tabitha Crum, is to be earned, not given away to just anyone like a festering case of fleas." You really can't help feeling sorry for how lonely Tabitha is, while despising her parents. Just look at this quote by Tabitha

"Why, oh why, was it so much easier to interact with Pemberley than with people? It was desperately confusing to both yearn for others to include you and half wish that they wouldn't."

Oh, but all those changes that occurred as Tabitha became this mini inspector putting together the clues to find out just why they were all summoned to Hollingsworth Hall in the first place, such wonderful character development. And the Pensive expressions that she recalled from stories dotting the beginning of each chapter, were delightful. "When hope has left your side, carry on with the assumption that it simply went to fetch a quick bite to eat and will return shortly."

I highly recommend Nooks and Crannies for someone looking for a story with a classic feel, a strong heroine that you can't help but root for, plus a nice mystery bundled into one.

Favorite line:

"if only life were a book, and I could choose precisely what part I played."

Review copy provided by author following interview/giveaway hosted by From the Mixed-Up Files
...more

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Jun 02, 2015 Faith Hough rated it it was amazing

Shelves: upper-middle-grade, historical-fiction, humor, lower-middle-grade, mystery

Let me start by saying that I loved Jessica Lawson's first book. I thought her retelling of Tom Sawyer was brilliant, and I wondered whether her other stories would live up to my high opinion of that first book. But I suspected within 10 pages that I would like this one better--and my suspicions proved true. Nooks & Crannies is a perfect middle grade mystery--not too spooky, not too confusing, with just enough clues for a younger reader to solve some things for him or herself. On top of that, th ...more

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Apr 28, 2015 Billie rated it liked it

There really wasn't much of a mystery here and while the author apparently tried for a Roald Dahl-ish feel to the children and parents, she didn't go quite dark enough. That being said, it was cute and a pleasant diversion for a few hours and the eight- and nine-year-olds who are its target audience will likely enjoy putting the clues together alongside Tabitha and will find the villains (and Tabitha's parents) just villainous enough to give a little shiver. ...more

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Oct 15, 2017 Tracy Legrand rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-for-students

I'm a sucker for a fun mystery with a spunky heroine! Add a family fortune up for grabs, a strange countess, orphanages, a British countryside manor, a terrible blizzard, and a mouse named Pemberley, and I'm in love. ...more

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Oct 01, 2020 na rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade, murder-mystery, adventure

actual rating: 3.5 stars

Tabitha Crum lived a sad, terrible life. The early chapters made me boiling with anger. Those scumbags (The Crums) are the most disgusting parents ever. I'd say the plot is quite predictable with a bit twist that made went "ooh wow never thought about that", but it was quite an adventure! ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Sabrina rated it really liked it

I was a little thrown off at first but the pace of the plot but once we got into the thick of it, it made more sense.
Narration was fantastic. I don't want to say to much about the novel because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. ...more

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Sep 11, 2015 Dundee Library rated it it was amazing

Shelves: staff-favs-jennifer, mystery-british, historical-fiction-1880-1920, middle-grade-for-boys-or-girls, middle-grade-historical-fiction

My son and I listened to this audio book while commuting together to work and child care together this summer.

The blurb on the back describes it as a cross between "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Clue."

How could we resist a book with a description like that!? How could anyone?

Very fun, very well-plotted children's mystery.

The characters are all archetypes that Victorian mystery lovers can't resist: the poor, yet bright, narrator, the spoiled rich children, the crazy countess, the suspic ...more

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Mar 15, 2015 Rebecca Petruck rated it it was amazing

The Case of the Blasted Good Book, notes by Inspector-in-Training Rebecca P:

Like The Times, I followed this story with all due fortitude, awaiting each new divulgence with the appropriate anxiety of a good-hearted soul and the clear-headed observance required of a sleuth in the making. Young Tabitha Crum may have lowly beginnings (and wretched parents), but she has a keen eye and a stout friend in her mouse Pemberley. Their adventure begins with a missing heir, but soon there is suspicion of mur ...more

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Mar 11, 2017 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Wow. Good lord this was every mystery plot device I've ever known all bundled up into something I enjoyed immensely. I'm not joking, I was genuinely disappointed that this wasn't the first in a series. It's got long-lost heirs to massive fortunes, thefts, murders (or are they?), mistaken identity, mystery twins, ghosts, young female leads who are voracious readers of mystery novels, secret passages, paintings with eyes you can see through, heart-wrenching circumstances, secret adoptions, things ...more

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Nov 04, 2018 Angie rated it liked it

Shelves: middle-grade, historical, mystery, audiobooks

Tabitha Crumb has the worst parents ever. They are headed to South America and plan on sending her to an orphanage. Her only friend is her rat Pemberly and her only interest appears to be Inspector Pensive detective novels. So it is a shock when she is invited to a weekend with a countess along with five other children. Turns out all six kids were adopted and one of them is the countess's grandchild. The only problem is the countess is kind of evil and the children keep disappearing in the myste ...more

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Feb 12, 2020 Bev rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is such a fun mystery! I loved the descriptions of the house - I want to visit that library! Tabitha is a fantastic character (with truly horrible parents - think Roald Dahl style). Her pet mouse is awesome and I really enjoyed all her detecting. There was at least one Americanism that threw me out of the story briefly (I don't think "trash" was British English even hundreds of years ago) but that's a minor detail. I also guessed part of the reveal and I thought the ending was a bit too hap ...more

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May 21, 2020 Natasha rated it it was amazing

I thought it was delightful and sounded very English. There was a cruel tone, but it was balanced with empathy for Tabitha and mind-tickling peculiarity. And an interesting mystery. For kids who feel like their parents don't love them or want them you will learn that family is still out there to be found. ...more

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Aug 04, 2017 Amanda rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was a little too reminiscent of Clue for my taste, but it was a fun spin on it that's clean enough for kids to enjoy. The ending was pretty glaringly obvious from the beginning, but there were other aspects of the story that I didn't see coming. I don't think this is something I'd be quick to recommend or read again, but for the most part I enjoyed it. ...more

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Jan 22, 2018 Kate rated it really liked it

I love young girl solves mystery and has adventures while doing so-so I enjoyed this book. It's totally one I would have read when I was 10 or 11 and loved. Another reviewer said it's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Clue and I'd say that's the best description. ...more

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Jul 04, 2018 Lori rated it really liked it

Shelves: chapter, mystery

What a fun romp. Reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then takes a swift turn and combines with a Scooby-doo type of mystery. I loved that so many of the clues led to predictions that didn't turn out how I expected. Great fun. ...more

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About Jessica Lawson

Jessica Lawson

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Jessica Lawson currently lives in Pennsylvania. She likes pizza. A lot. Her middle grade books are published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

She fell in love with books at a young age. That love hasn't changed a bit.

She writes middle grade fiction, lots of to-do lists, and songs about lost socks. ...more