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Nooks & Crannies
by
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
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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4.5 stars
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:
Tabitha Crum is absolutely obsessed with mystery novels.![]()
If only life were a book, and I could choose precisely what part I played.
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

Jun 16, 2015
Shannon
marked it as to-read
"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
Um.
*puts on hold immediately* ...more

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

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
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

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
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

"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

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 ...more
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 ...more

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. ...more
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. ...more

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

What a delightful read!

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
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

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

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

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

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 ...more
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 ...more

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

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

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

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
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

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
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

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
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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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
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
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“If only life were a book, and I could choose precisely what part I played.”
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“It's dreadfully tiresome to keep one's true self hidden" -Hattie”
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