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Amanda Lester, Detective #3
Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle
Purple rainbows, a mysterious crypt, and pots of gold . . .Things are not going well for Amanda and the secret detective school. A priceless artifact has disappeared, a dangerous hacker is manipulating matter, and zombies are being seen all over the Lake District.Then the real trouble starts. When her cousins go missing and her friend Clive is kidnapped, Amanda is forced to turn to someone she’d rather not deal her old boyfriend Scapulus Holmes. But then he vanishes too. Now’s she’s sure that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty is involved . . . or is he?
- GenresMiddle GradeMystery
398 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2015
About the author
Paula Berinstein
68 books357 followersPaula Berinstein is the author of the Amanda Lester, Detective middle-grade/YA series, which features a descendant of the Sherlock Holmes character Inspector Lestrade and is set in the English Lake District.
She is also the author of the Indigo (time travel) and The King's Alchemist (historical fantasy) series for adults.
From 2005 to 2012, Paula produced and hosted the popular podcast The Writing Show (http://www.writingshow.com). She holds degrees in English literature and librarianship from UCLA.
She is also the author of the Indigo (time travel) and The King's Alchemist (historical fantasy) series for adults.
From 2005 to 2012, Paula produced and hosted the popular podcast The Writing Show (http://www.writingshow.com). She holds degrees in English literature and librarianship from UCLA.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 31, 2017
This is the third book in this awesome mystery series of the 21st century. Imagine a secret school that teaches children to become detectives. These are not just any children; in order to enter this co-ed boarding school the student must be descended from a famous detective. Most of them are detectives from literature. This series features 12 year-old Amanda Lester, whose family changed their name from Lestrade, the bumbling Inspector in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Amanda is rather ashamed of her ancestor but she is nothing like him. The school, Legatum Continuatum, is in the Lake District of England. The children are allowed much freedom and contact with parents is at a minimum. This is good because most of the parents are strange.
Although each book is complete in itself, it builds smoothly upon the one before it. They are best read in order as the characters grow and the situations continue. In this book Amanda and her friends are still after the Moriarty clan, who has caused such havoc throughout the whole series. Purple rainbows are appearing everywhere and they seem to have something to do with gold coins. Pots of gold at the end of the rainbow? These rainbows start out beautiful but end up sinister and the colors at first are out of order. Later they become angry shades of purple. Zombies are seen but no one can get a photo of one or find out where it has gone. Students are disappearing from the school and everything is in upheaval. The school's important missing "Bible" has not been found and the teachers have divided into two factions. Amanda and her friends are faced with many tasks, which include keeping the school together. Her new love for Scapulus Holmes has gone awry since everyone believes that she still carries a torch for Nick Moriarty. Does she? Even Amanda isn't sure. The story is packed with continuous action. I also find the names the author has given the characters a source of humor and wonder if she did so with tongue in cheek. (Drusilla Canoodle? Dreidel Pomfritter? Philip Puppybreath?) ) She also has an awesome imagination and a wonderful memory for details.
I applaud Ms Berinstein for a wonderful series for middle grade children (grandmas love it too!).
Although each book is complete in itself, it builds smoothly upon the one before it. They are best read in order as the characters grow and the situations continue. In this book Amanda and her friends are still after the Moriarty clan, who has caused such havoc throughout the whole series. Purple rainbows are appearing everywhere and they seem to have something to do with gold coins. Pots of gold at the end of the rainbow? These rainbows start out beautiful but end up sinister and the colors at first are out of order. Later they become angry shades of purple. Zombies are seen but no one can get a photo of one or find out where it has gone. Students are disappearing from the school and everything is in upheaval. The school's important missing "Bible" has not been found and the teachers have divided into two factions. Amanda and her friends are faced with many tasks, which include keeping the school together. Her new love for Scapulus Holmes has gone awry since everyone believes that she still carries a torch for Nick Moriarty. Does she? Even Amanda isn't sure. The story is packed with continuous action. I also find the names the author has given the characters a source of humor and wonder if she did so with tongue in cheek. (Drusilla Canoodle? Dreidel Pomfritter? Philip Puppybreath?) ) She also has an awesome imagination and a wonderful memory for details.
I applaud Ms Berinstein for a wonderful series for middle grade children (grandmas love it too!).
February 5, 2016
This is another great book in the Amanda Lester, Detective series. One of the things I love most abut this series is how each book smoothly builds upon the foundation of the previous ones. And that fact might be most obvious in this book so far with how all of the problems and mysteries they are dealing with are a direct result of what happened in book 1 and 2 and we will find out that things are even more connected than they seem at first. It was great to have new mysteries for them to solve, but also have that feel of continuity. It's not just another adventure, these problems exists because of what happened previously.
This book has a slightly different feel than the first two books as this book takes place during summer vacation. Amanda stays on school instead of returning to her parents or to LA to help her film idol Darius Plover. This means no classes or school stuff and more focus on the mystery. On the one hand I kinda misses the feel of normalcy that the classes gave, but I also liked the different feel and how there was more focus on solving the mysteries. And whew they have quite a lot of mysteries to solve in this book, there is so much going on that it could be hard to keep everything straight at times, but it also made for a very interesting and compelling story. The beginning felt a bit slow as they didn't make much progress, but eventually things start rolling and happening and I wanted to know how everything tied together and if they would be able to solve everything.
I really enjoyed this book and had a lot of fun following Amanda and her friends again and seeing them solve the mysteries. I did have a few small issues with the actual plot though, like I mentioned in my review of Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis, the science is very far fetched and even dips into fantasy territory a few times. That's an issue I had with this book as well, although the lack of explanation until the end actually worked for me as that way I didn't keep my mind on why it wasn't possible all the time and was more able to ignore the fact that it wasn't possible most of the time.
Then there is the plot line about the detective bible, it just seemed a bit silly. It's just a book, but also so much more, but how much more? We don't know as we don't learn what's actually in the book. It just was a bit frustrating at times, I had hoped we would learn more about the bible in this book, but we don't. There's almost zero progress when it comes to that plot line. And things go bad in a big way and it just felt silly how all the teachers were acting about that book and like it was so easy to go away from your stable job and start anew.
I really like the cast of characters in this book. Amanda and her friend all are great characters, they have a lot of personality, flaws and feel like real people. There's also a bit of relationship drama added in this book and I actually am kinda curious with whom Amanda will end up with. And I am still curious about Nick his character, I don't want to spoil too much, but I love shades of grey and his character suggest things actually might not be as black and white as it seems. I just wish the criminals had a bit more of that, as almost all of the villains seem sure pure evil and nasty and crazy. We do learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains though.
Then there is Ivy and her dog Nigel who are two of my favourite characters. Ivy is blind, but she's still a great detective and uses her hearing to figure out some things. And I am liking Simon and Clive more and more with each book. I started disliking Amphora a bit more in this book as she seemed a bit nasty to Amanda and some other characters. Holmes stays pretty much to the background in this book, even though he plays an important part, he is less active with solving the mysteries and going out to do research as he's busy with the hacker. I really disliked the hacker, especially when we learned who it was. The character just seemed a bit over the top evil and nasty. Then there is Gordon who sort of joins the group and who get's more important and we see a bit about Ivy her sister Fern.
To summarize: this was another great book in this series. I love how the story is a direct continuation of what happened in the previous books, while also dealing with new problems. I like that continuity and how the problems in this book are a direct result of what happened in the previous books. There are a lot of mysteries and things going on in this book and it could be a bit difficult to keep everything straight at times, but I really enjoyed the story and figuring out what had happened. I did have a small issue with the science, which seemed more like fantasy at times and how the detective bible was so important, but if felt a bit silly as we never know what's exactly in it and why it's so important. The characters are great and I start liking most of them more with each book. I am curious about Nick his character. The villains do seem a bit too evil and nasty at times, but we did learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains. I really like Amanda and her friends, there are some interesting developments with some characters too and I feel like we get to know them better in each book. I am looking forward to the next book!
This book has a slightly different feel than the first two books as this book takes place during summer vacation. Amanda stays on school instead of returning to her parents or to LA to help her film idol Darius Plover. This means no classes or school stuff and more focus on the mystery. On the one hand I kinda misses the feel of normalcy that the classes gave, but I also liked the different feel and how there was more focus on solving the mysteries. And whew they have quite a lot of mysteries to solve in this book, there is so much going on that it could be hard to keep everything straight at times, but it also made for a very interesting and compelling story. The beginning felt a bit slow as they didn't make much progress, but eventually things start rolling and happening and I wanted to know how everything tied together and if they would be able to solve everything.
I really enjoyed this book and had a lot of fun following Amanda and her friends again and seeing them solve the mysteries. I did have a few small issues with the actual plot though, like I mentioned in my review of Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis, the science is very far fetched and even dips into fantasy territory a few times. That's an issue I had with this book as well, although the lack of explanation until the end actually worked for me as that way I didn't keep my mind on why it wasn't possible all the time and was more able to ignore the fact that it wasn't possible most of the time.
Then there is the plot line about the detective bible, it just seemed a bit silly. It's just a book, but also so much more, but how much more? We don't know as we don't learn what's actually in the book. It just was a bit frustrating at times, I had hoped we would learn more about the bible in this book, but we don't. There's almost zero progress when it comes to that plot line. And things go bad in a big way and it just felt silly how all the teachers were acting about that book and like it was so easy to go away from your stable job and start anew.
I really like the cast of characters in this book. Amanda and her friend all are great characters, they have a lot of personality, flaws and feel like real people. There's also a bit of relationship drama added in this book and I actually am kinda curious with whom Amanda will end up with. And I am still curious about Nick his character, I don't want to spoil too much, but I love shades of grey and his character suggest things actually might not be as black and white as it seems. I just wish the criminals had a bit more of that, as almost all of the villains seem sure pure evil and nasty and crazy. We do learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains though.
Then there is Ivy and her dog Nigel who are two of my favourite characters. Ivy is blind, but she's still a great detective and uses her hearing to figure out some things. And I am liking Simon and Clive more and more with each book. I started disliking Amphora a bit more in this book as she seemed a bit nasty to Amanda and some other characters. Holmes stays pretty much to the background in this book, even though he plays an important part, he is less active with solving the mysteries and going out to do research as he's busy with the hacker. I really disliked the hacker, especially when we learned who it was. The character just seemed a bit over the top evil and nasty. Then there is Gordon who sort of joins the group and who get's more important and we see a bit about Ivy her sister Fern.
To summarize: this was another great book in this series. I love how the story is a direct continuation of what happened in the previous books, while also dealing with new problems. I like that continuity and how the problems in this book are a direct result of what happened in the previous books. There are a lot of mysteries and things going on in this book and it could be a bit difficult to keep everything straight at times, but I really enjoyed the story and figuring out what had happened. I did have a small issue with the science, which seemed more like fantasy at times and how the detective bible was so important, but if felt a bit silly as we never know what's exactly in it and why it's so important. The characters are great and I start liking most of them more with each book. I am curious about Nick his character. The villains do seem a bit too evil and nasty at times, but we did learn an interesting tidbit about one of the villains. I really like Amanda and her friends, there are some interesting developments with some characters too and I feel like we get to know them better in each book. I am looking forward to the next book!
December 30, 2015
In "Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle" the secret detective school is in chaos with lawsuits, an unsolved murder, missing students and the disappearance of the Detective Bible, a priceless artifact. Headmaster Thrillkill has asked Amanda and her friends not only to help resolve the "plethora of problems" but to continue working with Scapulus Holmes on a film that he hopes will reunify the teachers and save the school. But with her feelings for Scapulus topsy-turvy after a run-in with Nick Moriarty at the Windermere quarry, their friendship has become strained.
To add fuel to the fire a dangerous hacker who can control matter is on the loose spewing rainbows, gold coins and disrupting the school's operations. Leaving Scapulus a computer genius to hunt down the cyberpunk Amanda decides to track down Blixus Moriarty who she's certain is responsible for all the upheaval only to discover two more murders, her relatives and her friend Clive missing, a mysterious key and bee thefts as well as the appearance of zombies in the Lake District. This is a mix of mystery, emotional upheavals and amateur detective work that tests friendships and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last.
The plot is fast-paced and intense as Amanda and her friends begin to unravel clues to the puzzle only to have the author add a twist into the mix with a new discovery, dead body or missing person. The action and suspense in this well- developed, superbly crafted story for middle-schoolers never stops as events progress towards an electric confrontation that begs for a fourth book in the series.
Like the plot Paula Berinstein has created characters that are realistic, lively and humorous at times as they interact with each other and confront every new challenge head-on. Action-oriented but likeable, Amanda Lester is often impatient, impulsive and bossy. Still drawn to the enigmatic and vulnerable Nick Moriarty whose manner is insensitive and offensive, Amanda has decided to put her feelings for her brilliant ex-boyfriend Scapulus Holmes on hold only to find her high-maintenance, fun-loving and flirtatious roommate vying for his affection. Also included in a wonderful cast of personalities who weave power, excitement and drama into the exciting tale are the kissable geek Simon Binkle; kind, fun-loving and blind Ivy Halin and her remarkable dog Nigel; observant, blunt and defensive Gordon Bramble; and the obnoxious, irritating David Wiffle.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle" an intriguing and entertaining story geared to middle-school aged children. This is a series that would be a hit in the older children's section of any library. I rate it highly and look forward to the next novel in Amanda's adventures.
To add fuel to the fire a dangerous hacker who can control matter is on the loose spewing rainbows, gold coins and disrupting the school's operations. Leaving Scapulus a computer genius to hunt down the cyberpunk Amanda decides to track down Blixus Moriarty who she's certain is responsible for all the upheaval only to discover two more murders, her relatives and her friend Clive missing, a mysterious key and bee thefts as well as the appearance of zombies in the Lake District. This is a mix of mystery, emotional upheavals and amateur detective work that tests friendships and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last.
The plot is fast-paced and intense as Amanda and her friends begin to unravel clues to the puzzle only to have the author add a twist into the mix with a new discovery, dead body or missing person. The action and suspense in this well- developed, superbly crafted story for middle-schoolers never stops as events progress towards an electric confrontation that begs for a fourth book in the series.
Like the plot Paula Berinstein has created characters that are realistic, lively and humorous at times as they interact with each other and confront every new challenge head-on. Action-oriented but likeable, Amanda Lester is often impatient, impulsive and bossy. Still drawn to the enigmatic and vulnerable Nick Moriarty whose manner is insensitive and offensive, Amanda has decided to put her feelings for her brilliant ex-boyfriend Scapulus Holmes on hold only to find her high-maintenance, fun-loving and flirtatious roommate vying for his affection. Also included in a wonderful cast of personalities who weave power, excitement and drama into the exciting tale are the kissable geek Simon Binkle; kind, fun-loving and blind Ivy Halin and her remarkable dog Nigel; observant, blunt and defensive Gordon Bramble; and the obnoxious, irritating David Wiffle.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle" an intriguing and entertaining story geared to middle-school aged children. This is a series that would be a hit in the older children's section of any library. I rate it highly and look forward to the next novel in Amanda's adventures.
July 23, 2016
The Amanda Lester series deals with a girl who is the descendent of the fumbling Inspector Lestrade from the Sherlock Holmes stories. She attends the secret Legatum school, a sort of Hogwarts for descendents of famous detectives. As the third book opens, all is not well in Amanda Lester's world. The Legatum school is in disarray as a faction of staff members threaten to abandon the school over the loss of an important architectural document. Zombies have been seen prowling the streets, mysterious purple rainbows have been spotted in the skies, and Amanda must complete a student film with Scapulus Holmes, a descendent of the great Sherlock Holmes and her sorta boyfriend...well, not really, but Amanda does have feelings for him as well as for another boy, her true love, who appears to be a villain, and then there was the other guy she kissed, but it was more of a joke, or was it? You can see the teen drama is at an all time high, and that's not a bad thing. Rather, it is a very believable glimpse into the mindset of a teen girl dealing with blossoming emotions while her home and school worlds are crumbling around her.
Paula Berinstein continues to delight readers by making Amanda Lester a flesh and blood character who often acts logically but sometimes, especially with matters of the heart, does not. She is as conflicted as any real teen girl and I love seeing her come to life on the page. While her issues may seem larger than life for most teens and pre-teens, any child who has changed schools, had parents divorce, or has moved states will understand the dizzying sensation of having one's life suddenly turned upside down, from a sense of relative order to absolute chaos.
Once again, everything that appears magical in the book from the purple rainbows to locks opened by scents instead of keys is actually based on real life technology. This speaks volumes for the amount of research Ms. Berinstein uses in crafting one of her tales.
Many young adult series peak with the first book and then go on a downward spiral in quality. The Amanda Lester series is unique in that every book gets better and better. The Purple Rainbow Puzzle is a riveting page turner sure to delight all readers of mysteries, suspense, young adult books, and even romance. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Paula Berinstein continues to delight readers by making Amanda Lester a flesh and blood character who often acts logically but sometimes, especially with matters of the heart, does not. She is as conflicted as any real teen girl and I love seeing her come to life on the page. While her issues may seem larger than life for most teens and pre-teens, any child who has changed schools, had parents divorce, or has moved states will understand the dizzying sensation of having one's life suddenly turned upside down, from a sense of relative order to absolute chaos.
Once again, everything that appears magical in the book from the purple rainbows to locks opened by scents instead of keys is actually based on real life technology. This speaks volumes for the amount of research Ms. Berinstein uses in crafting one of her tales.
Many young adult series peak with the first book and then go on a downward spiral in quality. The Amanda Lester series is unique in that every book gets better and better. The Purple Rainbow Puzzle is a riveting page turner sure to delight all readers of mysteries, suspense, young adult books, and even romance. I cannot recommend this book enough.
May 16, 2016
"An Advanced Review Copy Provided by the Publisher Via NetGalley in Exchange for an Honest Review."
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
Extraordinary Novella!!! Curious Arouse.. No words to spell my feelings about the book. Absolutely magnificent story. This detective novel was smashing more than the two previous novels in the series. More unanswering questions dangling over and over in my mind. And more mysteries begin than unravel the ones currently have.
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
Great work, Paula Berinstein! Obviously excellent work. I was verily gripping with the pages along excited episodes in the story. Stoutly, a Page-Turner!!! Recommended for every reader as a MUST READ book; withal the series.
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
Extraordinary Novella!!! Curious Arouse.. No words to spell my feelings about the book. Absolutely magnificent story. This detective novel was smashing more than the two previous novels in the series. More unanswering questions dangling over and over in my mind. And more mysteries begin than unravel the ones currently have.
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
Great work, Paula Berinstein! Obviously excellent work. I was verily gripping with the pages along excited episodes in the story. Stoutly, a Page-Turner!!! Recommended for every reader as a MUST READ book; withal the series.
December 25, 2020
They're twelve year olds for heavens sake.
I enjoy the story of the detective school and the adventures the children go on. I do have exceptions about the faculty though. However, its fits with the unrealistic theme that permeates these books. All the talk about love, and soul mates, and kissing...its just disgusting. They are 12, not 22. Kids that age don't know anything about love and shouldn't be in situations for that type of contact to be permitted. Some very dangerous ideas are being planted in the minds of children and teens who read this and believe they should indulge in this behavior. Won't be keeping these books in my library and certainly won't be reading any more. Sad really since the concept of the detective school could have been awesome.
I enjoy the story of the detective school and the adventures the children go on. I do have exceptions about the faculty though. However, its fits with the unrealistic theme that permeates these books. All the talk about love, and soul mates, and kissing...its just disgusting. They are 12, not 22. Kids that age don't know anything about love and shouldn't be in situations for that type of contact to be permitted. Some very dangerous ideas are being planted in the minds of children and teens who read this and believe they should indulge in this behavior. Won't be keeping these books in my library and certainly won't be reading any more. Sad really since the concept of the detective school could have been awesome.
June 14, 2020
The saga continues! Things just won’t seem to go Amanda’s way. At least others are taking her more seriously.
Things didn’t go well when Amanda and her friends, including her new boyfriend Holmes, battled the Moriaritys. Seeing Amanda’s reaction when she discovered that Nick was still alive, brought Amanda and Holmes budding romance to a halt.
Beyond Amanda’s personal problems, the school is in trouble. The teachers are divided. In fact one group threatens to leave the school and start their own.
Holmes hasn’t been able to track the hacker that is interfering with the school. Now it seems the hacker is able to affect reality! Can the school be saved?
Things didn’t go well when Amanda and her friends, including her new boyfriend Holmes, battled the Moriaritys. Seeing Amanda’s reaction when she discovered that Nick was still alive, brought Amanda and Holmes budding romance to a halt.
Beyond Amanda’s personal problems, the school is in trouble. The teachers are divided. In fact one group threatens to leave the school and start their own.
Holmes hasn’t been able to track the hacker that is interfering with the school. Now it seems the hacker is able to affect reality! Can the school be saved?
February 14, 2016
Title: Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle-Amanda Lester Detective 2
Author: Paula Berinstein
Published: 11-15-15
Publisher: The Writing Show
Pages: 374
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Sub Genre: Mystery and Detectives, Children's Fiction
ISBN: 9789412361022
ASIN: B017A25BPO
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
.
Amanda Lester and her friends from the Academy are in search of Blixus Moriarty to see if he is in possession of the lost Detective Bible believed to be destroyed by David in the battle against the Moriarty family rather see it fall into their hands. Amanda is still trying to figure out if Nick Moriarty is as bad as his parents or if he truly cares for her. Then there is still the way she and Scapulus Homes parted. When students begin to disappear, as well as her cousins, Amanda goes to Scapulus for help, then he too goes missing. At first Amanda is sure the Moriarty's are behind everything, but then she begins to think otherwise. Could there be a spy in their midst.
With each new story Paula Berinstein offer us a mystery that draws you in and keeps you riveted to the story till the very end. In many ways it will remind you of the Harry Potter Saga, nothing is exactly as it seems. I share this series with my nephew and his insights have enabled me to enjoy it even more. Fast paced with a few curves thrown in to keep you guessing, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle will provide you with a few hours of entertainment as you immerse yourself in the secret world at the Academy.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amand...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/The-Reading-...#
Author: Paula Berinstein
Published: 11-15-15
Publisher: The Writing Show
Pages: 374
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Sub Genre: Mystery and Detectives, Children's Fiction
ISBN: 9789412361022
ASIN: B017A25BPO
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
.
Amanda Lester and her friends from the Academy are in search of Blixus Moriarty to see if he is in possession of the lost Detective Bible believed to be destroyed by David in the battle against the Moriarty family rather see it fall into their hands. Amanda is still trying to figure out if Nick Moriarty is as bad as his parents or if he truly cares for her. Then there is still the way she and Scapulus Homes parted. When students begin to disappear, as well as her cousins, Amanda goes to Scapulus for help, then he too goes missing. At first Amanda is sure the Moriarty's are behind everything, but then she begins to think otherwise. Could there be a spy in their midst.
With each new story Paula Berinstein offer us a mystery that draws you in and keeps you riveted to the story till the very end. In many ways it will remind you of the Harry Potter Saga, nothing is exactly as it seems. I share this series with my nephew and his insights have enabled me to enjoy it even more. Fast paced with a few curves thrown in to keep you guessing, Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle will provide you with a few hours of entertainment as you immerse yourself in the secret world at the Academy.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amand...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/The-Reading-...#
September 30, 2016
This is the thrid book in the Amanda Lester, Detective series. One thing I will say is that it is very important that you read these books in order. I read the first one, then this one and there were several spots that I read and had no idea what they were talking about as it was something from the second in the series. I also did not like this one as much as the first and will explain later in the review why.
The story takes place at Legatum (the detective school) but it is during summer vacation. Amanda stays on school instead of returning to her parents or to LA to help her film idol Darius Plover at the request of Headmaster Threadkill. She contacts her friends and they come back to help her. There are several mysteries that need solving including solving a murder, locating the "Detective Bible", finding several missing students and of course catching the dastardly Blixus Moriarity. While all this is going on, she is writing and rewriting scenes for her producer mentor Darius Plover. There are some red herrings thrown in and this time, she does not have to sneak out of school as her mission is sanctioned by the headmaster. The school staff are mutinying and splitting of to start their own school. Of course, they also have the purple rainbows to deal with. What are they? Who is making them? Are there really pots of gold at the end of these rainbows? Will they find their friends/relatives/schoolmates who are missing? Will Legatum self-destruct or will the staff rally and come back? Who is behind the murders? There are so many questions in this book it is hard to keep track of them.
The character interactions in this book was one of the things that bothered me. They were not very nice to each other, there was some back-stabbing involving boy/girl relationships and they put themselves in a lot of danger. Some of the dialogue was sniping and criticizing one another. When Amanda has to work with her sort of ex-boyfriend, Scapulus Holmes, there is a lot of tension. She still has feelings for him, but he is upset with her because he thinks she has feeling for Nick Moriarity. Amphora, one of her roommates, also is trying to begin a relationship with him and there are some hard feelings and rivalry between the girls. When Amanda is kissed by another boy, she feels something that she is not sure of. Oh dear, the teen drama is at an all time high, and that's not a bad thing in a book geared to young teens. It is believable glimpse into the mindset of a teen girl dealing with blossoming emotions. Amanda is a character who often acts logically but sometimes, especially with matters of the heart, does not. She has difficulty with social skills and can be very bossy, this can cause problems with her friends. She is as conflicted as any real teen girl and is dealing with several issues: parental divorce, new school, boyfriends and the fact that she has been given heavy responsibilities. She does not always act according to the script and teens will identify with that. The supporting characters are also dealing with their own issues, such as Ivy and her blindness as well as her allergy to bees. She is the peace-maker in the group. Simon and Clive both trying to find their place in the group and at school. Amphora who is the big flirt, but is she really feeling inferior to Amanda. Many dynamics in the group.
I give this book 3.5 stars. The ending was rather abrupt, but of course, now you have to read the next book in the series. I do recommend this series to young teens as I believe they will be able to identify with the characters and it is good clean fun.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes place at Legatum (the detective school) but it is during summer vacation. Amanda stays on school instead of returning to her parents or to LA to help her film idol Darius Plover at the request of Headmaster Threadkill. She contacts her friends and they come back to help her. There are several mysteries that need solving including solving a murder, locating the "Detective Bible", finding several missing students and of course catching the dastardly Blixus Moriarity. While all this is going on, she is writing and rewriting scenes for her producer mentor Darius Plover. There are some red herrings thrown in and this time, she does not have to sneak out of school as her mission is sanctioned by the headmaster. The school staff are mutinying and splitting of to start their own school. Of course, they also have the purple rainbows to deal with. What are they? Who is making them? Are there really pots of gold at the end of these rainbows? Will they find their friends/relatives/schoolmates who are missing? Will Legatum self-destruct or will the staff rally and come back? Who is behind the murders? There are so many questions in this book it is hard to keep track of them.
The character interactions in this book was one of the things that bothered me. They were not very nice to each other, there was some back-stabbing involving boy/girl relationships and they put themselves in a lot of danger. Some of the dialogue was sniping and criticizing one another. When Amanda has to work with her sort of ex-boyfriend, Scapulus Holmes, there is a lot of tension. She still has feelings for him, but he is upset with her because he thinks she has feeling for Nick Moriarity. Amphora, one of her roommates, also is trying to begin a relationship with him and there are some hard feelings and rivalry between the girls. When Amanda is kissed by another boy, she feels something that she is not sure of. Oh dear, the teen drama is at an all time high, and that's not a bad thing in a book geared to young teens. It is believable glimpse into the mindset of a teen girl dealing with blossoming emotions. Amanda is a character who often acts logically but sometimes, especially with matters of the heart, does not. She has difficulty with social skills and can be very bossy, this can cause problems with her friends. She is as conflicted as any real teen girl and is dealing with several issues: parental divorce, new school, boyfriends and the fact that she has been given heavy responsibilities. She does not always act according to the script and teens will identify with that. The supporting characters are also dealing with their own issues, such as Ivy and her blindness as well as her allergy to bees. She is the peace-maker in the group. Simon and Clive both trying to find their place in the group and at school. Amphora who is the big flirt, but is she really feeling inferior to Amanda. Many dynamics in the group.
I give this book 3.5 stars. The ending was rather abrupt, but of course, now you have to read the next book in the series. I do recommend this series to young teens as I believe they will be able to identify with the characters and it is good clean fun.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2016
Mystery, action, a little chaotic teenage romance, a dash of fantasy and adventure non-stop--this is a book which launches full speed ahead and refuses to let go even a little bit until the very end.
This is the third book in the Amanda Lester series. Although there are reminders and explanations of the happenings up to this book, I wouldn't recommend it as a stand alone.
The book starts there where the last one left off, more or less. Amanda receives a hefty list (even for a seasoned detective) from the Head Master of the secret detective school of all the problems/mysteries she's supposed to solve. Add that to the chaos arising in Amanda's own life, and this girl has her hands full. And that's an understatement.
Amanda is a head-strong girl, who's ready to tackle any problem. She's smart and clever, but by no means perfect. It's her group of friends, each one a character all of their own, which bring her through. Unfortunately, her social skills are lacking, often getting her in trouble. But it's this side 'drama' which makes the story hit home and Amanda a character younger teens can sympathize with. Friendships aren't easy, especially as a teen.
As for mystery, this book is packed. Questions and problems shoot from every direction, some related and some not, which adds to the spaghetti knot of twists and turns. The mystery, although surrounding something as sweet as rainbows, isn't a play thing. There are murders and moments of violence, which although fitting to the age group, are extremely serious threats.
Between kidnappings, murder and possible zombie attacks, it's the sprinkles of humor that make the book shine. There are several characters which ease the tension and bring moments of chuckles or plain silliness. As to the romance, that's a tale and battle all of its own...but then with Holmes and Moriarty as love possible suitors, the mixture is sure to explode.
As with the other books, there is a ton of plot and sub-plots going on. Still, it didn't feel like too much in this book, but kept the tension high the whole way through. There are light fantasy elements, which add a nice twist. The attempted scientific explanation behind these elements was interesting, but at the same time, fell short and left a few things unanswered (holes), which makes this a 4.5 stars for me.
Summed up: this is a fast-paced, unpredictable mystery for younger teens. The characters are a delight and the story is full of life. It's impossible to see what is coming next. I highly recommend this book and read it in one sitting.
This is the third book in the Amanda Lester series. Although there are reminders and explanations of the happenings up to this book, I wouldn't recommend it as a stand alone.
The book starts there where the last one left off, more or less. Amanda receives a hefty list (even for a seasoned detective) from the Head Master of the secret detective school of all the problems/mysteries she's supposed to solve. Add that to the chaos arising in Amanda's own life, and this girl has her hands full. And that's an understatement.
Amanda is a head-strong girl, who's ready to tackle any problem. She's smart and clever, but by no means perfect. It's her group of friends, each one a character all of their own, which bring her through. Unfortunately, her social skills are lacking, often getting her in trouble. But it's this side 'drama' which makes the story hit home and Amanda a character younger teens can sympathize with. Friendships aren't easy, especially as a teen.
As for mystery, this book is packed. Questions and problems shoot from every direction, some related and some not, which adds to the spaghetti knot of twists and turns. The mystery, although surrounding something as sweet as rainbows, isn't a play thing. There are murders and moments of violence, which although fitting to the age group, are extremely serious threats.
Between kidnappings, murder and possible zombie attacks, it's the sprinkles of humor that make the book shine. There are several characters which ease the tension and bring moments of chuckles or plain silliness. As to the romance, that's a tale and battle all of its own...but then with Holmes and Moriarty as love possible suitors, the mixture is sure to explode.
As with the other books, there is a ton of plot and sub-plots going on. Still, it didn't feel like too much in this book, but kept the tension high the whole way through. There are light fantasy elements, which add a nice twist. The attempted scientific explanation behind these elements was interesting, but at the same time, fell short and left a few things unanswered (holes), which makes this a 4.5 stars for me.
Summed up: this is a fast-paced, unpredictable mystery for younger teens. The characters are a delight and the story is full of life. It's impossible to see what is coming next. I highly recommend this book and read it in one sitting.
April 28, 2016
Who would have thought a little twerp like David Wiffle could bring an entire detective school to its knees?
Synopsis: Things have gone from bad to worse at the secret detective school, Legatum Continuatum. David Wiffle has disappeared after apparently destroying the school's most precious artifact. Editta Sweetgum is also missing, having run away with the Moriarty family after the showdown involving that artifact. And two other students are also missing, presumably with the Moriartys as well. The teachers are dividing into factions, lawsuits have been filed, and the entire school seems ready to fall apart. In some areas, it's ready to literally fall apart, as earthquake damage is still under repair. Amanda's family seems set to self-destruct, too, now that her father has taken off for Tibet. Then things get really weird, with rainbows appearing in the sky in the wrong color order, and zombies appearing in town.
Review: The third book of the series picks up right where the second left off, so some space in the first chapter is given over to recapping the events leading to this point. After that, events pick up pace, with Amanda and her friends tasked with solving a whole bunch of problems that the adults are unable to handle. The point of view remains in close third-person, so the reader gets a good idea of what Amanda thinks of things, though other characters sometimes act in seemingly inexplicable ways (simply because Amanda has no idea of the explanation). The interpersonal relations are realistically thorny, as the teenage characters cope with emotional and physical challenges. The story ends with some open questions readers will want to find the answers to in future installments of the series. Like the previous book, it has a Q&A section at the end with author that includes pointers to more information about some of the scientific curiosities that play a part in the action.
Personal Thoughts: I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. I feel there's a bit of a Roald Dahl influence, especially in the larger-than-life characteristics of the adults versus the more realistically drawn young people.
Source: Kindle e-book courtesy of Lola's Blog Tours
Synopsis: Things have gone from bad to worse at the secret detective school, Legatum Continuatum. David Wiffle has disappeared after apparently destroying the school's most precious artifact. Editta Sweetgum is also missing, having run away with the Moriarty family after the showdown involving that artifact. And two other students are also missing, presumably with the Moriartys as well. The teachers are dividing into factions, lawsuits have been filed, and the entire school seems ready to fall apart. In some areas, it's ready to literally fall apart, as earthquake damage is still under repair. Amanda's family seems set to self-destruct, too, now that her father has taken off for Tibet. Then things get really weird, with rainbows appearing in the sky in the wrong color order, and zombies appearing in town.
Review: The third book of the series picks up right where the second left off, so some space in the first chapter is given over to recapping the events leading to this point. After that, events pick up pace, with Amanda and her friends tasked with solving a whole bunch of problems that the adults are unable to handle. The point of view remains in close third-person, so the reader gets a good idea of what Amanda thinks of things, though other characters sometimes act in seemingly inexplicable ways (simply because Amanda has no idea of the explanation). The interpersonal relations are realistically thorny, as the teenage characters cope with emotional and physical challenges. The story ends with some open questions readers will want to find the answers to in future installments of the series. Like the previous book, it has a Q&A section at the end with author that includes pointers to more information about some of the scientific curiosities that play a part in the action.
Personal Thoughts: I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. I feel there's a bit of a Roald Dahl influence, especially in the larger-than-life characteristics of the adults versus the more realistically drawn young people.
Source: Kindle e-book courtesy of Lola's Blog Tours
September 2, 2016
Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle
Amanda and friends face a new set of mysteries that include zombies, an alleged descendant of Merlin, an archaeological dig, missing people, and strange backwards rainbows. Has magic been unleashed, or is there are more sinister reason for all of these events? Drawing on earlier events and building from there, the new puzzle threatens to destroy the school and her friends. Can they defeat the forces of evil? Is this the end for the detective school? Will Amanda’s love life ever settle down? Read an find out.
The third of the Amanda Lester series is another fun ride for the reader with underground locations, misdirection, schemes, and various adventures that will keep the reader glued to the pages.
Amanda and friends face a new set of mysteries that include zombies, an alleged descendant of Merlin, an archaeological dig, missing people, and strange backwards rainbows. Has magic been unleashed, or is there are more sinister reason for all of these events? Drawing on earlier events and building from there, the new puzzle threatens to destroy the school and her friends. Can they defeat the forces of evil? Is this the end for the detective school? Will Amanda’s love life ever settle down? Read an find out.
The third of the Amanda Lester series is another fun ride for the reader with underground locations, misdirection, schemes, and various adventures that will keep the reader glued to the pages.
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