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Amanda Lester, Detective #7
Amanda Lester and the Green Monkey Gotcha
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse...
A teacher has gone rogue, Nick's sister is in danger, and Holmes is missing. The last thing the detectives need is another problem.
But now a secret warning involving a mysterious green monkey has come to light and Amanda must investigate. Too bad she won't get the chance to discover what it means. Just as she begins to make progress the Moriarty brothers reappear, and this time they're mad, bad, and unstoppable. They're also coming for her.
A teacher has gone rogue, Nick's sister is in danger, and Holmes is missing. The last thing the detectives need is another problem.
But now a secret warning involving a mysterious green monkey has come to light and Amanda must investigate. Too bad she won't get the chance to discover what it means. Just as she begins to make progress the Moriarty brothers reappear, and this time they're mad, bad, and unstoppable. They're also coming for her.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2017
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 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 11, 2017
I've been an Amanda Lester fan from the moment I read the very first chapter of the very first book, and this feeling definitely doesn't change with the newest venture. Packed full of mystery, action and so much more, this book continues the series with tons of excitement and surprises.
Everything in the world of Amanda and her fellow detective students is a mess. Nick and Holmes are both missing without a trace. The only thing Amanda assumes is that they aren't together. . .unless they both killed themselves while fighting, but that's not her first suspicion. The only bright spot is the reappearance of the detective Bible. But even this positive note turns off-key as a hidden warning against a green monkey is found in the pages. Amanda doesn't get a chance to sink her teeth into this mystery too far before the Moriarty brothers return, and she is their main target.
This isn't just a mystery. This is a mystery with endless twists, engaging characters, danger around every bend, a dash of teenage drama, and even a tiny bit of something almost magical. The author has woven layer upon layer of plots and sub-plots together until it forms an exciting and oh-so delightful adventure. Every character has grit, whether good or bad, and each one comes to life with their own history and desires. But like a masterful puzzle, it all has its rhyme and reason, and slides together in the end.
I love how Nick and Holmes have developed in relationship to Amanda, and how Amanda has grown not only in relationship to her friends, but in ways which make her a real opponent to some very clever villains. Of course, she doesn't do any of this alone, but has support from her friends even when there are stumbling blocks on this end. These kids might be very talented, but they have their troubles like any other teen. And it's this which makes them easy to sympathize with and root for.
There's always something going on, and every scene holds valuable hints to be used later on. Especially the smooth and continual switch between scenes and characters, never leaves a boring moment but allows the plot to unfold from every angle. Still, there are tons of unexpected twists and surprises making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
I received a complimentary copy and simply enjoyed it so much that I had to leave my honest thoughts.
Everything in the world of Amanda and her fellow detective students is a mess. Nick and Holmes are both missing without a trace. The only thing Amanda assumes is that they aren't together. . .unless they both killed themselves while fighting, but that's not her first suspicion. The only bright spot is the reappearance of the detective Bible. But even this positive note turns off-key as a hidden warning against a green monkey is found in the pages. Amanda doesn't get a chance to sink her teeth into this mystery too far before the Moriarty brothers return, and she is their main target.
This isn't just a mystery. This is a mystery with endless twists, engaging characters, danger around every bend, a dash of teenage drama, and even a tiny bit of something almost magical. The author has woven layer upon layer of plots and sub-plots together until it forms an exciting and oh-so delightful adventure. Every character has grit, whether good or bad, and each one comes to life with their own history and desires. But like a masterful puzzle, it all has its rhyme and reason, and slides together in the end.
I love how Nick and Holmes have developed in relationship to Amanda, and how Amanda has grown not only in relationship to her friends, but in ways which make her a real opponent to some very clever villains. Of course, she doesn't do any of this alone, but has support from her friends even when there are stumbling blocks on this end. These kids might be very talented, but they have their troubles like any other teen. And it's this which makes them easy to sympathize with and root for.
There's always something going on, and every scene holds valuable hints to be used later on. Especially the smooth and continual switch between scenes and characters, never leaves a boring moment but allows the plot to unfold from every angle. Still, there are tons of unexpected twists and surprises making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
I received a complimentary copy and simply enjoyed it so much that I had to leave my honest thoughts.
November 15, 2017
This book is not yet published and I read it as a proof copy for review. It's book #7 in the Amanda Lester Detective series, set at a school for young detectives in England.
Green Monkeys are not native to England, and Amanda is not fond of monkeys in general, but when the missing Detective Bible is finally found, a hidden third layer of text is discovered- and it mentions a green monkey. So what does it mean? The monkey question is put aside while other more important things are going on. Blixus Moriarity, although in a cell in the dungeons of Durham Castle, has discovered that he can communicate by telepathy with his equally evil brothers and along with his dastardly computer genius son Hugh, they make a truly daunting enemy. Focusing their minds on Amanda, whom they kidnapped, they are able to inject terror into her mind. And Banting Waltz, along with Amanda’s mother Lila, has taken over the evil Moriarity cartel. Scapulus Holmes, missing for a while, is also a prisoner in the dungeons of Durham Castle. There is a siege there with all the factions, Moriarity cartel, Banting cartel, and the detectives, students and teachers, all battling, until a group of Monks show up and save the day. But the detectives have not actually won: their school, Legatum, was bombed and destroyed while the students and teachers were fighting at Durham Castle. The green monkey is eventually found and when its secret is given up it rocks the basis of their entire society. Thrillkill vows to rebuild Legatum and sets Nick to look for a suitable castle. We must stay tuned and hope that there is another book!
Green Monkeys are not native to England, and Amanda is not fond of monkeys in general, but when the missing Detective Bible is finally found, a hidden third layer of text is discovered- and it mentions a green monkey. So what does it mean? The monkey question is put aside while other more important things are going on. Blixus Moriarity, although in a cell in the dungeons of Durham Castle, has discovered that he can communicate by telepathy with his equally evil brothers and along with his dastardly computer genius son Hugh, they make a truly daunting enemy. Focusing their minds on Amanda, whom they kidnapped, they are able to inject terror into her mind. And Banting Waltz, along with Amanda’s mother Lila, has taken over the evil Moriarity cartel. Scapulus Holmes, missing for a while, is also a prisoner in the dungeons of Durham Castle. There is a siege there with all the factions, Moriarity cartel, Banting cartel, and the detectives, students and teachers, all battling, until a group of Monks show up and save the day. But the detectives have not actually won: their school, Legatum, was bombed and destroyed while the students and teachers were fighting at Durham Castle. The green monkey is eventually found and when its secret is given up it rocks the basis of their entire society. Thrillkill vows to rebuild Legatum and sets Nick to look for a suitable castle. We must stay tuned and hope that there is another book!
December 12, 2017
“Amanda Lester and the Green Monkey Gotcha” the seventh exciting detective novel in the “Amanda Lester” series revolves around a hidden layer in the Detective Bible that points to a mysterious warning involving a green monkey that Amanda begins to investigate before being captured by the Moriarty brothers who are determined to break into and steal secret information held in Durham Castle as well as wreck vengeance on Banting Waltz and Blixus’s former cartel.
Intertwined in the main story are multiple subplots like Clive and Ramon’s attempt to break Gaston (aka Amboy) Scribbish and his twin’s telepathic communication; Banting Waltz and the cartel’s takeover of Dunham Castle; Taffeta’s incarceration of Blixus and Holmes; the disappearance of Nick’s sister Basilica; and Amanda’s capture by the Moriarty’s. Even the romantic twists are enthralling as Scapulus falls for beautiful and feisty Diamond; Amanda remains true to Nick; Ivy falls head over heels for geeky Dreidel Pomfitter; Binnie humanizes Simon Binkle; and with Lila Lester’s dark infatuation for boyfriend Banting Waltz.
Filled with intrigue and suspense, the action never dies as the story heats up when Legatum is bombed while Thrillkill, the students and teachers fight the criminal minds at Durham Castle only to be saved by a group of mysterious Monks. Progressing smoothly and quickly the intensity of the plot builds even in a climax where the secret of the green monkey is revealed and could impact the continuation of the detective school while Amanda and Nick must make decisions that will affect their futures.
What brings this series to life are wonderfully complex and versatile characters like the indomitable-willed and capable Amanda Lester; the resourceful and smart Scapulus Holmes; the quick-witted and perceptive Nick Muffet (aka Moriarty); sweet and loyal Ivy Halpin; as well as the egotistical and stubborn Simon Binkle. Darkly intriguing are villains like Amanda’s ambitious and selfish mother Lila Lester; the cunningly evil Blixus Moriarty and his brothers; as well as the obnoxious and nasty Hugh Moriarty. All infuse the story with excitement, drama and high-energy.
I loved “Amanda Lester and the Green Monkey Gotcha” and hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Amanda Lester and her friends.
Intertwined in the main story are multiple subplots like Clive and Ramon’s attempt to break Gaston (aka Amboy) Scribbish and his twin’s telepathic communication; Banting Waltz and the cartel’s takeover of Dunham Castle; Taffeta’s incarceration of Blixus and Holmes; the disappearance of Nick’s sister Basilica; and Amanda’s capture by the Moriarty’s. Even the romantic twists are enthralling as Scapulus falls for beautiful and feisty Diamond; Amanda remains true to Nick; Ivy falls head over heels for geeky Dreidel Pomfitter; Binnie humanizes Simon Binkle; and with Lila Lester’s dark infatuation for boyfriend Banting Waltz.
Filled with intrigue and suspense, the action never dies as the story heats up when Legatum is bombed while Thrillkill, the students and teachers fight the criminal minds at Durham Castle only to be saved by a group of mysterious Monks. Progressing smoothly and quickly the intensity of the plot builds even in a climax where the secret of the green monkey is revealed and could impact the continuation of the detective school while Amanda and Nick must make decisions that will affect their futures.
What brings this series to life are wonderfully complex and versatile characters like the indomitable-willed and capable Amanda Lester; the resourceful and smart Scapulus Holmes; the quick-witted and perceptive Nick Muffet (aka Moriarty); sweet and loyal Ivy Halpin; as well as the egotistical and stubborn Simon Binkle. Darkly intriguing are villains like Amanda’s ambitious and selfish mother Lila Lester; the cunningly evil Blixus Moriarty and his brothers; as well as the obnoxious and nasty Hugh Moriarty. All infuse the story with excitement, drama and high-energy.
I loved “Amanda Lester and the Green Monkey Gotcha” and hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Amanda Lester and her friends.
June 28, 2020
Will the detectives ever defeat the Moriartys? They just keep having setbacks and never seem to get the upper hand. Join Amanda and her friends in their search for justice.
The detectives most shocking problem at the moment is finding that one of the most beloved teachers is actually Blixus’s long lost twin brother. Someone who knows all of their secrets and could help destroy them if he ever reunites with his family.
Holmes, one of their best warriors against crime, is missing. He hasn’t been seen since the night Amanda returned wounded from the criminal’s school. He has been so aloof recently that no one is exactly sure when he went missing let alone where he went. If they knew he was in the criminal’s dungeon, they would rescue him. As it is it is up to him to free himself.
Studying the recovered Detective’s Bible, they discover that some of the content has been lost, replaced with new information. So Amanda has a new mission. She must find the mysterious green monkey it mentions. Do green monkeys even exist?
The detectives most shocking problem at the moment is finding that one of the most beloved teachers is actually Blixus’s long lost twin brother. Someone who knows all of their secrets and could help destroy them if he ever reunites with his family.
Holmes, one of their best warriors against crime, is missing. He hasn’t been seen since the night Amanda returned wounded from the criminal’s school. He has been so aloof recently that no one is exactly sure when he went missing let alone where he went. If they knew he was in the criminal’s dungeon, they would rescue him. As it is it is up to him to free himself.
Studying the recovered Detective’s Bible, they discover that some of the content has been lost, replaced with new information. So Amanda has a new mission. She must find the mysterious green monkey it mentions. Do green monkeys even exist?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews