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Marianna Mystery: Nothing's As It Seems
Teenage Detective Marianna Mestre
She can get to the bottom of most mysteries—there’s the case of a stolen laptop, the discovery of unearthed bones, and the quest to find the culprit of a cruel and hurtful adolescent prank. It’s the mysteries of life and adolescents that Marianna finds confusing.
Marianna Mystery: Nothing’s As It Seems is narrated by Marianna, a precocious and inquisitive 13-year-old, whose love for solving mysteries is challenged by the distraction of middle-school drama. Raised by a single attorney father since she was six, Marianna prides herself on being a loner. That is until she meets Colin and Michael, two brothers who join Marianna on her detective escapades. Michael, the youngest brother, is not much of a talker and is described by adults as “high functioning.” Colin, who is in the same grade as Marianna, is headstrong, confident, and introduces Marianna to a new type of life—filled with dances, hanging out with peers, and a potential new boyfriend.
To navigate in these new waters, Marianna relies on the encouragement of Mrs. Henderson, a client of her father’s, who is suspected of murder and plagued with Alzheimer’s. This unexpected and unconventional friendship with Mrs. Henderson opens Marianna’s eyes to the realization that things are not always as they seem:
Perceptions are subjective.
Stereotypes can be misleading.
And the ones who are hardest to love are often
the ones who need love the most.
This coming of age novel is reminiscent of Judy Blume’s Are You There God It’s Me Margaret and begs the question: are those who seem so different than us really that different? Nothing’s As It Seems tackles the subjects of bullying, adolescence, and socialization as seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl. With a mixture of suspense, romance, and tween angst, this upper middle-grade novel is a fun read for teenage readers (and even adults).
She can get to the bottom of most mysteries—there’s the case of a stolen laptop, the discovery of unearthed bones, and the quest to find the culprit of a cruel and hurtful adolescent prank. It’s the mysteries of life and adolescents that Marianna finds confusing.
Marianna Mystery: Nothing’s As It Seems is narrated by Marianna, a precocious and inquisitive 13-year-old, whose love for solving mysteries is challenged by the distraction of middle-school drama. Raised by a single attorney father since she was six, Marianna prides herself on being a loner. That is until she meets Colin and Michael, two brothers who join Marianna on her detective escapades. Michael, the youngest brother, is not much of a talker and is described by adults as “high functioning.” Colin, who is in the same grade as Marianna, is headstrong, confident, and introduces Marianna to a new type of life—filled with dances, hanging out with peers, and a potential new boyfriend.
To navigate in these new waters, Marianna relies on the encouragement of Mrs. Henderson, a client of her father’s, who is suspected of murder and plagued with Alzheimer’s. This unexpected and unconventional friendship with Mrs. Henderson opens Marianna’s eyes to the realization that things are not always as they seem:
Perceptions are subjective.
Stereotypes can be misleading.
And the ones who are hardest to love are often
the ones who need love the most.
This coming of age novel is reminiscent of Judy Blume’s Are You There God It’s Me Margaret and begs the question: are those who seem so different than us really that different? Nothing’s As It Seems tackles the subjects of bullying, adolescence, and socialization as seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl. With a mixture of suspense, romance, and tween angst, this upper middle-grade novel is a fun read for teenage readers (and even adults).
Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2021
About the author
Kristin O'Ferrall
5 books46 followersKristin O’Ferrall is a creative at heart who has incorporated writing throughout her career as a grant writer, marketer, blogger, and author. Her first writing job was at eleven years old when Kristin was regularly commissioned by her mother to write pithy words of inspiration for her sales newsletters. Today, Kristin continues to use her writing to inspire and entertain with the underlying message for her readers to stay true to themselves.
Kristin’s debut novel MARIANNA MYSTERY: NOTHING'S AS IT SEEMS is the first in the upper middle-grade MARIANNA MYSTERY series. The second book in the series, BEHIND THE LENS, releases Feb. 25, 2021. Her most recent novel, THE MARINARA THEORY, is a fun, humorous New Adult read about dating and the secret to finding Prince Charming.
To learn more about Kristin O’Ferrall, be notified of future releases, or to sign up for her newsletter, visit http://www.KristinOFerrall.com.
Kristin’s debut novel MARIANNA MYSTERY: NOTHING'S AS IT SEEMS is the first in the upper middle-grade MARIANNA MYSTERY series. The second book in the series, BEHIND THE LENS, releases Feb. 25, 2021. Her most recent novel, THE MARINARA THEORY, is a fun, humorous New Adult read about dating and the secret to finding Prince Charming.
To learn more about Kristin O’Ferrall, be notified of future releases, or to sign up for her newsletter, visit http://www.KristinOFerrall.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 21, 2021
This book was an easy to read entertaining teen mystery book that I enjoyed reading.
Is the first book of the Marianna mysteries series and follows thirteen year old Marianna who likes to play detective and try to solve a number of cases. Even if is a part of a series it can definitely stand alone.
I would recommend it especially to teens and young adults that like mystery and adventure books! I believe they will enjoy trying to solve the cases along Marianna and her friends.
I received a free ARC copy of this book, I am voluntarily leaving a review and all opinions are my own.
Is the first book of the Marianna mysteries series and follows thirteen year old Marianna who likes to play detective and try to solve a number of cases. Even if is a part of a series it can definitely stand alone.
I would recommend it especially to teens and young adults that like mystery and adventure books! I believe they will enjoy trying to solve the cases along Marianna and her friends.
I received a free ARC copy of this book, I am voluntarily leaving a review and all opinions are my own.
February 16, 2021
This book was so good that I read it in 2 days and that’s fast for me. It’s a story about a girl who keeps to herself but finds her voice to solve mysteries in her life. With the help of new friends and her dad they work together to reveal some surprises and lots of answers. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews