Bernie Magruder and the Disappearing Bodies

Bessledorf Mysteries #2

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Bodies are coming and going from the Bessledorf Hotel -- dead and alive! Who wants to stay in a hotel full of zombies? Not too many -- and that's a big problem for Mr. Magruder, who's trying hard to manage his hotel! Bernie's determined to get to the bottom of the case. Will he and his friends Georgene and Weasel find out how these bodies are mysteriously moving from place to place?

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.

Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.

Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."

By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.

Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.

Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, easy, funny book. I would recommend this book to people who just want a quick read with a little laugh and some mystery.

[Dawn Pisturino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun for children 8-12 who like mysteries.

[Khanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I did not Discover Phyllis Reynolds nailer's writing earlier. This is such a fun mystery series for middle grade readers, and I would've loved these as a kid. Well now I get to love them as an adult!

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I read it in middle school.

[Matt Zalman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this gem from my childhood and decided to read it again. Would make a fun kids play if adapted correctly. Even more comedy than I remember growing up. Fun read!

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read . Alma Magruder definitely married the right suitor .
I like the Bernie Magruder stories better than
the Ramona and Henry Quimby kids (of klik-i-tat Street ) stories .

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bodies start showing up in The Bessledorf Hotel....Dead Bodies that is! Something is strangely familiar about all of them...and, then when the police are called, they disappear! Bernie Magruder, 11, and his friends find a way to outsmart these 'disappearing bodies' and the real mastermind behind the mystery! Just in time, too, since Mr. Magruder was just about to be fired from his job as manager at the Bessledorf Hotel.

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books So Much! These are the funniest most charming books ever!!! A TOP FAVORITE SERIES of mine!!! Did I mention they have a dog named Mixed-Blessing!!!!

( When I was younger I'd come home off the school bus and hear Papa reading this on summer afternoon through the screen door and book it to listen to the rest on the couch as my Mom painted Gary Ginkins flower tutorials on the dinner table!!! )

[Paige Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A real Scooby-Doo read, "if not for those meddling kids," and a little young for my guys but we needed a break after reading the denser Watership Down. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a great read aloud author.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Bernie Magruder books. In this book bodies keeping disappearing from the Besseldorf Hotel and Mr. Magruder loses his job. It's up to Bernie and friends to find the culprit.

Reading level is for ages 8-12.

[Cws]

JMAR5-Nay

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun little childrens mystery.

[Heather]

From "Books I have read this summer" list that I found at home in NJ.