From the Publisher
"[W]ell paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues […] An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery." — Kirkus Reviews
"Souders (Coop Knows the Scoop) appealingly intertwines a compassionate community and a grieving boy’s struggle to connect with his father to deliver a rewarding mystery." — Publisher's Weekly
"Like a sumptuous Sunday supper, Taryn Souders has served up a feast with decidedly Southern flavors. It’s a twisty mystery that reminds us that small towns are built on secrets and adventure lies just outside your window." — James Ponti, Edgar Award winner, author of Framed series, City Spies series, and Dead City series
Agatha Award finalist for Best Children’s / YA Mystery
Anthony Award nominee for Best Children’s/YA Mystery
Kirkus Reviews 12 Must-Read Middle Grade Mysteries
2023 Florida Book Award GOLD Medalist for Older Children’s Literature
2024 Children’s Book Council, Librarian Favorite of the Year choice
2024 – 2025 TOME Society Book Award book
2024 – 2025 Georgia Children’s Book Award book
2024 – 2025 Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award book
2024 – 2025 Maine Student Book Award book
2024 – 2025 Ohio Buckeye Children’s Book Award book
2024 – 2025 Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award book
2024 Best New Books For Missouri Students
2025 – 2026 Golden Sower (Honeybee) Award book
2025 – 2026 Mark Twain Book Award book
2025 – 2026 Evergreen Teen Book Award book
Kirkus Reviews
2023-04-12
A boy inherits a needlework sampler that is also a treasure map, leading to opportunity—and danger.
Grady, a White middle schooler, is grieving the tragic loss of his mother and struggling to connect with his father. To make matters worse, his family’s trailer in fictional Gifton, Georgia, is facing foreclosure. When eccentric local Eudora “Kooky” Klinch passes away, it is revealed that Grady is her next of kin. He inherits from her a cross-stitch sampler and a note suggesting that it leads to fortune (her house and the rest of her possessions are, frustratingly for Grady, left to a cat rescue organization). Motivated by his stressful financial situation, Grady works with best friends Thad (a White redhead who uses the names of architects as swear words) and Clemmie (a confident Black girl who is an emotionally intelligent leader) to solve the puzzle. The subsequent events are well paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues. The characterization and setting, however, are less successful. The small-town drama and antics of the large cast are humorous but verge on caricature, and the fictionalized setting muddies attempted investigation into Georgia’s complex history. The dialogue—especially between the kids—is lighthearted and feels genuine but unfortunately includes frequent usage of terms like dumb and stupid. Themes of family and hope are directly and carefully addressed in this gripping narrative.
An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery. (historical note, further reading) (Mystery. 8-12)
