Nooks & Crannies

Tabitha Crum and five other twelve-year-olds have been invited to the Countess of Windermere’s mansion, Hollingsworth Hall, along with their parents. Once there, the families are treated to a tour of the mansion, a banquet, and a very eccentric countess with a revelation that shocks the children: All six were adopted, and one of them is her missing grandchild, who will inherit one hundred thousand pounds. After an overnight, the parents are taken to separate lodgings so the countess can interview the children alone.The chance to inherit money brings out the best and the worst in the children. In Tabitha, one of the most endearing characters I’ve come across in a long time, it brings out her inner sleuth. Think Sara Crewe from A Little Princess with a touch of Agatha Christie. Something is not quite right at Hollingsworth Hall, and Tabitha’s lonely years spent in silent observation have trained her to notice what others miss.And why is she lonely? Tabitha has the most unloving parents you can imagine. At home, they work her like Cinderella and make her sleep in the attic, and they are planning to send her to an orphanage. Her best friends are a mouse named Pemberton and a fictional detective named Percival Pensive.One of the charming touches is the way the author opens each chapter with a quote from one of Percival Pensive’s mysteries. These are quotes Tabitha has memorized. They have always pulled her through hard times, and they don’t fail her now in the genuine mystery she finds at Hollingsworth Hall. Natalie Andrewson’s quirky black and white illustrations capture the spirit of this exciting tale. This is a book to have in the family library and read more than once.

My daughter first read this book when it came out and she LOVED it. We got it from the library and she read it over and over several times before we had to return it. She says it's probably the best book she's ever read. Of course, I had to buy a copy for her to keep after an endorsement like that. She still re-reads it from time to time and enjoys it every time.We highly recommend!

This charming book drew me in and delighted me with its heart and creativity. The mystery grabs you and seldom lets go. Each of the characters speaks with a distinctive voice, and I had no trouble hearing their varying tones as I was reading. The determination of the main character is the strongest point of the book, and her connection with Pemberley seemed very real to me. I was very satisfied when I completed the book, and loved Natalie Andrewson's illustrations. A story told with plenty of sweetness and heart. I look forward to reading more of Jessica Lawson's works!

Loved the characters and the writer’s turn of phrase. She described everything so vividly that it was easy to get mental images of all that ensued. Good book for adults, and I will buy copies for my grandchildren.

I purchased Nooks and Crannies hoping for a lighthearted, cozy adventure. What I got was fabulous intrigue with a plot twist that actually surprised me, a beautiful character coping with her own difficult life with brave creativity and brains, with humor and gritty heart to boot. Beautiful. A book I'll be happy to read out loud to my kids over and over.

great read aloud for my 10 year old!!

10 out of 10 - rating given by my eight and half year old son - high praise indeed from him!

Fun tale for inquisitive kids who love a mystery. And who doesn't love a snowed in mansion mystery? My daughter and I loved it.