The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle

by Taryn Souders

Overview

From the Edgar-nominated author of Coop Knows the Scoop comes an exciting mystery perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and Holes.

When Grady and his dad learn that the town oddball, Eudora "Kooky" Klinch left something for them in her will, they can only imagine what it might be. When it turns out it's an old scrap of 300-year-old tapestry, they are bitterly disappointed. But the cloth comes with a note saying, "This is no ordinary piece of needlework. It's a treasure map. Riddles and Clues. To the victor go the riches." Grady's dad dismisses it, but Grady thinks this could be the chance of a lifetime. With the help of his friends Thad, Clemmie, and the town dog Ophelia, Grady is determined to crack the clues and find the treasure.

But when someone tries to break into Grady's house one night, and then the local antiques expert who examined the tapestry is found unconscious, Grady realizes that he's not the only one who knows about the treasure map. There's more at risk than he bargained for, and solving this mystery just got a lot more dangerous.

You will love Grady and his adventures if you are looking for:

• Mystery books for kids 9-12
• Heartfelt and quirky stories for young readers
• Kids detective books
• 5th grade mystery books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728271415
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/11/2023
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	17,151
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Taryn Souders graduated from the University of North Texas with a specialization in mathematics. She is the author of Edgar-nominated Coop Knows the Scoop as well as How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer. She lives in Winter Park, Florida, with her family. Visit her at tarynsouders.com.

Editorial Reviews

05/08/2023

Elderly Eudora Klinch is known as “Kooky Klinch” by everyone in Gifton, Ga., for the way she “dug more holes around town than a gopher on caffeine.” But when she dies after decades of fruitlessly seeking her family’s long-lost treasure, 13-year-old Grady Judd is inexplicably bequeathed her antique embroidered sampler, which contains clues to the fabled fortune. Ever since Mama’s death, Grady and his dad haven’t gotten along, and the local bank has been threatening foreclosure on their home; Grady hopes finding the treasure will help mend his relationship with his father and smooth things over financially. With the help of the town’s librarian and his two best friends—whip-smart Clemmie Powell and kindhearted Thad Carlton, who uses renowned architects’ names as exclamations (“Frank Lloyd Wright! Why are you scaring me like that?”)—Grady endeavors to puzzle out the clues before he and his father are forced to leave town. But his desperate search turns out to be more dangerous than he bargained for. Throughout their adventure, the tweens learn fascinating factoids about U.S. history, but the effect is dampened by the fictional, standard-feeling setting. Still, 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. Grady and Thad are white; Clemmie is Black. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sally Apokedak, Apokedak Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"[W]ell paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues […] An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery." — Kirkus Reviews

"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

"The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is an entertaining story with many threads that are stitched together neatly... Taryn Souders has created a memorable and diverse cast." — Youth Services Book Review

"Readers will be drawn in by watching the three sleuths [and] an awesome, bona fide treasure. " — Booklist

"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

From the Publisher

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)

Kirkus Reviews