Sherrill Joseph

Dare I say it? I think Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse by Sherrill Joseph is even better than the first book in the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries!

The four detectives are becoming better developed and some of the things from the first book were tamed down so the story flowed even smoother. Lanny, the lexicon, is still showing off his word prowess, but he doesn’t seem like such a know-it-all. It helps that the others tease him about it. And while the boys still call each other, Bro, it feels more natural in the dialogue.
Since the kids weren’t dependent on their tutor for rides in this book, we were able to see just them in action a lot more, which also helped with their character development.

And this is just a personal preference, while I am really interested in Egyptian culture, which was in the first book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, there is nothing more true to me for a mystery than a big mansion with secret passages, a puzzle that must be solved, and a treasure to find. So that is another reason why I enjoyed Eucalyptus Street so much, besides the fact that it was such a good story.

The bad guys in the book were a fun twist and I also enjoyed the spooky factor that Sherrill Joseph included in the story with the witch that lives behind the mansion. It added another layer to the book.

Another great book in the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, and I am looking forward to book three, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider.… (altro)

Sometimes I wish I had children, so I could share books like Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets by Sherrill Joseph with them. Good thing I have a god-daughter that I will pass this book onto when she gets to advanced elementary or middle school level in her reading!

Nutmeg Street really took me back to my childhood in regards to how much it reminded me of the various mystery series I read. But before I get to those ones, I want to mention the adult series Amelia Peabody by Elizbeth Peters. I feel like Ramses’, Amelia’s son, childhood would have been a lot like those of Lanny, Lexi, Moki, and Rani.
Sure there’s Egypt playing such a large role in both series, but more so how intelligent, inquisitive, and polite the kids are.
Also in the Amelia Peabody series, the family had servants and tutors, and Lanny and Lexi have a live-in cook and a 25 year old tutor who also acts as their chauffeur with his Mustang that the kids feel give them a cool factor.

As for the children’s series it reminded me of, I would have to say Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. I didn’t read the Boxcar Children or the Bobbsey Twins, but I feel like there could be nods to these series too in the Botanical Hills series, and one obvious one is the twins in this series and in the Bobbsey Twins.
As for reminding me of Nancy Drew, the biggest thing is the group of friends aspect. And I smiled when the criminal was revealed, because although they didn’t say it exactly, there was a Scooby Doo expression along the lines of, “And I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids!”

At times the Botanical Hills series has a bit of an old-timey feel, but I think parents will really appreciate that if reading this with their children. And even though Lanny and Lexi still have a landline at their house, today’s technology is used in the story.
Another great thing about this book that I think parents will enjoy is the way it doesn't shy away from big words and how well Joseph incorporates defining them into the story. There are also a couple pages in the back of the book with Hawaiian words and pronunciations, since Moki is originally from there. Plus you have all the interesting history about Egypt seamlessly woven into the book. And one last fun thing is Rani and the author both have a form of synesthesia, where they can taste words.

I am really looking forward to Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse out October 20, 2020. What mystery lover doesn’t enjoy reading about a mysterious old mansion, a seventy-year old puzzle poem, dusty secret passages, a hidden gemstone, and a flickering light in a nearby cemetery. And book three appears to be called, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider which may have a cowboy theme. I really think it’s cool how the series seems to showcase different subjects in each book, kind of like the Magic Tree House series.… (altro)