First sentence: "Angle it the other way!" West screeches, holding his mirror up in the air. Sweat beads on his forehead, and his eyes are wild with excitement. We're going to beat the clock this time. We have to. "Toward the door!"

Premise/plot: Sarah Greene and her friends West and Hannah love, love, love, love, love to do escape rooms. "The Deltas" find it super-thrilling to work together to beat the most challenging of escape rooms. However, their attention turns slightly away from "escape rooms" to an old abandoned fun house built in the 1950s. It is rumored that this never-opened-to-the-public fun house contains hidden treasure. Sarah is desperate for treasure to save her family. (Of course she is). Working together, these three ignore all the warnings and no trespassing signs to break into the fun house and find the treasure. What they find is essentially a series of escape rooms. If they find their way out of the house, will there be treasure in their hands?

My thoughts: I finished this one by sheer will power. I want to be very clear that this is my subjective opinion. I personally could not suspend my disbelief. And that is what this book depends on to thrive, to succeed. Readers need to believe wholeheartedly in this adventure: that a seventy-year old abandoned house--a fun house--is no worse for wear and ready to entertain those who love challenging puzzles. One thing that personally annoyed me is how personal and omniscient the messages to the three children are. This is never explained how the house seems to know everything--you'd think that a clue/message hidden in a house long, long, long abandoned would not be omniscient to know if it was the first, second, third, etc. choice of the kids.

The fun house itself does not make sense. It seems that it wouldn't be efficient for multiple people to visit. For example, if you have to break down a wall to reveal a secret room (via trapeze) that doesn't seem like it would be cost-efficient, if you have to re-set up that little trick every time someone comes.

And I can't forget for one second that escape rooms did not exist in the 1950s. The idea that sixteen escape rooms have been sitting abandoned with traps ready to spring for seventy plus years is too much for me personally.

I also found the ending disappointing.

Other readers probably won't overthink the plot mechanics. I think the book does offer strengths--the three characters are developed. I like the give and take of their relationship(s). ( )

The Mystery of the Locked Rooms has a plethora of locked rooms -- in addition to twists and turns right to the very end. Written for middle graders, this well-written book by Lindsay Currie features 3, 12-year old best friends who spend their free time in escape room adventures. All seems well until Sarah learns she may have to move because of her family’s financial difficulties.

Channeling the average12-year-old mindset, Currie sets up West and Hannah to help their friend. How? Of course, we can find a treasure! Of course, we can sneak into a boarded-up old funhouse and go through all the locked rooms! So sweet, really.

There is some eeriness due mainly to claustrophobia and darkness, lots of riddles to solve to obtain the keys to the locks. Personally, as an adult, there were too many rooms and thereby the plot seemed a bit repetitious. And the ending tied up too many pieces. But since each room has a different set-up and different puzzles, and the progression shows emotional growth of the three youngsters, I think the target audience will stay the course. Middle grade readers have stamina.

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebook Kids via NetGalley. This is an honest review. ( )

The Mystery of Locked Rooms is the perfect book for these times. Escape rooms are so enormously popular that an adventurous novel of this kind is a fabulous choice for many ages. I found it hugely entertaining, and I am sixty-six! Lest that deter you from purchasing it for younger (much younger!) people, I have grandchildren who can't wait for this book to be published. The story centers on three close friends, two girls and a boy, who love escape rooms and are extraordinarily good at them. One girl's family falls on difficult times, and the three decide to find out if the legend of a local abandoned funhouse is true. The attraction was never opened but is rumored to have a treasure for anyone who makes their way to the end. This escape house is the grandest and most rigorous of the genre, and the trio have monumental escapades within its walls. Lindsay Currie has outdone herself with this spectacular novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Young Readers. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks Young Readers, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

This middle grade mystery is fun and exciting. Although, I am not the intended reader, I found this story about three friends exploring a fun house that was abandoned some seventy years earlier to find a mythical treasure a very enjoyable read. Reminded me of the film The Goonies, and had to chuckle when that reference even appeared in the book. If you are a fan of escape rooms (like these three adventurous kids are), then you will enjoy this novel. I have never tried an escape room but want to now! Full of thrills, mystery, and the strong bond of friendship makes this top notch! ( )