The Mystery of Locked Rooms

A riddling, sporting adventure and a story of true friendship.

This page-turner with touching character moments makes a fun read for anyone who enjoys puzzle solving, escape rooms, and books centered around the power of friendship.

Seventh grader Sarah and her two best friends West and Hannah call themselves the Deltas for their love of puzzles. Their unique and perfectly balanced individual skills aid in their team efforts to solve even the hardest of escape room riddles. Because of their friendship, Sarah--who arrived in Park Glen three years ago--finally feels like she belongs. But when her father is diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and her mother, who is working two jobs, can't make ends meet, Sarah's family faces possible foreclosure on their home, meaning they might have to move if they can't get the money they need, and fast. To help, West and Hannah propose hunting for an alleged treasure left in an abandoned 1950s funhouse built on the outskirts of town by triplets who vacated the lot after one of them died young. In this page-turning thriller, Currie (It Found Us) builds suspense via high-stakes brain teasers in dark rooms and periods of isolation as the Deltas endeavor to solve the biggest, most dangerous series of escape rooms they've ever faced. Sarah reads as white; supporting characters are racially diverse. Ages 8-12. Agent: Shannon Hassan, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Apr.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-8--Locked rooms filled with secret passages, puzzles, and codes create challenges for friends West, Hannah, and Sarah, or as they call themselves, the Deltas. As the story opens, they have just become the first team of mystery solvers to beat the escape room at Lasers and Lava in record time. While riding high on that victory, they begin discussing a long-since abandoned fun house built by a set of triplets many decades ago. Legend has it that treasure awaits the person who manages to escape from it. Treasure is just what Sarah needs now. Since her dad isn't able to work anymore, and her mom can't work enough, their house is being foreclosed on and they will probably have to move. With that motivation, the Deltas decide that they could take on the challenge of the fun house and find the treasure that will keep them together. Upon arriving at the house, Sarah finds the first clue and their way inside. Once in, they must solve puzzles, decipher codes, and escape from one room after another. But the challenges start, becoming more personal and sinister, leaving the Deltas to wonder who planned these, and how to break free. These twists and turns will keep readers rapidly turning the pages to find out if the trio successfully escapes. VERDICT With highly likable characters, authentic dialogue, and tension-building action, this exciting and engaging story will grab the attention of many readers who will not put it down until the end. Highly recommended for all libraries.--Laura Fields Eason

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.