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The Mystery of Locked Rooms
Crack the codes. Find the treasure. Escape the house. From the acclaimed author of Scritch Scratch and What Lives in the Woods comes a action-packed adventure novel about three friends who team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1950's funhouse. Twelve-year-old Sarah Greene wants nothing more from her seventh-grade year than to beat the hardest escape room left in her town with her best friends, West, and Hannah. But when a foreclosure notice shows up on Sarah's front door, everything changes. Since her father became ill two years ago, things have been bad, but not lose your house bad...until now. Sarah feels helpless until the day Hannah mentions a treasure rumored to be hidden in the walls of an abandoned funhouse. According to legend, Hans, Stefan, and Karl Stein were orphaned at eight years old and lived with different families until they were able to reunite as adults. Their dream was to build the most epic funhouse in existence. They wanted their experience to be more than mirror mazes and optical illusions, so they not only created elaborate riddles and secret passages, but they also claimed to have hidden a treasure inside the funhouse. Once in, Sarah, West, and Hannah realize the house is unlike any escape room they've attempted. There are challenges, yes, but they feel personal. Like the triplets knew who would get in. It seems impossible, but so does everything about the house. As soon as they're in she immediately worries that attempting the funhouse is a bad idea but Sarah has no choice but to continue, since her future is at stake.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2024
About the author
Lindsay Currie
16 books821 followersLindsay Currie is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers. Her most recent titles are It Found Us and The Mystery of Locked Rooms. She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good mystery. Bonus points if it's spooky! When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching the forgotten history in her city, Chicago, taking long walks with her family, and as pretty much everyone knows . . . Disney World!
Coming soon: IT'S WATCHING (Spring 2025, Delacorte/Penguin Random House) and MYSTERY MANSION (2025, Sourcebooks Young Readers).
To find out more about Lindsay, please visit her website at www.lindsaycurrie.com. Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsayncurrie Instagram: @lindsayncurrie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
April 12, 2024
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“Life throws curveballs sometimes. We can’t always plan, can’t always predict. But maybe, just maybe, with hard work and a little luck, we’ll be okay.”
Much like Charlie who visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, in the hopes to to win the prize that could help his family in their financial crisis, twelve-year-old Sarah is also faced with the same impending fiscal troubles that could force her family to move away from a town that she loves and Hannah and West, her friends who share her penchant and passion for escaping from locked rooms, which they work together to break as a team - the Deltas. 'West and Hannah are the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t lose them.' 😥 And when the Deltas decide to break into an abandoned funhouse designed by triplets, but was never able to open for the general public, in the hopes of finding the treasure that was promised to the victor that was able to break through all the tricks and clues that they had in store - it'll be the toughest challenge the Deltas have ever faced, or it may very well be their final one as they uncover what lies behind The Mystery of Locked Rooms. 🚪💰🚪
“They learned the hard way that sometimes you can’t control or predict things. Life is…challenging.”
Having already been familiar with Lindsay Currie's writing style, I knew that I was in good capable hands; and I'm happy to say that she did not disappoint. I love mysteries and I love solving puzzles and she delivered that in spades. The history behind the fun house, itself, is enough to lure me in with the pretext that there is more than enough danger and sadness that lingers behind the making of it. So, when they do make their way through - the tension and danger only mounts - craftily so - that makes it apparent that it will take a lot of willpower and determination, as well as crafty ingenuity to make their way through. 🥺 'The riddle doesn’t surprise me. There’s always more to escape rooms than it seems.' It is an engaging middle grade mystery, full of quips and clever clues that interested me enough to want to know what awaited them at the end.
Considering that it was built during World War II, the likelihood that it was not entirely a safe fun house to venture into was quite evident, as the Deltas faced many near-misses and some rather elaborate tactics that most trick rooms wouldn't adhere to. But, what I liked most - that Lindsay Currie has proven to me before - is that the fear factor felt real - that there is a tinge of sadness - a haunting of loss to why the triplets - 'three goofballs who love riddles, codes, and math' - weren't able to open their beloved idea to the public. And as the Deltas venture deeper into each room - there lingers that slight haunting edge that they don't know what they're walking into is safe or not - something that makes their efforts and struggles all the more daunting for me.😟
“This is how it always is with us. We might not fit in with everyone else, but we fit perfectly together.”
Best of teams come in threes and this trio of friends really brought their A-game when it came to supporting one another and helping each other out in a tough pinch - 'Deltas never give up.' I loved their sense of unity and compassion they had for each other - recognized when they needed to keep each other level-headed and even hold a hand during the darkest of hours. West's dry humor and Hannah's adventurous sass were a nice balance to Sarah's more grounded, but still very keen sense of identifying all the hidden clues they could have missed out on. 'Fortune favors the bold.' I'm glad that they weren't always on a solid footing, though; that they had room for arguing and making bad calls, but still found a way out of the problem they were in. 👍🏻👍🏻
It was a nice touch to have some of the challenges cater to their respective talents that allowed them to test themselves to the extreme, while never abandoning faith in each other. Their shared love for locked rooms may be on the same level, but the courage and loyalty they showed one another was portrayed very well. 'Because that’s what this is…a big, big game. It’s time for the Deltas to succeed now too.' I liked how West and Hannah were so different from Sarah in personality, but they didn't hesitate to stick around with her when she needed them - proving that once a Delta, always a Delta. 🤝🏻
“Sometimes it takes several tries to uncover the clue we're digging.”
Their adventure also is an important lesson for them, Sarah, especially; that even when life isn't going according to plan, it doesn't mean that it is the worst of things. Things have a way of working out for the better and with a little bit of optimism and faith, luck will shine on the fortunate ones. Her heart had been in the right place from the start, with her motives for finding the treasure and what led her to the funhouse in the first place all the more worthwhile and intriguing. I liked how each locked room presented a different setup that was more intricate, if not impossible than before. 'We all deserve to feel brave now and again.' But, with enough tact and thought, easily solved, which the three of them excelled at.
At times, I did find the humor was a bit out of place in terms of the actual scene, but I guess it is what twelve-year-olds tend to do - make jokes even if they don't exactly make sense. 😊 The ending was a bit too much of the fantastical sense, as in all's well that ends well, but considering the lengths they went to find the treasure, I suppose a fairy-tale-esque ending seemed deserving. Still, it was a fast-paced and engaging read, one that won't disappoint middle grade readers, including myself. It definitely makes me more eager to check out the rest of Lindsay Currie's books as soon as I can. 📚💟
“Life throws curveballs sometimes. We can’t always plan, can’t always predict. But maybe, just maybe, with hard work and a little luck, we’ll be okay.”
Much like Charlie who visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, in the hopes to to win the prize that could help his family in their financial crisis, twelve-year-old Sarah is also faced with the same impending fiscal troubles that could force her family to move away from a town that she loves and Hannah and West, her friends who share her penchant and passion for escaping from locked rooms, which they work together to break as a team - the Deltas. 'West and Hannah are the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t lose them.' 😥 And when the Deltas decide to break into an abandoned funhouse designed by triplets, but was never able to open for the general public, in the hopes of finding the treasure that was promised to the victor that was able to break through all the tricks and clues that they had in store - it'll be the toughest challenge the Deltas have ever faced, or it may very well be their final one as they uncover what lies behind The Mystery of Locked Rooms. 🚪💰🚪
“They learned the hard way that sometimes you can’t control or predict things. Life is…challenging.”
Having already been familiar with Lindsay Currie's writing style, I knew that I was in good capable hands; and I'm happy to say that she did not disappoint. I love mysteries and I love solving puzzles and she delivered that in spades. The history behind the fun house, itself, is enough to lure me in with the pretext that there is more than enough danger and sadness that lingers behind the making of it. So, when they do make their way through - the tension and danger only mounts - craftily so - that makes it apparent that it will take a lot of willpower and determination, as well as crafty ingenuity to make their way through. 🥺 'The riddle doesn’t surprise me. There’s always more to escape rooms than it seems.' It is an engaging middle grade mystery, full of quips and clever clues that interested me enough to want to know what awaited them at the end.
Considering that it was built during World War II, the likelihood that it was not entirely a safe fun house to venture into was quite evident, as the Deltas faced many near-misses and some rather elaborate tactics that most trick rooms wouldn't adhere to. But, what I liked most - that Lindsay Currie has proven to me before - is that the fear factor felt real - that there is a tinge of sadness - a haunting of loss to why the triplets - 'three goofballs who love riddles, codes, and math' - weren't able to open their beloved idea to the public. And as the Deltas venture deeper into each room - there lingers that slight haunting edge that they don't know what they're walking into is safe or not - something that makes their efforts and struggles all the more daunting for me.😟
“This is how it always is with us. We might not fit in with everyone else, but we fit perfectly together.”
Best of teams come in threes and this trio of friends really brought their A-game when it came to supporting one another and helping each other out in a tough pinch - 'Deltas never give up.' I loved their sense of unity and compassion they had for each other - recognized when they needed to keep each other level-headed and even hold a hand during the darkest of hours. West's dry humor and Hannah's adventurous sass were a nice balance to Sarah's more grounded, but still very keen sense of identifying all the hidden clues they could have missed out on. 'Fortune favors the bold.' I'm glad that they weren't always on a solid footing, though; that they had room for arguing and making bad calls, but still found a way out of the problem they were in. 👍🏻👍🏻
It was a nice touch to have some of the challenges cater to their respective talents that allowed them to test themselves to the extreme, while never abandoning faith in each other. Their shared love for locked rooms may be on the same level, but the courage and loyalty they showed one another was portrayed very well. 'Because that’s what this is…a big, big game. It’s time for the Deltas to succeed now too.' I liked how West and Hannah were so different from Sarah in personality, but they didn't hesitate to stick around with her when she needed them - proving that once a Delta, always a Delta. 🤝🏻
“Sometimes it takes several tries to uncover the clue we're digging.”
Their adventure also is an important lesson for them, Sarah, especially; that even when life isn't going according to plan, it doesn't mean that it is the worst of things. Things have a way of working out for the better and with a little bit of optimism and faith, luck will shine on the fortunate ones. Her heart had been in the right place from the start, with her motives for finding the treasure and what led her to the funhouse in the first place all the more worthwhile and intriguing. I liked how each locked room presented a different setup that was more intricate, if not impossible than before. 'We all deserve to feel brave now and again.' But, with enough tact and thought, easily solved, which the three of them excelled at.
At times, I did find the humor was a bit out of place in terms of the actual scene, but I guess it is what twelve-year-olds tend to do - make jokes even if they don't exactly make sense. 😊 The ending was a bit too much of the fantastical sense, as in all's well that ends well, but considering the lengths they went to find the treasure, I suppose a fairy-tale-esque ending seemed deserving. Still, it was a fast-paced and engaging read, one that won't disappoint middle grade readers, including myself. It definitely makes me more eager to check out the rest of Lindsay Currie's books as soon as I can. 📚💟
May 11, 2024
⇢ ˗ Crack the codes. Find the treasure. Escape the house ᯓᡣ𐭩
a story that combines puzzles, perseverance, and the power of hope alongside friendship.
a whirlwind of emotion, adventure, and the human spirit.
an epic 5 star journey that's as spectacular as it is moving. very fast paced and engagingᡣ𐭩
p.s. always loved books like this and makes me feel like i’m back in middle school again🌟📖💖
a story that combines puzzles, perseverance, and the power of hope alongside friendship.
a whirlwind of emotion, adventure, and the human spirit.
an epic 5 star journey that's as spectacular as it is moving. very fast paced and engagingᡣ𐭩
p.s. always loved books like this and makes me feel like i’m back in middle school again🌟📖💖
December 11, 2023
Are you looking for a great middle grade read with adventure, riddles, and a set of unbeatable kids?
This is the book!
Sarah, West, and Hannah are three best friends who just happen to be excellent escape room players. The Deltas (as they like to be called) are threatened to be torn apart when Sarah’s house faces foreclosure. In an effort to save her family, and stay close to her best friends, the Deltas decide to find treasure…in an abandoned funhouse.
My daughters and I loved reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms. It was so much fun, and had parts that made us compassionate for the characters. (We even took a personality test on the author’s website so we could see which “Delta” we were like.) I loved seeing the character development for the kids. All three matured in ways that readers will be inspired by.
Read if you like:
-The Goonies
-Willy Wonka
-Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Now we all want to go to an escape room and try to beat the buzzer!
This is the book!
Sarah, West, and Hannah are three best friends who just happen to be excellent escape room players. The Deltas (as they like to be called) are threatened to be torn apart when Sarah’s house faces foreclosure. In an effort to save her family, and stay close to her best friends, the Deltas decide to find treasure…in an abandoned funhouse.
My daughters and I loved reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms. It was so much fun, and had parts that made us compassionate for the characters. (We even took a personality test on the author’s website so we could see which “Delta” we were like.) I loved seeing the character development for the kids. All three matured in ways that readers will be inspired by.
Read if you like:
-The Goonies
-Willy Wonka
-Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Now we all want to go to an escape room and try to beat the buzzer!
April 9, 2024
This reminded me of all the best parts of Book Scavanger and The Final Word! A fantastic middle grade full of puzzles and clues, teamwork and red herrings, peril and adventure.
March 26, 2024
Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy of The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsey Currie. This book was fabulous! Though very different than the creepy middle grade thrillers Currie usually writes, this book brings the same wonderful character development!
Three friends team up to find the legendary hidden treasure in a 1950's fun house. They soon discover just how much they still have to learn about each other, and themselves. This book is filled with humor as well as tender moments.
Reading this as an adult, I found some of the three youngsters choices to be suspect, but my students could really get into this! I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has enjoyed Lindsey Currie's books in the past, as well as anyone who loves treasure hunts.
Three friends team up to find the legendary hidden treasure in a 1950's fun house. They soon discover just how much they still have to learn about each other, and themselves. This book is filled with humor as well as tender moments.
Reading this as an adult, I found some of the three youngsters choices to be suspect, but my students could really get into this! I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has enjoyed Lindsey Currie's books in the past, as well as anyone who loves treasure hunts.
May 16, 2024
4⭐️
☠️ The adventure and danger of The Goonies meets the wacky whit of Wonka. The Deltas overcame fears, maximized their strengths and persevered through some major challenges together, all in the name of friendship.
💪🏽 I love the way the characters work together, allowing each one to have their moment and put their skills to work. They uplift each other, balance each other, and best of all never give up on each other. These are the types of friendships we all need. The ones worth fighting for.
📖 While this is definitely a Middle Grade book, I found myself immersed in the escape room adventures as an adult reader. It’s a great book for building middle grade reading stamina, and has a very feel-good “character growth” kind of ending. I highly recommend reading this along with your Middle Grade kiddos as a fun adventure together.
🍿 I love the imagination of each room, and could totally see this concept being made into a movie. Seeing these rooms would be fascinating. Well done to the author. 👏🏼
#LongLivetheDeltas
Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebook Kids, and Lindsay Currie for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
☠️ The adventure and danger of The Goonies meets the wacky whit of Wonka. The Deltas overcame fears, maximized their strengths and persevered through some major challenges together, all in the name of friendship.
💪🏽 I love the way the characters work together, allowing each one to have their moment and put their skills to work. They uplift each other, balance each other, and best of all never give up on each other. These are the types of friendships we all need. The ones worth fighting for.
📖 While this is definitely a Middle Grade book, I found myself immersed in the escape room adventures as an adult reader. It’s a great book for building middle grade reading stamina, and has a very feel-good “character growth” kind of ending. I highly recommend reading this along with your Middle Grade kiddos as a fun adventure together.
🍿 I love the imagination of each room, and could totally see this concept being made into a movie. Seeing these rooms would be fascinating. Well done to the author. 👏🏼
#LongLivetheDeltas
Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebook Kids, and Lindsay Currie for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 12, 2024dnf @ 25%
the story wasn’t pulling me in sadly. it turns out i don’t really care about people solving escape rooms. /: this hurts because i love LC’s middle grade horror novels, but don’t think this type of book is for me!
thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Young Readers, and Lindsay Currie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
the story wasn’t pulling me in sadly. it turns out i don’t really care about people solving escape rooms. /: this hurts because i love LC’s middle grade horror novels, but don’t think this type of book is for me!
thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Young Readers, and Lindsay Currie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 30, 2023
“Long live the Deltas.”
🔺
Sarah Greene and her best friends West and Hannah excel at escape rooms. Each brings something to the group, which they call the Deltas, but when Sarah’s dad’s chronic fatigue syndrome means he can’t work and her mom is struggling to make ends meet, Sarah finds out their house is being foreclosed on. The result will be Sarah and her family will have to move away from their town to live with her grandparents. That’s when Hannah tells Sarah about the local legend of Hans, Stefan and Karl Stein who created the ultimate funhouse, only to abandon it when one of the triplets died. Rumor has it they left treasure at the end of the sixteen-room escape house. Together the Deltas set off to solve the ultimate escape room and win the prize for Sarah’s family.
🗝️
This MG mystery is a departure from @lindsayncurrie horror and I was here for it from the beginning. Most of the story takes place in funhouse so there was never a lull—which kept the pace of the book moving quickly. I also loved how Currie gave equal attention to each character, allowing them to grow and share with one another instead of the other two propping Sarah up the whole time. Fans of The Goonies, Willy Wonka, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and The Inheritance Games will love this riddle filled adventure story out April 2!
CW: chronic fatigue syndrome, financial issues
🔺
Sarah Greene and her best friends West and Hannah excel at escape rooms. Each brings something to the group, which they call the Deltas, but when Sarah’s dad’s chronic fatigue syndrome means he can’t work and her mom is struggling to make ends meet, Sarah finds out their house is being foreclosed on. The result will be Sarah and her family will have to move away from their town to live with her grandparents. That’s when Hannah tells Sarah about the local legend of Hans, Stefan and Karl Stein who created the ultimate funhouse, only to abandon it when one of the triplets died. Rumor has it they left treasure at the end of the sixteen-room escape house. Together the Deltas set off to solve the ultimate escape room and win the prize for Sarah’s family.
🗝️
This MG mystery is a departure from @lindsayncurrie horror and I was here for it from the beginning. Most of the story takes place in funhouse so there was never a lull—which kept the pace of the book moving quickly. I also loved how Currie gave equal attention to each character, allowing them to grow and share with one another instead of the other two propping Sarah up the whole time. Fans of The Goonies, Willy Wonka, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and The Inheritance Games will love this riddle filled adventure story out April 2!
CW: chronic fatigue syndrome, financial issues
May 3, 2024
As someone who suffers from chronic fatigue, this book made me cry. As someone who loves mysteries and puzzles, this made me immediately want to go to an escape room! I love how detailed the rooms were, it's really clear Lindsay put a lot of time and effort into both the riddles and the book as a whole, and I loved it.
January 21, 2024
I was given an ARC of this book to read and man it did not disappoint! I couldn’t put it down! I loved the three characters and their support of one another and even more, I loved the Escape Room plot points. This book is amazing - I can think of so many kids who are going to absolutely love it!
March 14, 2024
For anyone who loved Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library-you will love this one! Escape rooms meet a fun house and give the reader an exciting adventure with riddles and puzzles to solve along the way!
March 5, 2024
Meet the Deltas: three seventh grade self-proclaimed "math nerds" who love puzzles and escape rooms. When Sarah learns one day that her family might lose their house to foreclosure (her dad has CFS and her mom works two jobs) and have to move to Michigan to live with her grandparents, she is desperate. Her fellow Deltas, Hannah and West, decide they need to do something. When they hear about a possible treasure waiting to be claimed in an abandoned 1950s funhouse, they decide to put their prodigious escape room skills to good use. Determined to find the treasure so they can stay together, the three friends sneak into the abandoned building, despite the No Trespassing sign. But, this house isn't your run-of-the-mill escape room and there's not just one room to get through. To top it off, none of their phones have service so they can't check in with their parents. When they go the wrong way and one of them gets trapped, will they be able to figure things out, or will they be trapped forever, leaving their families to wonder what happened.
Filled with puzzles and mysteries and adventure, this is an awesome middle grade book! If you enjoy escape rooms or riddles or puzzles, you will enjoy this book. I also appreciated the characters being realistic and the friendships playing out in realistic ways. The ultimate ending was a bit of a surprise, too! 4 enthusiastic stars!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Filled with puzzles and mysteries and adventure, this is an awesome middle grade book! If you enjoy escape rooms or riddles or puzzles, you will enjoy this book. I also appreciated the characters being realistic and the friendships playing out in realistic ways. The ultimate ending was a bit of a surprise, too! 4 enthusiastic stars!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 5, 2023
Fortune favors the bold in this high-stakes, middle-grade adventure where turning back is not an option.
Goonies meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library meets Willy Wonka in a mystery adventure that combines the most brilliant and unique challenges with a bit of wit and lots of excitement.
Readers will not be prepared for the caliber of riddles and clues that will stump even the most experienced escape room player.
From a circus-themed fun house to swinging ropes and trapdoors, there are 16 rooms that need to be escaped and none of them are for the faint of heart. The three main characters must face mysterious hanging boxes, giant statues, and even one lipstick wearing goat, but never fear hidden doors and grand illusions are still the center theme.
Thoroughly thought out without a detail left unturned, Lindsay Currie delivers a fast paced high tempo book that will keep readers up way past their bedtime, trying to uncover the mystery for themselves .
Every item is a clue, and every clue is its own riddle. Proving that the impossible is not truly impossible if you work together as a team.
This book is sure to be a top read of the season, proving the adventure, friendship, and solving mysteries is still the winning combination.
Goonies meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library meets Willy Wonka in a mystery adventure that combines the most brilliant and unique challenges with a bit of wit and lots of excitement.
Readers will not be prepared for the caliber of riddles and clues that will stump even the most experienced escape room player.
From a circus-themed fun house to swinging ropes and trapdoors, there are 16 rooms that need to be escaped and none of them are for the faint of heart. The three main characters must face mysterious hanging boxes, giant statues, and even one lipstick wearing goat, but never fear hidden doors and grand illusions are still the center theme.
Thoroughly thought out without a detail left unturned, Lindsay Currie delivers a fast paced high tempo book that will keep readers up way past their bedtime, trying to uncover the mystery for themselves .
Every item is a clue, and every clue is its own riddle. Proving that the impossible is not truly impossible if you work together as a team.
This book is sure to be a top read of the season, proving the adventure, friendship, and solving mysteries is still the winning combination.
April 5, 2024
Book review - The mystery of locked rooms by Lindsay Currie.
The story follows twelve-year-old Sarah Greene who yearns to conquer the toughest escape room in town with her friends West and Hannah. However, a foreclosure notice shatters her plans until they try to find a rumored treasure called Triplet Treasure hidden within an abandoned funhouse.
The stakes are high, and every twist and turn in the funhouse brings them closer to unraveling the secrets within. With determination in their hearts, they navigate through the labyrinthine passages, unsure of what awaits them at the end of this thrilling journey.
Escape rooms? Count me in!
This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and I'm not disappointed at all. The story is fast-paced and utterly gripping. I loved the overall suspense filled vibes of the book. The characters are well-written and they instantly became my favourites. Lindsey Currie is an amazing author who knows how to keep the readers on their toes. The Deltas are surely smart and curious to solve the puzzles and beat the game. I also love how there are little hints and clues designed on the book cover. Expertly curated!
I'd highly recommend this book. One of the best reads of the year.
The story follows twelve-year-old Sarah Greene who yearns to conquer the toughest escape room in town with her friends West and Hannah. However, a foreclosure notice shatters her plans until they try to find a rumored treasure called Triplet Treasure hidden within an abandoned funhouse.
The stakes are high, and every twist and turn in the funhouse brings them closer to unraveling the secrets within. With determination in their hearts, they navigate through the labyrinthine passages, unsure of what awaits them at the end of this thrilling journey.
Escape rooms? Count me in!
This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and I'm not disappointed at all. The story is fast-paced and utterly gripping. I loved the overall suspense filled vibes of the book. The characters are well-written and they instantly became my favourites. Lindsey Currie is an amazing author who knows how to keep the readers on their toes. The Deltas are surely smart and curious to solve the puzzles and beat the game. I also love how there are little hints and clues designed on the book cover. Expertly curated!
I'd highly recommend this book. One of the best reads of the year.
February 22, 2024
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.
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.
March 27, 2024
In "The Mystery of Locked Rooms" by Lindsay Currie, readers are taken on a thrilling adventure with twelve-year-old Sarah Greene and her friends as they quest to find hidden treasure within an abandoned 1950s funhouse.
Currie's narrative expertly weaves together elements of mystery, friendship, and the struggle for survival as Sarah grapples with the impending loss of her home due to financial difficulties. The premise of cracking codes, uncovering secrets, and navigating through intricate puzzles adds an exciting layer to the story, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.
The author's ability to create a vivid and immersive setting within the confines of the eerie funhouse adds depth to the narrative, evoking a sense of suspense and intrigue as Sarah and her friends encounter personal challenges explicitly tailored to them.
Overall, "The Mystery of Locked Rooms" is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of adventure and mystery novels. It offers a compelling blend of suspense, friendship, and discovery.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids and Lindsay Currie for letting me review this book
Currie's narrative expertly weaves together elements of mystery, friendship, and the struggle for survival as Sarah grapples with the impending loss of her home due to financial difficulties. The premise of cracking codes, uncovering secrets, and navigating through intricate puzzles adds an exciting layer to the story, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.
The author's ability to create a vivid and immersive setting within the confines of the eerie funhouse adds depth to the narrative, evoking a sense of suspense and intrigue as Sarah and her friends encounter personal challenges explicitly tailored to them.
Overall, "The Mystery of Locked Rooms" is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of adventure and mystery novels. It offers a compelling blend of suspense, friendship, and discovery.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids and Lindsay Currie for letting me review this book
March 4, 2024
One Sentence Summary: Three friends solve the ultimate escape room to stay together.
Reminds Me Of: 39 Clues series, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library, The Westing Game
Three Reasons You Should Read This:
1) Fun middle grade book set in a "escape room" style house that's been abandoned for years
2) There are lots of clues for you to try to solve as you go
3) A good mix of emotional moments, realistic struggles, and adventure
One Thing You Should Know Before You Pick This Up:
This MG novel deals with some serious topics including a family that is struggling in more way than one. Please reading the warnings if you have sensitivities.
Content Warnings:
Anxiety, Grief, Hardship, Eviction/Losing Home, Chronic Illness (CFS), Financial Strain, Struggles with self confidence, Neurodivergence, Facing Fears
Favorite Quote:
Fortune favors the bold.
Reminds Me Of: 39 Clues series, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library, The Westing Game
Three Reasons You Should Read This:
1) Fun middle grade book set in a "escape room" style house that's been abandoned for years
2) There are lots of clues for you to try to solve as you go
3) A good mix of emotional moments, realistic struggles, and adventure
One Thing You Should Know Before You Pick This Up:
This MG novel deals with some serious topics including a family that is struggling in more way than one. Please reading the warnings if you have sensitivities.
Content Warnings:
Anxiety, Grief, Hardship, Eviction/Losing Home, Chronic Illness (CFS), Financial Strain, Struggles with self confidence, Neurodivergence, Facing Fears
Favorite Quote:
Fortune favors the bold.
March 5, 2024
Fun! Fun! Fun!
I will read everything Lindsay Currie creates… known for her spooky novels… don’t let this one fool you it is an adventure that still evokes a sense of that eerie and some what unsettling feeling that I think her readers will appreciate.
Following three friends… AKA The Deltas… escape room enthusiasts, make a plan to tackle the legend of a local abandoned/never opened funhouse… rumored to have a treasure for whoever completes it. With great reasons… they NEED that treasure. It was a grand adventure… with claustrophobic moments, twists and turns, puzzles and mind bending riddles this is a quick read I’m sure many will enjoy! The comps of Willy Wonka and The Goonies are spot on!
Can’t wait to hear what the kids think!
Thank you Sourcebooks Young Readers
Releases 3/2
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
I will read everything Lindsay Currie creates… known for her spooky novels… don’t let this one fool you it is an adventure that still evokes a sense of that eerie and some what unsettling feeling that I think her readers will appreciate.
Following three friends… AKA The Deltas… escape room enthusiasts, make a plan to tackle the legend of a local abandoned/never opened funhouse… rumored to have a treasure for whoever completes it. With great reasons… they NEED that treasure. It was a grand adventure… with claustrophobic moments, twists and turns, puzzles and mind bending riddles this is a quick read I’m sure many will enjoy! The comps of Willy Wonka and The Goonies are spot on!
Can’t wait to hear what the kids think!
Thank you Sourcebooks Young Readers
Releases 3/2
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
March 16, 2024
Lindsay Currie is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited when I got to read this one early! She didn’t disappoint and I loved this book!
We follow three friends who love escape rooms. When Sarah’s family is having money trouble, they decide to try and find the treasure that is supposedly hidden in a funhouse built in the 1950s. They have to use their escape room knowledge and skills to find the treasure.
I loved this book! It was full of friendship, puzzles, and adventure. It reminds me a lot of the Goonies and Indians Jones with a bit of Willy Wonka. The puzzles were all thought out well and kept me interested. This book had a bit of whimsical magic to it with the different puzzles. I loved the characters and everything they were going through. It seemed like real kid stuff that readers will connect to. This book also showed great team work and relationships.
I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone! Thank you so much to netgalley and sourcebooks for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
We follow three friends who love escape rooms. When Sarah’s family is having money trouble, they decide to try and find the treasure that is supposedly hidden in a funhouse built in the 1950s. They have to use their escape room knowledge and skills to find the treasure.
I loved this book! It was full of friendship, puzzles, and adventure. It reminds me a lot of the Goonies and Indians Jones with a bit of Willy Wonka. The puzzles were all thought out well and kept me interested. This book had a bit of whimsical magic to it with the different puzzles. I loved the characters and everything they were going through. It seemed like real kid stuff that readers will connect to. This book also showed great team work and relationships.
I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone! Thank you so much to netgalley and sourcebooks for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 7, 2024
*fortune favors the brave*
If you know Lindsay‘s books because of their spook factor, you will be surprised to see that this is her new one! Surprised, but NOT disappointed! This story is about friendship, creativity, teamwork, and embracing the traits that we each have that make us strong in a group setting.
I loved that each of the three friends cheered each other on and lifted one another up, and when they were short with each other or frustrated, they apologized. These little moments are important to showcase in middle grade books, at a time where so many readers are still figuring out how to be a good friend. Plus, obviously the escape room factor is absolutely a blast. :-)
Can’t wait to get this into the hands of our middle grade students!
If you know Lindsay‘s books because of their spook factor, you will be surprised to see that this is her new one! Surprised, but NOT disappointed! This story is about friendship, creativity, teamwork, and embracing the traits that we each have that make us strong in a group setting.
I loved that each of the three friends cheered each other on and lifted one another up, and when they were short with each other or frustrated, they apologized. These little moments are important to showcase in middle grade books, at a time where so many readers are still figuring out how to be a good friend. Plus, obviously the escape room factor is absolutely a blast. :-)
Can’t wait to get this into the hands of our middle grade students!
March 25, 2024
3.5. There’s a very “Goonies” set-up going on here, which the author acknowledges and pays homage to. Exploring secret, hidden territory (tunnels and a ship in Goonies, an entire house set up as a series of elaborate escape rooms here) while solving puzzles under pressure and facing bodily peril, all for a chance at a rumored treasure that might help save one of the protagonists’ homes from foreclosure, etc. It took me a while to really get into this book, billed as a mystery, but I was all-in for the last half and eager to get back to it when I had to put it down and do other stuff. The closing chapters were suspenseful; the resolution interesting. I’ll recommend this one to kids who love books with puzzles and/or contests with treasures at stake—like Book Scavenger or The Westing Game.
Also—wow, what a cover. Good ones really DO help a book’s chances, and this one is even more clever when you look back at it after finishing the book.
Thanks to #edelweiss and the publisher for access to the digital ARC
Also—wow, what a cover. Good ones really DO help a book’s chances, and this one is even more clever when you look back at it after finishing the book.
Thanks to #edelweiss and the publisher for access to the digital ARC
April 12, 2024
I had so much fun reading THE MYSTERY OF LOCKED ROOMS from Lindsay Currie! While I've thoroughly enjoy her other books that feature ghosts and supernatural spookiness, this book with no ghosts hit it out of the park for this reader. It's a clever, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read with puzzles, clues, and escape room thrills, but most of all, it's a story with three characters kids (and adult) can relate to.
It's a contemporary mystery that I wish I could have had in my hands when I was a kid. It's definitely one that I'll read again, savoring the puzzles and more. I loved the Deltas and I'd would most certainly read another book with these wonderful kids in it.
It's a contemporary mystery that I wish I could have had in my hands when I was a kid. It's definitely one that I'll read again, savoring the puzzles and more. I loved the Deltas and I'd would most certainly read another book with these wonderful kids in it.
November 19, 2023
This was SO good! I’m so glad I was able to get an ARC at the FAME conference this last week. The Deltas were so fun, the puzzles were great, and I hope we get more stories with them. I can’t wait for the official release in April!
If you are a fan of escape rooms, this is a must read. I know my students are going to LOVE this when it comes out :)
If you are a fan of escape rooms, this is a must read. I know my students are going to LOVE this when it comes out :)
December 17, 2023
FANTASTIC book. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to! This is one of those books that is so easy to imagine and put yourself inside of. As a fan of escape rooms, Willy Wonka, and The Goonies, this story was the perfect triad of all three! Lindsay Currie’s adventure is masterful, fast-paced, and will have you turning pages faster than you thought possible.
March 26, 2024
As a fan of puzzles, this book nailed it!
It was a truly beautiful story full of characters that are relatable but also admirable.
A fantastic read for middle schoolers, and their families. I will be revisiting this story time and time again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebookkids for the arc of this book.
It was a truly beautiful story full of characters that are relatable but also admirable.
A fantastic read for middle schoolers, and their families. I will be revisiting this story time and time again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebookkids for the arc of this book.
April 28, 2024
4.5 stars!
A perfect light, fun, fast-paced middle grade! Our three main characters are great, the plot keeps you hooked, and there are some really important themes woven into the story. This would be a perfect read-along book!
A perfect light, fun, fast-paced middle grade! Our three main characters are great, the plot keeps you hooked, and there are some really important themes woven into the story. This would be a perfect read-along book!
May 8, 2024
This was so fun! 3 escape room fanatics get trapped in an abandoned 1950s funhouse while searching for treasure. I love Lindsay Currie's horror and I was happy there was plenty of weird in her first mystery.
April 18, 2024
It was so good and probably got me into mystery books a bit more
April 22, 2024
Do you love escape room and puzzles? If you answered yes, then this book is for you. This fast paced middle school read is perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and those who love the magic of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Sarah learns that her family may lose their house. She sees how her mom struggles to keep up and her dad's illness effects the family and she wants to find a way to fix everything. Sarah and her friends, the Delta's, love escape rooms. When they hear about a possible treasure waiting to be claimed in an abandoned 1950s funhouse, the Delta's are ready to put their skills to use but this isn't your average escape room. The stakes are much higher.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2024
lindsay currie is so good at writing spookiness and suspense that even this book - no graveyards or ghosts, just an escape room that they have actual stakes in - gave me that feelingggg
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