A Study in Secrets and Hiding in Plain Sight

Florence, Debbi Michiko. A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)
March 11, 2025 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Megumi (Meg) Mizuno's mother has passed away, and since neither she nor her father could function because of their overwhelming grief, she ends up at the Leland Chase Academy, aka the "Last Chance" academy. Her roommate Tana seems nice, although her RA, Collette, is overbearing and tries to trip her up. There are only 35 students in grade 6-12, so classes are small. There is some free time in the evening and weekends, but there are also required activities, like movie nights and research projects. On her way into the school, Meg has picked up a kitten, Sir Grey, whom she hides in her closet, and supplies with food and kitty litter thanks to the local black market entrepreneur, Jung. When both she and Tana get an envelope inviting them to participate in a scavenger hunt, Meg is intrigued by the challenges posed by "the Mastermind". She wishes that she could go home and be with her father, and when he tells her he is going to sell the family home and move in with his sister, Aunt Vivian, Meg really wants to win the trip that is the prize in hopes of reconnecting with him and stopping the move. The clues are hard, but also personal. She works with Tana, as well as local lock pick expert Ryan, and manages to stay in the game, even after Collette intercepts one of her envelopes and threatens her. There's a time limit; the clues must all be figured out by Thanksgiving break. Since Meg's father will be in India, she'll be spending the holiday with her aunt. When competition over the treasure hunt causes tension among her friends, and Sir Grey goes missing, and secrets emerge about the academy, will Meg be able to keep her mind on the clues and her eyes on the prize? 

Strengths: Even though I have never known anyone who attended a boarding school (even though there are a couple in Ohio), it's a setting that appeals to middle grade readers. Meg isn't thrilled to be at the school, but she is at least glad to escape some friend drama back home, and she's also glad that she doesn't have to live with her aunt while her father travels. While Collette is mean, most of the other students are nice to Meg, and despite a small misunderstanding with Tana, the two get along well-- they even both enjoy hiding the kitten! There are some interesting mysteries about the school in addition to the scavenger/treasure hunt that will keep readers turning the pages. I don't want to give away the ending, but it sets up the next book nicely. 

Weaknesses: Longtime readers of my reviews know that I don't buy into the trope that grieving parents can't or won't take care of their children. Also, since my own daughter once kept a stray cat in her closet for two days before I discovered it, I couldn't buy that Sir Grey went without detection for more than about a week, especially if Collette was gunning for Meg to mess up. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers craving a boarding school mystery like Stevens' Murder is Bad Manners, Gerber's Liar's Society , Nobel's The Mystery at Black Hollow Lane, Yee's The Misfits. or even Lockhart's 2008 The Disreputable History of Franki Landau-Banks.  The next book looks like it will follow four of the characters to Newport Beach.

For more private school mysteries, make sure you check out Gerber's first The Liar's Society! 

Andersen, Beth and Comport, Sally Wern.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln
January 28, 2025 by Calkins Creek
Copy provided by the publisher

Kate Warne is a fascinating topic for a biography, and I love that the details of her life are set against a pivotal moment in her career; the protection of President Abraham Lincoln as he traveled through Baltimore, Maryland on his inaugural train journey. Tensions were high, and whispers of a rebel plot to kill the president were heard by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, which had the presence of mind to have the talented Warne on its staff. Warne, who often disguised herself as Southern belle Mrs. Barley, in order to overhead Southern sentiments, was able to travel without detection, since no one expected a woman to be an operative. Along with the other staff, the agency was able to foil the plot to kill the president, so that he arrived safely to begin his term. There is an extensive afterword discussing facets of this journey, the state of detective work at the time, and the role of women during this era. There is also a complete bibliography.

The most brilliant part of this book is the artwork and design. Vintage photography, maps, and documents are arranged in collages that preserve the feel and colors of the Civil War era. There is so much documentation that exists from this time period, and it is used brilliantly in this book.

This is a picture book that is perfect for older children, and the story it tells is fast paced and exciting. It’s a good warm up for readers who might need a little coaxing to pick up Hannigan’s The Detective’s Assistant or Swanson’s Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, which are a bit longer.

Warne’s story is fascinating, especially since there were so few women who were able to work in fields like this. Brush off your spy skills by reading Hiding in Plain Sight along with Moss and Hendrix’s Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, Kirkpatrick and Himler’s Redcoats and Petticoats, Wallmark and Smart’s Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars or even Christensen’s The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter.