Tia Lugo has a deadly secret...

Yes and yes! This book is giving me everything I need. It's so short but at the same time, the pacing is so consistent. Perfect for cozy mystery nights!

Tia Lugo tells no evil is a thrilling middle grade novel about a murder mystery and the one witness to afraid to say what she saw. Danette masterfully captures Tia’s ever-changing emotions as she tries to do the most right thing to her without telling everyone what she has seen. The story takes you on twists and turns that will keep you turning the page wondering if your prediction was right. It led to an even bigger twist that will make you question your detective skills – it’s okay, it’s a twist that is gasp worthy.

The story succeeds in showing Tia’s growing fear and the actions she takes to protect her own identity, her secret and the people she loves. Speaking of Tia, she is such a well written character! Tia is from a Puerto Rican family with a grandma dedicated to believing in the powers of a good botanica. Tia also has asthma and although it is a key point to the story, her asthma does not define who she is. Seeing this as a Latina who is asthmatic, it was refreshing to read a story where the illness did not take away from the character. Tia in good faith believes her actions are the right thing to do even as a reader we just wanted her to say something. I had to step into the shoes of Tia to understand how hard it would be to say the thing you want to say when the murderer is amongst the people in her community.

Along with Tia, we are introduced to Julius, Tia’s best friend and her grandmother. Both characters were equally loveable in their own ways. Julius is sincere, caring and can never get mad at Tia even when he finds out that Tia was keeping a big secret from him. Julius is the great example of a friend who will ride or die for you and I absolutely loved seeing their friendship grow through the story. Tia’s grandmother is wise beyond her years, dedicated to protection and will not stand for anyone discrediting her beliefs, even her own son; Tia’s father. That dedication and warmth Tia’s grandmother receives from her local visits from botanica become vital in Tia’s own search to feel more safe. While she was bullied because of her grandmother’s belief, as the story moves along you see Tia’s perspective change and appreciate her grandmother for who and what she believes in.

Overall, Tia Lugo speak no evil is a thrilling and strange read. It gives you goosebumps without the need for the gore. The author manages to make a spooky read be more than just the spookiness we get in most murder mystery novels. You have the main theme of the fear of the unknown and that driving theme wraps up nicely into an ending you didn’t expect but still love anyways.

A 13 year old girl that wakes up in the middle of the night only to be the witness of a murder. Now she can not tell her parents or the police what she saw because the killer is still free and he could come for her.

This was such a fun and really suspenseful middle grade mystery thriller. Perfect for people that enjoy a nice cozy thriller mystery.

One of the strongest assets of the book is the characters because they felt realistic and I also loved the hispanic representation in the book and how we get to see Tia not only with her friends but also we explore her family relationships.

A story about family, friendship and trust with a great mystery and some twists and turns that as an adult you might see coming but this will still be a perfect cozy read for this fall.

Thank you Netgalley and Jolly Fish Press for the gifted book!

I just wanted to yell at Tia the whole time to tell her parents and the authorities what had happened. The book opens with Tia witnessing a murder outside her bedroom window in the middle of the night and then the book proceeds forward with her being paranoid that the murderer will come back to get her. It is filled with themes of friendship, family, trust, justice, and faith. I overall enjoyed it but Tia keeping such a huge thing from her family seemed a bit unrealistic and therefore it bothered me.

Content Warning: Murder, Blackmail, Violence

For a middle-grade book, this one can make me sitting on my edge, and can't wait to flip the next pages. The mystery and suspense element of this book it was makes the story is so gripping. The writing is also really easy to follow and the main character is a lovable one. I also love the magical aspect of this book. It was more of the cozy side of magic with herbs and natural remedies. This book took me by surprise and I highly recommend this one.

Thank you Jolly Fish Press for sending me an ARC via netgalley for an honest review
4/5 stars
This was a really good read! It’s short and pretty fast-paced, and I think younger readers will really enjoy it.
The story follows Tia who is excited to go away to camp, but when her asthma wakes her up in the middle of the night her whole world changes in seconds. Tia decides not to go to camp, and she’s suddenly keeping secrets from her family and feeling guilty. The reason? Tia witnessed a murder, and the murderer saw her through her bedroom window and warned her to stay quiet. Tia’s afraid of what might happen to her family and friends if she says anything, and so she doesn’t.
I thought the author did an incredible job of describing Tia’s mental state throughout. Tia was struggling with guilt, fear, feeling selfish, and worry for her family. In desperation, she turns to the local botanica for protection. Her Gram is a believer in the power of the botanica, but Tia’s dad doesn’t like it. Though we only visit the setting once, the botanica, and what it represents, are major themes in the novel. I like how Tia was eventually able to reconcile her feelings over family and the botanica.
I really appreciated the lessons that Tia learned in the book. I felt like they were made obvious without feeling condescending for the character or the reader. Tia’s struggle over whether or not to tell the truth about what she saw felt real and relatable. I think the author did a great job of creating an atmosphere in the book that helped to play into Tia’s fears and feelings.
Overall this was a really good book!

Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil was Middle Grade mystery that revolved around Tia witnessing a murder that changed her life and filled with paranoia. The story was about friendship, family, honesty, trust, fear, belief, hope, not letting fear control you, courage, and love.

Writing was lucid, fast paced and atmospheric with apprehension and fear character felt. It was written in first person narrative from Tia’s POV. The setting of Tia’s neighbourhood in NY was well described.

Plot was interesting that started with Tia excited about survival camp but it was squashed with murder she witnessed a night before she was supposed to leave for camp. She was terrified of what she witnessed and then murderer seeing her on the window and signalling not to tell a soul. She felt guilty for not telling anyone but she thought staying silent would save her and family from murderer’s retribution. It was interesting to see who was the murderer, would she able to confide in anyone before it was too late, what would she do if murderer came for her even after staying silent.

Tia was interesting character. She had asthma and author represented kid with asthma really well. At first Tia sounded normal teenage kid, having asthma attack on night of murder and how witnessing it terrified her. Her reaction to it was natural and genuine. I could feel her fear for her family but as story progressed her lies and determination and how she behaved to keep it secret started to feel frustrating. She felt guilty for lying and keeping witnessing murder a secret and yet she behaved exactly opposite of it. And it kept going on until almost 70% of the book. her development was really late in the book. And yet I liked how she realised keeping things in and letting fear rule herself and her life wasn’t going to keep her or her family safe.

Best part of the book was Tia’s friendship with Julius. Julius was lovely kid. He was smart, wise and honest. He told Tia right thing to do even though she wasn’t ready for it. I felt sad for him when she behaved badly with him. He was her true friend and I liked him for sticking with her helping her when she needed even with their differences caused by Tia’s decision.

All characters were realistic. I liked knowing Tia’s family and people in her neighbourhood. Cultural background and elements were well written. Tia and her family were Latinx who believed in botanica and all spiritual things. It was important aspect of the story. It was interesting to read about Tia’s grandmother’s beliefs and myths, botanica store she visited, and all weird things she bought to protect her family.

I liked the message in the book about burden of carrying secret, not letting fear rule you, why people believe in superstitions or religious and spiritual things and how it gives people hope but strength one need to have courage and face the problem are there within everyone without need of spiritual things.

Twist and turns were predictable. I could guess who was the murderer even before it was revealed in climax. I liked how Tia fought and learned her mistakes. End was lovely and satisfactory.

Why 3.5 stars-

I had a little high expectations with this book. Like I said, I was little disappointed with main character. It was frustrating after certain points in the story. I felt there was too much focus or Tia’s paranoia making the story a little melodramatic.

Overall, Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil was unique and enjoyable middle grade mystery with well written cultural aspect.

You will enjoy this if you like,
Latinx culture
middle grade murder mystery
good message for young readers
Atmospheric plotline

𝙏𝙞𝙖 𝙇𝙪𝙜𝙤 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙉𝙤 𝙀𝙫𝙞𝙡 is about a girl who witnessed a murder and then got blackmail from the killer.
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🌟 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
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I really enjoy reading this middle-grade book. It is beyond my expectation. Such a great reading experience. It has the best opening that makes me curious and the writing style keep me guessing who is the killer.
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I like Julius, Tia's best friend. he is sweet, so adorable, and sometimes funny. The best friend character you can imagine. Also, I admire Tia's grandmother. I love her ignorance. And I like interaction between Tia's family. You can directly feel how Tia's parents love Tia so much.
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My favorite part of the book was how fear starting to chill in when she got the blackmail from the killer, and her friendship with Julius. I also like the plot twists inside this thin book. I thought it will over with flat plot but woah.. I got shocked at the end.
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Beside the beautiful storyline, character's interaction, some of mysteries and plot twists in the story, I feel this book is so thin and I didn't expect it will be a minor love story in this MG book.
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Overall, this book has a great story and perfect for fans of mystery story in MG vibes. If you're looking forward for a story with family relationship, latinx rep, murder mystery, and witchy vibes, you can try to read 𝙏𝙞𝙖 𝙇𝙪𝙜𝙤 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙉𝙤 𝙀𝙫𝙞𝙡.

“Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil” is a surprisingly suspenseful middle-grade novel that kept me glued to the story.

Firstly, I would like to applaud the author and team for executing this book so well. It’s not every day where you read a suspense thriller targeted at a younger audience. This book is probably the first middle-grade suspense crime thriller I have read, and the author did an excellent job with the tale.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the eerie atmosphere set up in the story. The author adds a lot of suspenseful moments as Tia tries to do the right thing. There were parts of the story that gave me the creeps as well, like when Sal comes over or when Tia gets the text messages from the killer. Moreover, the ending had a nice twist with the reveal and turned out to be someone I did not expect. The climax made the story enjoyable and fun to read.

The author also wrote the characters well, and I liked Tia in the lead. I appreciate how realistic the author made her with her difficulty with asthma. Moreover, I loved Tia’s friendship with Julius. Julius is adorable, and I enjoyed how the author made him prominent in the tale. I also liked Gram and enjoyed the scenes where she makes Tia see Celia.

Although the book targets middle graders, I thought this book was one that a reader of any age would enjoy. Overall, “Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil” is an exciting read, and I am curious to check out some of the author’s previous novels.

I really enjoyed Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil! It’s a very intense middle grade novel as Tia witnessed a murder outside of her window. However, it’s balanced with family, magic, and romance as Tia decides what to do. I love Tia’s relationship with her grandmother and how much they care for each other. Her grandmother’s eccentric nature also reminded me of my own grandmother. I’m glad I was able to read it!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, Netgalley, and Jolly Fish Press for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

I think it’s fitting that Vigilante starts with this specific Albert Einstein quote even before the chapter officially starts:

The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
We are in a world that is afraid to speak up because we are afraid of the repercussions. Or we are afraid to speak up because things can be turned against us even when we are trying to stand up for what’s right. It could be something so simple as making sure a fellow classmate isn’t bullying another student – not saying bullying is simple or small – or standing up against a corrupt government. Or even just telling law enforcement officials the truth of a crime you witnessed, which is similar to what is happening with Tia Lugo right now.

It’s not every day when a thirteen year old is a witness to a murder in their neighborhood. It’s also not a normal circumstance where the same thirteen year old person is in fear of their life because the murderer may be terrorizing them in order to hide the truth of what happened. Unfortunately, this is what Tia Lugo is dealing with, and somehow she will need to find a way to rely on the one resource that she didn’t think she would need to turn to: the help of her grandmother and the botánica that she isn’t too fond of being around.

This definitely flowed like a murder mystery novel, and from the moment that Tia witnessed the murder, I was already concerned about her safety. So was she, and I felt super bad for her having to deal with that! I really enjoyed her friendship with Julius from what we were able to witness, and I loved seeing the familial dynamics that we saw during this time. I think Gram was my favorite character, as grandmas usually are most times!

This was a great mystery, and I actually would have never thought to do a middle grade mystery like this! Super intense from the very beginning and I was in for a wild ride the entire time.

Such an inspiring read. The fact that this book teaches not only to respect your culture, but to learn, grow and make it yours is such a powerful thing. And throughout the whole read I kept thinking about my own abuela. The things she did to take care of us and the things she would do had she been alive.

I've read a few cozy mysteries before but this is the first middle-grade mystery I've ever read. The beginning of Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil starts with a thirteen year old girl (Tia) getting ready to go to survival camp. When an asthma attack wakes her in the middle of the night, she witnesses a murder take place right in her own neighborhood. When the murderer looks up and warns her to be quiet, Tia knows her life will never be the same.

The book continues on with Tia seeing warnings wherever she goes. Warnings to keep quiet and not tell anyone what she saw. I felt really bad for her, as she was essentially a child, still. A child left with such a big secret. I kept hoping that eventually, Tia would tell Julius (her best friend) what happened and that he would convince her to tell the police.

As for the mystery part of this book, it all progressed very well. There were even little side mysteries to be solved.

If you're looking for a good cozy mystery, as well as a diverse middle-grade book, look no further than Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil!

Tia Lugo has a deadly secret.

Tia Lugo considers herself an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl. She just wants to enjoy the end of summer, which means hanging out with her best friend and neighbor, Julius, and ignoring her Puerto Rican grandmother’s embarrassing reliance on creepy candles, weird-smelling herb bundles, and eerie statues—all available for sale at the nearby botánica. But when Tia witnesses a murder late one night from her bedroom window, everything changes in an instant.

Now, Tia is terrified to tell anyone what she’s seen. What if the killer comes after her too? He knows where she lives. Even worse, Tia believes he’s sending her secret messages, reminding her to stay quiet. Desperate to keep herself and her family safe, Tia turns to the last place she ever thought she’d go: her grandmother's favorite shopping spot, the botánica.

This book is really well written! The character development and the plot was really nice and unique.
This is a really good middle grade book for all those children who likes reading suspense and mystery.

Tia Lugo is a 13 year old girl enjoying her summer vacation in New York City. On the evening before she is to leave for summer camp, she witnesses a brutal crime from her bedroom window. Unfortunately, the criminal sees that Tia witnesses the crime and he looks at her and holds a finger up to his lips. Tia is too frightened to call the police or tell anyone what she witnessed. Will Tia tell what happened or will the criminal make sure she stays silent?
This was a quick read that I feel will be enjoyed by the target audience. It was fun and should be good for reluctant readers. The book is also full of tidbits about Puerto Rican culture and gives information about botanicas, which are spiritual stores. I liked how these were sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, this book was a compelling mystery book that middle grade readers will enjoy!

Thank you to @jollyfishpress who gave me a free copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante comes out on August 17th. It follows a young girl, Tia, after she is witness to a horrible crime. Scared for her life she struggles with what to do and whether or not to tell.

This is a lovely story detailing a young girls struggle with some pretty scary things, as well of some of the more mundane teen problems like school bullies and first crushes.
It's heart warming and emotional and I really liked it.
Great read for younger teens/older children. 4 stars.

I really enjoyed this book! I was really curious about it when I read the description, and it did not let me down. Thirteen year old Tia Lugo is looking forward to a laid back summer, spending a week at camp and the rest with her best friend, but the night before she is supposed to leave, she witnesses a murder outside her window, and is terrified of retribution against those she loves from the murderer, so she doesn't say anything about it.

One of the things I loved most about this book was how well we see Tia's growing apprehension and fear manifest in the book. As an adult, I wanted to shake her and tell her just to tell someone, but putting myself in her shoes, thinking back to when I was her age, I could really feel her terror, and I was definitely worried about what was going to happen! Part of the fear came from not knowing who the murderer is, and so Tia saw them in everyone/everything. I thought that this was so well done, for me to be able to feel her fear as I read.

I also really enjoyed the relationships in the book. We mostly see Tia with her family (her parents and her grandmother who lives a few blocks away) and her best friend, Julius, and it was really nice to see all the different interactions. Tia has a family who loves her and cares about her so much, and keeping the secret from them was so stressful, but she was more worried about what might happen to them if she did tell, and we see this in all her interactions with them, and I loved that. I also loved seeing how close she and Julius are, and how even when he was mad at her because he knew she was keeping secrets, he was still there for her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys middle grade books!

I feel a bit mixed about this book. It almost felt like it wasn’t sure what it was trying to be; it was too young to be young adult, but some of the themes felt too grown up to be fully middle grade. Because of that, it made it hard to assess and rate, but I eventually gave it three stars.

The book is fast paced, and Tia is a likeable protagonist who understandably feels both overwhelmed and conflicted when faced with information that could solve a murder, but could also put her in danger. Trying to keep herself and everyone she loves safe, she keeps silent, until she is absolutely forced to speak out.

Tia takes on a great amount of responsibility for the death of the person she witnesses, thinking constantly that she could have done something to save him. Already struggling with her asthma, she begins struggling with anxiety attacks as well, although she doesn’t know to identify them as such. Moments of post-trauma anxiety haunt her constantly, and she is on edge at all times.

Throughout the panicked pages of trying to keep her secret, there’s also the childhood politics of being a child that stands out because of her family, and trying to work out her feelings for the boy she likes – and if she can trust him with her secret.

Tia Lugo is thirteen years old. Her parents have agreed to let her go to summer camp for a week. She had a difficult time getting approval as her mom worries about her asthma. Sometimes Tia has to go to the emergency room at the hospital if her asthma gets out of control. Tia is up the night before going to summer camp in her room as she is having trouble with her asthma. She goes to pick up her inhaler but fumbles and rolls across the room. After using her inhaler she looks out the window to look at the stars. Stars aren’t the only thing she sees. What does she see? Why does she decide not to tell anyone? Tia tells her parents that she doesn’t want to go to camp. The parents say okay but want to know why. She is saved by the police knocking on the door.

It’s a mystery, summer recess from school, friendship and more in this excellent novel. I was fascinated with how she kept from telling her secret as it seem to invade her mind all the time she was awake. She even dreamed about her secret. The ending was a good surprise for me as I didn’t know what was going to happen. It’s a
page-turning adventure story.

This middle-grade suspense book gave me the creeps that most adult books don't give me.
The book follows Tia, who has witnessed a horrific incident outside her window, and is threatened. The book follows her going through various stages of paranoia, guilt, and fear. It is really gut-wrenching to read as it is so real (especially since she has asthma). Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil isn’t violent or gory - it relies on Danette’s masterful writing style to portray the looming threat of an unknown killer and the internal debate of a murder’s young witness.
Absolutely fantastic!
Thank you so much, Net Galley and Jolly Fish Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.