This was a wonderful little read, thank you #netgalley and #michaeldbell for such an enjoyable story. I haven't read the first novel so that is now on my TBR as well.

What a great story! I often get requests from young readers for "murder mysteries" and now I have found a terrific one that is also age-appropriate for middle-grade readers!
Set on Swallowtail Island, this is the second book featuring Lark and her family. Reading the first book is helpful, especially since there are subplots carrying over from the first book, but a reader could also enjoy this book on its own. A writers' conference comes to the island - called SwallowTales, and Lark gets the chance to meet and work with her favorite author! But she soon learns for herself the risk of meeting her hero in real life as the writer proves difficult to work with - and becomes even worse when her assistant dies of an apparent allergic reaction on the first night of the conference!
Fortunately, Lark is observant and tenacious - especially when another clue to her mother's past reveals itself!
This is a fast-paced, fun mystery that reveals just enough for readers to work through the clues with Lark, without being too obvious. If there is such a thing as a "cozy middle-grade mystery," this is it!

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Michael D. Beil

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

"Betrayal By the Book" by Michael D. Beil is a thrilling addition to the Swallowtail Legacy series that captivates readers with its clever mystery plot and engaging characters. This middle-grade mystery unfolds at the Swallowtales Writer's Conference on Swallowtail Island, where twelve-year-old Lark finds herself in the midst of a suspenseful tale involving her favorite author, Ann E. Keyhart.

The narrative kicks off with Lark's excitement at being chosen as a "page" for Ann E. Keyhart, but the anticipated joy turns into a rollercoaster of events when Keyhart's arrival brings unexpected chaos. The author's portrayal as a terror adds an intriguing layer to the story, setting the stage for the mysterious death of her personal assistant. The tension escalates as Lark delves into the investigation, discovering that the assistant had recently completed a novel, the file of which has mysteriously vanished.

The author, Michael D. Beil, skillfully weaves a gripping clue hunt throughout the narrative, reminiscent of classic middle-grade mysteries. The plot unfolds seamlessly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the twists and turns of the investigation alongside Lark. The incorporation of a bird, matching one found in Lark's mom's book, adds an additional layer of intrigue, connecting past and present secrets on Swallowtail Island.

Beil's writing style is both engaging and age-appropriate, making it an ideal read for middle-grade readers. The characters are well-developed, and Lark's determination to uncover the truth adds a relatable and empowering element to the story. The exploration of the Swallowtail Island's secrets adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a typical mystery.

"Betrayal By the Book" stands out as a commendable addition to the middle-grade mystery genre, showcasing Beil's storytelling prowess. The cleverly crafted plot, well-rounded characters, and the seamless blend of classic mystery elements make this book a four-star read. It keeps the reader entertained while delivering a satisfying and compelling mystery that is sure to leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Swallowtail Legacy series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just finished reading “The Swallowtail Legacy #2, Betrayal By the Book” by Michael D. Beil, and I was blown away by this middle-grade mystery. The cover is stunning, with beautiful birds and books. The story is set on Swallowtail Island, a charming and quirky place that is hosting a writer’s conference.

The protagonist, Lark, is a twelve-year-old girl who loves books and mysteries. She gets the opportunity to be a “page” for her favorite author, Ann E. Keyhart. But she soon realizes that Keyhart is not the kind and inspiring person she imagined. In fact, she’s a horrible boss and a ruthless plagiarist. And when her personal assistant is found dead, Lark suspects foul play.

Lark decides to investigate the murder, along with the disappearance of the assistants' novel from her laptop. She also discovers a clue that connects her mom’s book to Swallowtail Island’s secrets. Lark is a brave and clever heroine, and I enjoyed following her adventures. The other characters are also fun and realistic, especially Lark’s friends and family.

The mystery is not very complex, or surprising, but it’s still entertaining and suspenseful. The book has a great pace, except for some slower parts in the middle. The best part is the setting, which is full of literary references and creative details. I loved how the book celebrates the joy of reading and writing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and books. It’s a standalone story, so you don’t need to read the first one to enjoy it. I’m looking forward to reading more from Michael D. Beil!

ARC Via NetGalley

This story was not that great. Lacked detail and as a reader I lost interest and at times found it hard to keep going. Characters were bland and I ended up not finishing the story. However I would be interested in trying other books by this author . This story line just was that enjoyable

Set on an island in Lake Erie; it introduces the mystery genre to teens through the story of Lark, a young girl assigned to assist a renowned writer at an author's conference. When the writer's aide, an aspiring author, dies from a nut allergy, Lark takes on the task of unravelling the source of the fatal nuts. Despite figuring out the mystery early on, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, reminiscent of Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, evoking childhood nostalgia. Although the twist may be predictable for some,

I really enjoyed this book so much - it gave me Trixie Belden/Nancy Drew vibes and I had serious nostalgia about reading as ayoung child. I didn't read the first book and while there were bits that refer back to events in the previous story, it didn't hinder my understanding of the current story.

Great cast of characters with rich writing and believable - for the most part - circumstances. The mystery was perfect and while my early prediction proved true, I don't think it would be obvious to a reader in the target audience.

A charming, feel good story. I can't wait to read the first book and look forward to more in the series.

I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

I read the first book in this series, WRECK AT ATA’S REEF last year, and really enjoyed it. So, I was excited to see that this second book was coming out this year. Like the first, it’s set on a small island, and features some of Lark’s many family members.

I really liked that the story takes place during a writer’s conference at which Lark is a volunteer helper to her favorite author. Though the conference itself stays more in the background, it still managed to hit a lot of key moments from a conference: panels, hurt feelings over harsh feedback, encouraging words from a beloved author, and disorganized statements from someone clearly underprepared.

I had very strong suspicions about who was responsible for the assistant’s death even before I read the first page of the story, and I was right. So, that made it a little difficult for me to enjoy Lark’s journey unraveling the clues.

I also expected the bird figurine to tie into the mystery somehow? It remained pretty separate, though. Because that thread began in the first book, I kind of wonder if it’s something that will be the center of a mystery in the next book in the series? I haven’t heard anything, so I don’t know.

All in all, I think I’d have enjoyed this one a bit more if I hadn’t figured out the mystery so quickly. I still enjoyed the island community and Lark’s role as a conference volunteer. I’m not sorry I read the book. The series still makes me think of the Northwoods Mysteries by Margi Preus.

This review will post to The Story Sanctuary on 4/17/23.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Remember the Red Blazer series? Ya, that good one. Or Summer At Forsaken Lake? This new series by the author of those is very addictive.
In book #1 which came out in 2022, Lark Heron-Finch has been spending summers in her mom’s family’s home on Swallowtail Island her whole life. But this summer will be the first one since her mom’s death and it will only be with her sister, her stepbrothers, and her step-dad. And she is dreading it. When Nadine – her mom’s best friend who lives on the island – tells Lark about a fatal boat accident that happened years before, Lark finds herself trying to prove it wasn’t an accident.
In book # 2, Lark is thrilled to be working at a writer’s conference as she’ll be able to meet her favorite author. But the author turns out to be a horrible person and when the author’s assistant dies, Lark is sure the murderer got the wrong victim.
If your reader enjoyed “The Mysterious Benedict Society” or “Winterhouse” or “Mr. Limoncello’s Library”, this is their next series!

While I really enjoyed the first Swallowtail Legacy book, I did not care for this installment. It lacked a lot of the heart the first book had. Lark's charming family was cast into the background of this story in favor of a cast of very unlikable characters.

My main problem with this book, though, is how heavily it relies on 'coincidences' to move the plot along. I almost threw in the towel when Didi's New York City roommate Suzy just HAPPENED to book a music gig at a small bar on tiny Swallowtail island in Ohio...the SAME week her roommate happens to be on the same island for a Writers Workshop and ends up dead. My...what a fantastical coincidence seeing as how Suzy was instrumental in Lark getting a lot of the information she needed about Didi.

It's also quite a stretch that this 12-year-old girl would be allowed access to all the information she was given. The islands police officer just handing her a bag of trash to throw away from the crime scene? Access to the deceased's laptop? And don't get me started on the ending. I'm pretty sure my eyes almost got stuck in the back of my head from how hard I rolled them.

Look, I get this is a Middle Grade book, but c'mon. Middle grade readers aren't stupid. MG is one of my favorite genres, and one of the biggest pitfalls of an MG author is treating the reader like they're an idiot. Kids in this age range are anything but, and this plot has been dumbed down to the point of being almost offensive. If there's one thing authors do that drives me crazy, it's the use of coincidences (of which there are MANY in this book) in order to move the plot along. It's lazy writing. It says to me the author was unable to figure out how to solve his own mystery without relying on a series of HIGHLY improbable occurrences.

Overall, I just didn't care for this book. As I said earlier, it lacked the heart and charm of the first book, and the 'mystery' here was very thin. The characters were cardboard cutouts of their assigned roles, and the plot was reaching. I don't think I'll be moving forward with this series.

I think Michael D Beil has written something special here, at least for me.

Firstly, we have a middle grade mystery with a feisty but compassionate, kind, and (mostly) respective heroine. Second, the mystery involves writers. Then there's the setting itself: a Mackinac inspired car-free island on Lake Eerie, called Swallowtail Island in the book. Oh! And it starts with an illustrated map of the island. This basically would've been my ideal book at ten years old, and while reading it I was transported to those magical middle school days where my dad would drop off my sister and me at the library on the weekends and we would grab all the next books in whatever children's mystery series we were reading at that time.

I appreciate the mystery was dumbed down either. Yes, the writing is appropriate for the target age but it doesn't treat the reader like they're ignorant. Adults are adult (and the kids are occasionally baffled by the behavior lol), situations are complicated, things don't always go the kids' ways... it's a welcoming read.

I also really enjoyed how heart-warming the characters are. There is some sadness, but I love that this is a supportive and loving blended family full of everyone just doing the best they can.

I haven't read the first in the series but that really didn't put me off of understanding what happened in the first book or the character relationships at all, but I will still be going back and reading that introductory novel. I really enjoyed spending time with Lark in her little world; she's a likable well-written lead in a likable and well-written story.

Loved it!

A good mystery with lots of craziness at the end to solve the mystery. I enjoy Lark's adventures and look forward to the next one.

While the story did keep me turning the page, I found the fact that a crime solved by a 12 year old girl was stretching it . The mystery was very well played out. The way Lark put the pieces together and planned the uncovering of the culprit was genius. Getting a small town cop to believe her theory was my problem. Overall it was a good story that I’m sure middle graders would love.

What a fun middle-grade mystery! Lark is smart and curious, and throwing a kid into a writers' conference atmosphere is genius. I really enjoy this book, although since I haven't read Book 1 (which I'll rectify soon), I did feel a bit lost at first as far as everyone's family relationships. This book zips along with the main plot and various subplots, and they all come together and resolve neatly. For me, the one thing that brings it down is that the killer seems incredibly obvious. That's a big flaw in a mystery...but maybe it's just because I read so many mysteries? I'd be interested to hear how many young readers find the killer too obvious. I hope it's very few of them, so they can love the book!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Swallowtail Legacy 2: Betrayal by the Book
by Michael D. Beil
Pub Date 18 Apr 2023 | Archive Date 14 Feb 2023
Pixel+Ink
Middle Grade | Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of The Swallowtail Legacy 2: Betrayal By the Book and Pixel + Ink and Netgalley:


A writer's conference brings twelve-year-old Lark’s favorite writer—and a suspicious death—to Swallowtail Island!


Swallowtail Island is hosting the Swallowtales writers conference. And Lark finds herself ecstatic to be the page for her favorite author, Ann E. Keyhart.



It is often said you should never meet your idols. When Keyhart arrives with her personal assistant in tow, she is nothing but a terror. And within a few hours, the assistant is dead! But the explanation isn't sitting well. Not when lots of people had reasons to want to be rid of Keyhart, and especially not after it’s revealed the assistant recently completed a hot new novel and the file's vanished from her computer.


But after Lark finds out the assistant had a bird—the match to the one she found hidden in her mom’s book—and she needs answers. It looks like Swallowtail Island still has secrets to reveal, and Lark’s going to uncover them.


I give The Swallowtail Legacy five out of five stars...


Happy Reading!

What a fun bunch of characters that are well developed. You can't help but love Lark and her family. Loads of red herrings make for an exciting mystery. I haven't read the first book but I'm off to find it. I'm giving this book to my grandson who I believe will love it also! Thanks #netgalley and #PixelInk for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

What a fun read this was! While.i have read other books by Michael Beil, I hadn't read the first in this series so I grabbed it from the library before jumping into this book, which is the second in the series. While you could read them separately, it was much more fun to know what had happened in the first book.

First, I love the characters so much. Lark and her entire family are so well written - they are truly relatable characters. You have a group of siblings that get along fairly well (but have their moments), a stepdad doing all he can to make the right choices for his family, kids overcoming trauma after the loss of parent(s) and all the feelings of being a preteen. Ads in the family they find in the island (Nadine, Dinah, Simon and more) and you have a charming mystery that has not only a really fun setting but excellent characters as well.

The mystery was a lot of fun with several twists and turns along the way. Sure, there were a few more wild turns that might not be as believable but again, the characters (who almost seem to also find them a little unbelievable) make that fin. The background mystery of the birds continues in this book and I love how it tied the two books together. I am ready to read the next book and I can totally see my own tween really enjoying these books.

I enjoyed reading this book. It's a sweet and simple middle grade novel, that I'd have loved as a teenager. I loved how books were woven into the story. The mystery is predictable for an adult, but the warm family dynamics are touching to read.