"The Mystery of Locked Rooms" by Lindsay Currie is an action-packed adventure novel targeted at children. The story revolves around twelve-year-old Sarah Greene and her two best friends, West and Hannah. Sarah's primary goal for her seventh-grade year is to conquer the most challenging escape room in town with her friends. However, a foreclosure notice on Sarah's house changes everything, pushing her to seek an alternative solution.

The trio learns about a hidden treasure rumored to be concealed within the walls of an abandoned 1950s funhouse. According to legend, three orphans named Hans, Stefan, and Karl Stein built the funhouse, incorporating elaborate riddles and secret passages. The triplets claimed to have hidden a treasure inside, and now Sarah, West, and Hannah embark on a quest to find it.

The funhouse proves to be unlike any escape room they've encountered before. The challenges feel personal, almost as if the triplets anticipated their arrival. As they navigate the mysterious funhouse, Sarah grapples with the realization that their future might be at stake.

"The Mystery of Locked Rooms" combines elements of mystery, adventure, and friendship, making it an engaging read for children. The novel invites young readers to join the characters on a thrilling journey filled with puzzles, secrets, and the quest for hidden treasure.

I absolutely LOVED this ARC! I found the mysteries and puzzles to be compelling, and I loved the strong friendship between the three main characters. I am very much looking forward to getting this book for my school library, I believe my middle school students will love it!

The Mystery of Locked Rooms was described to me as a mix of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Willy Wonka, and I totally agree. I loved meeting and reading about friends Sarah, West, and Hannah. The trio call themselves the Deltas and pride themselves on working together to conquer escape rooms.

When Sarah's family is facing foreclosure, the friends decide to try and beat the ultimate escape room, a mythical "fun house" built by mysterious triplets who hid the "triplet's treasure." It's the only way to keep the Deltas together.

When they finally reach the house, Sarah, Hannah, and West work together to beat each room while learning more about themselves and conquering their own fears. It becomes a race against the clock since the trio didn't exactly get permission from their parents...

I loved the growth of each character and the way they worked together. I cannot wait until I can share this book with ALL of my middle schoolers!

This middle grade mystery is fun and exciting. Although, I am not the intended reader, I found this story about three friends exploring a fun house that was abandoned some seventy years earlier to find a mythical treasure a very enjoyable read. Reminded me of the film The Goonies, and had to chuckle when that reference even appeared in the book. If you are a fan of escape rooms (like these three adventurous kids are), then you will enjoy this novel. I have never tried an escape room but want to now! Full of thrills, mystery, and the strong bond of friendship makes this top notch!

As a huge escape room fan, this book was a ton of fun to read! And I bet it was a ton of fun to write too. ;)

I am sure this is going to be a big hit among middle grade readers with excitement and tension in every cliff-hanger chapter. A treasure hunt, puzzles, codes, mysteries, plus lots of great subtle character details that make each person unique from the others. With adequate age-appropriate warnings about the daring feats the children engage in, and plenty of "will they make it?" nail-biting scenes, kids will devour this book and clamor for the next!

Escape rooms are easy; try an escape house!

Great, fast paced read! Made me think of Lemoncello’s Library mixed with deeper characters that had challenges all their own to overcome. Loved the Deltas friendship, courage, and heart throughout the book. Love that it dealt with issues many kids face, but at an appropriate level for kiddos to identify with. Super fun and can’t wait to share with my readers!

Sarah, Hannah and West, AKA The Deltas, make up a talented escape room team and have the T-shirts and accolades on various bulletin boards to prove it, but the stakes are higher on this latest endeavor. Built in the 1950s by triplets, a long abandoned “funhouse” is supposed to have a treasure hidden somewhere in the 16 rooms but it remains undiscovered despite attempts by many, some being arrested after vain attempts. Faced with losing her home, Sarah and her friends resolve to put their gifted skill set to the ultimate test-West with his eidetic memory, Hannah with her bravery, strength and flexibility and Sarah’s research and observational skills.

Readers of Currie’s earlier works may need to be warned that this isn’t her usual scary page-turner for middle grade readers, but more of a thrill ride that leads three young people on a journey of self-discovery that further cements their friendship trio. The action and adventure start quickly with only a small number of pages spent on setting the stage and introducing the characters making this a great choice for the impatient reader who may give up on books with lengthier expository sections. Each room in the so-called funhouse is unique and described so well they will be crystal clear in readers’ minds and through the course of each room, the distinct personalities of Hannah, Sarah and West come through loud and clear. Of course there is a happy ending, after all, this is middle grade lit, but the trip to get there will have those in grades 4-7 trying to figure out the clues and wondering the whole time.

Get ready for some fun. I absolutely adored The Mystery of Locked Rooms. Lindsay Currie sure knows how to write a mystery, along with an amazing cast of characters. The Deltas--as they call themselves--each have their own strengths and weaknesses and I love the growth we see in all of the characters as they race against time and complete various riddles to emerge from an old abandoned fun house victorious. Readers are in for a treat!

The Mystery of Locked Rooms is a slight divergence for Lindsay Currie but it is just as good a read as her spooky books. She manages to include a touch of scary into the mystery.
I found it to be a real page turner, the chapters always ended with high tension or a big question.
The characters of Sarah, West and Hannah were all well-developed, likeable, but also had ‘issues’ that they all managed to deal with and sort out through the course of the story.
As I love Escape Rooms, this story was a very enjoyable read, but I’m sure even if you’ve never had the opportunity to experience an escape room you will find The Mystery of the Locked Rooms a book filled with high stakes, tension, and humour.
Highly recommend for ages 9+

I'm a big fan of this author's books and this one was so much fun. My favorite part of this high-stakes novel is the characters. I loved their fierce friendship and loyalty to each other. They always had each other's backs and worked well as a team. Each character is easily distinguishable from the others--each one has their own personality quirks and insecurities.

The locked room setting immediately sets the stakes high for these kids and the danger feels real. I personally took mental notes about completing escape rooms because I've never experienced one myself. Now, I can't wait to enter one with my family. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for an honest review.

All children love a puzzle – none more so than West, Hannah and Sarah. The three friends love nothing more than beating and escape room but, are they resourceful enough to beat the ultimate funhouse because Sarah needs the fabled Triplet Treasure to provide the solution to help her family overcome their current problems and this will mean that they do not have to away to live with her grandparents.
Lindsay Currie writes with such detail and panache that the reader can instantly visualise the many puzzles that the children encounter; old fashioned riddle, fun house staples and film inspired mind games. This story would make a wonderful film – a la Goonies - as the pace and excitement builds towards a thrilling finale – but will Sarah, Hannah and West prevail?
With its themes of friendship, perseverance and trusting in your own unique talents, this book is a triumph. Readers have enough information to help or even solve the puzzles and ‘some people’ (not me obviously) might shout out loud as they realise the next step from our intrepid trio – not recommended in the quiet carriage of a Derby to St Pancras train!
I cannot wait until this book is published next year so that I can share it with the children at school. I am sure that my librarians will want to use it as the centrepiece of one of our story focused weekly displays.
Counting down the days to 2nd April!
A definite 5 star read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Mystery of Locked Rooms" by Lindsay Currie is a gripping and suspenseful middle-grade mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last. With a perfect blend of intriguing characters, chilling atmospheres, and clever puzzles, it's a book that's impossible to put down.

The story centers on Emily, a young girl who is anything but ordinary. She has a unique talent for solving mysteries, especially those involving locked rooms and secret codes. When Emily's family inherits a historic mansion with a dark and puzzling history, she is drawn into a mystery that will test her skills and courage like never before.

Currie's writing is both engaging and atmospheric, vividly bringing to life the grand and enigmatic mansion that serves as the novel's backdrop. The story is laced with a sense of unease, making it a perfect blend of mystery and spookiness, ideal for young readers who enjoy a good thrill.

The characters in the book are endearing and relatable, and readers will find themselves rooting for Emily as she tackles the challenges presented by the locked rooms and cryptic messages. Her determination to uncover the truth is both admirable and inspiring.

What sets "The Mystery of Locked Rooms" apart is its ability to provide young readers with a compelling and well-constructed mystery while also delivering important life lessons about friendship, family, and resilience. Emily's journey is not only about unlocking the secrets of the mansion but also discovering her own strengths and understanding the value of the people around her.

This book is an absolute page-turner, and as the mystery unravels, readers will be kept guessing until the very end. Lindsay Currie has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it an excellent choice for young readers who enjoy a thrilling mystery with heart.

In conclusion, "The Mystery of Locked Rooms" is a must-read for middle-grade mystery enthusiasts. Lindsay Currie has created a story that is both captivating and emotionally resonant, making it a fantastic addition to the genre. This book is a testament to the power of curiosity and determination, and it will leave readers eagerly anticipating Emily's next adventure.