Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing a free digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

I did not enjoy this book and could not finish it. It was all a bit silly and i could not connect with the characters.

This is a cute story told from child's point of view, yet this look can show much more than we adults think the children can see. Tessie Finley, take-charge and wildly imaginative 11-year-old girl, takes care for her younger sister - and the sisters and Tessie's "fiancé" Charlie are the only members of Mutual Admiration Society aiming to solve crimes and to get juicy facts for some neighbourhood blackmailing. One night, Tessie sees and hears something - and what other could this be than murder and kidnapping? The suspicion grows when one of the nuns from their school goes missing.

This is a moving story - partly funny, laced with the old-school nostalgia; but partly sad, because Tessie, Birdie and Charlie (and their neighbours) do not live in the ideal world. They can name the sad circumstances of life with all-seeing, not-all-understanding innocence.
The authoress is very talented and can write the child's voice authentically; she can also portray all the neighbourhood coming-and-going with vivid, true details. The small city life comes alive with just a few sentences - and I have been transported to my very different, but also similar childhood swiftly. One can only appreciate such nuanced storytelling!

Another beautiful story from my favorite author. Irresistible characters and a story that sweeps the reader along. Absolutely loved this gem!

Tessie is a take charge girl in the middle of a typically dysfunctional 50's family in a Catholic neighborhood - too many nosy neighbors, a disinterested mother and a missing nun.

While Tessie is fairly certain she witnessed a kidnapping and/or murder, she also has to concentrate on the activities of daily living - she is carrying way too big of a burden since witnessing her father's death. She is solely responsible in caring for her younger sister, who is damaged in some way, although it's never really clear what her diagnosis is - back then they were just considered "touched" and either taken care of by their families, or sent away to homes - which is exactly what their evil neighbor Gert wants.

This was a super cute read taking you back to a different time, when neighborhoods existed and your neighbors were just part of your extended family - and childhood was a different kind of tough.

When I saw this book by Lesley Kagen on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it! I read her book, "Whistling in the dark" (which I just loved) and the sequel, "Good Graces" which was very good too. I love the nostalgia of stories set in the 1950's/60's. Add two elementary sisters running around a neighbourhood trying to solve a so-called "murder" and causing a bit of mayhem and I'm hooked!

The author does a good job with her research and I enjoyed Tess' cute 50's "talk." This book just didn't entice me like her others did. It was a bit slow to start but by the middle I was enjoying it.

It's still a cute, fun story that takes you back to a time when things seemed less complicated and at times more tranquil.

Kagen is such a great storyteller. I am never disappointed when I pick up one of her books.

I really wish I had enjoyed this book more, as the story of a girl acting as detective, delinquent and minder for her mother and sister while grieving her father's loss has lots of elements I would usually like. However I couldn't get past the irritating narrative voice and really struggled to just get to the end of book.

Set in 1959 this is a story told by one of two sisters who fancies herself as a “gumshoe”. Tessie is a child and longs for adventure, whilst missing the laughs that she had with her daddy. She looks out for her sister Birdie and tells us all we need to know and more about their lives. They begin a “case”. Tessie is the president of the mutual admiration society and is assisted by Birdie, who turns out to be lot smarter than her sister gives her credit for. This is well written and you can picture the children doing their investigations, however it is rather like being stuck in a lift with an incessantly chatty child. It brought a smile to my face and was an easy read. Memories of childhood and the “adventures” we all wanted to create in our innocence.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I will confess, I just could not read this. I attempted 30 pages or so and could not engage with it in any way. And so my review is a non- review. The absolute beauty of books is that they are subjective, so while it was not for me, someone else will feel differently!

Some of this might seem silly but please keep in mind that it's written from the perspective of an 11 year old girl in 1950s Milwaukee. Kagan has written a novel with a big heart. I enjoyed the local color and the neighbors, as well as, of course, Tessie, who I'll bet would grow up to be a real dynamo. The mystery in this isn't really the point - it's the interaction between Tessie and Birdie and the rest. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is an easy read. I also recommend it as an appropriate YA novel.

I had to DNF this book. I could not engage with the story or the characters.

I found the writing style hard to follow. It is fine for some, but it is not for me.

A delightful mystery narrated by a young girl, Tessie. I'm hoping this book turns into a series.

This was a very cute read! This book clearly shows the love between two sisters and the understanding, protecting and accepting of those who are considered "different". I really admired the dedication Tessie had towards her sister who she referred to as Birdie. There were several parts throughout where I caught myself laughing out loud. In the beginning I did have some trouble adjusting to the authors writing style, and I felt that Tessie would sometimes go on and on without saying much at all and there were too many repetitive FACTS and PROOFS. I enjoyed it more towards the end when the truth about the disappearance of the nun and the stolen Pagan baby money came out. My favorite part of the story when Louise was told that a large sum of money was found in her account. I can't help hoping that finally somehow this makes life better for the Finley girls.

Lesley Karen knows how to touch readers hearts. Her latest takes place in the 1950s and tells the story of 11 year old Tessie, the self appointed president of the Mutual Admiration Society, who believes she’s seen a murder and a body dumped in the cemetery behind her house. She’s trying to protect her “weird” sister and dealing with the death of her father and keeping her mean next door neighbor from having the state place Tessie and her sister into foster care. A beautifully written coming of age story

Dollycas’s Thoughts

FACT: Lesley Kagen captures the voices of children in a profound way.

PROOF: This story!

Set in Milwaukee Wisconsin, we meet 11 year old Theresa “Tessie” Finley, her younger sister, Birdie, and her “fiancee”, Charlie “Cue Ball” Garfield. They make up the Mutual Admiration Society. Tessie is sure she saw a crime committed and the society needs to start its investigation right away. They just need to get around some house rules and Gert Klement, their next door neighbor, who is not their biggest fan. In fact, she believes they need to be sent away.

These characters were first introduced to readers in The Undertaking of Tess, released in 2014. While the author does give plenty of details so that this book can be read on its own, you may want to read the prior story first for more background on the Finley’s.

As a mystery lover I enjoyed Tessie and her lists and methodical investigation and that Birdie found a key clue and really helped Tessie figure out the suspected murder. Through the eyes of children in the late 1950’s I was able to see things in a different way. It was quite an adventure. Tessie has already dealt with so much in her young life and is responsible for watching over Birdie every day. Her lists do get a little repetitive but through them readers clearly see the way her mind works.

Kagen has crafted a heartwarming story but at times it is heartbreaking too. Her characters are so unique and the dialogue is true to a child’s voice and sprinkled liberally with humor. The world has changed since 1959. It was wonderful to escape back in time and tag along on this adventure with the Mutual Admiration Society.

I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. She is an extremely talented storyteller.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this entertaining book.

I've read several books by Lesley Kagen, and if you loved Whistling in the Dark and Good Graces, you will thoroughly enjoy this upcoming release of hers.

The story is told from preteen Tess Finley's POV. This spirited, witty, imaginative girl, and her side-kick, younger sister Birdie, take the reader on a possible-murder-mystery sleuth adventure. Her "gumshoe-detective" ways, and her "now just wait a cotton-pickin-minute" talk will take you on a trip down memory lane of what life was like decades ago.

The author's "voice" in this story, as with some of Lesley's others, reflects life from the late 1950's. Even though the story takes place in Milwaukee, Tess knows her neighbors and the neighborhood gives you a feel for small-town life, where everyone looks out for each other.

A quick, enjoyable read!