Summer at Forsaken Lake

Title: Summer at Forsaken Lake
Author: Michael D. Beil
Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-86742-2

I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about sailing.  In fact I never meant to pick up a book about sailing, it was a complete accident.  I saw that the library had a new book by Michael D. Beil author of "The Red Blazer Girls" and I decided that I had to read it. In reality the only thing that "Summer at Forsaken Lake" has in common with "The Red Blazer Girls" is that the main characters are both originally from New York City. 

When twelve year old Nicholas finds out that instead of spending the summer in New York City  that he is being sent to Ohio to stay with his dad's uncle he is devastated.  An entire summer with no TV, no computer, and no friends what could possibly be worse? 

Little did Nicholas know he would walk into a mystery that is over 30 years old and involves his father, a girl, a sailboat and some other local characters.  Nicholas also learns that there is more to life than the city and that there is a lot to learn about surviving in the country.  The story culminates with the surprise arrival of a very special person. 

The Red Blazer Girls: The Mistaken Masterpiece

Title: The Mistake Masterpiece
Series: The Red Blazer Girls
Author: Michael D. Beil
ISBN: 978-0-375-86740-8

For anyone who hasn't been reading The Red Blazer Girls series, what are you waiting for?  Book one The Ring of Rocamadour, book two The Vanishing Violin and book three The Mistaken Masterpiece are delightful mysteries.  They are written by Michael D. Beil who teaches at a Catholic all girls high school in Manhatten (which explains how he knows so much about the innerworkings of Catholic Schools). 

Like the first two books the main characters Becca, Leigh Ann, Margaret, and Sophie are ready for another case.  Somehow the girls find time to solve local mysteries while balancing school, band practice, swim practice, and rubbing elbows with celebrities (and their dogs).  Book three is a faster paced book, chock full of action in every chapter.  The girls set out to help Father Julian discover when a painting he owns was painted, only to discover that his painting is an expert forgery. 

While searching for clues about who could have taken the missing painting the girls delve into the cut throat world of modern art.  This book is an excellent read if you enjoy Nancy Drew or the Neil Flambe mysteries!