The Tiara on the Terrace by: Kristen Kittscher

This is a book I was waiting and waiting to read.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend a book launch party with the author and a few of my students (see photos below).  It was a great night for author Kristen Kittscher and her newest mystery book The Tiara on the Terrace.

I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy a parade.  I love them and I especially love the New Year's Pasadena Rose Parade which is where Kristen got her inspiration for the Winter Sun Festival held in fictional town of Luna Vista CA.  It is at the 125th annual Winter Sun Festival that we meet friends Sophie Young and Grace Yang.  They, as most of the children at the junior high, are busy working on the parade floats.  Everyone in the float decorating area are shocked when the President of the Winter Sun Festival is found dead on one of the parade floats.   The police think it was an accident but Young and Yang do not agree.   As soon as possible the girls start an investigation into the death of the President.  They need to get as close to those running the Festival as they can so they sign up to be assistants to the princesses and queen of the festival.  When they get to enter the Parade Headquarters they get an up close view of the workings of the festival, even seeing how the pooper scoopers get trained.  As assistants they get to spend a weekend at the Headquarters and Young and Yang figure they must solve the mystery that weekend.  Soon they are being closely watched and told to stop spying on everyone.  At one point they are even trapped in a storage shed.

The girls have to be careful who they trust as they try to solve this case.  They find themselves in danger but also having a good time with the other girls who are assistants and with the princesses and queen.  Their friendship and loyalty to each other is also tested.  Can they solve the crime before others are found injured or worse??

I really just cannot put into words how fun this story is to read.  I am sure that you will love this page turner of a mystery.  I couldn't wait to find out who did it and you won't be able to put this book down until you find out who did it.

After reading this book I suggest reading The Wig in the Window as you will love the first mystery that Young and Yang solve in Luna Vista.  Check out my review of The Wig in the Window by searching my blog.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Me and Kristen Kittscher

Library Helpers and Me