Book Review: Julia Nobel – The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane
A middle-grade mystery novel about a young student in a new school with new friends, trying to resolve a mystery of her past while uncovering a secret about her new home and family.
A middle-grade and young reader mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Fun, thrilling, and filled with emotions. The Mystery of Black Hallow Lane is an excellent choice for anyone in the mood of solving a mystery and supporting a middle-grade author.
Plot
The plot of the book was fresh and fun. Filled with multiple mysteries, who can and can’t be trusted, new friendships, and new settings for the main character. The story had just enough realism to pull the reader in and relate to the scenario while also keeping it distant enough to allow the reader to escape in a good read.
Characters
The characters were beautifully written. Each character has their own unique distinct voice and personality. I never once got confused among any of the characters or their names.
- The main character was incredibly likable, smart, and ambitious. However, they also had a side that was shy, insecure, and lonely. This truly resonates as accurate emotions for humans of all ages.
- The secondary characters were also well-written, likable, and different from each other. They gave a wide spectrum of support to the main character and helped the story feel complete.
- The antagonists of the story were all well-placed. When I think back on the antagonists, there were the ones I didn’t like (which is good, because I shouldn’t), but there were also the ones that were misunderstood as characters and I hope to see more development from them later. Not because they were poorly written, but rather the opposite. They were deep characters that have great potential for an interesting character.
World Building
The world-building really came through and pulled together at the end of the book. The majority of the book was a fun setting that helped provide the tension needed for the main character to thrive. There were parts that felt unique, cozy, and welcoming. While there were other parts that helped support the intrigue and mystery.
Prose
The writing in the book was really well done. I never needed to re-read a sentence or figure out a puzzling paragraph. It was to the point with the right amount of character and whimsy to stand out among other middle-grade novels. The prose actually successfully helped me avoid responsibilities, as I waned to know what was going to happen next.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an excellent middle-grade and young reader mystery, Julia Nobel’s debut novel is the way to go. A Fun and exciting mystery, filled with twists and turns to keep you turning the page to help solve the mystery.
***This is not a paid review. This review is my own personal opinion and thoughts. However, please note that links in this site contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
