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Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful read if you like this sort of thing (and I do)
Review: I'm very happy to see this book back in print. If you're a Rice fan as I am, you've probably had to scour used book stores, desperately seeking any weather-beaten old copy of a novel by the once famous, now forgotten, Craig Rice (under one of her many pseudonyms).If you're looking for realism or 40's style noir, look elsewhere. Unlike Rice's other novels this one could be described as a cozy. And though it lacks the semi-hardboiled, alchohol-inspired zaniness of her Malone books, this novel more than makes up for it in charm. To summarize the plot: the three (very independent) children of a mystery writing mother solve a murder and play matchmaker for their mother at the same time. It has a certain period charm to it, with malt shops and secret alphabets (apparently, all the rage among kids back then). This may be Rice's most-loved novel, and no wonder. I didn't want it to end. The children are endearing without overdoing it--it can be difficult to write about children because it's so easy to make them little adults or to go to the opposite extreme and make them overly cute. But here the balance is perfect. These really seem like real kids. It's too bad Rice didn't write about children more often. The mystery itself is rather slight, but you won't mind. Rice tended to make up her plots as she went along, and sometimes you can tell. The lightness and humour of this book were exactly what I needed during a rather difficult time. For that reason I'm breaking my usual rule and giving it five stars.
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Mystery
Review: Three children of a widowed mystery writer strives to solve the murder next door - to get their mother some publicity (and maybe a love interest). This is a great read! Read it years ago and adopted the children's secret language to use with my friends. Am still reading it at least once a year. If ONLY the movie made from this book (starring Dean Stockwell as the son, Lynn Bari as the mother and Peggy Ann Garner as one of the daughters) could be re-released on videotape!! It was a three-star rated movie and beats anything other old movie shown today!
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Mystery
Review: Three children of a widowed mystery writer strives to solve the murder next door - to get their mother some publicity (and maybe a love interest). This is a great read! Read it years ago and adopted the children's secret language to use with my friends. Am still reading it at least once a year. If ONLY the movie made from this book (starring Dean Stockwell as the son, Lynn Bari as the mother and Peggy Ann Garner as one of the daughters) could be re-released on videotape!! It was a three-star rated movie and beats anything other old movie shown today!
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