Heather’s Bookshelf: Mystery on Campus
Author: Paul D. McDonald
Released: 05/08/23
Genre: YA Mystery
“Heart racing, he crept over to the doorway then peered into the darkness of the room, trying to make out some movement in the blackness.
Suddenly, the beam of a flashlight shot out from the direction of the stairs, swinging back and forth in the gloom.”
“Mystery on Campus” is the second “Flaugherty Twins Mystery” following Pat and Patty, teenage fraternal twins drawn to mysteries. Though this is book 2, this review was done as a standalone. If you want to read the review of book 1, “Mystery at the Haunted Castle”, check it out here.
Pat and Patty Flaugherty are enjoying their summer break from high school when they receive an unexpected visitor. Ted, Patty’s ex and previous classmate, seems distracted and distraught. Unwilling to disclose what’s bothering him, the twins worry, but are unsure what else they can do for their friend. An invite from a local college to participate in an on-campus preview event turns their attention to more positive things.
Excited about their pending college adventure, the twins pack and prepare but a threatening phone call and an intruder threaten their trip. Forced to hitch a ride with Ted, the twins make it to their assigned dorm with more questions than answers.
Counterfeit money, stolen supplies, a strangely built library and an old murder intertwine in a mystery fit for the Flaugherty twins. Will they be able to figure out the truth before it’s too late?
Trigger Warning: violence, death, kidnapping
Overall, I enjoyed this story. Like the original in the series, it reminded me of some classic Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy stories. Focused on the POVs and experiences of Pat and Patty, the book further develops each of the main characters including ties to their history, previous relationships, and future goals. Ted is a well developed and intriguing new ancillary character. He brings a lot to the book including tension and controversy. I loved the idea of the library and how mysterious and odd it was in the setting of a mystery- both young and old. I really enjoy the ease of how these books read and the pacing. However, many of the other ancillary characters are not as well developed and were either a bit forgettable or not involved in the story for near as long as what would be necessary to form a true connection. I also found the ending to be quite muddled. I had to go back and re-read the last 20 pages to see what I had missed regarding the old murder. There was much less intrigue in this one when compared to the original and it also had a much more straight forward setting. I hope the books and the mysteries keep coming!
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A YA mystery series sequel reminiscent of classics with twin protagonists. A bit of a convoluted ending and a lack of connection to ancillary characters drag down an otherwise enjoyable tale.
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