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The Hidden Relic, A Lake Alamo Mystery 1973 by Rod Van Wyngarden – Book Review

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

The Van Duren sisters are back with another wonderful Lake Alamo Mystery!

This time the year is 1973. Six years have passed since Rachel, Haylie, and Kayla first started their school yard detective agency. And with each passing year not only have they have grown but so has their ability to find a mystery needing solved. Now everything revolves around The Hidden Relic.

We first met the girls in A Stranger Comes to Town, A Lake Alamo Mystery 1967 written by Rod Van Wyngarden. I loved that story. It was such a delightful tale and I really came to like the girls. This book is no different! The girls are older now and the book is written as such – for an older audience. I would suggest it’s meant for 8th to 11th graders. But as I am 33 years old, I really hate to put a limit on it. It’s enjoyable at any age!

Overview

Kayla opened the drawer and reached in. She felt around for a minute, trying to find the flashlight but it was under something. After a second or two, she finally pulled it out and flipped it on.

‘Got it,’ she said.

Before Haylie and Rachel could thank her for finding it, they heard a loud crash in the kitchen. Someone had broken the window on the backdoor.

Kayla shut off the flashlight immediately. ‘What was that?’ She asked.

‘Shhh.’ Rachel looked around, but couldn’t see in the dark. ‘I think someone is trying to break in.’

They heard the sounds of someone reaching into the crack in the window and punching out the remnants of glass. They heard the unmistakable sound of the deadbolt unlocking. The knob turned and the person pushed open the door, causing it to hit the wall as it opened completely. More glass fell from the window and hit the floor.

Rachel, Haylie, and Kayla Van Duren are sisters, star-basketball players, good students, and employees at an old bed and breakfast owned by their father. When someone starts stealing from the old woman, Mrs. Shipley, who runs the bed and breakfast, the sisters take it upon themselves to find out what’s going on. But as they get deeper and deeper into the mystery, they find out that maybe Mrs. Shipley and her late husband were more than they appeared to be.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781618629883
  • Publisher: Tate Publishing
  • Publication date: 6/19/2012
  • Pages: 116

The Hidden Relic was so easy to read and it had such an interesting plot. Van Wyngarden really makes you want to know what is going to happen next. You also have characters returning from the previous book and it makes you feel as if you really know them. I truly enjoyed this book. My daughter, Gracie, is only 9 years old but still I found her trying to read it alone. For a book lover that made my heart happy. One other thing I am excited about is the fact that with this book you also receive a free audio download. It can be played over the computer or burnt onto a CD. This will be great for Gracie, now she can listen to the story as well.

The Hidden Relic can be purchased on Amazon for only $9.34 and is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping with a qualifying order of $25. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher on their website.

As with his other books when you purchase a copy of The Lake Alamo Mystery series you will also be helping out various charities. A portion of the sales from this book goes towards First Book and World Vision. First Book helps to provide books to children in need and World Vision helps those in poverty conditions. They are both excellent causes!

Reader Interactions


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55 Comments

  7. I think it looks like a good book for young teens. It seems like it isn’t smutty which sometimes is hard to find in YA books. I would love to read it and then pass it on to my 13 year old to read.

    Reply

  9. I like that its a mystery for kids…I love mysteries, I think they encourage you to think differently when you face problems.

    Reply

  12. The story setting in1973 interests me. The 70s were when I was growing up. I wonder what references to the 70s are in the book.

    Reply

  18. That part that sounds like a sequel of sorts & the fact that you’re emotionally invested in the characters sounds like a winner to me.

    Reply

  29. Mrs. Shipley and her late husband were more than they appeared to be-what were they? sounds like a great mystery

    Reply

  34. I love that it is set in 1973…I was a child then and would love to see how the mystery plays out against that background.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  35. Mysteries are my favorite books. I liked that it can be burned to a CD and listen to it. So really any age can enjoy the mystery.

    Reply

  36. i love that it sounds like not only a book my daughter and I could read together but that my oldest would want to read too. We love a great mystery

    Reply

  39. The time period interests me. I grew up in the 70’s. I’d love to read this and I will have to find the first one.

    Reply