A study in secrets

Review by Booklist Review

Grief-ridden Meg's new life at Leland Chase Academy (aka "Last Chance Academy") hits an unexpected mole hill when a silver envelope slipped under her door leads her and her fellow seventh-year students on a treasure hunt that promises adventure and a nice prize. Following the death of her mother, Meg has collapsed in on herself while her father has become obsessed with work, so a new boarding school seems like the obvious place for her to go. There, Meg's love for treasure hunts is reignited through puzzles, ciphers, lockpicking, and secret rooms that show her that she does have room in her heart for friendship. While the stakes get drastically lower and lower as the story progresses, the setting and characters drive this place-based mystery that ends on a cliff-hanger for book two. For readers who aren't quite ready for stressful, life-on-the-line mysteries, this quieter puzzlebased story will offer the right mix of school story and coming-of-age. Recommend to fans of Ciera Burch and Chris Grabenstein.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Ever since her mother's death, Japanese American seventh grader Megumi Mizuno has felt like school is a waste of time. Following her latest expulsion, Meg is enrolled at strict, exclusive Leland Chase Academy, also known as Last Chance Academy among its small student body of misfits and troublemakers. Meg quickly befriends her white-cued roommate Tana and vows to keep a low profile until she can go home again--easier said than done in a place where "secrets are key" and the staff is ever watching. When students receive mysterious letters inviting them to participate in an illicit treasure hunt, Meg, who associates treasure hunts with memories of her mom, is wary but interested, especially as the reward is an all-expenses-paid winter break vacation. Despite being unable to fully trust anyone, Meg is forced to work with her classmates. And as the hunt progresses and competitors are eliminated, new friends in pursuit of their own goals are liable to become sworn enemies. In this twisty tale of secrets and riddles, Florence (Jasmine Toguchi, Great Gardener) explores issues of grief, guilt, friendship, and betrayal. Memorably rendered characters and an appropriately mysterious setting boasting hidden passages and lost history make for a brisk, clever series opener. Ages 8--12. Agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary. (Mar.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 4--7--Twelve-year-old Asian American Megumi "Meg" Mizuno hasn't been the same since her mother died and her father started traveling more for work. After getting expelled from school for cutting class and low grades, her dad secures her a spot at a prestigious boarding school: Leland Chase, aka Last Chance Academy. Life at Leland Chase is regimented and pretty dull until one night when mysterious envelopes appear under students' doors, inviting them to participate in a scavenger hunt. Thanks to her mom, Meg is used to scavenger hunts and solving riddles, and she is determined to win this game and claim the grand prize. Meg quickly learns that she'll need to rely on her classmates to help her--but can she trust them? Featuring a diverse cast of characters led by Meg, this book is a must-read for fans of puzzle-solving mysteries. While the scavenger hunt is the main plot point, a story of friendship and trust between Meg and her classmates also takes focus. Florence handles the topic of grief well and in an age-appropriate manner. Realistic and relatable characters bring readers into Meg's story, while an intriguing, fast-paced plot and short chapters make it easy to say, "one more chapter." This series debut ends on a cliffhanger but won't leave readers disappointed as the first part of the mystery is wrapped up. VERDICT A great choice for tweens who already enjoy or are looking to get into mysteries.--Amanda Borgia

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

Twelve-year-old Megumi lands in boarding school after her grades fall following her mother's death. Determined to survive (or be homeschooled by her crotchety aunt), loner Meg surprises herself by making friends while caught up in a mysterious treasure hunt. The author handles the subject of grief well, and the cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for the next series entry. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A grieving girl reluctantly embraces new challenges. Meg isn't happy to enter a tiny boarding school as a new seventh-year student. People jokingly refer to Leland Chase Academy, several hours from her Connecticut home in upstate New York, as "Last Chance Academy," a place for kids with complicated pasts. Ever since her mother's sudden death when she was in fifth grade, Japanese American Meg Mizuno has struggled in school. Her father travels frequently for work, so he gives Meg an ultimatum: Succeed at Leland Chase or she'll be home-schooled by an aunt she can't stand. Meg and her roommate, Tana Rabin, who's Jewish, each receive a mysterious invitation to participate in a secretive treasure hunt; the winner will get to go with a chaperone of their choice on a fancy vacation to Newport Beach, California. Meg sees this prize as a chance to bond with her dad and convince him to bring her back home, a motivation that draws her into the treasure hunt. The puzzle-filled plot never drags, and the ending will surprise readers, although it lacks a satisfying wrap-up--this series opener is clearly setting up for the sequel. Meg struggles with trusting friends and being honest with her dad, two realistic and relatable themes for middle schoolers that Florence weaves believably into the story. Interesting characters explore a compelling mystery.(Mystery. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Chapter 1 IT'S A GRAY SUNDAY as Dad drives along a road shaded by curving leafy branches that form a tunnel. It feels oddly familiar even though I've never been to upstate New York. "It's so pretty," Dad exclaims. "Isn't this nice?" "Hmm." Nice would be not being shipped off to Leland Chase Academy that's over four hours away from our home in Connecticut. The road curves, and still no school comes into view. We've been driving for at least ten minutes past the big iron gates. But okay, yeah, it's pretty. "You know what?" Dad says, his voice a bit too perky. "These woods look like the park by our house where you and Mom used to have treasure hunts. Remember?" I remember. From the time I was five until just two years ago, Mom hid little gifts for me to find on special days: my birthday; Valentine's; New Year's; and our favorite day, the Japanese celebration of Girl's Day. In tree hollows, under bushes, behind rocks--a yellow plastic dinosaur, a small wooden box, an iridescent shell, a ten-sided die. I reach into my pocket and run my finger against the snout of an origami fox. Dad smiles at me, thinking I'm reminiscing happily, but there's one thing I know for sure now. There are no treasures at the end of the rainbow. There's only dirt and disappointment. "This is a really prestigious school. You're lucky they accepted you," Dad says as he pulls into a parking lot shaded by old-growth trees, the leaves just starting to change colors. Right. Dad already told me several times how selective this school is. Special. I turn to Dad and smile for his benefit. His face is lined with the same road map of grief I have etched onto my heart. He's hurting as much as I am, and now probably feeling some guilt, so I give him a break and try to make conversation. "This is where we say goodbye." He turns off the engine. "Wait, what?" I blink and look around. "You're dumping me off in a parking lot? Aren't you meeting the teacher? Or the principal? Or whatever?" "Dr. Ward, the head of school, will meet with you and give you an orientation since you missed the first three weeks of the semester." A sleek black limo with the Leland Chase Academy crest on it pulls into the lot. "Listen carefully, Megumi," Dad says, using that corporate-executive voice that no one ever dares question. "If you can't stay out of trouble, if you can't make this work, you're going back to Aunt Vivian's, and you'll have to be homeschooled." "No!" I shout, making my dad flinch. "She's a monster." "Megumi. She's my sister." That doesn't mean anything. Living with her the past year was the worst. She didn't make a secret of never having liked my mom. In fact, she even had the nerve to say to me that maybe Dad was better off now that Mom was dead. I will never go back there. Ever. The limo pulls up next to us, and the driver's door opens. A white woman with blond hair pulled back into a ponytail steps out of the car. She's wearing a gray wool coat and a blue-and-gray plaid scarf wrapped around her neck. "You need to do everything to make this work," Dad continues as he pushes the button to open the trunk of his Audi. "There are no other options. I know you want to move back home, but I'm traveling too much. It's here or Vivian's. Your choice." It really isn't much of a choice. As the driver transfers my two suitcases and a duffel bag from Dad's trunk to the limo, Dad leans toward me and, in a rare show of emotion, wraps his arms around me, hugging me tight. "I love you," he whispers. I know better than to let anger get the best of me. I know what it feels like not to be able to say a proper goodbye. So even though I'm upset at being sent off to a boarding school, I return his hug and say, "Love you too, Dad." Excerpted from A Study in Secrets by Debbi Michiko Florence All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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