Angie Frazier's The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanna Snow Mystery (Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

Suzanna knows what happened in the midnight tunnel, so why won’t anyone believe her?

Suzanna “Zanna” Snow has sleuthing in her blood.

With the famous Bostonian detective, Bruce Snow, as her uncle, she knows she has more than just a pinch of investigative talent. But nothing out of the ordinary ever happens in the sleepy coastal town of Loch Harbor, New Brunswick. Instead of sharpening her detective skills, she’s stuck serving tea and learning how to be a “proper lady” at the Rosemount, an exclusive summer hotel under her parents’impeccable management.

Everything changes one night during a thunderstorm, when one of the hotel guests, a young girl, goes missing. Zanna is certain she has clues that lead tothe girl, but only her friends, Lucy and Isaac, believe her. When detective Bruce Snow is called in, Zanna sees her chance to help solve the case. But everything is not what it seems, and as the mystery thickens, Zanna begins to suspect another crime is unfolding. And if her instincts prove correct, she’s sleuthed her way into a grave amount of danger.

Review:

Adorable and full of suspense and intrigue, the first addition in the Suzanne Snow series is sure to be a hit among pre-teens as well as teens.

The Midnight Tunnel begins the story of the young Suzanne Snow. If Suzanne were given one wish, she would most definitely wish to be a detective, because not only is her uncle the infamous Bruce Snow, Boston's most prized detective, but she also has an uncanny talent for sleuthing. Unfortunately, given her surroundings and the time, she's unable to gain much experience in her desired field...that is until a girl goes missing from her parent's hotel. Recruiting her two trustworthy friends, Isaac and Lucy, Suzanne's ready to find the missing girl as well as the solution to this mystifying puzzle. However, what happens when her famous uncle makes a grand entrance with a surprising guest? Better yet, when given the biggest clue to her the case, will she be able to solve it finally- even if it means telling on a fellow friend? Only time and more pages will tell in this fast-paced mystery that sure to leave any reader questioning the case right along with Suzanne.

One of my favorite parts of this novel would have to be the characters. For example, Suzanne Snow is very much the next Nancy Drew. Smart and talented, she’s one girl who will go to any length to bring justice to the world, even if it means taking some slippery and dangerous turns along the way. I also adored the addition of Isaac and Lucy, her two friends. Isaac is not only a pre-teen angler but also one to bring some hilarious lines as well as heart into the story, while Lucy is a sweet yet cunning girl full of her own mysterious secrets.

Angie Frazier also did a great job of making this mystery a lot of fun as well as enjoyable for nearly any age group. I loved the way she had the storyline keep me on the tip of my toes and making my own assumptions right along with Suzanne for the majority of the story. More importantly, I enjoyed the way Angie brought the setting of this alive as well. From the hotel guests to detailed setting descriptions, it was easy to imagine everything as it was taking place.

Full of page-flipping fun, Suzanne Snow is on the track to becoming the Nancy Drew of this generation, and I simply cannot wait to see where Angie takes her story next.

Grade: A-

The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanna Snow Mystery is now out!

Source: Teen Book Scene/Publisher- thanks Scholastic!

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Guest Post:

Growing up, I loved the television show Unsolved Mysteries (which has been long since cancelled—and yes, I realize I’m dating myself!). Each show would walk the viewers through reenactments of crimes that had never been solved, with facts and witnesses, suspects and theories. It was fascinating to see a crime pieced together, to listen to the detectives and police officers tell me what they knew. But what was even more interesting was what they didn’t know.

When it comes to history, a lot of people envision dusty bookshelves, endless dates to memorize, and droning professors in tweed suits and magnified eyeglasses. Not me. I see the mystery in history. Like a police investigation, I see a time, place, event, or person I know little to nothing about, and I’m drawn to fill in the blanks. Researching for a book I want to write is half the fun of the project. Take Suzanna Snow’s day and age—New Brunswick, Canada in 1904. I’ve been to New Brunswick, and I stayed a few days and nights in the grand hotel and small coastal village in which I based Loch Harbor and the Rosemount hotel on. But I definitely have never been to 1904. How did people live? What did they wear? What did they eat? How did they entertain themselves? What would have been scandalous to them? Maybe most people wouldn’t care, but the answers to my research questions are little mysteries for me to solve. As the author, it’s my job to get it as close to straight as possible.

And just like what Unsolved Mysteries always tried to do, I need to present the most authentic picture as possible. I gather what I can and then I do my best to give readers a clear, trustworthy look at the world inside my book. I’ve discovered that it’s the smallest details that really add flavor and setting to a story. For example, I wanted to write a scene where Suzanna needed to slip a note to her partner, Will. She happened to be preparing lunch at the Rosemount. My goal wasn’t to stop the story to describe what it was the guests were eating that day for lunch, but to work the details into the flow of the action. So when Suzanna drops a plate and the contents crash to the floor, that was my chance to sprinkle in some detail.

I’ve been told that my historical fiction doesn’t feel like a history lesson, and that is such a great compliment! Hearing that means I’ve maybe—just maybe—changed someone’s mind about history being boring.

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Thanks so much, Angie! Loved the gust post, and I have to to agree- your historical fiction dosen't seem like a history lesson one bit.

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Giveaway:

I also have on ARC of The Midnight Tunnel up for grabs. If you would like to enter, please fill out the following form.

Here are the official rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ Must have a US mailing address you can use.
~ This giveaway will close on March 11, 2011!

To find out more about Angie and her books, be sure to visit her website here.

*This tour was brought to you by The Teen {Book} Scene.*