It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves.
Review:
Dear Kate Milford,
I actually bought this book for my niece a few years ago in hardcover and promptly forgot about it. Recently however I heard a review on YouTube from a blogger who recommended this book as part of the comfort books for adults and kids alike and I figured, why not.
Let me be clear, this is a kids book. I believe the reading age is listed as 10-12 years old and while I can easily reread several childhood favorites quite a few times, I very rarely even attempt new books listed for this age group written in English – more often than not it ends up just being too simplistic for me as an adult and I abandon it. I am however very happy that I read this book and going to try the second one in the series. I believe that there are five books, however the story is complete in this book and you don’t need to continue if you don’t want to.
This is a mystery story, but this is also a story of growing up, of trying to figure out where and how you belong in your family and in the world. I really liked Milo and was sympathetic to his doubts and uncertainties where he fits in his family as an adopted child despite knowing very well that his adoptive parents love him deeply and he loved them back.
The blurb gives a great set up for the mystery without giving anything away. The mystery plot was connected in many ways to the House Milo and his parents lived in. The blurb says that it was a smugglers hotel and I guess I can mention that. Milo’s parents are not smugglers but as they say at some point in the story they don’t go to the police to give evidence if some smuggler stays there for some time (paraphrase). Folks of the small town they lived in actually seem quite supportive of smugglers because I guess they bring goods that helps break up the monopoly of the big business or something like that :).
So during a cold winter day some interesting guests arrive to the House and the events begin to unfold. It is not very fast moving story, but I did not find it super slow either and I absolutely thought it very charming and indeed comforting.
I liked the characters very much and certainly look forward to more.
Grade: B+
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Sirius
Sirius started reading books when she was four and reading and discussing books is still her favorite hobby. One of her very favorite gay romances is Tamara Allen’s Whistling in the Dark. In fact, she loves every book written by Tamara Allen. Amongst her other favorite romance writers are Ginn Hale, Nicole Kimberling, Josephine Myles, Taylor V. Donovan and many others. Sirius’ other favorite genres are scifi, mystery and Russian classics. Sirius also loves travelling, watching movies and long slow walks.
