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Four meddling kids and their dog chasing down clues in a mysterious mansion at first might sound like the stuff of Saturday morning cartoons, but in Jennifer Susan-Leone James remarkably sure-footed debut novel, "The Mystery of Ravenswood," the concept is transformed into fresh and exciting storytelling.

Told in the form of a journal written by an intelligent and resourceful twelve-year-old named Jennifer Rand, to her mother (who is mysteriously in absentia and declared dead), "The Mystery of Ravenswood" chronicles the adventures of four young emotional orphans as they set out to exonerate a man unjustly accused of robbing the wealthy mistress of the castle-like Ravenswood estate.  In the process this quartet, aided by Jennifer's loving grandfather and her pet dog, wryly named Nancydrew, get a lot more than they bargained for as they stumble onto a much deadlier game secreted in the shadows of the vast mansion.

James' deft talent for characterization brings each of the four young protagonists to life and renders them with sometimes heart-wrenching human complexity.  Jen and her compatriots Max, Charlie and Frankie don't simply move around, they live and breathe.  At the same time James never lets the pacing lag, adding twist after twist to a plot that always maintains logic and believability as it gallops toward a conclusion that resolves every question and delivers the final surprise in absolutely breathtaking fashion.

The Mystery of Ravenswood is a wonderfully compelling, refreshingly old-fashioned (i.e., literate), well-crafted mystery that successfully combines Bradbury-esque echoes of the wonderment of childhood along with a grittier sense of realism.  The fact that this is Jennifer Susan-Leone James' first novel makes me, for one, quite jealous.  -Michael Mallory, author of Murder in the Bath, an "Amelia Watson" mystery.

Books by Michael Mallory now at bookstores: "X-Men: The Characters and Their Universe" and "Landmarked for Murder." Coming soon: "The Singularity Society of London" at Amazon Shorts on amazon.com. Visit  http://www.michaelmallory.com

In a thrilling homage to the classic adventures of Nancy Drew, Jennifer James brings us a tale of intrigue and mystery that never lets up.  Readers will root for Jennifer Rand and her buddies as they confront seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their struggle to vindicate a wrongfully accused man.  Mystery at Ravenswood is a wild ride devoid of cynicism and irony that is all too common in today's literature for young adults.  Bravo!  -Daniel A. Olivas, author of Devil Talk: Stories and Benjamin and the Word


In her debut novel, The Mystery of Ravenswood, Jennifer James has written a teenage whodunit that is sure to bring joy to a huge readership. The Mystery of Ravenswood is stocked with intrigue, foreboding castles, forests, secret passageways, deception, struggles to the death, and a diabolical nemesis. Woven through the excitement of this superb mystery is the author's talent for giving each of her characters a distinctive voice and unforgettable persona. Jennifer Rand, the book's very willing twelve-year old narrator and champion of justice, is a heroine with charm, moxie and that winning quality called heart. Each of Jen's loyal members of the Orphans of the Storm Society reminds us of a boy or girl we knew from our own childhood. The relationship between Jen and her guardian grandpa is touching while that of Jen and her constant companion, the scrappy dog, Nancydrew, will make you smile in even the most dire of our heroine's dilemmas. The story moves briskly through clever dialogue and suspenseful twists and turns to a very surprising and enchanting conclusion. The Mystery of Ravenswood is a rewarding novel, introducing a sweet, intrepid character, Jennifer Rand, to the canon of teenage sleuths.
                                                            -Ken Luber, author "Match to the Heart"