When Grown-Ups Give Advice, Even When They're Clueless

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently read 'Murders in the Dollhouse' by Betty Ren Wright, and it's a real page-turner. The story takes place in a small town near Chicago, and it's told from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl named Amy. Amy's got a lot on her plate, what with taking care of her younger sister Luann when their parents are away. The book's part of the 'House of Shadows' series, and I'm curious to see where the story goes from here. It's a great choice for kids who love a good mystery, and the writing's clear and concise, making it a quick read.

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Kararİyi

DönemKalitesi9/10

DönemSeslenme7/10

HikayeKalitesi8/10

Hello everyone!

"Murders in the Dollhouse" is part of the "House of Shadows" series by Betty Ren Wright.

Kids, I read this in e-book form.Book blurb

My thoughts

The story takes place in America, in a small town near Chicago. The main character is a 12-year-old girl named Amy.

Amy has a sister named Luann. Luann was a year younger than her sister and she was a special kid.

Amy had to take care of Luann when their parents were away, which wasn\'t easy for her.Because of this, Amy felt trapped; she couldn\'t do her own thing, and the other kids didn\'t really want to hang out with her when Luann was around.

The responsibility of taking care of Luann was a major source of tension between Amy and her mom.

After one of these blowouts, Amy runs away to her aunt Claire\'s place, hoping to escape the drama. Aunt Claire lives in an old family house that\'s been empty for a while. She\'s come to clean it out and sort through the old stuff.

Aunt Claire lets Amy stay with her for a bit, which gives Amy the break she\'s been craving.

Amy loves spending time with Aunt Claire; they talk a lot, and Amy helps out around the house. She\'s got a lot of free time, which is a welcome change for her.While exploring the attic, Amy stumbles upon an amazing dollhouse that\'s a perfect replica of their family home. It\'s got all the details just right.

There are even doll versions of the family members\' faces.Amy is completely smitten with this dollhouse, but Aunt Claire is a bit more skeptical.

I was really curious to figure out the mystery that my aunt was keeping from me, and I wanted to know what was going on with the creepy dollhouse. As I started to notice weird things happening around the dollhouse, I got even more determined to get to the bottom of it.But what had really happened in the past?

I have to admit, the reviews and the blurb really sold me on this book, so I had high expectations.It\'s an okay read, but it didn\'t really keep me on the edge of my seat.

There were a few suspenseful moments with the dollhouse, but overall, it felt like the main plot was taking a backseat to the protagonist\'s teenage problems.

As a horror story, this book falls short, but I think it\'s okay for a young adult audience. I can see why younger readers might enjoy it.

2. The author does a great job of tackling the theme of special kids, and it\'s a big part of the book. She really drives home the point that you shouldn\'t put that kind of burden on other kids in the family.

I have to admit, I wasn\'t always thrilled about taking care of my little sister. It\'s not that I don\'t love her, but she\'s 12-13, and she\'s got her own interests and friends.What really got to me was my mom\'s attitude - she just assumed I\'d take care of my sister without even asking me how I felt about it or giving me any space.

I was really disappointed with the ending of the book. I wanted something more satisfying. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing throughout the book, but the explanation and resolution felt a bit weak.So, what\'s the verdict?

This book is a bit of a mixed bag - it\'s a mystery, a thriller, a horror story, and a family drama all rolled into one. It\'s not particularly strong in any one area, but it\'s an interesting read. I think I was expecting more horror and suspense, but it was nice to see the story from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl.

I might be being too harsh on the plot. The book is a quick and easy read, and I\'m sure younger readers will enjoy it more than I did.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is 'Murders in the Dollhouse' suitable for younger readers?

Yes, the book's written in a clear and concise style that's easy for kids to follow. However, it does deal with some mature themes, so parental discretion is advised.

What's the setting for the story?

The story takes place in a small town near Chicago, which adds to the book's sense of atmosphere and nostalgia.

Who's the main character?

Amy's the protagonist of the story, a 12-year-old girl who's got a lot on her plate.

Is the book part of a series?

Yes, 'Murders in the Dollhouse' is part of the 'House of Shadows' series. I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.

What's the book about?

The story follows Amy as she navigates the challenges of taking care of her younger sister Luann, all while trying to solve a mystery that's unfolding in their small town.

Is the book scary?

Not particularly - the horror and mystery elements are pretty mild, so it's not for fans of the really scary stuff.

What's the resolution like?

The resolution feels a bit rushed, especially compared to the build-up. However, it's still satisfying and ties up the story nicely.

Are the supporting characters well-developed?

Some of the supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional, but Amy's a great protagonist and the story focuses on her perspective pretty well.

check_circlePros

•The story's easy to follow, even for younger readers
•Amy's a relatable protagonist - I loved seeing the world through her eyes
•The book's got a great sense of atmosphere, especially when it comes to the creepy old house
•The mystery's engaging, and I didn't see the twist coming
•The themes of family and responsibility are really well-explored

cancelCons

•The horror and mystery elements are pretty mild, so it's not for fans of the really scary stuff
•The resolution feels a bit rushed, especially compared to the build-up
•Some of the supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional
•The book's not particularly long, so some readers might find it a bit too short
•The themes of family and responsibility are great, but they're not particularly original

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