From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Julie Hollister, 16, had better plans for her summer vacation than to spend it on the Rancho del Oro in Texas taking care of her great-aunt and injured great-uncle. However, the experience turns out to be anything but boring. At their first meeting, Uncle Gabe insists that his fall down the stairs was not an accident, and that he was tripped. As Julie begins investigating his theory, there are two deaths and some missing jewelry. Communicating with her mystery-reading friend via e-mail, the teen starts adding up the clues, but the killer is also on her trail in hopes of silencing her before she discovers the truth. With its twists and turns, this page-turner is a must for mystery fans and engaging enough for reluctant readers.Kim Carlson, Monticello High School, IACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
“The novel certainly will be in demand from her regular readers.”—VOYA, Starred

“Suspenseful and well-crafted.”—Booklist

Review
?The novel certainly will be in demand from her regular readers.??VOYA, Starred

?Suspenseful and well-crafted.??Booklist

ANNOTATION

Sixteen-year-old Julie agrees to spend the summer at her great-aunt and uncle's ranch in Texas, but gets more than she bargained for when valuables suddenly start disappearing and it appears that there may be a murderer in their midst.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Julie resents being sent to spend the summer with her great aunt and uncle on their ranch in Texas, Rancho del Oro. Her swim team needs her and she’ll be away for the whole summer season. But her family
is counting on her, too. Uncle Gabe has broken his ankle and Aunt Glenda needs help. Julie is the only one available. Maybe she’ll surprise herself and actually have a good time.

But something strange is going on at Rancho del Oro. Pieces of jewelry and little objects are missing. The older people on the ranch say they may have misplaced the items–but something doesn’t add up. In addition, two ranch residents have recently died. The deaths have been ruled accidents, but were they? When she discovers Uncle Gabe’s fall was not an accident, Julie knows she must discover the killer’s identity. Or else she could be next.

FROM THE CRITICS

VOYA - Gillian Wiseman

Julie was looking forward to spending her summer preparing for next year's swim team, but her family needs her elsewhere. So, armed only with her personal computer, Julie goes to help her great-aunt Glenda care for her great-uncle Gabe, who recently broke his ankle. She hates living in the retirement ranch community until she realizes that Uncle Gabe's fall might not have been accidental. Could it have had something to do with the missing valuables at the ranch? She also wonders about the other two men who have recently suffered fatal accidents. As Julie's summer turns from boring to terrifying, she realizes that unless she can find the killer first, she might be the next victim. Teen readers will enjoy Julie's e-mail communication with her best friend back home and the added element of mysterious e-mail from the killer. The story maintains a fast pace, with likeable, interesting characters and a dash of romance. Unfortunately, the ending feels rushed, with an unrealistically happy ending tacked on to ease the unhappy results for Julie's friend Ashley. Although not the best ever from this favorite author, the novel certainly will be in demand from her regular readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 5P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2002, Delacorte, 192p,

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Julie Hollister, 16, had better plans for her summer vacation than to spend it on the Rancho del Oro in Texas taking care of her great-aunt and injured great-uncle. However, the experience turns out to be anything but boring. At their first meeting, Uncle Gabe insists that his fall down the stairs was not an accident, and that he was tripped. As Julie begins investigating his theory, there are two deaths and some missing jewelry. Communicating with her mystery-reading friend via e-mail, the teen starts adding up the clues, but the killer is also on her trail in hopes of silencing her before she discovers the truth. With its twists and turns, this page-turner is a must for mystery fans and engaging enough for reluctant readers.-Kim Carlson, Monticello High School, IA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews