Ahoy there me mateys! I loved mysteries as a kid like the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown. But of course I loved the girl sleuths so much better. I avidly gobbled up Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy, and Cam Jensen. I convinced the Ma to buy me a fingerprinting set. I tried to take prints off of various things in the house. I wanted to hide in the shadows and yet somehow know everyone's secrets. I wanted to be intelligent and brave and smart and save the day like the awesome girls in these books. I wasn't sure how I would overcome how shy and quiet and timid I was. But someday . . .

Of course I never did become a famous detective (or jockey or marine biologist for that matter) but I still hold fondness for those books where girls could do the things boys could and even better! So when Algonquin Young Readers offered me a copy of a new series featuring a plucky, young heroine solving crimes I got excited. It didn't hurt that I was temporarily but literally staying in "The Secret Room" when the offer came in. I felt so clandestine and excited.

Myrtle is worth being excited about. She is a great addition to the genre and I loved her. That said, this first of the series did have some flaws. The mystery elements were messy and how the case got "solved" wasn't that great. The bad guys were two-dimensional and obvious. Also the pace was off and the book could have used some trimming in the middle. And I didn't like that the governess was always around and helping Myrtle. I want the kids sneaking out on their own and solving crimes without grownup help like Nancy and Cam did. Plus Myrtle made some very silly mistakes.

However, I did enjoy the relationships and characters in this one. I loved Myrtle's dad, the Cook, the law clerk, and various other neighborhood characters. I loved the cat. I loved reading Myrtle's reactions and about all of her interests. I was rooting for Myrtle. I hope that Myrtle's awesomeness would help young readers miss the flaws in the writing and want to read more mysteries about the characters. As for me, I am not sure I would read the next in the series even if I adored Myrtle. Arrrr!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for me honest musings.