The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - 384 pages

"Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive." -- Amazon blurb

This was a fun whodunit and puzzle mystery. Characters you really like and some that you really hate. This will be a series and I'm looking forward to the next. 

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki
v. 4 - 192 pages
v. 5 - 192 pages

Oz is still trying to trace Alice's memories and help her discover what she lost. The Cheshire Cat comes onto the scene, but his purpose is mixed. We also meet the Mad Hatter. I still don't quite know what exactly is going on, but little by little it's making sense. Hoping the next volumes will shed some light on a few questions I have about Oz, Alice, Break, Gil and others.

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, 291 pages

Kyle Keeley loves games. Especially Mr. Lemoncello's games that are fun and creative to play. He enters an essay writing contest to win an opportunity to stay the night in a new library built by Mr. Lemoncello. Twelve 12 year olds are selected to participate in lock-in at the library (after winning the essay contest) and Kyle is one of the 12. Once there, it is revealed to the winners that they are actually part of game to see who can get out of the library first without using the emergency exits or exiting the way they entered. Filled with clues, puzzles and riddles, the book allows the reader to participate in the fun. Good lessons like learning to work as a team, playing fair and using good manners are taught as well.  The story is very reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory except the setting is an old bank converted into the town's new library. I liked how many book titles were mentioned in ways to peak the reader's curiosity and hopefully cause them to want to read the books.