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A month or so ago I purchased I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy. Afterwards I wondered if it was the first in the series. I emailed Barrie and asked her, then had the thought of what happens if I don't like it and she asks me what I thought of it. You know, since she knew I had it.Fortunately I didn't have to worry about that because I thoroughly enjoyed the book. While I'm quite sure I'm outside of the targeted age demographic, I kind of classified it like I would movies made in the 50s and before. There were elements of sophistication, innocence and humor that make it suitable for readers of all ages.
There were a couple of passages that I completely got wrapped up in. I don't want to be too specific because they could be considered spoilers. But in one scene Sherry's talking up a storm and I'm kind of thinking it might be a mistake so I might have started yelling at her, you know, so she wouldn't do the wrong thing because yelling at a book in a character can change what they do, right? But seriously I'm saying "Nononononononono! Stop talking. Stop talking. Stop talking. WHY did you say that???"
She didn't listen to me. But I guess that's typical for a kid that age. :)
I also got pretty attached to some of the secondary characters. In particular, the wren. I've heard actors say in interviews that it's a mistake to work with children and animals and Sherry might want to look out because the wren is a definite scene stealer, in my opinion.
Now, without saying the outcome of it (and hoping this isn't too much of a spoiler), the wren gets sick and it's not known if he's going to make it or not. The not knowing was hard for me because, let's face it the next book in the series isn't I So Don't Do Mysteries Either (the adventures of Sherry's friend/family/wren). We know Sherry is coming back, and therefore will find a way out of whatever she gets herself into. But all other characters are expendable and fair game. You never know who's going to be in the next book so you just hope your favorites make it through too.
That said, in the end I needn't have worried about telling Barrie I'd bought this book because I really liked this book. I liked everything about it - the storyline, the characters . . . everything. :)
