05/08/2023

Elderly Eudora Klinch is known as “Kooky Klinch” by everyone in Gifton, Ga., for the way she “dug more holes around town than a gopher on caffeine.” But when she dies after decades of fruitlessly seeking her family’s long-lost treasure, 13-year-old Grady Judd is inexplicably bequeathed her antique embroidered sampler, which contains clues to the fabled fortune. Ever since Mama’s death, Grady and his dad haven’t gotten along, and the local bank has been threatening foreclosure on their home; Grady hopes finding the treasure will help mend his relationship with his father and smooth things over financially. With the help of the town’s librarian and his two best friends—whip-smart Clemmie Powell and kindhearted Thad Carlton, who uses renowned architects’ names as exclamations (“Frank Lloyd Wright! Why are you scaring me like that?”)—Grady endeavors to puzzle out the clues before he and his father are forced to leave town. But his desperate search turns out to be more dangerous than he bargained for. Throughout their adventure, the tweens learn fascinating factoids about U.S. history, but the effect is dampened by the fictional, standard-feeling setting. Still, Souders (Coop Knows the Scoop) appealingly intertwines a compassionate community and a grieving boy’s struggle to connect with his father to deliver a rewarding mystery. Grady and Thad are white; Clemmie is Black. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sally Apokedak, Apokedak Literary. (July)

"[W]ell paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues […] An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery." — Kirkus Reviews

"Like a sumptuous Sunday supper, Taryn Souders has served up a feast with decidedly Southern flavors. It’s a twisty mystery that reminds us that small towns are built on secrets and adventure lies just outside your window." — James Ponti, Edgar Award winner, author of Framed series, City Spies series, and Dead City series

"The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is an entertaining story with many threads that are stitched together neatly... Taryn Souders has created a memorable and diverse cast." — Youth Services Book Review

"Readers will be drawn in by watching the three sleuths [and] an awesome, bona fide treasure. " — Booklist

"Souders (Coop Knows the Scoop) appealingly intertwines a compassionate community and a grieving boy’s struggle to connect with his father to deliver a rewarding mystery." — Publisher's Weekly

2023-04-12
A boy inherits a needlework sampler that is also a treasure map, leading to opportunity—and danger.

Grady, a White middle schooler, is grieving the tragic loss of his mother and struggling to connect with his father. To make matters worse, his family’s trailer in fictional Gifton, Georgia, is facing foreclosure. When eccentric local Eudora “Kooky” Klinch passes away, it is revealed that Grady is her next of kin. He inherits from her a cross-stitch sampler and a note suggesting that it leads to fortune (her house and the rest of her possessions are, frustratingly for Grady, left to a cat rescue organization). Motivated by his stressful financial situation, Grady works with best friends Thad (a White redhead who uses the names of architects as swear words) and Clemmie (a confident Black girl who is an emotionally intelligent leader) to solve the puzzle. The subsequent events are well paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues. The characterization and setting, however, are less successful. The small-town drama and antics of the large cast are humorous but verge on caricature, and the fictionalized setting muddies attempted investigation into Georgia’s complex history. The dialogue—especially between the kids—is lighthearted and feels genuine but unfortunately includes frequent usage of terms like dumb and stupid. Themes of family and hope are directly and carefully addressed in this gripping narrative.

An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery. (historical note, further reading) (Mystery. 8-12)