Francie returns to Enchantment Lake looking for answers, only to get dragged into a murder mystery she might not survive

Francie's brother Theo has secrets-secrets Francie thinks she wants to know. But what if one of those secrets is that Theo is a murderer? To avoid considering that possibility, Francie plunges into her senior year at a small-town high school near Enchantment Lake in northern Minnesota. It's a radical change from her private school in New York, but she hopes to keep an eye on her great aunts and maybe finally learn more about the mother she never knew. A small silver box seems to hold the answers, and she is determined to get her hands on it.

But when her long-lost brother turns up, so does a dead body, and once again Francie is drawn into a mystery. A long list of suspects, with Theo at the top, keeps her head spinning. When Francie herself becomes a suspect she starts to feel like she is walking on thin ice, but it isn't until she is literally walking on thin ice that the pieces start to come together-and by then it may be too late.

In her previous adventure Enchantment Lake, Francie was thrown into northern Minnesota lake living: fishing, berry picking, lost kayaks and scary boat rides, poisoned hotdishes, exploding bulldozers, a forest fire . . . and murder. But if she thinks things have settled down, she's in for a surprise. A new school with new friends (and a few enemies), a lead role in a play, an encounter with a giant muskie, archaeological twists, secret tunnels, thin ice, and a strangely sticky murder are all coming her way in The Clue in the Trees.

About the Author

Margi Preus's books for young readers have been honored with numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor and the Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature. They have been ALA/ALSC Notables, featured on NPR, and translated into several languages. Margi often writes on the screen porch of her cabin overlooking a northern Minnesota lake not unlike Enchantment, and she spent many hours this past summer drifting in her kayak, pretending to look for a silver box on the lake bottom. When not lollygagging, she enjoys traveling, speaking, and visiting schools all over the world.

Reviews

"Margi Preus delightfully captures the latest mystery and mayhem at Enchantment Lake through the eyes of fearless teenage detective Francie Frye. The quirky details of life in the north country add to the sometimes menacingly scary situations set in the remote woods. From the late-night chase scene through a giant muskie-shaped gift shop to the unnerving feeling of being watched by an unknown observer in the forest, the mystery unfolds with both humor and suspense. Francie, with her brains, bravery, and dying flashlight, is a detective for the ages."-Chris Monroe, author of the Monkey with a Tool Belt series

"This quick read is meant for a young bookworm cozying up in their northern Minnesota cabin."-Minnesota Monthly

"A fun, light murder mystery reminding me of a modern Nancy Drew."-Bookality

"This was a fast-paced, cozy mystery book. I enjoyed this book it was fun and quick and with interesting characters and murder! What more could you want?"-Haunted by Book 13

"It's fast moving and a fun read!"-The Critic Uncritical Bookworm

"Preus draws attention to broader issues such as Native rights, global warming, and crude oil pipelines. It is this attention to the political-and the necessity of sensitizing young people to these issues-that sets The Clue in the Trees apart from other young-adult murder mysteries."-The Corresponder

Book Information
ISBN 9781517902209
Author Margi Preus
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint University of Minnesota Press
Publisher University of Minnesota Press
Dimensions(mm) 203mm * 140mm * 25mm