Author(s): Ben Guterson

Mystery and Detective Stories

When Zack's younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from all the pain. Eleven-year-old Zack blames himself for his sister's death, and he struggles to find any comfort in his new surroundings.

Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks: The great domed Tower casts inscrutable shadows, and what is the cryptic message in its ceiling medallion? There are several hidden watering holes and even a secret cave in the woods with messages written on its walls. Zack, at first, feels lost in Vista Point, until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there's something that seems a bit strange about Ann - - and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him.  

With emotional depth, an unforgettable setting, and a winning cast of characters, this masterful novel thoughtfully explores the grieving process, and how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.

Kathleen's review - This story has lovely family dynamics. We follow the family as they are preparing to open a bed-and-breakfast, and we walk with Zack as he meets Ann and finds more than one mystery that needs solving.

This is a lovely story - a gentle adventure with a heart-warming theme.