REVIEWS FOR ANNIE TILLERY MYSTERIES BY LINDA MARIA FRANK

You never know, when you write a book, what the reviews will be. I’d like to share these reviews with you. First, because I am grateful that my work is appreciated, and second because the reviewers got what I hoped that you, the reader, would also get. Thanks for reading Annie Tillery Mysteries, great teen mystery books.

Raymond Klesc at New Book Journal has included “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys” in the collection. See it at:

http://newbookjournal.com/2014/06/secrets-in-the-fair-chimneys-by-linda-frank/
at Pinterest at…

Simon Barrett at bloggernews.net gives all three books a lovely review.

For “The Madonna Ghost”

http://www.bloggernews.net/134804

I first encountered author Linda Frank when I read her third book in the Annie Tillery series The Secrets In The Fairy Chimneys. Linda Frank assured me in an interview that while the books were indeed a series, each one was a stand alone work with Annie and her boyfriend Ty as the central characters.
I rather like the book, so I am not prepared to take the plot discussion any further. I will leave that for readers to discover by themselves. But I will make some observations, Linda Frank knows her stuff. She is a retired science teacher at both High School and College level. One popular class was ‘forensics’.

The Madonna Ghost is a great way to introduce Young Adult readers to the often convoluted world of science. It is easy to confuse a fictional TV show such as CSI with reality. Linda Frank does use an element of science to tell the story, but much prefers good old common sense.

For “Girl with Pencil Drawing”

http://www.bloggernews.net/134885

Girl With Pencil, Drawing was the second in the series. In some ways it is also my favorite. Possibly it is because of the subject matter, stolen and forged art work. This is an area that I have spent countless hours researching. The book is fiction, but in true Linda Frank fashion, there is a huge amount of factual content. This is learning without realizing you are learning!
What jumped out at me while reading Girl With Pencil, Drawing was the close attention paid to detail. No art forger with his or her salt forges a well known work, Trying to sell a copy of the Mona Lisa, would likely not get very far in the art world. Forgers tend to go for lesser known artists. A good forger does not copy, he creates a new as yet undiscovered work by an artist. The master forger will even go so far as to weave a fictitious provenance for the work.

Linda Frank touches on all of these subjects and much more. Although billed as a YA (Young Adult) book I think it has much broader appeal.

For “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys”

http://www.bloggernews.net/134466

This is third book that Linda Maria Frank has published in her Annie Tillery series. People love to put books in genres and the publisher has deemed that Secrets In The Fairy Chimneys is Juvenile Fiction. I personally would have labeled it YA (Young Adult), but that is of no matter. It is the story that matters, not the filing cabinet it is put in.

I rather like the style that the author uses, she does not talk down to her young readers, rather she treats them as peers on a quest.
I had the opportunity to talk to Linda before reading her latest book. It is amazing how much you can learn about a book before you read it. “CSI meets Nancy Drew” was a comment that I rather liked. Indeed Annie Tillery is much more modern than Nancy Drew. The writing style is also much more modern.

Growing up I was a fan of Enid Blyton and the Famous Five, even the Secret Seven. Those books are now dated. The youth of today are looking for stories that they can relate to. iPhones and computers are the key.

Secrets In The Fairy Chimneys is a great read, what I particularly like is that Linda Maria Frank manages to weave a good deal of factual material into the action and adventure. One could call it ‘sneaky learning’ 🙂 This actually should come as no surprise as the author was a school and college teacher before turning her attention to writing.

There is also a very interesting twist in the end of the book. It is one that I had not foreseen, yet makes perfect sense.

And from My Blog Tour, Enchanted Blog Tours

After all the hard work of writing publishing and promoting the Annie Tillery Mystery series, it is pure joy to get a review that gets what I have been trying so hard for. Thanks Mindy.

http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.be/

Review:
I have fallen in love with spunky Annie and her mysteries. This is going to become part of the books I pass down to the children in my life.
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 clouds.

And lastly from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Madonna-Ghost-Linda-Maria-Frank/dp/1491710624/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Linda Frank might as well be the next Carolyn Keene with her new age mystery luring readers from every angle–suspense, romance, and modern forensics. This is a perfect book for all ages, particularly young readers who might find Nancy Drew a bit old-fashioned. Written in a way where every chapter leaves you with a crisp, familiar image of each character and location. A great book to encourage summer reading, or satisfy the urge for a rainy day thriller.

Bravo to Linda Maria Frank! This third book in her Annie Tillery Mystery series is a stunner! Although written for a YA audience, even I as a senior citizen was captured by the mystery and intrigue interwoven throughout this story. And who could resist the element of romance embedded in the two oh-so-appealing main characters, Annie and Ty? But most compelling to me was an introduction to the history and topography of this country with its ancient Fairy Chimneys. Half way through this book, I began researching trips to this wonderland and have placed Turkey at the top of my bucket list for future travels. A beautifully crafted, impeccably edited work. Linda Maria Frank deserves many kudos and an equal number of followers. I know I will be looking out for more of her books to recommend to the young adults in my life, but not before I sneak a peak at them myself.
Lois W. Stern
Creator of the Tales2Inspire book series

With strong characters, flowing dialog and layers of mystery, soon everyone is caught up in a real who-dun-it that involves a long lists of suspects and hidden clues. Twists and turns with all the dangers that come into play when an International Art Fraud has been perpetrated.
Learn the ins and out of the art world that include how scientists tests for authenticity in original paintings by world renown artist like Renoir and the lucrative forgeries that make this underworld as treacherous as any international mob association.

Follow the clues, wait for the DNA evidence and sift through the ashes left by an arsonist. Inspire a young reader to discover the innate detective skills of Annie Tillery who is fast becoming the next Nancy Drew. This series should be placed on our schools’ summer reading list.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Girl with Pencil, Drawing’ and the Annie Tillery Mysteries by Linda Maria Frank. We received a PDF version of this book for review. Review completion date March 24, 2015. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press.

 

See an AUTHORS SHOW interview with Linda Maria Frank

https://youtu.be/DOHR6JZuEts

 

 

 

 

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READERS SPEAK UP FOR THE MADONNA GHOST

Here are some comments we’d like to share.

Aline (Teen Counsellor) in Plainview, N.Y., writes: “I just completed your book and I loved it. I am truly so impressed. It was excellent. It worked on so many different levels Congratulations. What an amazing accomplishment.”

Monica Arlene Gold, Author of Looking for Shelter, writes: “I loved the book! Brava! I loved Annie as a smart teenaged girl, the great local color and sailing, the romance, action adventure, danger, mystery. All that, plus it’s a ghost story with dysfunctional families-yet there are strong parental figures. There’s the battle against global foes, patriotism, and Long Island history.”

Frank Joslyn from W. Simsbury, Ct., says: “Just finished your novel and it gave me a really good ride. I especially enjoyed the well-rounded characters…Alice, with her “new-agey” vibe added a special flavor to the story line. Ty’s father had a small role but I saw it as especially poignant , as was the son’s stoicism and maturity in caring for him. Having visited Fire Island a few years ago, I could ‘see’ a lot of the setting. Congratulations on your ‘first in a series’. Among other unresolved conflicts like a problematic mother, selfish father, career choices, etc., I’m dying to find out what happens to Ty and Annie in their next adventure.”

Dolores Mele from Massapequa shares: “What a delightful book you have written! From the very beginning I felt I was part of the trip to Fire Island. As loyal Nancy Drew fan (having read every one of her adventures)I enjoyed Annie’s escapades in one of my favorite places. I hope you will continue to use your gift to further entertain teen and not-so-teen agers.”

Gerry Moore from Amityville, N.Y. expresses: “I really enjoyed THE MADONNA GHOST! Your description of the ferry ride and the scenes of Fire Island brought back so many fond memories. You appealed to all of my senses, the smell of the sea, the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach as well as the feel of the hot sand and the rocks at my feet. I loved all the characters, especially Annie and can see her as a wonderful role model for today’s teenaged girls. You were able to weave a wonderful tapestry of teenage love, a good mystery as well as the unfortunately current theme of political violence into a wonderful story. I sincerely hope you do a sequel as I can’t wait to revisit all the characters.

And from Irma Klein in New York City: “Annie is a delightful teenager; bright, exuberant, imaginative, adventuresome, and just a little rebellious. She is on vacation with her Aunt Jill, a New York City detective, Annie lived in Manhattan and is looking forward to a few weeks on Fire Island with a very different life style than she is used to. From the moment she steps on shipboard she sees things she feels are amiss but never gets around to talking to Aunt Jill about them. From the deck of the ship she spies a very handsome young man on the dock amid the waiting crowd and is hopeful of meeting him. She gets her wish. Ty Egan is the nephew of Aunt Jill’s friend, Doc, and they are off together on an adventure involving a ghost, a geopolitical plot, and a daring rescue attempt. Annie and Ty, along with another friend from the island, long-time resident and island historian, Alice, bite off more than they can chew in this saga. I know I was never this adventuresome as a teenager, but what fun thinking that I might have been.”

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

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