American Mystery (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 3)

By Author / Illustrator
Anthony Kessel
Genre
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Age range(s)
11+
Publisher
Crown House Publishing
ISBN
9781785837289
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
31-01-2025
Synopsis
The third book in the Don't Doubt the Rainbow series, American Mystery centres around the mystery first mentioned by Grandpa David at the end of Outside Chance. It is the school summer holiday, three months after Edie Marble faced off with the eco-terrorists. Grandpa David is unwell and has asked his son, Edie's dad, to bring the family to Canada to see him - possibly for the last time - although he doesn't mention that he's already secretly reached out to Edie.
In Toronto, Edie uncovers a dark secret from her family's past that has been buried and seemingly forgotten about, but when Grandpa David starts receiving strange messages from an unknown number, the truth finally comes out…
Yet again, Edie sets off on an exciting adventure, this time to discover who has been contacting her grandpa and why. Along the way, she visits Washington DC and the Outer Banks of North Carolina before a dramatic climax in Dartmoor. Can Edie once again uncover a hidden crime and bring the perpetrators to justice?
Throughout the book and the series, Anthony explores how things are not always what they seem - how our 'thinking' often represents our imagined reality rather than what is necessarily true - and examines the nature of the link between thoughts and feelings. In so doing he gives readers the tools they need to understand their thoughts and emotions better and to connect with their inner wellbeing so that they can live happier, more fulfilled lives. Suitable for ages 11+.
Also in the series: The Five Clues (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 1); Outside Chance (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 2)
Reviews
Ruth
The eagerly awaited third book in Anthony Kessel's Don't Doubt The Rainbow series, American Mystery continues the detective adventures of hero Eddie Marble. This time the mystery stretches across the ocean to Canada and America. Helpful maps can be found inside the front cover.
Picking up the teaser at the end of book two, Eddie becomes involved in uncovering a dark family secret shared with her confidentially by her ailing Grandfather. This in turn leads to a much bigger investigation, which prompts the reader into considering the ethical implications of this, at times, heart-rending story line, alongside enjoying Edie's crime-solving narrative.
American Mystery is both a great read and contains good advice and modelling from the lead character, about ownership of emotions, encouraging the reader to understand the way thoughts and feelings can influence behaviour. It is a fast-paced page turner which once again ends with a teaser, giving the reader a taste of the storyline for book four!
The complementary covers of the three books in the Don’t Doubt the Rainbow series are different from much published middle grade fiction at the moment, making them eye-catching books for dynamic shelving in school and public libraries. Highly recommended for secondary school aged students.
Suggested Reading Age 11+