Mo & Dale Mysteries #1: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

My name is Mo, and I knew the town was in for trouble when the detective came to town. He said he was investigating a murder that happened in another town, but I didn't know why he came to Tupelo Landing. The Colonel lied to the detective about his new car, but I suppose it has something to do with not trusting the police or lawyers. However, the whole town was surprised when Jesse turned up dead, and I'm afraid the detective thinks my friend Dale did it. The Colonel always says the best defense is a good offense, so I figure Dale and I will need find the murderer ourselves.

The charm of this Newbery Honor Book comes from the down-home, rural setting where all of the citizens know each other's business. They distrust outsiders and bond together in times of need. A bank robbery from a decade earlier becomes the main focus of the story, and it has connections to the recent murder of Jesse. The author does a great job of presenting ambiguous clues to present a myriad of suspects. Who's the murderer? Who robbed the bank? Why is the Colonel acting weird and what is the truth about his past? Can the cops be trusted? Mo and Dale make a delightful pair of "detectives". Dale is timider, probably thanks to his abusive father, but he has moments where he speaks his mind. Mo is more assertive, probably due to the influence of living with the Colonel, and isn't afraid to get herself into sticky situations. She also dreams of finding her "upstream mother" after having floated into town as a baby. The author includes many subplots and manages to infuse subtle humor throughout the book. This includes Miss Lana, as she changes the theme of her restaurant every day and enjoys dressing in costume. Overall, this book begins a series set in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, and I recommend you give it a shot.