Red Rock Mysteries: Haunted Waters and Stolen Secrets

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Chris Fabry. 2005. Haunted Waters. Red Rock Mysteries. Tyndale Publishers: Colorado Springs. ISBN 1414301405

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Chris Fabry. 2005. Stolen Secrets. Red Rock Mysteries. Tyndale Publishers: Colorado Springs. ISBN 1414301405

Thirteen-year-old twins, Ashley and Bryce Timberline live in Colorado with their brother and mother. They also have a new stepfather and stepsister. After their father died in a plane crash, things have not been the same for the twins. Their one solace has been to ride ATV’s to school, but they soon catch the eye of and become the target of a school bully. When their stepfather offers to take them on a weekend getaway to a nearby gold nugget exhibit, they believe they have been granted a reprieve. Unfortunately, the teens seem to find trouble wherever they happen to be. When the gold nugget is stolen, Ashley’s camera seems to hold a key piece of evidence that the thieves want back.

This book was a great surprise to me. I expected a Christian book to be bland and boring, but was surprised to find myself engaged in the mystery and plot. The title of the book did not seem to fit with the storyline as there were not any haunted bodies of water. After finishing book one in the series, the suspenseful cliffhanger had me wanting to read the second book in the series. Book two had more quotes and references to the Bible and Jesus than did book one. Stolen secrets begins where Haunted Waters leaves off. In Stolen Secrets the twins discover how their new stepfather has a secret past and ties to their father's death. The second storyline involves two teen girls and an apparent abduction by a local vagabond, wayward young adult. The premise of the storyline is that people should not be judged harshly, but given a chance to explain themselves and their situations.I would recommend this series for any middle school student who enjoys reading mystery stories.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: May 30, 2005

“Jenkins and Fabry know their way around a suspenseful tale, and readers will enjoy taking the roller-coaster ride with this realistic family. Ashley's occasional discussions of her Christian faith are not center stage, but still an essential, believable part of her character, allowing readers an open door to ponder their own beliefs while enjoying a good yarn.”