Dead Letter (Herculeah Jones Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Betsy Byars (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Herculeah Jones Mystery

hen Herculeah discovers a mysterious letter inside the lining of a secondhand coat, she suspects it's a desperate cry for help. If so, what happened to the person who wrote it? Herculeah thinks she knows the answer. What she doesn't know is that someone is watching her--someone who will do anything to keep her quiet. Byars is in top form, providing cliffhanger after cliffhangerin this well-crafted thriller fraught with danger and true villains. --School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7?The mighty Herculeah Jones is back with her able accomplice Meat in their third mystery. This time, Herculeah finds a note in the lining of an electric blue coat that she bought at a second-hand store. The missive is from someone who is being held prisoner and is terrified of being murdered. Through careful detective work and a bit of luck, the girl learns the identity of the woman and that she has indeed died, and is determined to find her killer. In the process, Herculeah very nearly becomes the next victim. Like strong detectives in adult mysteries, Herculeah is feisty and foolhardy. She is also frightened when she is held captive and guarded by a killer Doberman, and humbled by her experiences. Meat, far more timid, struggles to keep up, rarely realizing how helpful he really is. Byars is in top form, providing cliffhanger after cliffhanger, laughter and chills, in this well-crafted thriller fraught with danger and true villains.?Ann Cook, Winter Park Public Library, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. In the latest installment in the series starring Herculeah Jones, the intrepid girl detective buys a coat in a used-clothing store, and because of a message she finds in the lining, she suspects the previous owner has been murdered. With some help from her friend, the timid, overweight Meat, Herculeah is able to crack the case, but not before her life is put in serious danger. Kids who have not read any of the previous books may find it a little hard to get up to speed, at least in background information. The mystery itself zooms along, but everything else is sketchy, especially details of Herculeah's home life. And although "whodunit" is not a big surprise, why the deed was done fits in well with the rest of the plot. The intriguing cover will attract readers. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140381384
• ISBN-13: 978-0140381382
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,736,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Betsy Byars is a Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award winner. Her books have appeared on the best books lists of the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and American Bookseller, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A letter to betsy byars, December 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dead Letter (Herculeah Jones Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

Dear Betsy Byars, I have read your book Dead Letter .It really changed my way of thinking. I used to only watch T.V all day, but your book was one of the books that changed me. Your book has made me want to use my imagination. I really think it was one of my favorite books in the whole world .My favorite character was Meat because If he were a real person I think he would be very funny. I enjoy scary mysteries. I liked the book because it is totally different from my life .My life does not have any mystery .I thought your book was so awesome that my friends and I always pretend we are Herkuleah and Meat in another story that we made up .I would really want to know how you came up with the story and how I could make one myself. My mind is now filled with creativity .I thank you for your wonderful book.

Your Friend, Gabriela

5.0 out of 5 stars Book i read in middle school, February 15, 2011

By 

Z. Hyman "evil ilyria" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dead Letter (Herculeah Jones Mystery) (Paperback)

when i was young i loved this book and used to own this book. Well as i got older i always thought of it but could never find it. Then one day i asked the question a different way and then i found the book again. Well i know the reason i loved it as a child and hopefully when i do have children it will be a book that captures their attention now.

5.0 out of 5 stars freaky, May 23, 2007

By 

C. Kaufman "kid review" (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dead Letter (Herculeah Jones Mystery) (Paperback)

This book was freaky and I was unable to put it down. The rest of my family could barely talk to me, I was so into it. It is very well written and makes you feel like your the one it is happening to.