Customer Reviews

The Legend of Burial Island: A Bean and Ab Mystery (Bean and Ab Mysteries)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished David Crossman's new book, The Legend of Burial Island, and enjoyed it so much that I hope to visit the islands in Penobscot Bay which are the inspiration for Burial Island and the other islands in the story. The author does a wonderful job of keeping the reader engrossed in his characters and the events that cascade into their lives. It may be written for a young teenage audience, but it captured this adult as well.

David Crossman doesn't disappoint. The Legend of Burial Island is every bit as good as his previous young adult mysteries, Secret of the Missing Grave and The Mystery of the Black Moriah. There is tension without terror and adventures galore as Ab (Abigail) and Bean (Arthur) get caught up in another mystery waiting to be solved on their small Maine island. It's guaranteed to please the eight to fourteen year old reader.

Abandoned islands are usually abandoned for a reason. "The Legend of Burial Island: A Bean and Ab Mystery" follows Crossman's mystery series of teens Bean and Abigail as they try to understand Burial Island - which has a sinister secret behind its name. As they search for a lost friend, they find more adventure than they bargained for. "The Legend of Burial Island" is a solid and recommended read for any who want a fun mystery.

This is a wonderful book in a number of ways. It is a continuation of the adventures of Bean and Ab and it leaves you eagerly awaiting the next installment. Once you start it is difficult to put down as these two wonderful characters have their share of sometimes whimsical and sometimes harrowing experiences. More importantly it describes the camaraderie and sense of community that a small town has where everybody grieves over a youngster lost at sea (temporarily)and pulls together in times of stress. No cell phones or DVDs here to keep the teen agers occupied. Mr. Crossman, hurry up with the next one!

If you have never read books by David Crossman, I recommend you give it a try. Mr. Crossman's mystery stories have you intrigued from the very first page until you complete the the entire book. I am a fan of Mystery stories, and I find Mr. Crossman to be one of the best writers of the century. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started it.
I have also read A Show of Hands and The Dead of Winter.
Check out all his books (I can't remember all the titles because I have passed the books on to friends who enjoy mysteries)
Try them, you won't be sorry.

From the first pages, I was unable to stop reading this wonderful addition to the Bean and Ab series. I highly recommend NOT reading it at night however, as you won't be able to get to sleep, and if you do sleep, your dreams will be colorful to say the least. Suffice it to say that I'm NOT a young adult, but enjoyed this book thoroughly. It contains strong family values, deep frienships, the awakening of teen love and affection, and lots of action and adventure. Bring on the film rights!!

My family eagerly awaited the next Bean and Ab mystery, and The Legend of Burial Island did not disappoint. It is fast-paced, well written, and full of excitement. But even better, it embodies the characteristics I want my children and grandchildren to learn: friendship, honesty, integrity, and courage. Spread the word about these books - they are worthy of attention.

As a school librarian living on an island in Penobscot Bay, I have to say I was very excited to read this 3rd installment of the 'Bean & Ab Mysteries'. Burial Island is full of adventure, intrigue & excitement-I couldn't put it down! Having read the first 2 Bean & Ab books, I was familiar with the characters and the setting so I felt as if I was catching up with old friends-who get into trouble all the time! I loved the development of the relationship between Bean & Ab-the description of the agony of that first crush was right on target. The pre-teen angst, posturing, the gossip & the subterfuge all were so familiar to me, a middle & high school librarian! It was all so much fun. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, exciting read-pre-teens through adults.
A few years ago a middle school boys book club that I ran read the first Bean & Ab mystery--The Secret of the Missing Grave--and loved it, especially being able to pick out the landmarks and local characters (names changed to protect the innocent-or guilty!). It also helped that one of the boys in our club actually lived in the inn that Ab and her family stay in every summer.