Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, Book 4) (Bk. 4)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Descended from the Brothers Grimm of fairy tale fame, eleven-year-old Sabrina Grimm and Daphne, her seven-year-old sister, have had all kinds of adventures since they went to live with their Granny Relda after their parents disappeared. Although Sabrina loves her grandmother, she's not happy that she lives in a town filled with fairytale characters. While it's a dream come true for Daphne, Sabrina wants out since it seems like her family is constantly in danger. This time is no different - their friend Puck is injured and they go to New York City to find his family. While there his father Oberon is murdered and Sabrina and her family barely escape being charged with the murder. While Granny Relda, her friend Mr. Canis, Daphne, and Moth, Puck's would be girlfriend, try to find the murderer; Sabrina wants no part in the detecting. But Sabrina is learning more about her parents especially her mother, and when Sabrina and Daphne are taken away from their grandmother, Sabrina finds out how important family really is.

"Once Upon a Crime" is the fourth book in Michael Buckley's charming The Sisters Grimm Fairy Tale Detective Series. Buckley fills the books not only with characters from "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but lots of characters from fairytales and literature including the Wizard of Oz, the Big Bad Wolf, one of the three little pigs, the seven dwarfs, Scrooge, and Tiny Tim. Buckley has fun tweaking some of the fairytale elements: Mr. Canis is the Big Bad Wolf; one of the three little pigs is a policeman called Mr. Hamstead; and Scrooge runs a financial and spiritual advice shop that is haunted by the ghosts of Easter, Passover, Thanksgiving, etc. Other fun characters in the book include fairy godfathers and Wall Street Pirates (literally!). There's a wonderful sense of humor and play on words throughout the book like when one characters says of the cantankerous gingerbread man "he looks sweet, but he's really hard to swallow". One funny but creepy scene, which might remind readers of Lemony Snicket, happens when Granny Relda is considered an unfit guardian and Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with a reformed serial killer. Newcomers to the series should start with the first book as this book continues events from the third book. Since this book is part of a series, not everything is resolved by the end, although Sabrina and Daphne do find out who kidnapped their parents.

"Once Upon a Crime" is fun for readers of all ages.

Eleven-year-old Sabrina Grimm and her seven-year-old sister, Daphne, are descendents of the famous Brothers Grimm. The two children have had numerous exciting adventures (that were often dangerous) since coming to live in Ferryport Landing with Granny Relda.

Daphne is thrilled with her status as a fairy-tale detective, but Sabrina just wants to be normal. She finds living in a town with fairy-tale characters filled with danger--and it's just not her `cup of tea.'

But further adventures await Sabrina and Daphne. Puck has been injured and may die if he isn't sent to Faerie to be saved. The two sisters, Granny Relda, her side-kick Canis (the Big Bad Wolf) and Mr. Hamstead travel to Faerie (New York City) to save Puck.

While in New York, Puck's father, Oberon, is murdered and the Grimm sisters must find out who killed him and how much danger Faerie really is in. Along the way they meet Scrooge and Tiny Tim, the seven dwarfs, fairy godfathers, the pirates of Wall Street and of course, the evil Ms. Smirt from child welfare. And the sisters discover a really big secret about their mother, Veronica.

Once Upon a Crime is the fourth book in the Grimm Sisters series by Michael Buckley. It's a delightful story that children, teens and adults will enjoy. I love that Mr. Buckley returned to the sister's home (New York) in this book. It made for an exciting change. But I'm also looking forward to the return to Ferryport Landing. Perhaps in the fifth book?

Armchair Interviews says: The Sister Grimm series is a winner!

This whole series has been wonderful to read. As a grandmother, I have learned to read at least the first book in any "childrens" series to make sure that I will be giving my grandchildren good books to read. This series has me preordering books just to find out what happens next to the delightful sisters and the fairytale beings who inhabit their world - willingly or not! My nieces and granddaughter have enjoyed these books and look forward to receiving the next one, once grandmother is finished!Magic and Other Misdemeanors (The Sisters Grimm, Book 5)

When I found out that The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon A Crime wasn't at my bookstore, I was so MAD! But luckily, my mom ordered it on Amazon for me!!

In this fourth installment of the fanstasy adventure, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm head back to their native New York City. Granny Relda, Mr. Canis, and Hamstead come along for the ride to save a dying Puck. When the gang comes across Puck's hometown of Faerie, they meet Oberon and Titania, Puck's parents. Everything seems to be fine until Oberon is unexpectatly murdered. It's up to the Grimms to find the culprit, and on the way they find out an amazing secret about their mother that may change Sabrina's perspective on whether she wants to retire or not.

I thought this book was really good. I loved the development in the character of Hamstead, because he's a really good character. I also liked how Daphne developed as well. And with all the new Everafters introduced in this book. But some things I didn't like was the fact that Puck was not in a lot of it. He shows up at the end, but that's it. Also, I missed Snow White and Mayor Charming, beause they are cool characters. But, Michael Buckley is definitely one of my favorite authors. He has written such an amazing and creative series that I love. He inspires me to keep going on the book I'm writing. But in conclusion, I can't wait for Book 5: Magic and Other Misdemeanors to come out this December! A great read!

The Grimm sisters, their grandmother Relda, Puck and Mr. Hamstead (one of the Three Little Pigs) are off to New York City! Puck is very sick from his injury at the end of the third book of this series, and the Grimm gang need to find their way into the Faerie kingdom in order to find his fairy family who can help heal Puck. They arrive at their destination, but soon everything is mayhem when a murder occurs, and the Grimm detective sisters Sabrina and Daphne are once more thrown into the search for a criminal. Meanwhile, Sabrina is re-thinking if she even wants to be a fairy-tale detective and live such a wild, dangerous life.

I have only read the third and now fourth of The Sisters Grimm books, but really ought to go back and read the first two. They are such pure, unadulterated fun! Fast-paced, thrilling plots and a unique writing style make them enjoyable for all ages. And since I love anything to do with fairy-tales, reading these books filled with characters and creatures from all sorts of classic tales is nothing short of a blast. If you are a fan of light-hearted mysteries and mixed-up fairy-tales, make sure not to miss this series.

I was not happy when I read that Sabrina was possessed by a ghost and was talking through her.The scene is brief and they try to make it comical but I didn't like it one bit. All the other books are great, it has just enough potty humor for boys to love but nothing overboard. This book in my opinion was too much for me.

Each book in the series makes an excellent bed time story- or daytime too!
Just like the fairy-tales many of the characters are based upon, this book will put children of all ages, ESPECIALLY younger ones in awe!

Im 12, and the series so far has been delightfully satisfying to me.
When ever I need a break form a heavy, and intence (but veryveryvery good) book such as Harry Potter, The Sisters Grimm books are much appreciated!

My point is, The Sisters Grimm books are quick reads, but excellent reads as well.

I brought this book for my granddaughter, but I read it and enjoyed it very much

The Sister's Grimm books are full of adventure and excitement. My 6 year old daughter loves them. They are a bit scary, but not as scary as others we have read, like Fable Haven which we stopped after book 2. I love having female leads for my daughters to read about.

This is a great book for the kids who want something more than a tradtional "fairy-tale" both of my girls love for me to read it to them with 'voices' of course. Will be buying the full series to keep in their 'library'.