THE MYSTERY OF THE RADCLIFFE RIDDLE

A boy inherits a needlework sampler that is also a treasure map, leading to opportunity—and danger.

Grady, a White middle schooler, is grieving the tragic loss of his mother and struggling to connect with his father. To make matters worse, his family’s trailer in fictional Gifton, Georgia, is facing foreclosure. When eccentric local Eudora “Kooky” Klinch passes away, it is revealed that Grady is her next of kin. He inherits from her a cross-stitch sampler and a note suggesting that it leads to fortune (her house and the rest of her possessions are, frustratingly for Grady, left to a cat rescue organization). Motivated by his stressful financial situation, Grady works with best friends Thad (a White redhead who uses the names of architects as swear words) and Clemmie (a confident Black girl who is an emotionally intelligent leader) to solve the puzzle. The subsequent events are well paced and cleverly delineated—especially when it comes to exploring multilayered linguistic clues. The characterization and setting, however, are less successful. The small-town drama and antics of the large cast are humorous but verge on caricature, and the fictionalized setting muddies attempted investigation into Georgia’s complex history. The dialogue—especially between the kids—is lighthearted and feels genuine but unfortunately includes frequent usage of terms like dumb and stupid. Themes of family and hope are directly and carefully addressed in this gripping narrative.

An entertaining, riddle-focused mystery.