The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing

Mo & Dale Mysteries #2

by Sheila Turnage

The eagerly anticipated followup to the Newbery honor winner and New York Times bestseller, Three Times Lucky

Small towns have rules. One is, you got to stay who you are – no matter how many murders you solve.

When Miss Lana makes an Accidental Bid at the Tupelo auction and winds up the mortified owner of an old inn, she doesn't realize there's a ghost in the fine print. Naturally, Desperado Detective Agency (aka Mo and Dale) opens a paranormal division to solve the mystery of the ghost's identity. They've got to figure out who the ghost is so they can interview it for their history assignment (extra credit). But Mo and Dale start to realize that the Inn isn't the only haunted place in Tupelo Landing. People can also be haunted by their own past. As Mo and Dale handily track down the truth about the ghost (with some help from the new kid in town), they discover the truth about a great many other people, too.

A laugh out loud, ghostly, Southern mystery that can be enjoyed by readers visiting Tupelo Landing for the first time, as well as those who are old friends of Mo and Dale.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction, Ghosts, Humor, Childrens, Young Adult

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Francisca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn't been surprised since Three Times Lucky, Turnage previous Middle Grade novel, was about one of the best things I read this year, and yet I was because this book is awesome in a whole new way.

At first, I thought this one would be just another cozy mystery, but this novel is so much more than that. Yes, there's a mystery, but there's also a supernatural aspect to the story, one I didn't anticipate but that I fully loved.

All the characters from Three Times Lucky are back. Mo, Dale the Colonel, Miss Lana, Grandmother Miss Lacy Thornton, Lavander come back for a second adventure but there are new characters, one of which is a ghost. Harm, the sixth-grader in the shiny bike seems determine to hate-love Mo. Red, the old mean guy, wants to destroy it all, or so it seems. And Nelly, Tupelo's local ghost, seems ready to keep everyone away from Tupelo's old Inn, which wouldn't be a problem except that Miss Lana and Grandmother Miss Lacy Thornton just sunk all their saving buying it.

This book is a great one. The language is beautiful. The characters likable and relatable. The story sweat and sour. All in all, well deserved 5 stars.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Times Lucky felt like a complete story. I’m always skeptical of follow-ups to successful books. Are they a story the author had in mind or a way to capitalize on a previous success? More often than not, these companions feel more like the latter.

Not the case with Sheila Turnage’s Ghosts of Tupelo Landing. Mo and Dale pick up right where they left off. Everything we loved about these quirky characters rooted in their remarkably unique setting shines in this second mystery. When the 6th graders are asked to research the history of their town and interview an elderly citizen, Mo drags Dale into investigating the haunting of the ramshackle inn recently purchased by Miss Lana. As they mystery unravels, readers delve into the history of Tupelo’s past with bootlegging, discovering a terrible accident that’s secretly affected many of the town’s oldest members.

Turnage’s latest doesn’t feel at all forced. Containing all of the elements that distinguished Three Times Lucky, readers will be delighted to spend more time with it’s memorable characters within a plot that feel wholly original. The writing doesn’t miss a beat either. Figurative language abounds without ever feeling contrived, Turnage develops every element of the story in lighthearted fashion.

It should also be noted that Ghosts of Tupelo Landing avoids my greatest pet peeve of a companion novel, the author beginning the story by forcing a summary of the previous episode. Sheila peppers the backstory naturally within the story’s context. You hear about the Desperado Detective Agency’s previous case when Mo is proving her success to a new character by showing him a newspaper clipping. Turnage achieves the same ends but does so through a more creative means.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been doing a read-aloud book before school with my grandson for several years. He is in second grade, and enjoys a chapter or two of a book he has picked each weekday morning with his breakfast. This one has given me a chance to use my adopted Tarheel accent (I attended college in North Carolina many years ago), and the opportunity to introduce the lad to some interesting cultural tidbits like "Nabs", and some general knowledge like the concepts of analogy and rhetorical questions. We have had several weeks of fun so far, but this morning was too special to ignore--so I am writing in advance of having finished the book with a precious moment in the life of a read-aloud experience. We got to the chapter titled "Fishbowl Friday" when the 6th grade class is giving their first oral reports on this history projects, putting their names in a fishbowl for the teacher to randomly draw names of students to make their presentations. My daughter, the High School English teacher joined us, and I had more than the usual audience for what turned out to be a most delightful chapter. We were all laughing so hard at the scene that I barely finished the chapter before the school bus arrived.

This book has a wonderful group of characters, both children and adults, and such an interesting story line, and it reads so well out loud that I am inclined to immediately begin reading the first book before I am even finished with this one. I will be very upset if this book doesn't get a nod from one or more of the awards for children's literature.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

if that wasn't the most wholesome ghost mystery I've ever read I don't know what was

mo and dale mean everything to me

re-read 2021:
"Hey, Nellie," I said. "Thanks for dropping by."
The cloud slowed into a vaguely human form, a slender girl in pigtails and an old-fashioned dress. Dale elbowed me. "Grandmother Miss Lacy Thornton says hey," I lied. "She'd probably say more, but she's under the weather."
"Nerves," Dale explained, his voice pale. "We get on them."

the last couple pages of this book made me cry, and I have a feeling they always will.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I adore this series, this one is without a doubt the weakest of the four, which surprises me considering my own personal interest in the paranormal. 3 1/2 stars

I do really applaud Sheila Turnage for being bold enough to explicitly put ghosts in this series without leaving it up for interpretation. Like, there are actual ghosts in this book. It’s pretty awesome.

Other than that, I just think that structurally this one is the weakest. I don’t really like the story being framed around the subplot of a class project in comparison to a literal murderer being on the loose in the first novel.

I also think the ending here is rushed. It seemed to keep tacking things on in the final chapters that should have been more focused on wrapping up.

I’m also somewhat confused on how a town with 150 people has a class divide where there are people deemed unsavory. I’m pretty sure there’s like three families who live on the singular wealthy street, so I don’t understand how the rich families could be that elitist unless they want to reject literally 90% of the town.

Also, how are there 19 kids in Mo’s class if there are only 150 people in the town? That seems a bit disproportionate, right? (Yes, I know I’m overthinking this).

Overall, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing just kind of falls short on everything that makes this series so amazing. It’s not as funny and not as cohesive. I’m not saying it’s boring by any means; it’s perfectly readable, just somewhat disappointing since I know it could have been better. I would highly recommend pushing through this one just to get to the absolutely amazing third and fourth installment.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just really fun. The main character, Mo (full name Moses), is a crime detecting 12 year old with her best friend Dale in tow. They're an odd bunch--Mo has a strong command of vocabulary, and Dale takes things literally so much that Mo must always whisper, "rhetorical," when he starts to answer a rhetorical question.

The ghost plot in itself is just as sweet as the main characters. It isn't particularly creepy: this author is no Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton. There is no one trying to terrify your middle grade kid. But all the same, I enjoyed the story of Nelly (Nellie? I had the audio version so I don't know!) and how she tied in with all the elders in town. Even the big bad secret was pretty sweet.

Our narrator was highly entertaining, by the way. She had a southern accent and was channeling her inner Mo perfectly. It took some getting used to at first, having the whole thing in a southern drawl, but ultimately it made it way better.

[Brandy Painter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.

When I read Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky, I went in expecting not to like it due to my overwhelming dislike for quirky southern books, particularly ones that take place in the state I've lived the most years of my life. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it and it overcame almost all my qualms. It was with no hesitation at all that I picked up a copy of the follow up, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, at ALA Midwinter. It has all the charm of the first book and does it all even better.

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing has so many aspects I look for in a good story: mystery, an old house to explore, old secrets, family history, friendship, and strong characters. Mo's voice, already the greatest strength of Three Times Lucky, is even stronger and more assured in this book, as though Turngage grew completely comfortable with her character and let her take completely over as she was writing. I appreciate how true to their age Mo, Dale, and all their classmates are. I recognize the kids I know in them. I further appreciate the friendship between Mo and Dale and how solid it is. As they are dealing with the fall out of the events in the last book, particularly Dale's father being in jail, this is brought out fully. Mo and her big mouth make all sorts of mistakes, but Dale forgives her (eventually). Mo is learning too, which is always a wonderful aspect of characterization to see. She actually realizes when she has gone too far sometimes, and even manages to hold herself back at points. The kids relationships with the adults in the community are highlighted well too. They are working on a history project where they have to interview an older member of the community and this brings in history, but also demonstrates the importance of these generational relationships and knowing your own story. I like how Mo firmly feels a part of this community and family created around her. She still writes to her upstream mother, and she still has moments she wonders about where she comes from, but mostly she is living where she is. Harm is a new student and character introduced in this book. I throughly enjoyed the addition he made to the Mo/Dale dynamic, how he changed it. It was an interesting look at how jumping to conclusions about a person is an injustice, and how friendships can grow and change to incorporate new people and relationship dynamics.

The mystery aspect of this story fascinated more in than in the last too. As a kid, I loved stories that explored the past of a certain place and how it connected with current characters lives. I still love those stories as an adult, and this one is executed well. It focuses mostly on the kids and their immediate problems, and the mystery itself focuses on children. The ghost is the same age as the characters making it infinitely interesting to readers. As an adult reader, I would not have minded if the ghosts in the title had been completely metaphorical, but I know my students would not agree. If they are promised a ghost, they want a ghost. And Turnage delivers a wonderful ghost, complete with chilling disembodied laughter, freezing spells, flickering lights, slamming doors, and visions of scenes past. Yet the story isn't creepy so even sensitive readers can enjoy it. It is full of humor and the charm that is Mo herself. The imagery is perfect. Descriptions are short and snappy yet full of wonderful similes that readers will understand, be able to picture perfectly, and find amusing. The writing is jus top notch.

I can't wait to book talk it. I have so many pages marked with passages that I love and that will be sure to capture interest.

I read an ARC received from the publisher, Kathy Dawson Books, at ALA Midwinter. The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing will be in stores on February 4th.

[Chelsea]

March 2015 (Outdated Review!)
I am absolutely in love with the first book in this series, Three Times Lucky. It's actually my favorite book so far this year! I definitely had high hopes for The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing. I found this to be a very enjoyable read, although it did have slight second book syndrome.

Mo is a great main character. She's spunky, witty, and just leads the story in a great direction.

I was surprised that this book actually had ghosts in it. I thought the ghostly occurrences would be chalked up to some prank. Usually, with straight up contemporary books, there aren't legit ghosts. I liked that element, it made it unique from other stories I've read.

I love how this series is mostly a light read, a book you can smile at and have run reading, but then, everyone once in a while, you'll see a sprinkle of heavier elements. It makes the story just so much more real and authentic.

I think this book has some of the best side characters. Lavender and Dale are just the sweetest, The Colonel and Miss Lana always make scenes interesting. Even Harm was kind of a cool character! I was a little surprised that Mo and Harm ended up 'together' at the dance, I just assumed that it would be Mo and Dale, but I like Mo and Harm together quite a bit. Who says a girl can't have a guy bestie without it turning into a love plot?

I did feel like this book lacked a lot of the action and mystery that the first book had. This story's plot can really be chalked up to a couple of kids trying to interview a ghost for a school project. The first book had a much darker and, in my opinion, more interesting plot. I was on the edge of my seat with the hurricane and Joe Starr and the murder, and this one just lacked that same suspense. I also wasn't a fan of the fact that Mo constantly repeats herself. I get that they were trying to recap, but it just kind of annoyed me.

Overall, this book is just fun to read. The first book is pretty awesome, and this is a worthy enough sequel. I eagerly await the final(?) book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story dragged a bit and seemed to lack a driving force, and the real-life ghost seemed a little out of place , but Mo's voice, the characters, and the setting more than made up for it. I'd visit Tupelo Landing to hang out with Mo LoBeau any day!

Some thoughts from Mo herself:

"The problem with having a temper is you find out what you're going to say at the exact same minute everybody else does."

"Skeeter's little sister, Gray, a proven biter, slouched in a high chair like a sabertooth troll."

"Nice posture. I'm more of a slumpist myself."

[Monica Edinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too early to review or star (as it isn't out till 2014), but I LOVED it.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to Sheila Turnage's Newbury Honor novel Three Times Lucky, Mo and her best friend Dale find themselves embroiled in another mystery after Miss Lana, one of Mo's guardians, accidentally places a high bid on an old dilapidated inn, complete with a certified ghost.

Another mystery for Mo and Dale of the Desperado Detective Agency to solve? Maybe, after all, they have one successfully solved mystery under their belt. And when Sixth Grade begins the next day, their teacher, Miss Retzyl, hands them the perfect way to solve the mystery of just who the ghost might be: a three page paper based on interviews with Tupelo Landings eldest citizens to mark the town's 250th anniversary. What could be better than interviewing a ghost, after all, "ain't older than dead."

But interviewing the ghost for an A in history isn't Mo's only motivation. If renovating the Inn fails, not only will Miss Lana and her financial partner Grandmother Miss Lacy Thornton face financial ruin, but so will many others in the town, including Dale's mother. To make matters worst, there is something or someone underfoot sabotaging the renovations, and it doesn't appear to be the ghost. And there are any number of possible suspects.

Like Mr. Red Baker, whose grandson Harm Crenshaw, 11, has come to live with him, has his own reasons for not wanting the Inn renovated. Rumor has it that he is still making moonshine in a hidden still that has been in his family since the Inn was first opened so many years ago. How else would he get the money he always has without a job?

Or maybe it's Harm's brother Flick Crenshaw, and his girlfriend, bank employee Miss Filch a/k/a Rat Face who also have an interest in the Inn. But why remains a mystery until the end.

With half their History grade riding on a ghost interview, you have to wonder if the Desperado Detective Agency, Paranormal Division has bitten off more that it can chew as they delve into Tupelo Landing's past history and the people who were part of that history. After all, everyone knows there is no such thing as ghosts. Right...?

The day I picked up The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, I hadn't been able to really get into any of the other books I had piled up and which had to be read, so I didn't hold out much hope for this one, especially since it was a sequel that literally picks up where the first book ends. Well, a few hours later, when I finished it, I had that wonderful feeling of satisfaction that comes after reading a good book.

Turns out that The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing is the kind of sequel that can be read without having to read the proceeding book. There is enough information given about Mo and Dale's background to understand what you need to without retelling the first book. Which is nice, although now I want to read Three Times Lucky anyway.

There are also some very nice elements about acceptance and getting along that really appealed to me. Although Mo and Dale start out not liking Harm very much, which isn't an unusual problem for new kids, little by little they begin to find the kind of common ground that leads to friendship.

And I loved the way the generations interacted and treated each other. There is a mutual respect and acceptance between most of the adults and kids. Adults are not the brunt of snarky remarks by the kids, who think they are smarter that the grown ups around them. Mo is definitely a charismatic character, but not at anyone else's expense.

The characters a well-fleshed out and the mystery is fun, making The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing is a novel with lots of personality. It is the kind of story that makes you hope that you will see Mo and Dale, Harm, Miss Lana, Grandmother Miss Lacy and Mo's other guardian the Colonel again in a third Tupelo Landing story. Fingers crossed!

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was ARC from the publisher

This book was originally posted at Randomly Reading

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale is probably the best human being to ever exist.

Yes, if we're to get technical, I would have rather there had been a natural explanation for everything, since I struggle to take "literal" ghost stories in an otherwise "real-world" setting seriously. BUT YET AND HOWEVER, that is a personal preference. And, more importantly: the book made me laugh out loud during two days of an intense illness flare-up, and I can't ask for more than that.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing is the second of Sheila Turnage’s Newbery-award-winning Mo & Dale mysteries. Even though they are geared toward middle school children, I love them! The books take place in Tupelo Landing, a small town with a population of 148. Mo’s best friend and partner in the Desperado Detective Agency is Dale Earnhardt Johnson, III. Mo lives with Miss Lana and the Colonel and helps them run a café. The book is filled with southern charm and humor. Miss Lana attends an auction and accidentally bids on an old inn, finding herself the owner of a haunted property. Mo sees it as an opportunity for the Desperado Detective Agency to uncover who the ghost is and a possible source of Extra Credit in history for her and Dale.
While I enjoyed the story, the best part of the book is all the eccentric, small town characters. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series and I’m determined to read until Mo finds her Upstream Mother.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to the world of the Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky in this follow-up novel. Mo and Dale continue to run their Desperado Detective Agency but the mysteries have gotten smaller. Then an old inn goes up for sale and Miss Lana, Mo’s guardian, accidentally purchases it. That’s when it is discovered that that inn comes with a resident ghost. Now it is up to Dale and Mo to figure out why the ghost is haunting the inn, something they also manage to make into a homework assignment to do double duty. But the mystery of the ghost is tied up in other secrets in Tupelo Landing, secrets that have been kept for decades but that must be revealed to solve this mystery.

Returning to Tupelo Landing was immediately like being reunited with friends. There was catching up to do, but it was easy and warm right from the beginning. Turnage’s writing is rich and layered. She excels at descriptions, creating analogies that are surprising and constantly original. Here in Mo’s voice is a description of Lavender, the boy she plans to marry eventually:
Lavender has eyes blue as October’s sky and hair like just-mown wheat. He’s wiry and tall, and flows like a lullaby.

All of your favorite characters from the first book are back again. There are the Colonel and Miss Lana, continuing to figure out their relationship while running a restaurants whose theme changes every night. There is Grandmother Miss Lacy whose funding saves Miss Lana and the inn, but who may be dealing with secrets of her own. There is even the scary Red Baker who may be closer to the ghost than anyone else. There is even one complex new character who takes time to learn about because his secrets are held very close. And then of course there are Mo and Dale, the two detectives at the heart of the story and who give the story its heart.

Funny, heartfelt and memorable, this sequel is just as good as the award-winning original. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo Lobo, rising sixth-grader, made her debut in the Newbery Honor winning Three Times Lucky (which also happened to be my favorite book of 2012). In this book, she returns, as feisty and funny as ever, ready to make Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, a better and safer place. This time the Desperado Detectives again attempt to solve a murder--but this murder happened over a hundred years ago, and Mo is pretty sure the victim is trying to tell them something.

That's right, there's a ghost, and it's haunting the old inn that Miss Lana and Grandmother Miss Lacy just purchased. Mo is determined to simultaneously document the ghost's presence (using scientific methods), get a good grade on her history project (requiring an interview with a ghost as well as the grumpiest man in town), figure out who killed the ghost and why, bring the local moonshiner to justice, and keep Miss Lana and Grandmother Miss Lacy from ending in financial ruin. A big job, to be sure, but she is determined!

Highly recommended for readers (especially young teens) who enjoy mysteries and books with quirky, original characters.

(Parents may want to know that alcohol and abuse do play a role in this book, as in the previous one; both themes are dealt with in a matter-of-fact, realistic manner.)

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book straight through, other than time for sleeping. It was delightful, although the start may have had a few too many odd elements, like the Exum brothers, who appear to only be in the story to confuse the main plot threads. I didn't care for them as characters, since they were never really developed, and were just annoying pranksters with cardboard personalities. The rest of the characters were much better, even the ones who started out as un-likeable.
I was surprised to find that there even WAS a sequel to Three Times Lucky, a very satisfying book in its own right, but then I saw this listed. Upon reading it, I realized that it is legitimately both a mystery and a fantasy novel, and the author managed to blend the two genres very well. Since there were no apparent elements of fantasy in the first book, this was a surprise, but it did work.
The resolutions to both the mysteries and the fantasy plot were satisfying and interesting, but there is still at least one major plot thread from the first two books left unresolved, so I guess I will have to find the third volume and see if it's resolved there.

[Joshua Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Rising sixth graders” Mo LoBeau and Dale Earnhardt Johnson, III are back in this follow up to the Newbery Honor-winning Three Times Lucky. When Miss Lana (Mo’s adoptive mom) impulsively buys the decrepit Tupelo Inn at an auction, she doesn’t realize the place is haunted. Mo and Dale, now seasoned detectives since they solved a murder and helped find a couple of pets, of course open an investigation to discover the identity of the ghost and reveal the secrets of the abandoned inn, which turn out to be the secrets of the entire town. Mo is as spitfire as ever and still full of clever one liners, and all the other quirky characters are in fine form. It is great to revisit Tupelo Landing, especially with a genuine ghost story. This book was a pleasant surprise, but it seems clear now that we could be getting more mystery tales from Mo in the future, and they will always be welcome.

(Posted on Granitemedia.org: http://www.granitemedia.org/2014/02/t...)

[Winnie Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Mo, Dale, and their Desperado Detective Agency! Harm is a great addition to their group of quirky friends. I want to live in Tupelo Landing!

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this intriguing blend of murder mystery and paranormal fantasy (written as fact, no less!) featuring Mo, Dale, and new-kid-in-town, Harm.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as both a fine bit of fluff and as an excellent sequel. I was surprised to find that Three Times Lucky had a sequel, to be honest. So there wasn't a lot of anticipation on my part, just a really funny good-time read. These are the sort of books that you have to be in the right mood for: if you are they are excellent and if you aren't, they'll drive you nuts. If you want to enjoy your grumpy day, look elsewhere. I would offer some great quotes, but I forgot to write them down, sorry... As for the new and paranormal angle to the story, while it's different from the first book, Tupelo Landing was always full of people and events just a little too outlandish and relied on a few too many coincidences to be a "real" reality, so the ghost fit in just fine.

My only concern, which wasn't for this book but for those I presume (and hope) will follow, is what I'm going to call the Sunnydale Effect. Sunnydale, as I'm sure you all know is the home of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Hellmouth. When the show begins it's a tiny, middle of nowhere "one Starbucks" town. But by the end (and as more and more monsters and victims were needed) it was bustling place with a University, plenty of shopiing, and an amazing array of subterranean options. Why am I telling you all this? Because Tupelo Landing is supposed to have something like 127 people in it. (My number may be off, I turned the book back in.) It's a small town, where as Mo puts it, everyone is supposed to stay who they are. Turnage does a good job bringing minor characters like Grandmother Miss Lacy to the forefront and introducing new ones like Harm. But she also adds acreage to include our new, ghostly setting. I loved the Inn and am looking forward to more, but I just hope that our fearless author continues with the skill she has shown and I don't have to start looking out for vampires when Mo and Dale get to high school.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Tupelo Landing series by Sheila Turnage. Mo and Dale team up again to solve another mystery (and finish their school project).

I enjoyed listening to Lauren Fortgang narrate the story on audiobook; she really adds character to the story with the southern drawls and the different voices for the myriad characters.

interesting quotes (page numbers from hardcover edition with ISBN13 9780803736719):

"Sal loves Dale like midnight loves stars. So far, he hasn't noticed." (p. 3)

"Few people know it, but waitressing is like deep cover--with tips." (p. 4)

"Miss Lana’s built tall and slender. I’m built more like a roller derby queen, but that could change at any minute.
Puberty happens." (p. 7)

"Dale is Baptist. He doesn't worry about much in life, but he worries about the devil afterwards." (p. 26)

"It's never too late to make a better decision." (p. 60, 343)

"Stress focuses you right up until it sucks your brain dry." (p. 85)

"The truth is like Spandex, sugar. It may not look like a good fit at first, but if you ease into it and wiggle around, it winds up fitting like your skin." (p. 89)

"Anger can corrode most anything if it sits still long enough." (p. 118)

"When you're not used to normal, it pinches like new shoes." (p. 134)

"Everything takes as long as you've got, Lavender." (p. 240)

"'Many things look like life or death at four a.m.,' she said. 'They generally look better in their day clothes.'" (p. 259)

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Turnage's second book starring Mo LoBeau and her best friend Dale is both a fantastic continuation of their story and perfect starting point for readers new to Tupelo Landing. This standalone companion to THREE TIMES LUCKY takes readers back to Tupelo Landing and lands them right in the middle of a new mystery with amateur sleuths Mo and Dale. The Desperado Detective Agency has a new case after Miss Lana accidentally purchases Tupelo's Landing's Inn... with a ghost in the fine print. With the help of the new kid in town, Mo and Dale decide the ghost's identity and figure out why she's sticking around a dusty old inn. Plus, if they interview her for their school project, they'll get extra credit! As the ghost's story is revealed, Mo and Dale learn that people, not just buildings, can be haunted by the past.

Mo LoBeau is one of my favorite MG characters. Smart, hilarious (even when she doesn't mean to be, which is most of the time), and infinitely curious, she's always up for an adventure and never afraid to speak her mind. She sees the magic the world has to offer and never loses her nerve, even in the face of danger. If I find her inspiring as a 20-something year old, I can only imagine how much readers her own age will love her! Who wouldn't love a girl who makes observations like:

“It's hard to know what to say when your best friend serenades an amphibian. On one hand, Miss Lana likes me to be sensitive. On the other hand, the Colonel says most situations don't require my input.”

I highly recommend that you read both THREE TIMES LUCKY and THE GHOSTS OF TUPELO LANDING to get the full Mo and Dale experience, but both novels successfully stand on their own as well!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The very things I loved about "Three Times Lucky" continue to shine brightly in "Ghosts"- The quick witted humor of Sheila Turnage as she pens the culture of Tupelo Landing with each character she creates. I also love the way Dale and Mo continue to rely on each other as they grow up in this eccentric place. At times, because there is no mention of any type of technology, I forget that this book is taking place right now. It seems almost to be of another time period when things seemed so much more simple. I couldn't wait for this book to come out and I look forward to more from Sheila.

However, I found this book difficult to follow sometimes. It could have been my own crazy life and having to pick the book up and put it down so many times. But I think it would be beneficial to have a character guide in the front of the book. There are too many characters to keep track of, and you need a reminder of who they are in this new book. I hope I get to meet Mo again!

[Rillene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes sequels fall flat. Fortunately, that is not the case with Turnage's Ghosts. Boy, can this lady created characters! It's hard for me to tell whether I was transported right into the book or if the characters jumped off the page and sat down next to me.

The text is full of interesting and unique turns of phrase--a boon for a 7th grade English teacher like me who's always on the look out for a great mentor sentence. Simile, metaphors, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia--great examples abound.

Finally, I loved the way Turnage treats the supernatural elements in the story. Don't worry--no spoilers here, but I could believe in this kind of ghost.

This is a 4.5 star book.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made all the difference for me to listen to this book - the narrator added so much personality, spunk and overall wonderfulness to the characters of this commendable read. I realized again how remarkably spirited Mo Lebeau is, Dale's quiet sensitivity, Miss Lana's fun-loving pizzazz, and the Colonel's serious yet at times, tender demeanor; all of which made these beloved characters truly accessible. The introduction of ghosts in a dilapidated historic hotel was a fun little diversion and I loved the continuation of Mo's endless, heartfelt crush on Lavender Johnson. I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mo(ses) LoBeau and her best friend Dale Earnhardt Johnson II, cofounders of the Desperados Dectective Agency, are back with a new case to solve now that Miss Lana,one half of Mo's guardians, has purchased a bonafide haunted house in their small southern town with a ghost included. Can they take a picture of the ghost and include it in their 6th grade history project, along with an interview to satisfy their teacher and earn them extra credit?

The quirky team's adventures and colorful language, which seem to harken to days gone by, beg to be read a-loud.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unusual read because in some ways I liked it even more than "Three Times Lucky". I usually love a first book and then it's downhill from there. I love ghosts and haunted houses and this book scored big time in those areas. My favorite thing about this author's writing is her characterizations. I was going to give some excerpts as examples of this but... ahhh, the book is upstairs and I'm feeling a bit lazy. The plot started to fall a little flat towards the end but nevertheless this was a very enjoyable read.

[Trish Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Turnage you have done it again. You have transported me back in time to my youth, growing up in south eastern North Carolina. This book may lead to a population boom in the state. Who wouldn't want to live in the place where these characters call home?
The dialog between these wonderful characters reminded me so much of home. This book is full of snicker moments and deep belly laugh out loud moments. You know a book has deeply touched you when the characters seem like old childhood friends. Great job Sheila. Thank you for giving me a little bit of home.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this book more if I had read book one in the series because it took me a while to get to know the characters/keep everyone straight in my mind.
But, I liked the characters, especially Mo and Dale. The author did a great job creating that small-town feel with eccentric characters.
The plot was interesting--loved the ghost/school project angle that involved family secrets.
Overall, a great read.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There should be a warning label on books: Could make you cry. The ending of Mo and Dale's second story moved me to tears.
The characters and their poignant stories swept me away to the small town of Tupelo Landing where the ghosts of the past have yet to reach the other side. Mo and Dale's second big case involves interviewing ghosts, finding an old redneck’s moonshine still, and writing a passing history report, all with as much sass as Mo can manage.