Watch out Nancy Drew, here comes spunky and hip Gilda Joyce.

I absolutely adored this mystery novel targeted at older children. It presented a wonderful blend of realistic fiction and mystery. What set it apart was that it wasn't as easily predictable as other mystery books for kids.

Gilda attends the private school Old Lady of Sorrows, where she finds herself in the midst of cliques, secrets, and a supposed school haunting. She becomes intrigued by the clues that gradually unfold the mystery of a girl who died after falling through the ice on a frozen lake. As the story progresses, other aspects of Gilda's life also start to come to light.

She remains true to her character throughout, yet undergoes changes along the way. This book is an absolute must-read for any Nancy Drew fan! I truly relished every moment of reading this engaging and captivating story.

It offers a unique and exciting adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Fun read!

This statement immediately catches our attention and makes us curious about what lies ahead. It implies that the content is not only entertaining but also has the potential to engage and captivate the reader.

The addition of "Genuinely unsettling at times" further piques our interest. It suggests that the story or text contains elements that are capable of creating a sense of unease or discomfort. This could add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation as we wonder what specific moments will have this effect.

Overall, this brief description sets the stage for a reading experience that is likely to be both enjoyable and thought-provoking. It makes us eager to dive in and discover the full range of emotions and ideas that the author has in store for us.

This is an outstanding second book.

Gilda Joyce, on scholarship, enters this wealthy private school. Despite the presence of mystery, a secret society, and an intriguing premise, it doesn't quite fit the mold of dark academia as Gilda is required to don a pink uniform.

Here, Gilda is clearly out of her comfort zone, which actually makes her all the more endearing and likeable. The mystery she becomes embroiled in, concerning a vanished girl, is truly captivating. The resolution is rather harsh and delves into the issue of teen hazing.

The setting of the private school is described with meticulous detail, making it seem incredibly real and lived in. Overall, it is a remarkable gothic mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

It combines elements of mystery, school life, and a touch of the macabre to create a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Whether you're a fan of gothic literature or simply enjoy a good mystery, this book is sure to satisfy.

This is a good book.

It may not be one of my absolute favorites, but I still found it quite enjoyable.

The story it tells is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities and motives.

The writing style is clear and easy to follow, which makes it a pleasure to read.

Although it may not have had the same impact on me as some of my all-time favorite books, it is still a great read and I would recommend it to others.

Overall, I'm glad I picked up this book and gave it a chance.

This is the second book in the Gilda Joyce series, and I found it even more captivating than the first one.

It is a young adult novel that is not particularly suitable for younger children.

You simply have to love Gilda, with her old typewriter that once belonged to her Dad.

In this story, thirteen-year-old Gilda receives a scholarship to attend an exclusive Catholic girls' school.

Initially, she has no aspiration to go, but when she discovers the old drowning incident of one of the students, she becomes intrigued and is drawn into investigating the death while attending the school.

Since it is targeted at young adults, it contains a couple of underlying lessons such as dealing with peer pressure and bullying.

I really appreciate the writing format and the humor that is scattered throughout the book.

It makes the reading experience not only enjoyable but also thought-provoking.

The author has done a great job of creating a relatable character in Gilda and developing an engaging plot that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction with a touch of mystery and humor.

I initially had very low expectations for this book. Just like most sequels and the middle books of trilogies, I thought it was going to be a complete disaster. However, to my surprise, it only had a few flaws. It really could have benefited from a thorough edit. This made me wish that I was five or six years older. If that were the case, I might have been working at Dutton when Jennifer Allison submitted her original draft. Even in my current position as a lowly editorial intern, I feel like I could have done a better job with it than the actual editor.

Wow, that was quite a long and rambling sentence. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself and couldn't have actually done a better job. Anyway, the book takes an incredibly long time to really get started. But once it does, it becomes quite good. The best parts, without a doubt, are when Gilda narrates in the first person through letters to her dad. She is extremely funny, much funnier than the dull limited omniscient narrator that we are stuck with for the rest of the book. Seriously! Why couldn't the entire thing have been written in the first person? Hello! As an example, I provide the following excerpt taken from a letter Gilda wrote to her English teacher:

"I just got a little busy with the demands of my career this fall. (You must know the feeling. I'm sure there are many evenings when you've just gotten an inspiration for a sonnet that will blow old Shakespeare out of the water--but alas! A festering pile of adolescent, plagiarized homework demands your attention. By the end of the night, you find yourself sobbing into your handkerchief, and no poems have been written!)"

I know I can relate to that. I mean, come on, who couldn't?

The book was extremely interesting.

This was because it was centered around a "homicide" as described within its pages.

Gilda Joyce found herself in a situation where she had to investigate a crime.

The reason being that someone had met their demise by falling into a lake which had a thin ice sheet.

Gilda faced a struggle.

As her case was progressing, she still had to pay close attention to her schoolwork.

This schoolwork was of utmost importance as it would decide whether or not she would be awarded a scholarship for college.

All in all, it was a mystery that truly captivated my interest and that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next in Gilda's investigation and how she would manage to balance it with her academic responsibilities.

The story was filled with twists and turns that kept me engaged from start to finish.

It was a great read that I would highly recommend to others who enjoy mystery novels.

3.75 STARS

This rating of 3.75 stars indicates a certain level of satisfaction or quality. It is not a perfect score, but it still shows that the subject being rated has many positive aspects.

Perhaps there are a few areas that could be improved upon to reach a higher rating. However, overall, it is a solid performance.

It could mean that the product or service has met the expectations of the majority of users, but there is still room for growth and refinement.

Whether it's a restaurant, a movie, or a product, a 3.75-star rating is something to be proud of. It shows that the provider has put in the effort to deliver a good experience.

At the same time, it also gives them an opportunity to listen to feedback and make further improvements to enhance the overall quality.

In conclusion, a 3.75-star rating is a sign of a job well done, with the potential for even greater success in the future.

I first read this book in the fourth grade.

I vividly remember being completely enthralled by it, feeling both spooked and filled with anxious anticipation.

It was a truly captivating experience that left a lasting impression on me.

Of course, when I reread it as an adult, it all seemed rather silly in comparison.

However, I still have a deep love for the story.

I think it's incredibly fun that I can revisit a book like this as an adult and create new memories.

I have a particular fondness for Gilda, and perhaps this time around, I'll finally manage to read past the second book.

Hahahah, who knows what new adventures and discoveries await me?

Rereading this book has been a wonderful journey, and I'm excited to see where it takes me next.

Maybe I'm not attuned enough to the reading levels of preteens. However, I discovered that Gilda Joyce and the Ladies of the Lake was rather predictable and not overly scary.

Admittedly, I'm a die-hard horror movie fan (and at least ten years older than the intended audience for this book). But I have a feeling that a twelve-year-old Megan would have easily seen through all the plot manipulations.

Moreover, Jennifer Allison really holds back. She had the opportunity to prolong the suspense in several different sections for a much longer period than she actually did.

Overall, it's an okay read for a Saturday, but I wouldn't bother recommending it.

She's So Me

She is truly remarkable. In so many ways, she's like a mirror image of myself. Her actions, her thoughts, and her expressions often resonate deeply within me. It's as if we share an unspoken connection. We have similar interests and hobbies, which allows us to engage in long and meaningful conversations. Whether it's about our favorite books, movies, or music, we always find common ground.

Moreover, her personality traits bear a striking resemblance to mine. She is kind-hearted, empathetic, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Just like me, she has a strong sense of determination and perseverance, never giving up easily in the face of challenges.

Overall, she's so me that it sometimes feels不可思议. I feel truly fortunate to have such a person in my life, someone who understands me better than anyone else.

The second installment of the three Gilda Joyce novels is, in my opinion, the best. In this book, Gilda, much to her chagrin, is decked out in a school uniform as she delves into the mysterious and ghostly goings-on at Our Lady of Sorrows exclusive girls' school. In certain aspects, this story is the most serious among the three, yet it also undeniably has the most uproariously funny moments. I vividly remember laughing out loud in Starbucks for several minutes straight. What truly impresses me is the remarkable way in which each book in this series stands out as completely unique. The author has managed to create a world that is both engaging and full of surprises. I wholeheartedly hope that there will be more installments in this wonderful series, as I can't wait to see what other adventures Gilda will embark on and what new mysteries she will uncover.