In 'Watermelon Mystery at Sugar Creek' by Paul Hutchens, readers are taken on an adventurous journey filled with mystery and excitement. Set in rural America, the book follows a group of young boys as they work together to solve the puzzling disappearance of a valuable watermelon crop. Hutchens' writing style is both engaging and suspenseful, making it a captivating read for both young adults and older audiences alike. The novel is grounded in the literary context of classic American children's literature, reminiscent of works by authors like Mark Twain and Laura Ingalls Wilder. The detailed descriptions of the Sugar Creek community and the boys' camaraderie add depth to the story, making it a rich and immersive reading experience. Paul Hutchens, a prolific American author known for his Sugar Creek Gang series, draws on his own experiences growing up in rural Ohio to bring authenticity to the characters and setting in 'Watermelon Mystery at Sugar Creek.' His understanding of the dynamics of childhood friendships and the curiosity of young minds shines through in the narrative, making it relatable to readers of all ages. Hutchens' passion for storytelling and his knack for creating compelling mysteries are evident throughout the book, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. I highly recommend 'Watermelon Mystery at Sugar Creek' to anyone looking for a nostalgic and wholesome read that combines elements of adventure, friendship, and good old-fashioned sleuthing. Paul Hutchens' masterful storytelling and genuine portrayal of American small-town life make this book a standout in the realm of children's literature, sure to delight readers of all generations.

What do a stolen watermelon and a grocery store robbery have in common? You'll have to read The Watermelon Mystery to find out. First, Bill and Poetry discover somebody's watermelon in their favourite spring. Next, they spot a thief in the Collins' melon patch. And then there's that mysterious rowboat on Sugar Creek in the middle of the night. Tracking down a mystery requires courage and conviction on the part of the Sugar Creek Gang. Before the mystery is solved, the boys learn the importance of forgiving those who have sinned against us. (Goodreads)

February the fifteenth is a very special day for me. It is the day I gave birth to my first child. It is also the day my husband left me...I can only assume the two events weren't entirely unrelated. Claire has everything she ever wanted: a husband she adores, a great apartment, a good job. Then, on the day she gives birth to their first baby, James informs her that he's leaving her. Claire is left with a newborn daughter, a broken heart, and a postpartum body that she can hardly bear to look at. She decides to go home to Dublin. And there, sheltered by the love of a quirky family, she gets better. So much so, in fact, that when James slithers back into her life, he's in for a bit of a surprise.

Wine jelly. Watermelon pickles. And a suicidal stalker? Great. Thirty-something crafter extraordinaire Sophie Mae Reynolds makes preserves by day and answers a crisis center help referral line by night. What better way to help people while still keeping a low profile? But on her very first night, she gets a call from a man who is threatening suicide...and her. Angrily deeming the caller a crank, her boss, Philip Heaven, disconnects the line. Days later, Philip dies from a nasty case of botulism. Now, as a stalker singles out Sophie Mae, Philip's eerie last words keep coming back to haunt her: Threat. Meant it. Stirring up the town with talk of murder by preserves, can Sophie Mae and her handsome boyfriend Detective Barr Ambrose spoil a mad murderer's poisonous plans? This dangerously delicious second book in the Home Crafting Mystery series also includes recipes for preserves and beauty products! Praise: "McRae writes about characters that we really care about, and her plot is thoroughly credible. Sophie Mae and her friends deserve many more adventures."—Booklist "There's something special about Ms. McRae as her strong characters and unique plot are definitely spellbinding."—Sydney Star Observer "Murder by preserves promises your enjoyment of McRae's humor."—The Coloradoan "Sophie Mae is a confident woman with an appetite for mystery and Heaven Preserve Us is a good one. The characters are engaging, the story intriguing, and the book a pleasure to read."—Mysterious Reviews "McRae delivers another satisfying and clever novel with an intriguing plot—murder by botulism."—Fresh Fiction "Nicely paced without any time wasted, Heaven Preserve Us does a fine job of leading the readers through the investigation with no false starts or cheap side trips...solid and entertaining."—Reviewing the Evidence "McRae ably navigates the waters of small-town crime, establishing believable characters and capturing the charm and camaraderie of the denizens of Cadyville. This town might well be worth visiting frequently."—Gumshoe Review "Sophie Mae is a top-notch cozy heroine."—Cozy Library

The theft of Bill's prize watermelon is just the first crime the gang get involved in one hot summer.

When Lady Grizzly’s priceless antiques go missing, the Bear Detectives are on the case! When Papa Bear is invited to Grizzly Mansion to talk business with Squire Grizzly, the richest bear in Bear Country, Brother and Sister Bear beg to come along. The butler answers the door, announcing the arrival of Papa, Brother, Sister, and the cubs’ visiting cousin, Freddy. The disappearance of Lady Grizzly’s priceless antiques soon throws the household into chaos. Papa, who thinks he’s an expert on everything, vows to solve the case with the assistance of Freddy’s sniffer hound, Snuff. But the biggest vanishing act is yet to come. Can the Bear Family solve the case and restore harmony to Grizzly Mansion?

A compelling tale of mystery, romance, and the irrepressible Walsh family from the internationally bestselling author Marian Keyes Helen Walsh doesn’t believe in fear—it’s just something men invented to get all the money—and yet she’s sinking. Her private investigator business has dried up, her flat has been repossessed, and now some old demons are resurfacing. Chief among them is her charming but dodgy ex-boyfriend Jay Parker, who offers Helen a lucrative missing-persons case. Wayne Diffney from boyband Laddz vanished from his house in Mercy Close—and the Laddz have a sellout comeback gig in five days. Helen has a new boyfriend, but Jay’s reappearance proves unsettling. Playing by her own rules, Helen is drawn into a dark and glamorous world, where her own worst enemy is her own head and where increasingly the only person she feels connected to is Wayne, a man she has never even met.

When three generations of a family gather to eat watermelon, the grandparents reminisce about how the sweet fruit brought them together.