Blog Tour: The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow by Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson, illustrated by Roman Muradov

When I first started blogging, I came across a website called The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow.  Yes, it is a book review blog, but, at that time, there was also an excerpt of a middle grade mystery to two blog owners, Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson, were writing.  Being a compulsive reader, I naturally read the excerpt.  And it was that tasty amuse-bouche that made me want more.  And now, it’s happened!  The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow has been published and now we can all enjoy what I hope is only Fairday’s first of many mystery-adventures.     

When Fairday's parents decide to move her out of Manhattan and into the Begonia House, a large old rumbling house that has been vacant for years in a place called Ashpot, Connecticut, she wasn't very happy.  Not only did it mean leaving her best friend and partner in the DMS (Detective Mystery Squad) Lizzy, but as Fairday, her parents and little sister Margo drove up to the house, they were confronted with the very ominous warning, 

Fear Not The Unexpected, 

right across the front gates.  What a welcome!

As if that sign weren't creepy enough, once in the house Fairday is sure she hears bagpipe music, but when she finds a dusty, moldy bagpipe in a locked third floor room, she's sure the music didn't come from there, but where?

Over her first weekend, Fairday begins to suspect that something is going on it the house.  Anxious for Lizzy to come visit the next weekend to explore the house and especially the locked room more, Fairday begins middle school on Monday.  Things go pretty well for being the new girl, and by the end of the week, Fairday has made a friend, Marcus, a fast runner also called Brocket the Rocket.  And an enemy, but he's really just an annoyance.

Begonia House has a haunting history, which people , even her classmates, seem to know about, but not know the details.  And sure enough, odd things begin to happen.  By the time Lizzy arrives the next weekend, Fairday has already put together clues and questions to be investigated:

Who is the red-haired lady Fairday catches glimpses of?

Why did the sand in the odd, old hour glass stop running even though it isn't clogged up?

Does it have anything to do with the kitchen clock being stuck at 3 o'clock?

How did Margo get into a mirror that reflects a door which doesn't exist? 
And who owns the bright red diamond and ruby covered high-heeled sneaker that can out of the mirror with Margo?

And lastly, why is Lizzy flirting with Marcus?  Is she crushing on him?

As luck would have it, Fairday is assigned an interview for school with her teacher's grandfather, Larry Lovell, a former investigative reporter who just may hold some answers to the mystery surrounding the Begonia House, it's original owner Thurston Begonia, and his only daughter Ruby, who suddenly disappeared on her wedding day over 50 years ago.

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow is a mystery full of mystery.  It's fun, fast and well-written, well-plotted and really is worth the wait.  But luckily, you don't have to wait, since the book is available and you can enter the giveaway to get your owned signed copy: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

While you're waiting, why not enjoy the trailer for The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow:

And who are the lovely ladies who authored The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow:

Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé James; dog Jack; cat Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice.

Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist.  One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day.  When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places.

You can follow Jess, Stephanie and Fairday on Fairday's blog, Twitter, the official book page Fear Not the Unexpected, Pinterest