Wow, after all the drills in school, we finally had a real earthquake where I live in California. I wasn’t scared. Not too much, anyway. It was only a 3.1, but everything quaked! I was in my Grandma’s house with her and her BFF. I think they’re going to get married soon. I hope so, because Uncle Henry—that’s what I call him—his granddaughter, Taylor, is my BFF! So that would be so cool. Me and Taylor would be, like, cousins or something.
Back to that earthquake, it’s a good thing I remembered Drop, Cover, and Hold On! from our drills in school, and made sure Grandma and Uncle Henry came under the dining room table with me and held on even though it moved a little. I think a vase in grandma’s house broke, but the big thing is that downtown in the new, giant crafts store, some pottery fell off a high-up shelf, and someone died from being hit over the head. The man was a boss of the new crafts company. He came to our town from New York, and my grandma thinks maybe it wasn’t the earthquake’s fault that he died. She’s probably right, and if she is, then we’ll have a Case to work on.
I love helping Grandma and Uncle Skip (he’s not old like Uncle Henry) who’s a police detective. This time I made up a data chart so we could have an easy way to see where everyone was when the earthquake hit. That’s called an alibi, and when we looked at all the alibis it helped us figure out how the man from New York was killed.
Grandma and I work on dollhouses together, and that’s almost as much fun as police work. When I grow up (I’m almost there—I’m eleven years old), I think I want to be a detective like Uncle Skip. Or just make miniatures all day. Or maybe work in an ice cream shop, or maybe live in New York. That’s where my dad was born when Grandma and Grandpa were living there. At least I want to visit New York and see the Rockettes. Maybe Grandma will take me some day.
“Madness in Miniature” (April 2014) is the 7th book in the Miniature Mysteries by Margaret Grace, featuring “Grandma” Gerry Porter and 11-year-old Maddie. The 8th book is “Manhattan in Miniature,” (April 2015) where Maddie gets her wish to see the Rockettes. Book is published by Perseverance Press and available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6pm EST on April 17, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of MADNESS IN MINIATURE. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Camille Minichino, a retired physicist turned writer, is the author of 21 mysteries in three series: The Periodic Table Mysteries, The Miniature Mysteries (as Margaret Grace) and the Professor Sophie Knowles Mysteries (as Ada Madison). A fourth series, the Post Office Mysteries (as Jean Flowers), will debut in August 2015. Camille teaches science at Golden Gate U., San Francisco. She also teaches writing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit her website: minichino.com.
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This sounds like a good book. Thank you for the chance to win
Oh my…it is difficult to keep up with all this authors’ series. I loved the Periodic Table mysteries.
I think I read the 1st one in this series, would love to continue!
This sounds good, would love to read it
This is a great series and I’ve enjoyed watching Maddie relationship with her grandmother.
My goodness, I have never heard of this series before! Would love to read this cozy. Thank you for the chance!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks to Dru Ann and all her friends for checking in today. Maddie would love all of you and is always ready to perform (computer tricks!) for fans!
I’m glad to know that there is another in the series!
Maddie here! I just had to tell you about the earthquake! Wait till NEXT spring, when I tell you about my trip to New York to see the Rockettes, and help Grandma solve another crime! I’m the luckiest kid!
A must-read; looks fantastic; I hope I get a chance to read it 🙂
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
I love that the story is from an eleven year old’s point of view. It sounds like a very interesting book, and I’d enjoy reading it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Once again you’ve introduced me to a series I was unaware of . Thanks for that, this looks like one we’d both enjoy. Please enter my name in the draw. Thanks
Even a small earthquake gets your attention.
Experienced my first earthquake after aged 60, but it was a duzy at 5.3. Interestingly, I was in bed under a wall full of pictures. Thankfully, they all stayed on the wall. Now miniatures—I love love love dollhouses! Have you ever seen the huge miniature doll house at the museum in Washington DC? Really cute. My daughter and I have been on a binge to get her daughter’s dollhouse set up. Excitement all around. Am I really interested in reading this book?!?! More than just a tiny tiny little bit!! Love to read and review this book EVERYWHERE!!!!
I lived in Alaska for many years so I’m familiar with earthquakes—and don’t really think they are fun. But I do think reading your book would be fun.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Another series with which I am not familiar. This sounds like something I would really like. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have just heard about this book not realizing that it’s a series, it looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. Thanks for the chance to win.
I honestly don’t think that I have read any of this series but this book sounds quite interesting, and since my daughter gave her dollhouse that her Dad made for her to our oldest granddaughter, we have had a renewed interested in miniatures. I would really like to read this book if not the series. Thank you for introducing me to this author. I be also be awaiting the Post Office Mystery series too.
Cynthia
I think this series sounds terrific. I believe anyone who is 11 is very near adulthood. Thanks for the introduction.
This is a fun series. But it looks like I have some catching up to do as well. And, I had no idea that the author has several series to choose from. My book list just took a giant growth spurt (not unlike many 11 year old girls, who are still a few years from adulthood)
This sounds delightful! I loved my dollhouse when I was a little girl. I like that the book has miniatures. How fun!
This sounds so good! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I have felt earthquakes in California and Indiana. They occur nearly everywhere, most go unnoticed. The book sounds charming.
I’ve heard this series is good, but haven’t tried it yet! I had a dollhouse when I was little too. Thanks!
Wow. Camille Minichino is one busy and talented person. This book blurb interests me because of the grandma and the eleven year old girl. I look forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
I love all Camille’s series but the miniature one is my fave. Count me in.
Maddie here again — Thanks for all the nice comments about me and my Grandma– I wish I could meet all of you and maybe help you with a Case you might have!
absolutely love this series..keep them coming! thanks for the review and giveaway
would LOVE to read this!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
thanks for running the contest win or lose but prefer to win would like to read
would love to win it to read it and thanks for running the contest
Glad to see another one in this series. I look foreword to the Rockettes too.
Great perspective! An 11 yr old girl..SHE will have a lot to say for sure! I like the titles…makes my imagination kick on!
I love this series and the relationship between Maddie and her gramma. Very well written – I feel like I am reading a glimpse of real life. I would be thrilled to win this giveaway!
Thank you a chance to win a copy of Madness in Miniature. I have been reading the series and I have enjoyed it very much.
i LOVE this series!
contest is closed.