Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, By Sherrill Joseph

I am always on the look out for new children’s authors to inspire my children and I have found a new one!

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets is fun and reminds me of the plucky children from Enid Blyton’s Five Find Outters that I read as a child. The book is aimed at children aged 9-12 and I think my 9 year old would enjoy the mystery, drama and facts.

In this book, four children investigate the disappearance of an Egyptian urn but a mysterious masked figure is determined it should remain hidden. They are also trying to restore the reputation of the person wrongfully accused of stealing the urn and this gives the case a personal feel.

The children are all likeable as characters and approaching the age when they are awkward around the opposite sex. There are comedic moments as well as dangerous incidents to keep the plot interesting and make children readers identify with the main child detectives.

There did seem to be previous cases that the children had investigated but I understand that this is the first book in the series. I found it slightly incredible as an adult reader that the children would have such fame and independence to investigate a case but I think children readers will be swept up in the plot.

I really liked the historical and zoological aspects of this book and did go away to check the facts: authior Sherrill Joseph has done her research! I hope children are also inspired or have their interest sparked so they go and look up details for themselves too. I also enjoyed being taught about the Hawaiian language right at the end of the book.

I’m so pleased to share this long-awaited release with all of you today! Nutmeg: Egyptian Secrets by Sherrill Joseph is the perfect MG mystery for readers! Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win the most amazing giveaway!

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets (A Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries #1)

Publication Date: February 1st, 2020

Genre: MG/ Middle Grade/ Mystery (Ages 9 – 12)

World-famous Egyptologist Dr. Winston Thornsley died suddenly two months ago in disgrace. His widow, Ida Thornsley, remains convinced her husband was falsely accused of stealing an ancient burial urn he discovered in Egypt last summer, but local and federal law enforcement officers are stumped.

Mrs. Thornsley, desperate for answers, calls in her thirteen-year-old neighbors, the Botanic Hill Detectives—twins Lanny and Lexi Wyatt, Moki Kalani, and Rani Kumar. Their exciting mission? To find the urn and its real thief, bring the criminal to justice, and exonerate Dr. Thornsley so his spotless reputation can be restored.

A roomful of venomous snakes, the poisoned Egyptian pond, and Dragon Pit Man are just a few of the tests awaiting the four tech-savvy teenagers. As the detectives begin to unravel the sinister plot, the mystery takes a dangerous turn. Answers are at their fingertips—if they can only convince their parents to let them solve the case.

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Excerpt – Chapter 4

“Here we go again. An aftershock! I’ve been afraid this would happen,” said Dr. Kurtz. She rapidly surveyed the room full of terrariums. “And one of my assistants just called to say he’s found a somewhat hidden but large crack from this morning’s tremor on one of our venomous snake enclosure’s glass panes. It’s a major emergency. Come out with me quickly boys—now! I have to attend to this immediately,” she shouted behind her, as she grabbed her tool bag, yanked open the heavy door, and fled outside and down the breezeway to the enclosure.

Unfortunately, Moki and Lanny weren’t as fast as Dr. Kurtz. The door banged shut in their surprised faces and locked. They were trapped in a windowless room.

As if that weren’t bad enough, the power failed simultaneously, and the room went pitch black. Both boys froze, helplessly surrounded by three walls of venomous snakes they could still hear but no longer see.

Now Available

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About the Author

Sherrill Joseph’s debut novel, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, had been inside her head for decades. The mystery genre took hold of her as a fifth grader when she discovered Nancy Drew and Phyllis A. Whitney mysteries. Years later, it still hasn’t let go.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s in education, Sherrill spent the next thirty-five years as a K-12 literacy teacher. When she retired from teaching in 2013, the Botanic Hill Detectives and their mysteries finally sprang to life.

Forever inspired by her beautiful students in the San Diego public schools, the author has peopled and themed the Botanic Hill Detectives mysteries with children of various abilities, cultures, and interests. She strongly believes that embracing diversity is the key to a better world.

Sherrill is a native San Diegan where she lives in a ninety-year-old house in a historic neighborhood with her bichon frisé-poodle mix, Jimmy Lambchop. In addition to her dog, the city of San Diego, reading and writing, the author loves her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. She must also include dark chocolate, popcorn, old movies, staircases, the color purple, and daisies. She is a member of SCBWI and the Authors’ Guild and promises many more adventures with the squad to come.

Sherrill Joseph | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway Time!

US Only: One signed paperback copy of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets

One bookmark
One sticker
One refrigerator magnet
Winner’s choice of either the standing Egyptian goddess Bastet statue or, the reclining Egyptian god Anubis statue