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Post by morbiddadestiny on Jun 19, 2007 22:16:12 GMT -5
i searched to see if this was already posted and as far as i can tell it isn't unless it's archived somewhere. i actually think this was one of the first mysteries i read and still probably one of my favorites.
the mystery was realistic and still spooky, without the BSC solving mysteries that the cops couldn't crack. i read many of the 'scary' books in 2nd and 3rd grade and was legitimately creeped out by them at that age--particularly this book, kristy's mystery admirer, and claudia and the phantom phone calls. i read this book on an airplane in 2nd grade and when dawn got the first note that read "you'd better watch out, you'd better not shout! i'm going to get you. --mr. x", i remember getting chills.
also, at the end mel tucker is portrayed as a sympathetic character who is just a "troubled, sad" boy and his parents talk about getting him to a psychiatrist. clearly they never followed up on that or the doctor is a quack.
the "seven way tie" for sitter of the month contest was a little too cheesy for my likings, but what can you do.
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Post by aln1982 on Jun 19, 2007 23:36:41 GMT -5
I am planning on rereading this one soon, so should have more thoughts on it then. It is definitely my favorite Dawn mystery and one of my favorite 10 mysteries, maybe because it was one of the first I ever read. I still remember being creeped out by it when I read it last year ;D Agree about Mel Tucker's therapy not being effective if he got it. I seem to remember that there was a mention in another book that he did go to a psychiatrist but I might be imagining things again ;D When does this book take place? I was thinking Halloween for some reason but it might be summer???
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Lauren
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,026
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Post by Lauren on Jun 19, 2007 23:41:37 GMT -5
I thought it was really stupid how when Dawn got those threatening letters, she didn't tell her parents. If I got something like that, I'd tell my parents and I'm a grown woman.
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on Jun 20, 2007 1:44:47 GMT -5
^ They never do.
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Post by morbiddadestiny on Jun 20, 2007 2:51:36 GMT -5
^ seriously. where is the rationality behind dawn's theory that if she tells someone, it will make her look irresponsible and lose the sitter of the month contest? the same crap happened in kristy's mystery admirer. "should i tell mom and watson about the danger i was in? no. they'd probably think i was crazy." WHERE IS THE LOGIC? WHERE?
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fluffycakes
Junior Sitter
A silken-haired beauty with a laugh like pealing bells
Posts: 868
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Post by fluffycakes on Jun 20, 2007 9:43:38 GMT -5
^ This is the BSC, don't forget. Logic doesn't exist. Or if it does, it's some zany, warped form of logic. Beware, Dawn was the very first BSC book I read, so I completely love it. I was terrified when I first read it - it's pretty creepy, especially when you're seven. I aqree that it's somewhat realistic, unlike in the later books in which they're capturing criminals and such. (Maybe not realistic, but plausible, at the very least.) The ending was sweet, when they were trying to figure out how to help Mel. The 7-way tie was kinda cheesy and predictable, but other than that, it's easily one of the better mysteries.
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Post by aln1982 on Jun 20, 2007 16:31:47 GMT -5
I thought it was really stupid how when Dawn got those threatening letters, she didn't tell her parents. If I got something like that, I'd tell my parents and I'm a grown woman. This always bothers me, too. In fact, I started a whole thread on it ;D I would have gone crying to my parents immediately and I'm a grown woman too (but still turn to "mommy and daddy" all the time and feel lucky to have them ;D) It always bothers me how the BSC never seems to communicate with their parents or spend much time with them. But I've gone on about that in other threads enough.... I just try to overlook this in this book, I guess, because I like it so much. I'll have to reread soon.
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Jun 20, 2007 18:40:57 GMT -5
This was one of my favorite mysteries I think because it was one of the first ones I read. When I was younger and a little today it gave me the chills when I read it. I agree about how it sometimes is annoying how they don't tell their parents anything. I would go crying to my mom if I was getting threatening notes!
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Post by Kylie90210 on Aug 3, 2007 0:05:46 GMT -5
I obviously hadn't read this in years, because I didn't remember it. But after finishing it last night, it all came back to me. This one was a bit creepy! I was really wondering who it could be! It was so stupid they didn't even tell each other... How does being stalked make you a bad baby sitter?
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Aug 3, 2007 12:26:59 GMT -5
I always thought the fact that they didn't even tell each other was stupid as well, even as a little kid. It just never made sense to me, if I was being stalked you could be sure I would tell my friends or my mom!
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Post by aln1982 on Aug 3, 2007 17:21:05 GMT -5
^ I guess I can see them not telling each other (the competition thing ;D) more than not telling my mom. This especially didn't make sense because Dawn and Sharon seem pretty close and Sharon doesn't seem like the type to overreact. I would definitely have told my parents right away. That always bugs me in this book. But I like it anyway ;D
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Post by Kylie90210 on Aug 15, 2007 22:26:28 GMT -5
They seem to really think they are equipped to handle anything alone!
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Aug 18, 2007 17:58:53 GMT -5
They seem to really think they are equipped to handle anything alone! I have often thought that too heh
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fluffycakes
Junior Sitter
A silken-haired beauty with a laugh like pealing bells
Posts: 868
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Post by fluffycakes on Aug 19, 2007 12:30:55 GMT -5
What I don't get is why Mel never bothered Kristy. I know she was sitting too far away for him to deliver dead flowers and baked beans and such, but couldn't he have phoned her, like he did with the others? I guess the only reason why he didn't was to make the reader suspect Kristy of being Mr. X, but it still doesn't really make sense.
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Post by ringdings on Aug 19, 2007 14:25:56 GMT -5
^^Did he make phone calls? I thought he just left stuff on the doorstep.
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