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Post by zoar3 on Dec 28, 2012 10:36:35 GMT -5
I completely skipped the "mystery" this time around--only so much of Dawn explaining to us that it was okay (mostly) with her that Jeff enjoy Halloween candy because he ate "pretty healthy" most of the year. In itself, not so bad, but the general sugar tirade followed. I did love that Dawn was awarded the chocolate trophy at the end and thank her for not returning it. I still would have loved seeing Claudia open that package in the mail. This time around, it occurred to me that Dawn could have asked Jeff if he wanted it before passing it on to Claud. I know Marnie can't eat chocolate but it would have been very sweet had Dawn sent it to Buddy and Suzi (some type of treat Marnie could enjoy to her) just because she seemed to be thinking of them. I would have enjoyed seeing a long-distance sitter keep in touch with a favorite charge that way. Best part, still Marnie and I did find Timmy's character very endearing.
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Post by wiggir13 on Jan 17, 2013 8:47:51 GMT -5
I really wish there would have been a crosstie of stories for this book and MA breaks the rules. It annoys me that we are just supposed to forget other stuff happening!
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Post by booboobrewer on Oct 26, 2014 13:47:38 GMT -5
I read this every Halloween and I love it even though there are some extra corny parts (like Timmy saying "that's how we say thank you on my planet" when he accepted his best costume award and everyone cracking up...puhleeze lol). I read the subplot this time around and did think it was cute how Marnie was responsible for finding their new house Although the house in Greenvale sounded really nice.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,263
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Post by oldhickory on Oct 26, 2014 23:35:05 GMT -5
^ I am apartment hunting right now and the idea of turning down such a lovely, affordable home in a historic neighborhood in favor of a cramped house full of kids offends me on a personal level.
The part where Carol and Dawn are out shopping always catches my attention. They agree to meet back in something like ten minutes, which is supposed to be enough time for each of them to do their shopping. I am pretty indecisive and I don't think I've ever gotten my shopping done in ten minutes ever. Even if I were shopping for a particular item (like one brand of mousse), I have to figure out which brand is cheapest, whether there are sales on any brands, whether I like it enough to buy the bigger bottle.. Good for them for being faster shoppers than me though.
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Katie
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 153
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Post by Katie on Feb 5, 2018 9:59:31 GMT -5
Is it ever explained why Mrs Dewitt insists on being called Cynthia by Dawn and the other kids?
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Post by sparklymouse on May 17, 2022 20:49:39 GMT -5
This is both terrifying and hilarious to me. It looks like a Fear Street cover. I haven't read most of the mysteries, so I don't know what the context of Clown Man is.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,263
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Post by oldhickory on May 17, 2022 21:42:09 GMT -5
The robber in this book just wears a clown mask. They aren't in full clown makeup and bright clothes. You can't blend into a crowd looking like that.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jun 11, 2022 10:40:03 GMT -5
I wonder if the Cali Dewitts are related to the Connecticut DeWitts. I mean that can't be a common last name. Maybe they are related but as Dawn said they just don't know it.
I love this one. A more realistic mystery. The later mysteries are just better written imo.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jun 11, 2022 10:41:22 GMT -5
I know that most of you have said that you enjoyed this book, but I have to admit that I was disappointed. Today is Hallowe'en (2009). I was looking for a Hallowe'en-themed BSC book and this one came to mind first (obviously since Hallowe'en is mentioned in the title). I think that more could have been done with such a great theme. I have a few issues, in general, about this book: 1. Why do we have another Dawn mystery? At this time, Dawn has 4. She just had the Surfer Ghost mystery a few books ago and now we have to see a Hallowe'en book narrated by Dawn, too? I would have preferred something to take place in Stoneybrook related to Hallowe'en. 2. The mystery didn't have much to do with Hallowe'en. It was a robbery. That just took place around Hallowe'en, and the attacker was wearing a clown mask. Oh, and Hallowe'en is jeopardized for the whole city because of one robbery (is that even realistic? Robberies and crime happens in EVERY city and yet there is no complete ban on Hallowe'en, especially a city as big as what Palo City is/could have been. 3. I, personally, would have preferred more emphasis on Hallowe'en (maybe some of the traditions, maybe a mystery involving someone the BSC thinks is a witch, or ghost, or something that is more closely linked to a Hallowe'en mystery. *** I did enjoy the sub-plot with the Barrett DeWitt kids, although that could have been placed in another book and had nothing to do with Hallowe'en, either. It would have been nice to have had a glimpse at the Stoneybrook clients during this festive time. Overall, DISAPPOINTING HALLOWE'EN BOOK. Dawn needs to stop narrating mysteries for awhile... I love the Dawn mysteries. Some of them are my favourites.
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Post by oldmeanie on Jan 11, 2023 2:54:25 GMT -5
This is a pretty good mystery. I like that Dawn was wrong and that there was a twist, although it feels OOC that she didn't consider the robber could be a woman. Also, this hits different after that weird killer clown trend/ hoax of 2016. Does anyone here remember that? I remember my coworkers at the time were totally freaked out about it.
Anyway, it's a good story overall. In all honesty, the curfew is a little hard to believe. Maybe Palo City is a smaller town, but it really feels like a suburb near LA or something. Idk. It is the main motivation for the W♡KC to solve the mystery and adds some tension to the plot. I like Timmy as a character and his struggling family is interesting. I wish he made a reappearance (maybe he does. If so, I'll eventually find out).
For some reason Dawn kind of comes across as being no fun in this book lol. Lecturing the reader about sugar, saying adults shouldn't sing along to the radio (okay, she's changed her mind, but it's ridiculous that she used to think this!), and saying she's too old to dress up. Makes me wonder why she was a favorite for awhile haha. She's not my least (that goes to Kristy or Jessi. I still like both characters, but I like them less than the others), but yeah... unfortunately, her character jumped the shark at Saves the Planet.
The subplot was... alright. I kind of think they're crazy for not picking the Greenvale house tbh, but I get that the series is for kids so I understand why they stayed in Stoneybrook. This is actually one of the shortest subplots, only taking up about 4 chapters, so it's not obnoxious. Not looking forward to further Barrett-Dewitt plots though...
Pretty good overall.
That UK cover is kind of awesome.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,263
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Post by oldhickory on Jan 11, 2023 11:23:13 GMT -5
I watch Criminal Minds and when the unsub is a woman, they talk about how unusual it is and how surprised they are EVEN THOUGH they have arrested plenty of women before. For some reason Dawn kind of comes across as being no fun in this book lol. Lecturing the reader about sugar, saying adults shouldn't sing along to the radio (okay, she's changed her mind, but it's ridiculous that she used to think this!), and saying she's too old to dress up. I was like this as a kid. I was "so much more mature" and wasn't into "silly stuff" so that made me better. It's a common enough sentiment in that age and unfortunately the BSC likes being thought of as mature for their age.
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Post by m0drnmoonlight on Jan 11, 2023 12:34:34 GMT -5
I started this one years ago because I got it in a mystery boxed set. I think it was 17-20? Anyway, I started it, then lent it to a friend and never ever got it back! Eventually I do want to find it so I can read it once and for all!
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Post by oldmeanie on Jan 17, 2023 16:46:08 GMT -5
I watch Criminal Minds and when the unsub is a woman, they talk about how unusual it is and how surprised they are EVEN THOUGH they have arrested plenty of women before. For some reason Dawn kind of comes across as being no fun in this book lol. Lecturing the reader about sugar, saying adults shouldn't sing along to the radio (okay, she's changed her mind, but it's ridiculous that she used to think this!), and saying she's too old to dress up. I was like this as a kid. I was "so much more mature" and wasn't into "silly stuff" so that made me better. It's a common enough sentiment in that age and unfortunately the BSC likes being thought of as mature for their age. I was kind of the opposite growing up (I didn't want to grow up. I still don't lol), but you're right, it's pretty common at 13. Now that I think about it, I might not have been all that different. I still read the BSC and played Pokémon at 13 (and still am now), but I hid these things from my peers because I used to get teased for doing those things.
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Post by fernmariposa919 on Aug 3, 2023 20:01:01 GMT -5
Wait, so one small store is held up....and Halloween is cancelled? The hell? I could understand if there was a robbery in a neighborhood and maybe that neighborhood was banned for trick-or-treaters, but even then that might be a bit unrealistic.
I thought for sure I knew who the robber was, but admit the book threw a twist at me. I don't know what the rules are for spoilers, so I don't want to say anything that will ruin it for anyone else!
The UK cover is amazing. Calling it both terrifying and hilarious is very apt.
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