The weather-beaten sign on the gate of the Magic Forest says closed for the season. But when the boys ride up to the gate on their bikes, Arthur tells his new friend, Logan, that the old amusement park hasn’t been open for years. Kudzu vines have grown over everything, making the park look sinister even in broad daylight, so Logan is reluctant to go inside, but Arthur urges him on. He’s sure they’ll discover important clues to the mystery they’re trying to solve: Who killed Myrtle Donaldson? And what happened to the money she handled as head bookkeeper at the Magic Forest? Arthur and Logan’s quest takes them to the lowest — and highest — levels of society in their small Virginia town. The boys must pay another visit to the Magic Forest, this time in the middle of the night. And this time they find the killer waiting for them among the shadowy kudzu vines.
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"Interesting and fast paced book. I read this as a read aloud to my 6th graders and they couldn't wait to see what happens next and were captivated by the plot. A boy finds out the woman who used to live in his house was murdered and he and the boy next door decide to try and solve the case. Many interesting characters are introduced along the way and the story takes many twists and turns. I highly recommend. 670L"
— Amanda (5 out of 5 stars)
" This was a fun read. Lots of adventure. Two boys becoming friends. With a murder mystery thrown in. "
— Felicia, 2/18/2014" Nicely written kids book. Sort of a modern day Hardy Boys. "
— Linda, 1/18/2014" reaaaally good so far. "
— Megdalynn:], 1/14/2014" Not the scariest thing I have ever read, but a solid YA mystery that I really enjoyed. "
— Jamie, 1/9/2014" for a kids book, this was very good! "
— Ronnie, 1/5/2014" She wrote one of my other favorite books (out of many) Promises to the Dead. They are both great books! "
— Harriet, 1/1/2014" I thought that this book got off to a slow start, and then went really fast. I was a thrilling mystery and I loved it! Sometimes its hard to keep reading a boring book, but this book was worth it. This is a great mystery book to read and I recommened it to anyone. "
— Lindsey, 12/29/2013" It was really good. My reading teacher read it to us in class and I was really curious and attached to the book. "
— Macy, 12/24/2013" Good atmospheric mystery with realistic characters that don't suddenly become daring, all-knowing super kids. The writing is a step above the usual juvenile fare, and the author isn't afraid to blend some emotional moments in with the main plot's creepy old amusement park mystery. "
— Glenn, 12/11/2013" Good juvey-lit for older kids. Not all the characters acted in believable ways, but the 2nd half of the mystery moves along quite nicely, and I found myself wishing to pick it up at stop lights. I would recommend for 5th - 8th grades. "
— Lori, 12/11/2013" I really liked this fast-paced, suspenseful mystery that was hard to put down. Logan and Arthur are both instantly likeable and the plot moved along nicely. "
— Chris, 11/16/2013" This book is a must-read book for people who loves mystery with a touch of horror.Two boys wander in the Magic Forest(an abandoned amusement park) which leads to a mystery leaving characters pondering with questions "Who killed Myrtle Donaldson?" "Who stole the money?" "
— Chester, 11/4/2013" I wish the book would have lasted longer than what it had. "
— Anna, 8/29/2013" Love the way this author writes for children. This book among her others use a current feel mixed with mystery and suspense. Love it when my 5 th graders suggest her books. "
— Natalie, 7/30/2013" A fast-moving and suspenseful mystery. I was very nervous for Arthur and Logan at times! I would definitely recommend this one for 5th and 6th graders. "
— Cheri, 2/12/2013" It was an amazing book about this boy who moves into a house that an elderly woman was murdered in! He quickly makes a friend, and they scope out the mystery! I loved Closed for the Season! "
— Kennedy, 1/21/2013" I thought that this book was great. It felt like I read it in 2 days! "
— Kristen, 1/19/2013" I read this for my 6th grade book club and it was an enjoyable read. The mystery was predictable but the writing was good and the characters were interesting. "
— Pam, 10/19/2012" This book was fantastic ! I personally adored the mystery in it . x) "
— Jenni, 8/26/2012" Quick read. The story line is very interesting. "
— Jenny, 5/1/2012" Very slow paced at first. I didn't like the mother's character or how she wanted her child to be like the rich kids (just because they were rich), then she is a hypocrite by the end of the book. That bothered me most of all. "
— Rebecca, 4/10/2012" This book was so good! Normally, I don't really like mystery books. Its a short book though. "
— Nicole, 10/22/2011" Makes me think of Enchanted Forest :P "
— Holly, 8/26/2011" Overall, this is one interesting, if not quite obvious, book. I personally think that the descriptions could have been made better, but that's me. "
— Aidan, 6/9/2011" Fast paced and and exciting story. "
— Cynthia, 5/21/2011" Good book for upper elementary/middle school. Main characters are boys,so this should appeal to boys as well as girls. Good story, I could see this happening in real life...(well, sort of!) <br/> "
— Teresa, 5/19/2011" pretty good ! It's an easy read ... "
— Emily, 5/16/2011" it is a good mytert book! "
— Lolipop, 5/13/2011" She wrote one of my other favorite books (out of many) Promises to the Dead. They are both great books!<br/><br/><br/><br/> "
— Harriet, 5/8/2011" it was a amazing book readers should read it "
— Trinitie, 5/6/2011" This book had a lot of excitement and action but it's not too scary. "
— Dondero, 5/3/2011" Holy crap! A thriller that will knock your socks off!!!!! "
— Brady, 4/16/2011" it was not really scary.it wasn't my favorite DCF book.i "
— Ani, 4/11/2011Mary Downing Hahn, a former children’s librarian, is the award-winning author of many popular ghost stories, including Deep and Dark and Dangerous and The Old Willis Place. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her two cats, Oscar and Rufus.
MacLeod Andrews is a multiple Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS award-winning and Grammy-nominated narrator with hundreds of credits to his name. Perhaps best known for a cinematic approach with full characterizations and intimate deliveries in series such as The Reckoners, Sandman Slim, and Warriors, he’s also been noted for his straight reads ranging from memoirs to modern classics. When not doing books you can hear him in video games, cartoons, commercials, podcasts, and reading you the news on Apple News +. Or check out one of his films.