The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines: Samantha Wolf Mysteries #2 Paperback – February 1, 2015

Entertaining read. Characters were believably interesting and fun. I couldn’t put the book down. Brings back memories of how much fun I had when I went to summer camp.

Another fun mystery adventure for the young or young at heart. It brought back fond memories of my summer camp experiences -- the bonding, the growing and the inevitable mishaps. In the Deep South at Camp Wesley Pines, I severely burned the fingers on my right hand, and was swarmed and stung multiple times by wasps because a cabinmate stepped on a nest in front of me during a hike. On my second day upon waking, my back was so covered in "red bug" bites they wouldn't let me swim in the pool. ??? I wrote my family telling them what a wonderful time I was having!!! (If there had been a horse, I'm sure I would never have left....) And, yes, there is always one girl who is so difficult to understand at first that you have to really work at it. These growing up adventures and connecting and stretching times are so vital and universal and that was captured so well in this book. I appreciate that in the midst of the mystery and trials the author weaves character into the characters and places emphasis on respect and telling the truth. It's a quality read. I really enjoyed this story.

Only weeks after their last adventure, Sam and Ally have discovered another mystery at Camp Whispering Pines!I loved how Sam and Ally made friends with the other girls in their cabin. The different personalities of Lexie, Becky and Sandy complimented Sam and Ally.I’ve always thought camp sounded hideous, but Camp Whispering Pines sounded like a lovely vacation getaway and I can see why Lexie loved going there.The mystery was good and altogether this was a fun, enjoyable read.

Let me start by saying that I have read all of the Samantha Wolf mysteries and have enjoyed them all. I am reading them for the second time. I recommend all of them.Generally speaking, camp stories are not my favorite story setting. But this story exceeded my expectations. The plot is quite involved with plenty of surprises. The characters are real. I mean if I were to sit down with Sam and Ally in a group for a little chat, I think it would be like talking to friends. These are not Cardboard characters. They are fully realized and there are several heartwarming moments to gladden just about anybody's heart. I want to add also these are clean stories: no bad language: no questionable situations, certainly some dangerous situations but no violence. Yet the story is compelling. Highly recommended.

I couldn't wait to read this book because the plot sounded fun. But the present tense made reading it painful. The false urgency of the present tense prevented the author from developing the suspense that would have benefited this mystery.

The Secret of Camp Whispering PinesSamantha Wolf Mysteries #2By: Tara EllisNarrated by: Tara EllisThis is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.This is an excellent book for middle grade or preteen kids! It has a great mystery, realistic dialogue, great characters, fun action, and good morals. This has an adventure, thrills, mystery, and friendships. Loved it! The author is also the narrator which she does just as well as writing it! Wonderful!

Tara Ellis writes so well that I lose the world around me and sink so deep into the world of her imagination that I feel as if I’m living there with her characters.

The dynamic duo solves yet another mystery, this time without their families handy but with newfound friends.I enjoyed how, even though I caught on faster than the young protagonists, the story still caught me by surprise here and there, and particularly at critical junctures.

As with the first book, I enjoyed reading it.My greatest criticism would be the author's habit to start some of the chapters with a past tense what-happened-inbetween introduction before going back to her present tense narration, something I always find jarring.

This mystery celebrates genuine friendship without being nauseating like some narratives can. There's some mild peril but appropriate for the reading level of the book. It took me a bit to get into it - the start was a bit flowery in the description- but I'm glad I persevered, ended up really enjoying it and I'm glad to be able to pass the series on to my eight year old daughter!

Loved it

Right for the target audience.