C. M. Surrisi lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband Chuck, two rascal Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Sunny and Milo, and Harry, the Prince of Cats. She is a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. The Maypop Kidnapping is her first novel. It draws from her memories of summers in Maine.
"Quinnie is not looking forward to the first day of school this
year, even though she is homeschooled by her favorite tutor, Ms.
Stillford. Ever since her friend Zoe moved away, Quinnie has felt
alone and abandoned. Ms. Stillford does her best, promising Quinnie
a year to rememberand then Ms. Stillford goes missing. No one
believes Quinnie's suspicion of foul play, so she must track down
clues and try to find out where her teacher has gone. Quinnie is
assisted by the new girl in her neighborhood, Mariella, and her
friend Ben, who attends public school. Maiden Rock is hardly a town
where mystery should exist, but as the three burrow for more clues,
they uncover not one but a multitude of hidden dangers. Will they
be able to find the missing teacher before they are totally
grounded? Red herrings aplenty will keep readers guessing about the
identity of the criminals, even as Quinnie and her friends are
bucked off the trail. Middle-grade readers looking for an unusual
protagonist and setting will be well served by this."Booklist
Online
"This funny and engaging debut is set in contemporary Maine, as
eighth grader Quinnie is just about to begin school with her class
of two when her teacher goes missing. Quinnie pleads with her
motherMaiden Rock's mayor, sheriff, and only real estate agentto
search for her missing teacher, but to no avail. After days of
waiting, the tiny town finally realizes that something strange is
happening in Maiden Rock. Armed with a new friend and her desperate
desire to find her teacher, Quinnie takes matters into her own
hands. Who is the kidnapper? 'Maniac psycho-killer lover' Owen
Loney? Left-at-the-altar John Derby? And just what are those two
nuns up to, anyway? Surrisi has created a tale that captures
readers' attention within the first few pages and keeps up the pace
through the last chapter. The characters are relatable,
refreshingly human, and very funny. Quinnie acts just like a
13-year-old girl would; she is an adult, a child, wise, and very
foolish all at the same time. Surrisi's law background lends
valuable perspective and information to the mystery but is never
heavy-handed. Information is always provided through Quinnie and
with the right level of comprehension for a girl her age. Perfect
for middle schoolers and upper elementary-aged readers, this title
hits just the right note of suspense without being too scary. A
minor flaw is an abundance of pop culture references, which will
date the book far too quickly. Here's hoping the next installment
of this planned series keeps Quinnie on her toes. VERDICT: A
general purchase for most libraries, and a first purchase where
mysteries are in high demand."School Library Journal
"When Miss Stillford, Quinnie's beloved teacher, fails to show up
for their first day of school, Quinnie is convinced that her
teacher has been kidnapped. Quinnie's mom, the sheriff of the small
town, does not share her daughter's concern and tells Quinnie that
Miss Stillford probably went on vacation. Quinnie, along with two
friends, embarks on an investigation of her own. No one is safe
from suspicionMiss Stillford's former boyfriend, a mysterious man,
even the sisters who live in the dilapidated convent. Also
concerning is a row of abandoned houses. Since Quinnie's mom is
also the town's realtor and head of the postal department, Quinnie
has access to supplies like keys, as well as evidence-gathering
skills and determination. In Surrisi's debut novel, she has created
a strong and unique setting in the small waterfront town of Maiden
Rock, Maine. A map may help readers visualize the places Quinnie
visits as she finds and follows clues. Although there are moments
of seemingly forced coincidence, such as Quinnie losing her phone
at critical moments, young readers will probably be able to look
past that flaw. The Maypop Kidnapping is a sweet mystery that
manages to have suspense, bad guys, and danger but avoids gore and
being too scary. This new sleuth also finds herself juggling other
classic tween issues, such as friendships, struggles with parents,
and making decisions. Quinnie stays true to her instincts, and the
plot offers a happily resolved ending. This book is recommended for
upper elementary mystery collections."VOYA
"When Ms. Stillford does not show up on the first day of school,
13-year-old Quinnie Boyd is convinced her beloved tutor has been
kidnapped. Quinnie, clever and endowed with a vivid imagination, is
initially unable to convince her mother, the sheriff of the small
coastal village of Maiden Rock, Maine (as well as its postmistress
and real estate agent; it's that small a town), to mount a search.
Missing her best friend, Zoe, who is in Scotland for the year, but
aided by her maybe-crush, Ben, and by the new girl,
skinny-jeans-clad Mariella from New York City, Quinnie mucks
through the marsh, sneaks into houses, spies on visiting tattooed
rockers, and jumps to conclusionswith the best intentions but often
humorous results. Much of the book's humor derives from the quirky,
colorful Maiden Rockers, particularly the two elderly nuns who
drive too fast, can't figure out recycling, live in the convent
with hordes of cats, and have a puzzling need for bat guano.
Quinnie is a memorable protagonist with an engaging voice, confused
about her feelings for Ben and her anger at the mother she loves
even as she barrels full tilt and against her mother's instructions
into her amateur sleuthing. Surrisi's debut novel is a delightful
cozy mystery, snugly mixing intrigue and humor, with an
unpredictable and satisfying resolution."Kirkus Reviews
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