“A captivating tale that is woven together with sharp wit and heartbreaking honesty.” -Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of Missing Pieces Both a mystery and a coming-of-age story that’s sure to delight!” -Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Don't You Cry With the hilarious Finley sisters at the helm, nothing can go wrong-or can it? Spunky, fun, and entirely charming. “Lesley Kagen’s latest gem takes readers on a fabulous adventure to discover whether or not a murder has been committed in the local cemetery. Laced with heartwarming humor and heartbreaking grief, this novel is nothing short of magical. With partner in crime Charlie “Cue Ball” Garfield, Tessie and Birdie will need to dodge the gossips in their 1950s blue-collar neighborhood-particularly their evil next-door neighbor, Gert Klement, who’d like nothing better than to send the sisters to “homes.” And, of course, there’s the problem of steering clear of the kidnapping murderer if they have any hope of solving the mystery of all mysteries: the mystery of life.Ī rich and charming tour de force, The Mutual Admiration Society showcases Lesley Kagen’s marvelous storytelling talents. Tessie has elected herself president of the crime-stopping Mutual Admiration Society-as if dealing with her “sad madness” over the tragic drowning of her beloved father showering tender loving care on her “sweet but weird” younger sister, Birdie and staying on the good side of their hard-edged mother weren’t enough. PROOF: After hearing a scream and catching a glimpse of a mysterious man carrying a body beneath the flickering streetlights in the cemetery behind her house, Tessie adds solving a murder case to her already quite full to-do list.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Whistling in the Dark comes an unforgettable novel that illuminates the sweet and brittle bonds of family, the tenderness of growing up, the heartbreak of longing for what we’ve lost, and the poignancy of finding love.įACT: Unbeknownst to eleven-year-old Theresa “Tessie” Finley, she’s in over her head.

The Undertaking of Tess by Lesley Kagen