The Mystery Of The Widow’s Watch

“You mean they both took the wrong amount of insulin?” Julie said. “What a strange coincidence!” “It may not be a coincidence,” Sergeant Haskins replied slowly. “You mean it may have been intentional?” Julie asked, “That would mean he was murdered!”

Book: The Mystery Of The Widow’s Watch by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1998

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Crime, Love for others – specifically those we don’t like, forgiveness

Summary: It’s just an ordinary visit to the nursing home to help Julie’s mom with crafts. At least that’s how it seems at first. Then Julie gets a call from a resident wanting help locating her missing watch. Then Clarice, the girl who accused the girls of stealing her CD player and who is crabby about everything, shows up, then Mrs. Babbage reveals she was talking to Mr. Binton, right before he died. Soon more people are dropping unconscious and murder is suspected! Can the Homeschool Detectives solve the mystery before anyone else gets killed?

Notes: This is the 7^th in the Homeschool Detectives series, a series about six kids who are homeschooled and have a habit of stumbling across mysteries and then solving them. In this book, the boys are off on a vacation with their dads and so it’s up to the girls to solve the whole mystery. They learn an important lesson about loving their “enemy” when a girl who they don’t like goes with them that day and gets involved in the mystery as well. The girls, especially Julie, are outright rude to her and want no part of her. But when an elderly lady reaches out to her and prays with her, the girls realize that Clarice is really a hurting girl who doesn’t know anything about God and His incredible love for her. In the midst of this scene, the Gospel is presented as Clarice tells the other girls what she learned about God.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 3:15-16 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.