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Publisher: Levine Querido
Format Read: E-book
Number of pages: 192 pages
Publishing: September 15th, 2026
Source: via Edelweiss+
Opening Lines: "The road from the highway that led to the unincorporated town of Snake, Oklahoma was as serpentine as, well, a snake."
Cynthia, her older sister Diane, her younger sister Wren and their parents have moved onto their grandfather Haggard's ranch in the hills of Oklahoma. Diane has thrown herself into the anti-war and the growing American Indian civil rights movement, Wren continues to be a thorn in Cynthia's side with all of her tattling, and all of them do their best to stay out of their grandfather's way as he sulks, glares, assigns chores, and snaps in anger without warning. Truthfully, he scares them all.
The plan was to stay with Cynthia's grandparents for only a few weeks, just long enough for her father to sort out the ranch's affairs before it goes bankrupt. The move also gives her parents time to find a new home in Tulsa before her dad starts his new job.
While exploring the fields around the farm, Cynthia discovers a tarnished silver charm bracelet with a rearing horse. For a moment she thinks she hears her name carried on the wind. Later, Wren takes the bracelet and accidently drops it behind the dresser, revealing a loose piece of the trim. Hidden inside is a small box and a diary belonging to Violet Wood, who lived in the house during the 1920's.
Violet's diary delivers a chilling message, if her prized possessions are ever found and she is ever discovered dead, "presume she was murdered." As Cynthia begins to unravel the truth behind Violet's death, she realizes the mystery may expose a secret capable of tearing her family apart.
I have to admit, the first thing that drew me to Death in the Tallgrass was its cover, the sweeping open field paired with the haunting feel of the title immediately caught my attention. The story is a murder mystery rooted in a dark family secret, told with a tone reminiscent of Holes by Louis Sachar.
Interspersed between each chapter are historical notes, reflection questions, various Cherokee words, and traditional stories. An approach that adds depth and context to the unfolding mystery. Violet's past emerges gradually through brief, haunting glimpses of her life, while Cynthia and her sisters spend their days doing chores on the ranch and trying to understand and reconnect with their Cherokee heritage. The reader should be prepared for moments of sadness, especially when the secret is finally revealed, but I remained fully invested in the story all the way to the last page.
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
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