Houseboat Mystery

Four siblings find their summer houseboat vacation turning into a high-stakes investigation when a mysterious black car begins tailing them at every stop. The Alden children must pool their observational skills and courage to uncover why they're being followed and what secret their floating home might conceal. This illustrated chapter book delivers exactly what young mystery lovers crave—a plausible, escalating puzzle set against an unusual aquatic backdrop that makes every new docking location feel both adventurous and perilous.

Warner's straightforward prose and the children's self-reliant problem-solving create an empowering read for developing mystery fans who appreciate seeing young protagonists outsmart adults through teamwork and deduction. The houseboat setting provides fresh momentum compared to typical mystery locations, keeping the suspense afloat as the children navigate both waterways and clues. For readers who enjoy methodical investigations without supernatural elements, this delivers satisfying detective work that respects young intelligence while maintaining appropriate suspense.