{"id":92465,"date":"2025-04-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=92465"},"modified":"2025-04-28T09:53:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T13:53:25","slug":"a-study-in-secrets-last-chance-academy-1-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/a-study-in-secrets-last-chance-academy-1-book-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Review | A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1) <\/h2><\/div>
By Debbi Michiko Florence<\/div><\/div>
Age <\/span>9+<\/span><\/div>\n
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A compulsively readable boarding school scavenger hunt-style mystery with insightful musings on the value of nurturing friendships and relationships.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mystery<\/a><\/div><\/div>
304<\/span> pages <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Summary: A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Megumi Mizuno is sent to Leland Chase Academy (aka Last Chance Academy), she’s not expecting to make new friends or fall into a scavenger hunt. She’s hurting from the grief of losing her mother and feeling distanced from her workaholic father. But when silver envelopes start arriving at her (and other students’) dorm room, they’re all eager to win the coveted prize.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Good<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I really enjoyed this story! It’s more of a scavenger hunt than a murder mystery,<\/strong> but it <\/span>still has a strong mysterious air because everyone at the academy seems shrouded in secrets. The first-person perspective really works because we’re newcomers like Meg and have to figure out each character’s motivations and whether or not they’re trustworthy.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are quite a number of characters<\/strong> in this story, and I have a feeling this series will only get better as we start to peel back the layers and learn more about each one. Despite this being a series starter, I found myself connecting with the characters and becoming invested in who wins the prize. There are also so many questions about who the hunt’s mastermind is, what secrets<\/strong> other kids are hiding, and whether Meg will make the right decisions about her friendships and stay out of trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of friendships, I was surprised to discover that friendships and relationships<\/strong>, in general, are the central theme of this story. Meg has had some awful experiences with trusted friends in the past and struggles to confide in and rely on new people. She’s also reeling from the grief of losing her mother and starts off being more withdrawn, but gradually opens up as the story progresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, this book is also set at a boarding school<\/strong>, which is a rare settin<\/span>g in middle grade, and Meg gets to keep a cat (which is forbidden on campus grounds), and that adds a layer of cuteness and appeal for animal lovers. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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OVERALL:<\/span> A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)<\/em><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)<\/em><\/em><\/em> is a compulsively readable boarding school scavenger hunt-style mystery with insightful musings on the value of nurturing friendships and relationships. Featuring a compelling cast of characters and plenty of secrets, this book is perfect for young readers looking for their next favorite mystery series. I’ll be on the lookout for future books in the series, as this first one leaves off on a cliffhanger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Star Rating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Content Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Content Warnings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n