Peril at King's Creek: A Felicity Mystery

by Elizabeth McDavid Jones

Book Overview

Felicity is spending the summer of 1776 at her family's Virginia plantation, King's Creek, where she rides her beloved horse Penny every day. But soon Felicity hears news that British soldiers are... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593691017
• ISBN13: 9781593691011
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 5

Customer Reviews

Great Addition to the American Girl Series

This was our family’s first American Girl Mystery, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! It was nice to delve back into the world of Felicity, this time with more plot development and suspense. While younger crowds may miss the full color illustrations, the lengthier chapters made for a perfect way to scale up while still being in a familiar setting with the Merriman family. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction!

An enjoyable mystery for fans of the Felicity stories.

Eleven-year-old Felicity Merriman, her mother, and her younger siblings are spending the summer of 1776 at King's Creek, the plantation the family inherited from Felicity's grandfather. Felicity enjoys riding her beloved horse, Penny, exploring the woods with her siblings, and remembering the happy days spent there before Grandfather's death. She is also enjoying learning about the plants of the area from Mr. Haskall, a visitor at a neighboring plantation who is studying the plants of Virginia. However, Felicity fears the peace of King's Creek Plantation may be interrupted. There are rumors of British soldiers raiding Patriot plantations and stealing horses. And soon, Felicity begins to notice that Mr. Haskall's behavior is very suspicious. Could her new friend be a British spy? This was an enjoyable historical mystery for young readers that will be most enjoyed by fans of the Felicity stories. The book is slightly longer then the regular American Girls books as well, which means it's perfect for readers beginning to outgrow those books but who still love the characters. However, the story also works as a stand alone book for those readers who haven't read other Felicity books but enjoy historical fiction set in Colonial times.

One of the most enjoyable additions to the 'American Girl' mysteries, that provides a lesson in hist

The year is 1776. Felicity "Lissie" Merriman is ecstatic to be spending the summer on her family's plantation in King's Creek, where she has the opportunity to ride her cherished horse, Penny, most everyday. However, the stifling June heat instantly leaves Felicity in discomfort, and wanting nothing more than to wade along the river to keep cool. But, alas, Felicity is a young lady, and is expected to accompany her mother to various dinners and teas, all of which leave her bored, and searching for excitement. When Felicity is introduced to a most interesting visitor of the Wentworth family, known as Mr. Haskall, however, her boredom at fancy dinners quickly diminishes. Mr. Haskall is unlike any adult that Felicity has ever met before. He is interested in answering Felicity's many questions, and loves to hear her opinions regarding a large amount of subjects. As a naturalist, and a nature lover, to boot, Mr. Haskall asks permission to search various plantation owners properties, in an attempt to record his findings, and make new discoveries. However, as Mr. Haskall's behavior becomes slightly strange, she begins to question his motives. After all, Felicity has been hearing a lot of news regarding British soldiers, and their penchant for burning down Patriot farms, and stealing the animals of Patriot's to teach these traitors a lesson. Felicity's family are Patriots, and she begins to wonder if something harsh will fall upon her own family. Something that could leave her without a home, and without Penny by her side. With this in mind, Felicity resolves to do a little snooping to learn the truth about the curious Mr. Haskall, and becomes determined to halt any destructive activity that may befall King's Creek or Penny. But when you're a young girl on your own, sometimes trying to stop something as lethal as the British can be more complicated than expected; and Felicity may not have the strength, or the know-how, to protect her family from danger before it's too late. I remember reading the FELICITY series when I was much younger, and enjoying the tales very much. However, that enjoyment came back to me quickly, as I turned the pages in PERIL AT KING'S CREEK. The spirited nature Felicity always showcased in her previous tales comes alive in this latest addition to her life, illustrating just how fond of her family, home, friends, and animals she truly is. Her newfound friendship with her younger sister Nan is delightful to read about, as their constant bickering has stopped, showing just how much each of the girls has matured over the years. The character of Mr. Haskall was enjoyable to learn more about. His pleasure in nature really makes the reader feel a fondness for his character. However, his penchant for taking advantage of the people around him, by perusing their property whenever he'd like makes him a slightly sketchy character. The two sides of his personality really create a pleasant confusion for the reader, that makes it almost impossi

Suspense All the way

"`What is it Penny, what's wrong?' Felicity asked, easing toward her. Felicity cokced her head, her senses suddenly alert. She had heard something from inside the stall - the clink of metal and the rustle and creek of movement." (Jones, 75) Elizabeth McDavid Jones' most recent book, "A Felicity Mystery: Peril at Kings Creek," sets in the year of 1776 at Kings Creek Plantation in Virginia, with Felicity Merriman, a spunky, independent eleven-year-old girl, who befriends Mr. Haskall, a supposed botanist traveling from Philadelphia. When Felicity hears news of British soldiers burning Patriot farms and confiscating horses, Felicity can not help but to worry that her beloved horse, Penny, and Kings Creek will be threatened. But when Felicity suspects Mr. Haskall of a secret plot, she must use all her power and determination to catch the true rebel himself, and save dozens of animals and plantations from peril. The suspense of "Peril at Kings Creek" really comes alive to the reader, and you can somewhat feel all the emotion that takes place throughout the story. Mrs. Jones did a superb job with the research of the "Looking Back" summary of what life was like for Loyalist and Patriots in 1776, which can be noted as an absorbing way for your child to learn about the history of America in late eighteenth century. Overall, I highly recommend this Felicity Mystery to all girls who enjoy reading about not only horses and mysteries, but rather the life of Americans and British who fought for the freedom of what they believed was right.

Great Mystery

I thought this was a great American Girl Mystery. I love it that American Girl is making mysteries for the historical characters! I think Felicity's time period is great for a mystery because the revolution was a confusing time, and you would find it hard to detirmine where your own loyalties lie, let alone another person's. Thus, it was hard to tell if someone was lying to you about their loyalties, or if they were actually your friend, just like Mr. Haskall in this book. It starts off with Felicity staying at her plantation during the summer. She has a wonderful time (except when her talkative neighbor, Mrs. Wentworth, comes for dinner) until a stranger arrives. He seems nice enough, and Felicity enjoys hearing him talk about the plants he studies. But can he really be trusted? Are Felicity and Ben's instints right, that they've seen Mr. Haskall before, even though he swear's he's never been in Virginia?