Bixby Timmons and the Dragonthorp Riddle

A feisty teenager tries to solve the biggest puzzle of her life in order to bring a billionaire tech genius home in Dwight D. Karkan’s engaging novel Bixby Timmons and the Dragonthorp Riddle.

When Bixby and her family move so her father can become the caretaker of Pinnacle Manor, she doesn’t know quite what to think. But as the family settles in the former Dragonthorp estate, Bixby finds a home among the estate’s personable robot staff. She makes a new friend at virtual school, Tipton, who wants to help her solve the mystery of Cody Dragonthorp’s disappearance.

The entire estate is full of puzzles left behind by Cody, all of which lead to answers about why he vanished and where he can be found. With the help of her new friends, Bixby races against the clock and other players to discover the truth of Cody’s whereabouts and win a prize that is promised to change her life forever.

Bixby is a sassy, clever, and believable main character who shows her strength when standing up to bullies. Her disdain for authority is balanced by her love for her family and her warmth toward her new friends—even if some of them are robots. Conversations between her and other characters—especially Tipton—are colorful and authentic.

The puzzles come with enough details to make Bixby’s problem-solving interactive. Each new layer of the puzzle shows that Bixby is a force to be reckoned with. The book ends with a frantic race to the finish that wraps up most of the mystery but leaves plenty left to be solved.

An exciting story with a refreshing lead who continually surprises others with her capabilities, Bixby Timmons and the Dragonthorp Riddle is a delight.

Reviewed by Angela McQuay

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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