The Bodies in the Besseldorf Hotel (Bernie Magruder Mysteries)

From Publishers Weekly Mystery and farce combine in this tale of disappearingand reappearingcorpses. Ages 8-12. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal Grade 4-6 Naylor dishes up a frothy, light-hearted farce for young mystery readers. The story centers around the strange happenings at the Bessledorf Hotel in Middleburg, Indiana, which Bernie Magruder's father manages. The trouble starts when two guests die in their hotel roomsbut the bodies disappear. The situation obviously threatens Mr. Magruder's job, and the family valiantly attempts to keep the hotel's business afloat. However, after a body from the funeral parlor next door appears in one of the rooms, the hotel owner dismisses the Magruders in no uncertain terms. In the meantime, Bernie's mother has received a rose and a mysterious love letter, and Bernie worries that she will leave the family. As it turns out, Mrs. Magruder's suitor from the past is the key to the mystery, and all ends well for the Magruders and the Bessledorf Hotel. One jarring note is the dialogue of the cleaning woman, whose poor grammar may be a weak attempt to show that she is black. Aside from that, both avid and reluctant readers should enjoy this zany diversionary tale. Cynthia Percak Infantino, Lake Forest Public Library, Ill.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.