Enchantment Lake

A Northwoods Mystery

2017
Author:

Margi Preus

What’s wild in the northwoods turns out to be mostly human, when seventeen-year-old Francie is drawn into the strange mysteries threatening her great aunts’ Minnesota Up North world

On the shores of Enchantment Lake in the woods of northern Minnesota, something ominous is afoot, and as seventeen-year-old Francie begins to investigate, the mysteries multiply: a poisoned hotdish, a puzzling confession, eerie noises in the bog, and a legendary treasure said to be under enchantment—or is that under Enchantment, as in under the lake?

After playing a detective on TV, Francie travels to idyllic northern Minnesota to help her aunts. People are dying in strange accidents on Enchantment Lake, and the deaths seem to revolve around a treasure—could it be hidden at the bottom of the lake? In this charming first mystery, Francie finds the answers to most of her questions and even a bit of enchantment for herself.

Mary Logue, author of Lake of Tears and Sleep like a Tiger

A disturbing call from her great aunts Astrid and Jeannette sends seventeen-year-old Francie far from her new home in New York into a tangle of mysteries. Ditching an audition in a Manhattan theater, Francie travels to a remote lake in the northwoods where her aunts’ neighbors are “dropping like flies” from strange accidents. But are they accidents?

On the shores of Enchantment Lake in the woods of northern Minnesota, something ominous is afoot, and as Francie begins to investigate, the mysteries multiply: a poisoned hotdish, a puzzling confession, eerie noises in the bog, and a legendary treasure said to be under enchantment—or is that under Enchantment, as in under the lake? At the center of everything is a suddenly booming business in cabin sales and a road not everyone wants built.

To a somewhat reluctant northwoods Nancy Drew, the intrigue proves irresistible, especially when it draws her closer to the mysteries at the heart of her own life. What happened to her father? Who and where is her mother? Who is she, and where does her heart lie—in the bustle of New York City or the deep woods of Minnesota? With its gripping story, romantic spirit, and a sly dash of modern-day trouble (including evil realtors and other invasive species), Enchantment Lake will fascinate readers, providing precisely the charm that Margi Preus’s fans have come to expect.

Awards

Midwest Book Award - Young Adult Fiction

Margi Preus is a New York Times–best-selling author of books for young readers, including Shadow on the Mountain, West of the Moon, and Heart of a Samurai, winner of a Newbery Honor and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. She loved mysteries since she was allowed to stay up past her bedtime to watch Perry Mason with her dad. Enchantment Lake is her first mystery.

After playing a detective on TV, Francie travels to idyllic northern Minnesota to help her aunts. People are dying in strange accidents on Enchantment Lake, and the deaths seem to revolve around a treasure—could it be hidden at the bottom of the lake? In this charming first mystery, Francie finds the answers to most of her questions and even a bit of enchantment for herself.

Mary Logue, author of Lake of Tears and Sleep like a Tiger

Minnesota’s master storyteller Margi Preus gives us another gem of a novel—funny and moving, gorgeously written, and suspenseful. As much as this book is an absorbing mystery, it’s also a deeply felt love letter to our uniquely enchanted northwoods. This is a book to lose yourself in.

Anne Ursu, author of Breadcrumbs and The Real Boy

Preus, whose Heart of a Samurai (2010) was a Newbery Honor Book, offers intriguing characters, suspenseful moments, and a love interest—plenty to keep readers involved.

Booklist

A delightful story for readers of all ages.

Play Off the Page

A quick-moving mystery whose lovely descriptions of the Minnesota landscape add a pleasing layer of smalltown Midwestern atmosphere.

Publishers Weekly

Reminiscent of the classic Nancy Drew mysteries of my youth, Enchantment Lake offers a quirky tale on the murder mystery genre, featuring a strong seventeen year old heroine and a cast of strange and eccentric characters. A cute, original, and entertaining read.

Throw Me a Book

Likable, quirky, and entertaining.

VOYA

A fun, adventurous romp of a story. A lovely read.

A Fantastic Librarian

It was fun, it was fast and it had a cast of colorful characters.

Lovely Literature

A good mystery novel with fun characters and interesting occurrences.

A Dream Within A Dream

A quick, enjoyable read.

All Things Bookish

Pure, innocent fun.

Constantly Reading Momma

As Enchantment Lake speeds toward its resolution, you’re surprised and sad your time at the lake is over.

Star Tribune

Enchantment Lake is a charming book. Although the book is short, it contains substance. The descriptions of the natural environment will draw readers in.

Popular Culture Association Mystery & Detective Fiction

Margi Preus’s burgeoning series promises to satisfy the cravings of young “whodunit” fans. Full of suspense and danger, but never graphic, the Enchantment Lake murder mysteries are reminiscent of publisher Edward L. Stratemeyer’s prolific children’s books of the early 20th century.

Reading Matters

Part cozy mystery, part thriller.

The Book Lover’s Boudoir

It’s a fun, sweet mystery perfect for upper elementary or middle school readers, or anyone looking for a small town mystery you could read in a couple hours.



The Story Sanctuary

This suspenseful mystery is a teen version of the Nancy Drew Series. It is great for young adult sleuths who like to put clues together as they read. This book is similar to the PBS TV series The Frankie Drake Mysteries. It is light for the most part without too much peril. It is the first of a three-part series by New York Times best-selling author Margi Preus

Compass Book Ratings

Contents



1. Drowning


2. Walpurgis


3. At the Cabin


4. The Boathouse


5. Suicide Weather


6. Plantation People


7. A Headache


8. Buck Thorne


9. Strawberry Picking


10. Sleuthing


11. The Party


12. Fishing


13. Go Dark


14. The Puzzle


15. The Sheriff’s Office


16. Babysitting


17. The Funeral


18. The County Jail


19. Sunnies


20. T.J.


21. Gone to Jail


22. DQ


23. A Secret


24. Under Enchantment


25. Under Ground


26. Under Water


27. The Puzzle, Revealed


28. Freddie’s


29. Out the Back Door


30. The Machine


31. The Blast


32. The Silver Box


Acknowledgments