mystery – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs

Both little book bunnies are Stuart Gibbs fans. Caramel in particular has read and reviewed every single book in his Spy School series. So as you can expect, he was thrilled to learn that the fourteenth book in the series just came out last week! Below is his review of Spy School Goes East. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we get to talk about a brand new Spy School book!

Caramel: Yep, and I am happy to say I really liked it. So in this book they go east. And they have already gone north and south. So maybe they’ll go west next time!

S: Yeah, I wonder where “west” could be. Remind us where “north” and “south” were? And where is “east”?

C: So the events happened in Mexico in the south book, and the north book is about Alaska and Russia. And in this book, the story is taking place in China, specifically in a fictional place in China, it’s called Space City, but it also contains a few places that are real: Shanghai, the Great Wall, and the Gobi Desert. It also contains several non-existent companies, such as Sky-tech.

S: Cool! I also saw a map of sorts in the inside of the book.

C: Yes, there are in fact interesting things like that in this book. In the back there is also, I think, a journal or rather a travel log.

S: Is it supposed to be Ben Ripley’s travel log?

C: No, it is the author himself, who is explaining how he got the ideas for the places and the plot. He actually went to China to see what he was writing about. And that’s cool.

S: Agreed!

Caramel is reading Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy School Goes East* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: Okay, so tell us about the main story. Why is Spy School going to China?

C: So, in the previous book Spy School Blackout, the team were trying to figure out the worldwide blackouts. Then it turned out that their ‘friend’ Orion was in fact the guy behind it all, and they solved that mystery and saved the planet. But then they also learned that Erica Hale’s parents and grandparents had gone missing in China, where Orion had sent them, so now in this book, they go there to get them back.

S: Oh I see. And they meet a lot of new people, some friendly and some evil, I am assuming?

C: Yep, and we also meet a recurring character (I love those), Jessica Shang who first showed up in Spy Ski School, the daughter of the guy who tried to nuke Colorado. You might recall that she is also daughter of the lady who tried to destroy the Panama Canal (in Spy School at Sea), and the niece of the guy who tried to sell Ben into slavery (in Spy School Goes Wild).

S: Oh my! Her whole family is full of Ben’s enemies. But I seem to recall you had told us before that Jessica herself is actually quite nice. And she kind of likes Ben?

C: Yeah they are friends, and apparently Erica is Ben’s girlfriend now.

S: Oh, I see. But nothing mushy going on, right?

C: No, no mushiness. Erica and Ben are just partners solving mysteries and world problems together.

S: Cool. Okay, so did you enjoy this book?

C: Yes, I did. Very much. It was funny, and had some cool plot lines and hooks, as well as references to the other books in the series. Gotta love consistency among an author’s works! Tui Sutherland in Wings of Fire does this really well, too. Hint hint.

S: You will definitely get another one of those books in the coming months! But there may yet be another Spy School book as well. As you suggested, I am expecting a “going west” story some time.

C: Me too. And I’m assuming it will also be good.

S: And when it does come out, I am sure you will review it.

C: Yes I will!

S: Okay, Caramel, this is probably a good time to wrap up this review.

C: Yep, this is a school night after all…

S: Okay, what do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs and was thrilled to share his thoughts on it with the readers of the book bunnies blog. — Caramel loved reading *Spy School Goes East* by Stuart Gibbs and was thrilled to share his thoughts on it with the readers of the book bunnies blog.

Caramel reviews Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins

Both Caramel and Marshmallow have enjoyed reading and reviewing books by Stuart Gibbs for the book bunnies blog. Today Caramel talks about a recent graphic novel adaptation, Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel, of a 2016 book written by Gibbs; this version was published in August 2026 and was illustrated by Ward Jenkins. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about the second book in Stuart Gibbs’s Moon Base Alpha series.

Caramel: Yep. I read and reviewed the graphic novel version of the first book and now this is the second one.

S: So let us dive right in. Tell us what the book is about.

C: It is about Dash, the same guy from the first book, and there’s a new case for him to solve. A person has gone missing.

S: Oh say more.

C: The person who’s missing is Nina, the station’s commander, and so the station goes through some issues as such.

S: Oh wait. Dash and his family were living on the Moon, right? So Nina is the commander of the moon base — Moon Base Alpha?

C: Yes, they are, and yes, she is.

S: Cool. So this sounds like a typical Gibbs mystery, and he is so good at crafting fun mysteries. I am guessing this was good, too?

C: Yes it was, it also went into some more interesting stuff, but that was later, and as such, a spoiler.

S: Okay. I guess what we don’t know won’t hurt us. At least in this case. So tell me more about the book. Do we meet any characters besides Dash from the first book?

C: Yeah, almost all of them show up at least once, most of them more than once.

S: That’s cool. So it really feels like a series then. So do you like Dash, the main character? Does he remind you of Ben Ripley from Spy School books? Or how about Teddy Fitzroy from the FunJungle books?

C: Yes, he kind of does, which makes sense. This is the same author after all. They are all fun characters and very likeable. And they manage to solve all sorts of mysteries. But this one is different because he lives in space! How cool is that?

S: But of course we talked about how we really do not want to leave our own planet the last time…

C: Yeah I stand by that still, until space travel is much safer.

S: I do too.

Caramel is reading Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins. — Caramel is reading *Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins.

S: So I noticed that the person who illustrated the Moon Base Alpha books is different from the person who illustrated the Spy School graphic novels. Do you like the style used in this book?

C: Yes, I did, though the graphic novelizations for the Wings of Fire books are still my favorite. Now if only they came out with those more frequently…

S: But those books have an unfair advantage. I mean they have dragons! Not much can compete with that.

C: True, but what about dragons, in space?

S: Yeah, I suppose that would top everything! But okay, back to Spaced Out. Was it good enough for you to want more? There is apparently at least a third book in the original Moon Base Alpha series, so I am guessing they will publish the graphic novelization of that some time next year. Are you excited about that?

C: Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!

S: Okay, I am guessing that means this was a very fun read and you are excited about the next one?

C: Yes.

S: Okay, then we will make sure to get you a copy when it does come out. So Caramel, do you think this is a good time to wrap up this review?

C: Yup. This is a school night so maybe it is a good idea.

S: Sure, okay. Let’s do that. What do you want to tell our readers?

C Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins and recommends it to all little bunnies who enjoy space mysteries. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Spaced Out: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins and recommends it to all little bunnies who enjoy space mysteries.

Caramel reviews The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

Sprinkles is a huge Agatha Christie fan, so of course she was thrilled to see Caramel carrying around The ABC Murders, originally published in 1936. They are talking about the book today. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: I was so excited to see you reading an Agatha Christie book, Caramel! She is the best!

Caramel: Yeah, I can see that point of view, she is a pretty good writer.

S: Yay! So you liked the book! I mean, I know there are a lot of folks who would not consider Christie a serious literary figure, but I always enjoy her books and I think she is great at what she does.

C: Yup, she kept me guessing almost all the way to the end.

S: Was this your first Agatha Christie novel?

C: Nope. I had also read And Then There Were None when Marshmallow was reviewing it.

S: Ooh, that was a good one too. So, okay, back to The ABC Murders. I am sure I read this book but it must have been decades ago. And I do not remember much of the plot. Can you tell us a bit about it?

C: So Hercule Poirot receives a suspicious letter signed by “ABC”.

S: Oh, so this has Poirot as the main detective! That is cool! Go on.

C: Yes, so this letter tells him that there will be a murder in Andover, and then someone actually dies there, so Poirot goes to Andover to figure things out.

S: Poirot is Belgian, and often works with some British guy who writes about him, right? Kind of like Dr. Watson of Sherlock Holmes?

C: Yes. The main narrator is Arthur Hastings, and the book is written like he is recounting the story rather than living through it.

S: Apparently Hastings appears in quite a lot of Poirot mysteries. I suppose it is good to have a character like Hastings or Watson to tell us these stories about the genius detectives they are hanging out with and admire so much. This way the stories unfold naturally and we are in the dark about what is going on in the minds of these mysterious crime solvers until the very end.

C: Yeah, it’s like that, ‘cept Hastings ole’ fellow has quite the thinker on emself-

S: Wait, what are you saying? Please speak normally. You are not a British gentleman from the nineteen twenties.

C: Awww, ok, but that was fun! And I am only about a hundred years late! And not quite British… Anyways, the only difference is that Hastings is actually somewhat smart so he also figures some things out. Still it is clear to everyone including himself that he is not as smart as Poirot and is surprised when Poirot solves everything.

S: Yup, that agrees with my previous understanding of their relationship.

Caramel is reading The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie. — Caramel is reading *The ABC Murders* by Agatha Christie.

S: So tell me a bit more. Could you tell the book was almost a hundred years old?

C: Well, it is exactly ninety years old actually. The book read fine to me. I did not think they were using old fashioned words or anything. And it is supposed to be happening in between the two world wars, and I could not even tell that, really.

S: Yes, I think Christie’s language is clean and simple enough for us to not even notice it. Every now and then she uses a phrase that is unfamiliar to me, or she mentions something historical to me but contemporary to the story characters, but most of the time, I cannot tell at all that she wrote these things such a long time ago.

C: Yeah, that checks out. Though it seems that in these books the detective and other people sometimes use words that today’s people might not understand. Like some words or phrases that refer to the railway map in Britain at the time. Of course I didn’t know that till they explained what it was they were talking about. But most of the time, I could totally forget this was supposed to be happening in the 1920s. That was even before your time Sprinkles!

S: Yes, of course it was before my time. It was even before my parents’ time, Caramel.

C: Oopsie, or is that what you want me to think?

S: Okay, let us put aside any implications that I might be undead or-

C: Or a lich?!

S: Okay, let us not go there.

C: Sure, that’s what a lich would say.

S: Caramel! These seem like ideas more fit for Midnight’s reviews.

C: Oh yes, Midnight does like his fantasy books. But I like them too.

S: I know. You like playing Dungeons and Dragons, and various versions of it.

C: Actually these days, I prefer Pathfinder, which is really just D&D 3.5 edition.

S: True. But Agatha Christie tells stories that are in some sense a lot simpler. She manages to find evil in mainstream people living regular lives. Seems like she has no need to go fantastic.

C: That may be true for the books she has already written. But maybe when she begins to write new books, from BEYOND THE GRAVE?

S: Okay, I have a feeling it is getting too late for us to be talking about books sensibly.

C: That’s lich talk! Okay, okay, don’t get mad, I am kidding. But yes, you are probably right, it is getting late and it is a school night…

S: Yep. So let us wrap up this review. Do you think you might read other books by Christie at some point?

C: Sure. They are fun to read, and I do love solving puzzles!

S: Sounds great to me. Okay then, Caramel. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie and recommends it to all bunnies who enjoy a little bit of detective mystery. — Caramel enjoyed reading *The ABC Murders* by Agatha Christie and recommends it to all bunnies who enjoy a little bit of detective mystery.

Marshmallow reviews The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham

Today Marshmallow is writing about The Fall of Iris Henley, a 2026 book by Jennifer Graham.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like exciting mysteries about high schoolers with way more drama than average, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Iris Henley perfectly fits the stereotype of a Texan cheerleader. Blond, pretty, and with a football-playing boyfriend (named Rocky), she seemed like a sure finalist for Homecoming Court. Unfortunately, things got seriously messed up when Rocky and Lynette (her ex-best friend) are found dead under circumstances that indicate Rocky was unfaithful. The police declare it to be an open-and-shut case: Rocky shot and killed Lynette and then committed suicide after with the same gun. This explanation is widely accepted until a couple of months later.

Iris is the top girl (meaning she is the flyer at the top of their pyramid structure) and cheer has taught her how to put on a smile and cover her feelings in order to stay on top. She’s been trying to come to terms with losing her best friend and her boyfriend to the hands of her boyfriend himself; how can she grieve for him when he is the reason why he and Lynette are both gone?

During a football game, an anonymous poster on the school’s gossip site Sekrit claims that Rocky wasn’t the murderer after all — Iris was. It would make sense from a certain perspective. Lynette had been struggling with a drug problem and Iris accidentally leaked this news to the cheer coach, leading to Lynette’s permanent suspension from the team. Though Iris had not intended for it to happen, she became the top girl, the coveted role Lynette had held before. Cheer had been one of the few things keeping Lynette from going completely off the rails, and her drug addiction worsened quickly, especially after Lynette isolated herself from Iris (Lynette believed Iris had wanted to steal her spot). Rocky — who wasn’t the greatest guy — began having an affair (and not his first) with her at some point, which would give Iris a huge motive for murder.

On top of all that, on the night of the murder, Iris was at a cheer sleepover and she wasn’t fully straight-headed the entire time. Past a certain point, she starts to wonder whether it is possible that she did commit the crime while drunk. Almost the entire school thinks she did it too. Her other two best friends (Hailey and Sophie) stick by her and so does the “cute” boy from sports camp she’s been texting. They figure the best way to clear her name is to find out who’s been posting lies on Sekrit; but while searching for the liar, new truths come to light and it becomes increasingly clear that no one is or was trustworthy to start with.

Marshmallow is reading The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham. — Marshmallow is reading *The Fall of Iris Henley* by Jennifer Graham.

Marshmallow’s Review: The Fall of Iris Henley is a very good book! I only saw two plot twists coming, and there were far more I was completely unprepared for. The story is fascinating and exciting; I know it is cliche to say, but you cannot put this book down! The characters are all developed extremely well, but then the author changes everything you think, feel, or think you know about a person — and in a way that is still logical and believable.

Also, I found it very interesting to read about a mystery set in a community that is very different from my own. The rural football culture in Iris’ city of Varda was intriguing to read about, though I think the author does some subtle critiquing of that way of life. This was interesting from an outsider’s perspective, but I can also see how this location choice could also appeal especially to those who live in similar settings.

That said, certain things the characters do are undeniably deserving of criticism. Iris and her friends all drink regularly and occasionally take other types of drugs; her best friends are often vaping and they skip class at least once. They are not good role models. Also, the characters are almost all seniors in their last year of high school and they engage in sexual interactions so this is another reason why this book might not be very appropriate for some. Luckily, nothing is shown in detail (all of these things are mentioned vaguely in passing) but it might be too much for bunnies younger than thirteen or fourteen.

All that being said, The Fall of Iris Henley was very thought-provoking and the mystery was very hard to solve. The author did a very good job of resolving the mystery, giving a satisfying end to the main conflict while tying up character development in a nice bow. This was a very good book overall and I would highly recommend it to everyone who is old enough to read it!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 98%.

Marshmallow rates The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham 98%. — Marshmallow rates *The Fall of Iris Henley* by Jennifer Graham 98%.