Cover Image: The Hayley Mysteries: The Secret on Set

The Hayley Mysteries: The Secret on Set

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Hayley is the lead character in a TV show about a young detective and she notices things go wrong in the studio. I liked reading this book immensely! It was a short book and fairly quick read, and the mystery was also interesting. Overall, a great middle grade book. I'd definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main character were Hayley and her two friends.

Hayley is a twelve years old girl. She is in a TV show called Sadie Solves it. While filming her next show something happens again on the studio set. Her and her friends decided to try to solve the mystery of who could be the body that people keep seeing. But when the guard get there it's gone.

This was a fun story to read. It is the third in the series. It had action and adventure throughout. It had a few giggles within.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

Was this review helpful?

What a fun story. Perfect for children and middle grade readers looking to start reading the mystery genre. The friendships were so great and the setting was fun as well. Overall a cute read!

Was this review helpful?

"The Hayley Mysteries: The Secret on Set" is the third installment in an exciting middle-grade mystery series starring Hayley LeBlanc. This time, Hayley, a TV star and amateur detective, finds herself on a Hollywood set where strange events occur. When she stumbles upon a seemingly lifeless body, it disappears, leaving her to unravel the mystery.

Hayley is a relatable character, making the story accessible for elementary readers. The mystery is age-appropriate and not too scary, and it continues to emphasize the importance of friendship. This series is an excellent choice for young and reluctant readers, offering well-written characters and enjoyable mysteries. Thanks to the author and to NetGalley for sharing this captivating story in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Hayley is a fun and relatable character who also happens to be a TV star who solves mysteries on the side. The mystery is cute and not too scary for elementary readers. Friendship plays a key role in Hayley’s stories and the backdrop of a studio lot adds to the intrigue.

Was this review helpful?

A pretty fun children's mystery story. Although this is a serialized story, it can also be read as a standalone. The conflict wad interesting, the characters were familiar, and the adventure was quite exciting. I think the story in this third book felt much more mature than the previous series.

Was this review helpful?

As my little one’s reading skills evolve, I’ve started reaching for middle grade reads in order to have a number of good books waiting for her when she reaches that reading level. And these two books in The Hayley Mysteries series made the cut.

Written by a pre-teen, and there is a freshness, authenticity, and sweetness that I really appreciated. It reminded me of so many conversations I have had with preteens in my work with them throughout the years.

The mysteries were straightforward and the investigations complex enough, with enough hints for readers to get a good idea of what may have happened without delivering it on a silver platter. There are also moments of character growth and development that young readers will benefit from. The situations and their resolutions are quite wholesome, and a great way for parents to have conversations about dynamics in friendships. One such situation had one character lashing out at another as stress and self-doubt started getting the best of her; the resolution was balanced and well thought-out.

I didn’t find overt sexism or misogyny in the book, and there is a good amount of diversity in the characters. I’m going to get my hands on the third book in the series, and hope that more are on the horizon!

Was this review helpful?

A fun mystery targeted for middle-school kids. Not only do readers get to enjoy a mystery but a diverse cast--and cast is the right word to use--and a behind the scene look at how a tv series is produced. The events and the kids' actions are believable. They aren't super spies and they don't get everything right.

I look forward to reading more in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a great kids’ mystery series! They are short, cute, and great for struggling or non-readers to get into reading in the middle grades and perfect for elementary grades! I hope more books pop up in this series!

Was this review helpful?

It is Halloween at the Silver Screen Studios, where Sadie Solves It shoots their spooky episode. But not only the episode is spooky. Something strange is happening on set: food is being stolen, people disappear, and there are sightings of bodies that vanish the next moment. Of course, Hayley and her friends are ready to investigate. Is all this just a Halloween prank, or is there more to be uncovered?

With the third book in the series, we are confronted not only with the mystery itself but also with questions of self doubts, friendship trouble and desperation.

This is a short read: the plot is moving fast, and there isn’t much character development. It is a fun and easy to read mystery solving story.

I’m sure that fans of Hayley LeBlanc will like this book just like the others in the series.

Was this review helpful?

Review to come October 28th on my blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

The third book in the Hayley Mysteries series and this time mysterious body sightings, squid stench around a cat, friendship drama, Halloween is coming up in Hayley's show, costume contest, a new character, and more! Sadly, while I had tons of fun, this one just missed something. Still a good read, but yeah.

Things I liked: costume contest, the mystery in the beginning, what is up with Kara (is she really being clumsy or is something else happening?), Alex who was at first a bit eh but I really warmed up to him and I loved that he was given this chance, seeing Salmon again, the costume contest and what everyone was wearing (loved Hayley and her friends idea), seeing a few scenes from the show, being on the set again with Hayley and the others and see some other stages, the mystery of the movie being made in one of the stages, the treehouse (Does everyone have one in the US? It seems at times to be so.), the cover, the illustrations, reading how Aubrey is doing on the other set. 

But the Aubrey dramarama was just so lame. It just made my eyes roll. Hayley is just being her sweet self and you are constantly pissed off against her because of some dumb reason? I mean, if I just discovered something scary the day before, and things are a bit strange on the set, and my best friend wouldn't be around on the time she supposed to be? Boo, I would be so freaking in anxiety. Just like Hayley. But oh no, according to Aubrey she was angry and jealous... And if she had a valid reason to think these dumb things I would have maybe say OK girl, good. But no. Her reason why? Oh no, I started a new movie and I am so without confidence. And I feel shit. And instead of talking to her friends about it? She just burns her best friend. Wow. Wow. *slow claps* DANG GIRL. Good luck in the rest of your life if this is how you do shit.

And then there is the mystery which is just freaking cool and great... but then it turns out to be [spoiler] nothing at all again[/spoiler]. Like hey, I get it, this is a kids book. But I am reading kids book pretty much on the daily and I have read some AMAZING mystery books. With real mysteries. Real scary things. And I would just like for one time to have Hayley solve a real mystery. Not just mostly fake jewels stolen by a [spoiler]monkey[/spoiler] or some [spoiler]kid living in the set[/spoiler]. It just feels like it builds up to something and then boom, something boring. 

I also really really missed the tv show stuff. Whereas in the previous book we got plenty of scenes, even read along with some, this one barely had any. It was just here a bit, there a bit, maybe a bit of acting, but other than that... nothing.

Also still not a fan of Amelia.

So yeah, I am not sure if this series is for me anymore. I absolutely liked the first book (4.5 stars). Then I read the second book (4 stars). And this one I just cannot give more than 3 stars. It just goes down and down and I am not sticking around. Maybe if Hayley will solve a real mystery for once.

Was this review helpful?

Hayley LeBlanc has written her best mystery yet! In this third installment in the series, the characters are starting to develop more and become more dynamic. There was some conflict/resolution between the characters in this story. This one actually had me on the edge of my seat reading to find out what happened next. I liked the way the main character Hayley solved this mystery. The cover art and illustrations throughout still add to the story and help young readers to picture better in their minds what is happening throughout the story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! 5/5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

My 10 year old really is enjoying this series.
She enjoys the characters.and the fact the story takes place around a theater.

Was this review helpful?

I have loved the Hayley mysteries since the first one. I will say this is my favorite of the series so far. The characters are being brought more to life and I loved the mystery she had to solve. You can see her writing is getting stronger with each book and it is hard to believe that the author is only 13. She is an actress herself so that lends a hand to some real life behind the screens filming scenes in the book.

I am looking forward to more Hayley mysteries.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this instalment in The Hayley Mysteries. I think it was my favourite mystery so far. The story had really interesting conflicts and the bonds between characters felt like they really strengthened. This also felt like the most authentic mystery so far, which I won’t discuss in further detail for obvious reasons. A great third novel. I hope to see more books in this series sometime in the future.

Was this review helpful?

This series is really getting into its stride and we thought this was the best mystery so far. The books are becoming more assured and fleshed out. A real achievement for such a young author. The children look forward to the next installment !

Was this review helpful?

The Hayley Mysteries: The Secret on Set
Hayley Leblanc


9/10

I am not going to lie, this review he'll be very short. I only say this because I am becoming redundant I feel while writing my reviews on the series. If you're interested in me over analyzing the writing in the box please check out my other reviews in this series. Now let's go to the review
This book has to be my favorite of the three so far. For many reasons but the big one is the mystery that Haley has to solve. This was the most fun one to read about and solve, because surprisingly the ending took me by surprise. I did not see that coming. (I am being serious) and in hindsight, I realize I could have solved it, but I didn’t. So props to you Hayley, for stumping the mystery lover. (I don’t have a clapping emoji, so just picture there is one).
The second reason I love this book was because you can really feel the character stepping into who they are. For example Haley, the main character is really stepping into her element. In the last book Haley was like "I'm not gonna start any mysteries" and then in this story you really see you're getting into it. You can really feel her embracing what she has to solve, which was super nice.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a middle grade chapter book about a girl named Hayley who is the star of a kids mystery tv series, and also solves mysteries of her own. There are about 20 chapters, and about 5 pages per chapter bringing this book in at about 180 pages. Each chapter has a very detailed black and white picture, some take up a whole page while others are small. The illustrations are definitely in the popular style and would draw in children much like the cover would. In addition, it is written by a 13-year-old social media influencer, so I think that would bring in the pre-teens as well!

It is a mystery so there are a few “scary” elements but it is mainly just a thief and things going missing. Definitely nothing for parents or teachers to be worried about. The story also has some positive lessons such as friendship, working together and being kind to others.

I could definitely see my Grade 3 students reading and enjoying this book. It is a slightly longer early chapterbook but I think that it wouldn’t be too intimidating for new chapterbook readers. I would recommend this book for children in grades 2-5, with the target audience probably being grades 3&4.

I really appreciate the opportunity from Netgalley and the publisher to read and review an advance copy of this book! I am looking forward to purchasing a copy for my students in the future!

Was this review helpful?

The Hayley Mysteries is still going strong in this third entry, it had what I enjoyed from the previous two books. The characters were just as well written and I enjoyed going on this mystery with them. The plot was what I enjoyed from the previous two book. I can't wait to read more in this series and from Hayley LeBlanc as this was a fun mystery series so far.

"I try to put the dead body out of my mind when I show up for the show the next day. It’s important that I concentrate on being Sadie, I tell myself—not some random sneakers I thought I saw."

Was this review helpful?