The Dark Stairs is the first book in a cute middle-grade kid detective series, The Herculeah Jones Mysteries. I came across this series by accident, but I'm glad I did. I needed a lighthearted read to clear my mind between adult thriller novels, and The Dark Stairs was a fun, enjoyable read.

The basics: Herculeah (named after Hercules because her mom was watching a cheesy Hercules movie when she was in labor) Jones is curious, inquisitive and an amateur sleuth. She comes by it naturally -- her mom is a private detective and her dad is a cop. She always knows when something strange is going on because her hair frizzles (starts to stand on end). Her neighbor and friend is a boy called Meat. He's a bit of a chicken, but occasionally does help Herculeah out of a jam. In her first mystery, Herculeah is drawn to an old abandoned mansion in town. It's called Twin Oaks, but everyone calls it Dead Oaks. The old man who owned the house disappeared years before and nobody ever found him. Now someone is in town asking about the house and the old man. Despite her parents telling her to stay out of it, Herculeah's hair is frizzling and she just can't stand it til she investigates the old house. What happened to old man Crewell? And who is the creepy guy asking about him?

Meat reminds me a bit of Chunk from Goonies. He's the comic relief, but a good friend to Herculeah. They make a good team, even if he is a bit of a chicken. Herculeah is smart, curious and daring. At times, her curious nature gets her into big trouble.

There are seven books in this series. It is middle-grade appropriate. There is nothing too scary or graphic. Just a cute, light-hearted kid sleuth story. I thought her hair frizzling every time she felt a mystery coming on was cute. The books were written from 1994-2006. Betsy Byars is the author of many middle-grade books including the Bingo Brown series and the Blossom Family series.

Cute book! I'm glad I came across this series. I'm going to read the rest of the books in between adult mystery stories. Perfect quick reads to relax with and enjoy. ( )

This was a pretty good book. Its about a girl named Herculeah that doesn't now how to mind her own business but ends up helping solve a 10 year old disappearance of an old man. Its a good book for kids that are in middle school. Its a good mystery for kids that like mysteries like this. ( )

Herculeah Jones has detective work in her blood - her mother is a private eye and her father is on the police force. When she discovers her father at Dead Oaks mansion, a msyterious man lurking around, and her mother on a case that has to do with the old house Herculeah can't help but get involved. As she tries to solve the mystery, she finds herself a little too close to her main suspect one time too many.

This story was darker than I expected it to be and was definitely for an older audience than the lexile level would suggest. There is a character in the book experiencing the first steps towards puberty, and the main character stumbles on the dead body at the end -- definitely not for 8 year olds. I would recommend it for a reader who likes a little more darkness than the Nancy Drew type story but isn't ready for a truly scary mystery. ( )