Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance are back for the third and final installment in the Mysterious Benedict Society series. They and their families are living in Mr. Benedict's house, along with Number Two and Rhonda. The Whisperer is in Mr. Benedict's capable hands, but for how long before the evil Mr. Curtain tries to steal it back? The children are sent on a whirlwind adventure using all of their incredible skills, including some new ones. How will the battle of the minds end?
This book was so cute and charming. The children are so great to 'hang out' with and read about. Their minds work in such interesting ways and their personalities are so unique. This was just as good as the other two books in the series, and I thought, better than the second. Great for kids of all ages. ( )

http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/20... ( )

Homer P. Figg is a story teller, as in fibs. The way he embellishes a story made me think of Tom Sawyer. His story takes place during the Civil War. He and his brother Harold live with their uncle because their mother is dead. He works them hard and feeds them little. Then the worst thing happens. He sells Harold to serve in the Union Army in the place of a rich mans son. Homer runs away determined to find and rescue his brother. Along the way he has several adventures. He ends up with a group who have decided to use his story telling abilities to uncover an underground railroad station. Homer is smart enough to use the stories to thwart their plans. For all of the humor found in the story it is tempered with the horrors he witnesses of the war. This was a good book that will have a place on my shelves. A good way to teach students some historical facts. ( )

Have you ever been captured by an evil man? Well I have. Hi, my name is Reynard Muldoon. I’m known as Reynie. Me and The Mysterious Benedict Society are being held hostage by an evil man called Mr. Curtain. He is going to brainsweep everyone. Do you think we can survive? If you want to find out read the book The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner’s Dilemma. ( )

We begin the tale in prison. Or something like it. Due to the fact that the children and their families are being sought after by the cruel Mr. Curtain, it has been necessary to keep them concealed as much as possible. But they haven't remained idle in the process. Mr. Benedict, their teacher and benevolent keeper, has kept them on their toes by testing them with riddles, puzzles, and more importantly, the "Prisoner's Dilemma."

....Two suspects, partner in crime, are arrested by the police. The police have insufficient evidence for a conviction, and, having separated both prisoners, visit each of them to offer the same deal. If one testifies (defects from the other) for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent (cooperates with the other), the betrayer goes free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10-year sentence. If both remain silent, both prisoners are sentenced to only six months in jail for a minor charge. If each betrays the other, each receives a five-year sentence. Each prisoner must choose to betray the other or to remain silent.....

But in this case, the prison sentence was replaced by dish duty for a house of 13. As usual, the foursome find a way to turn the situation to their benefit. But while mischievous activity is going on under the Benedict household, other sinister events are underway in the city of Stonetown. Determined to get his Whisperer back, Mr. Curtain has devised another evil plot to try, once again, to reign his terror and superiority over the world. But the Society is fast on his heels.

Another hightailed journey with Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon, Kate Wetherall, George "Sticky" Washington, and Constance Contraire: the nerdy fearsome foursome. The thing I love about this series is: it's never dull. There's always an adventure, always a new puzzle to be solved, and a clue to be figured out.

The camaraderie between the 4 friends is endlessly fun. Whether it's Reynie's knack to solve the unsolvable, Kate's penchant to take action, Sticky's unnerving ability to remember everything, or Constance's quirky habit of forming poem's about the most random things - they each contribute something unique to the book and bring out the best in one another.

Your brain will be teased with excitement and tossed with adventure. You'll experience suspense, dread, happiness - all whopped in to 391 pages. But it's more than just an adventure story, it's a tale about friendship and sticking together through thick and thin. Kinda leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

This book gave the series a sense of closure. Many unanswered plots and threads from the previews books were dutifully answered and did the series justice. Such a satisfying read, although not as good as the first one. A series/book to be enjoyed by everyone! ( )