while I still enjoy the characters and the mystery, the constant interludes of grammar and social lessons are getting a little tedious. ( )

So the three children and Penelope and Lady Ashton arrive back to Ashton House from London when Lord Ashton's mother appears with her new fiancé in tow, He wants to start an Ostrich racing business but when the Ostrich escapes, he uses the tracking skills of the four children to find it and then gets a more sinister idea that involves the children. The book seemed a bit darker than the first two and there was also the matter of the noise in the attic that was never solved as well as the judge proclaiming that he was Lord Ashton's father - very strange. Will have to read the next ones to find out what is actually going on. ( )

Audio book ( )

Continuing to delight. And also, honestly, a race with giant wolves and a governess on an ostrich -- what a priceless visual. Also, Madame Ionesco's salty "don't worry about it, honey"s and "see you later wolf-babies" are just riotously funny.

The audio book version of it is superb, with just the right mix of pragmatic governess voice and assorted delightful animal noises. Hilarious, over the top, and full of sound advice. ( )

3.5 stars. Alright, the structure of the book is wearing a little thin, maybe from reading/listening to 3 books in rapid succession? There have been some mysteries revealed, but so many hinted at yet to be solved, do they all have to be laid out at once? What happened to Miss Lumley’s parents? Are they still alive? Is the judge really Lord Ashton’s father? What’s the relation between the children and the Ashton curse? What is the apparent relation between the children and Miss Lumley? Why must she (Miss Lumley) hide her natural appearance? Do we really only get one (sort of) solved mystery per book?

This is reading more like a Victorian Series of Unfortunate Events, down to the things about that series I didn’t particularly care for. But I’m halfway thru, and determined to keep going because ultimately the siblings are adorable, their governess is adequately plucky (tho a bit conveniently slow in certain matters) and I’d like to see if Mrs. Ashton is a redeemable character at all (I’m leaning toward no, but it’s a little early to really decide). ( )