The Mystery of the Third Lucretia

When Kari Sundgren and Lucas Stickney meet as 10-year-olds in an art class at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, they soon become best friends despite the differences in their family backgrounds. Lucas is the daughter of a wealthy lawyer with an international reputation, while Kari lives with her single mom. Four years later, the girls are on the trail of an international art mystery involving a mysterious man they encounter copying Rembrandts first in Minneapolis, and then in London. The trail eventually leads Kari, Lucas, and Kari's mom to Amsterdam.

This mystery combines elements I love – art and travel. I didn't notice anything out of place in the descriptions of London, a city I used to know well. The girls spend a lot of time in show more the National Gallery, one of my favorite art museums. The mystery is plotted well and the educational elements are incorporated naturally, not shoehorned in as in some children's/YA literature. This is just the kind of mystery I would have loved as a tween reader except for a few things. The story starts with the history of Rembrandt's two portraits of Lucretia, an ancient Roman woman known for her virtue who killed herself after she was raped. The girls also end up in Amsterdam's red light district where they see prostitutes and people on drugs. Some tweens might be mature enough to handle these subjects. I was not at that age. The girls have freedom to get themselves into dangerous situations because they repeatedly lie to Kari's mother. At least Kari feels guilty about it. The dust jacket says the book is for age 11 and up. Due to the nature of some of the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend it for most readers under 13. show less

This book was so fun to read, I just couldn't put it down. "Just one more PAGE," I kept saying to my husband. The Mystery of the Third Lucretia is the story of two fourteen year old girls who see a strange man copying a Rembrandt painting in the art museum near their home. Then they see the same man in London copying another of Rembrandt's works. The just know something fishy is going on and they make it their mission to uncover The Mystery of the Third Lucretia.

Susan Runholt has done a superb job of mixing together travel, art history, culture and women's rights into a novel that I would be happy to read to any child for bed time. She includes a few risque topics like the dangerous part of Amsterdam, but she explains the thing that go show more on there in a way that informs and educates children with out giving them too much information. Also quietly tucked into the novel is a genius part about anger,

"She calls anger a "covering emotion." She says that almost all the time when people get angry they think they're just mad, but mostly, with out knowing they're doing it, they're covering up another feeling, like fear or hurt or guilt or grief. "

I applaud Runholt for such a dedicated use of tone and diction throughout the story. The voice of the narrator, fourteen year old Kari, sounds the way a fourteen year old should sound. There is a youth and a innocence to the way the story is told. It is also evident that Runholt is a big advocate for women and the power that they can have. The women of this novel are up front and center, each with their own strengths and weaknesses which help to strengthen the whole.

I would recommend this book for any child or parent but especially little girls and women, since Girl Power is a central theme. I read another review that said this would be a great mother daughter book club choice, I fully agree! show less

After reading a glowing review of The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, I knew I wanted to read it. When it came in for me at the library, I first read the author's biography, which begins "Susan Runholt shares a love of art, travel and feminism with her teenage heroines." I would add reading to the list, but I'm proud to share the other three with Ms. Runholt, Lucas and Kari.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia is the first (of many, I hope) Kari and Lucas mysteries. Kari and Lucas are best friends who live in St. Paul, Minnesota (a town I also happen to love). Kari's mom has one of the coolest jobs ever: she covers fashion and international culture for a teen magazine (if such a job exists, I would gladly apply for it.) Kari, who sees her show more father a few times a year, and Lucas, whose parents are eager to spend money for her to experience culture, often get to go along for the ride. The book takes place in St. Paul, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. The girls happen to find themselves trying to solve an international art mystery.

I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. I wish it existed when I was younger, but I still loved it as an adult. I laughed out loud often, learned things (in a delightfully unpreachy way) and eagerly awaited the mystery being solved. Kari and Lucas are both real girls and inspiring to women (and men) of all ages. I am eagerly awaiting my turn to read the second Kari and Lucas mystery, Rescuing Seneca Crane, which came out in August 2009. I wish I knew more young women so I could give this book to them; I know it would have meant the world to me as a younger woman. Happy reading, feminists, art lovers and mystery fans of all ages! show less

International intrigue, disguises, art museums, and a red light district, what do all of these have in common? They are all part of the mystery adventure for two 14-year-old girls, Kari Sundgen and Lucas Stickney.

Kari and Lucas are best friends who are drawn together by their love of art. One afternoon, they are strolling through the Minneapolis Institute of Art when they notice a young man standing by an easel in the Rembrandt Room painting a copy of one of Rembrant's Lucretia paintings. Kari leans over to look at his work, but the man snarls, "Get Away!" Ok! No big deal. The man doesn't like to be bothered while he is painting.

A year later, the girls travel to London with Kari's mother, a journalist for a famous magazine. Kari and show more Lucas decide to visit the National Gallery while they are there and who do they spot but the same guy copying a different painting of Lucretia by Rembrandt. This time the "Gallery Guy" is wearing a disguise. Strange! Again he is angered when someone tries to look over his shoulder.

A short time later, the international press announces the discovery of a third painting of Lucretia by Rembrandt which has been authenticated by the resident expert of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Who is this expert, none other than the mysterious "Gallery Guy!"

Intrigued by the thought of an art forgery, Kari and Lucas head over to Amsterdam determined to expose the scam. What begins as an intriguing quest turns into a frightfully dangerous persuit.

I loved being plunged into the heart of the story with Kari's narration. I feel the frustration of the girls when they find that no one takes them seriously. Curiosity and excitement builds as Kari and and Lucas again encounter the mysterious "Gallery Guy." I hang onto every word keeping up with the fast pace of the persuit despite the mounting fear when it takes us to the dark and dangerous world of the red light district in Amsterdam. I love the challenge and I love the skillful way Susan Runholt leaves me with the desire to read more.

I often check out books on audio cd's from my local library and found this story in the Young Adult section. Krista Sutton reads with excitement and energy which brings Kari's narration to life! It feels like Kari herself is right in the room sharing her story with me and I'm looking forward to reading / listening to the next mysterious adventure of Kari and Lucas. Whether you read the hard copy or listen to the audio book, you will not want to stop until the end! show less

I've been a voracious reader since I was a little girl. I never leave the house without a book & it's a great big crisis if I finish my book before I have to do something like ride BART. I like a lot of the same kinds of books now that I did when I was kid - fantasy, fairy tales, & mysteries.

One of the hardest things when I was growing up was finding books with strong heroines. I can count the number of books that fit that bill for me on one hand: Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler, The Egypt Game, most anything by Judy Blume. It just seemed like girls never got to have big scary adventures that were also well-written & relevant. It sucked.

I was really pleased to get a review copy of The Mystery of the show more Third Lucretia. This was a really fun read & it featured not one, not two, but three heroines (two teen-aged girls & their Mom). That it combines art history (reminding me of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler) & foreign travel & mysterious adventures & is very well-written made me very very happy.

This is a really fun book & a great read for anyone! I pretty much loved it! Get it for the little girls & boys (11 & up) in your life - they'll love it, too & should have a shot at reading something other than Harry Potter! show less

What happens when 14 year old girlfriends, Kari and Lucas, show a little too much curiosity around a mysterious artist in a Minneapolis art museum? What happens is an international mystery and intrigue happening around them. Kari and Lucas are delightful characters who are fun, smart, talented and curious. Their adventures take them overseas when Kari’s mother takes a job that allows them to travel with her.

The dialog is spot-on for the age of the characters, and I could almost hear their voices while I was reading. Also, their friendship was true to life, including a few spats. I thought I would be able to say this is a great mystery book for young people, but I enjoyed it so much that I would have no problem recommending the book show more for parents to read too. I think it would allow some interesting dialog between parents and young teens.

It would also make a good classroom book. The author has a website with more information on the characters and books. http://www.susanrunholt.com/ Thankfully, this book is a part of a series and I look forward to reading more. show less

While spending time in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Kari notices a man painting and studying one of Rembrandt's paintings of Lucretia. When she tries to get a glimpse of what he's painting, he harshly snarls, "go away." Some time later, when Kari, her best friend Lucas, and Kari's mother are spending time in London, she notices the same man painting and studying another of Rembrandt's paintings. Lucas spend their time in London spying on this man, who they call Gallery Guy, certain they are uncovering an art crime. Kari's voice is engaging and a believable representation of a teenage girl. Kari's necessary explanation of art and international culture interferes with the course of events, but in such a way that is so true to her show more character that it is a strength to the novel instead of a weakness. The realistic danger is appropriate to the intended age level and keeps the pages turning. This book is highly recommended for inclusion in collections. show less