The Tightrope Walker

I read this book many years ago and enjoyed it. I wanted a newer copy. It is a simple story with charming characters.

I love this book so much I bought a first editon copy. It is the quintessential quirky mystery with lots of fun characters and an enjoyable mystery plot. I read it about once a year. Even if you don't normally pick up a novel this short, give it a try, you'll enjoy it! My second favorite of D. Gilman's is the first Mrs. Pollifax novel, I think it's the Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax.

In a story that seems right out of Dorothy Gilman's imagination, I found this story in a musty suitcase in my parents' attic at the age of 12. It was in a book of Readers' Digest Abridged books for 1979. Also included were 2 very excellent stories and one pretty good one (excellent: Hungry as the Sea, Flesh and Spirit; pretty good: The Passing Bells). I loved the story from the moment I read the opening words. This is an anomaly... Read Full Review

Although "The Tightrope Walker" succeeds very well as a straight mystery, the message it conveys is far beyond that. It tells the story of Amelia Jones, an introverted, somewhat sad young woman, who discovers an unsolved murder, and embarks upon a quest to discover what really happened. As Amelia searches for the truth, she meets some very interesting characters, and finds out some very poignant truths about herself. A wonderful... Read Full Review

I loved this book, and with some effort I was able to track down a copy of "A Maze in the Heart of the Castle". Yes, the book really does exist, and Dorothy Gilman did write it. It is now out of print, but most public libraries will have a copy, and it's worth the effort to track it down. It is a children's book, so look in that section. Enjoy!