This children's book was read to my third-grade class by our school librarian. I remember absolutely loving the book and being completely enthralled with what was going to happen to Emily Luccock next. It is full of suspense, mystery, and adventure, and I have never forgotten the book.

Recently I re-discovered this book at my library, and because I remembered loving it so much, I was afraid that I would be disappointed in it now - but that wasn't the case. I read this book in just a few hours, and it brought back so many memories. There were so many characters and events that I had forgotten about, and as I was reading, they kept coming back to me. This book, in third grade, was probably one of my first experiences reading a mystery, and it has obviously had a profound effect on me. I know that I am not alone, because my sister, who is five years younger than I, also had this book read to her when she was in third grade, and she holds the book in high regards as well.

First we are introduced to Emily Luccock, a young girl who has recently lost her parents in a tragic accident. She is off to live with her much beloved Aunt and Uncle Twice, and she spends her train ride remembering the wonders of Sugar Hill Hall, her aunt and uncle's mansion. However, when she arrives, she discovers that Sugar Hill Hall has become a home for "unwanted" elderly people who seem to be no more than shadows along the parlor wall. The mansion has fallen into the hands of Mrs. Meeching, a sinister snake-like woman, and Mrs. Plumly, who seems as though she may be sympathetic to Emily's plight. While Uncle Twice is nowhere to be found, Aunt Twice still resides in the Hall. However, she is now one of the housekeepers, along with Tilly, a rough teenage "orphing". We also meet Kipper, a fishmonger's son who befriends Emily. Sugar Hill Hall has become a house of unanswered questions - why are the peppermints put out to tempt everyone? What happens in the Remembrance Room, where people - young and old alike - are locked in if they dare to steal a peppermint? And does fish syrup really taste all that great?

This book was just as wonderful as I remember it to have been 16 years ago, and I highly recommend it. With the influx of movies based on children's books that we have had in recent years, I think Peppermints in the Parlor would be an excellent choice. Flashy special effects are not required, and the story is appealing for all ages. As I was reading, I couldn't help but picture Frances McDormand as Aunt Twice, Freddie Highmore as Kipper, and Dakota Fanning (although someone new would also be nice) as Emily.