Bats, Bandits & Buggies by Nancy Oswald

Release: October 13, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Burro Books
Source: RABT Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

Bat, Bandits & Buggies is the fourth book in the Ruby and Maude Adventure Series. These books can be read in any order.

In Colorado Springs, the summer of 1898, thirteen-year-old, for Ruby it is really boring and boring.. What starts out as a plan to train her donkey, Maude, to pull a buggy, ends up in a prickly business deal with her friend Roy, who has run away from Cripple Creek to escape his misery of working in the mines.

Roy lives with his peculiar Aunt Agnes, the caretaker of a mansion where things go bump in the night. Ruby suspects his aunt is involved with two bandits who dress in black and appear and disappear without a trace.

After eavesdropping on a mysterious couple, Ruby is terrified Roy may be the bandits’ next target. Her suspicions come true when the gun-brandishing bandits capture her and Roy.

Will the two escape? Is there a connection between the bandits, Aunt Agnes, and the mansion? What other surprises await Ruby and Roy in their seemingly sleepy little town? Find out in Bats, Bandits, & Buggies.

About the Author:

Author, Nancy Oswald loves the west and writing about it. She’s a native Coloradan with a focus on Colorado-set historical fiction for young readers. She has also published non-fiction articles, a biography, and a humorous baseball, sibling rivalry story. Oswald’s books have won the Willa Literary Award, Spur Award, Evvy Award, CAL Award, and have had numerous finalist awards.

Nancy enjoys gardening and helping on the family ranch where she lives with her husband, cows, dogs, cats, and one nearly human donkey who makes mischief at home and on the pages of the Ruby and Maude Adventures set in Cripple Creek, Colorado, 1896. Her newest book, an illustrated picture book, adds to the Ruby and Maude Adventures in a Christmas story with the addition of a delightful new character, Maude’s foal, Willy, otherwise known as Willful.

Bats, Bandits & Buggies by Nancy Oswald Review:

“Bats, Bandits & Buggies” is a delightful middle-grade book with adventure, mystery, and adorable characters.

When I started reading this book, I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much. I have not read any of the previous “Ruby and Maude” adventure stories, but I will indeed check them out now. The author narrates the tale so beautifully that I reminisced about the old Enid Blyton mystery adventures I read growing up. The author also adds complex words to build your vocabulary for a middle-grade novel. I didn’t even know about Promissory notes until I read this book! It is also clear that the author researched quite a lot about Colorado Springs and tries to include an accurate timeline in this tale. The story is so adorable that it makes me want to travel all the way there to visit the donkey pasture.

Ruby is adorable in the lead. I loved how the author made her emotional to Maude’s feelings, like when she feels terrible for mistreating him. Made and Willy are so cute, and I liked how the author wrote them with personality. Moreover, I thought the author wrote Ruby’s friend with Roy well, especially when she faces the predicament involving him.

The author also writes the mystery adventure nicely, when Ruby notices the strange black disappearing in the vast house. As the story progresses, Ruby finds herself in a mystery that could risk her life in danger, as she encounters bandits, crimes, and maybe even a vampire. The climax is thrilling and entertaining and makes the story memorable.

Overall, “Bats, Bandits & Buggies” is a beautiful middle-grade mystery historical adventure that makes you feel like you are reading a classic.