The Body on the Beach
Are you ready for some excitement? The virtual book tour for The Body on the Beach is on, and it’s the perfect sequel to the thrilling The Crabtree Monsters. Thank you The Children’s Book Review for hosting this tour!
About the Book

Title: The Body on the Beach
Series: A Kat Dylan Mystery
Written by: Chris Wieland
Illustrated by: Leanne Franson
Ages 9+ | 360 Pages
Publisher: The Smart Aleck Press (2023)
ISBN-13: 9798985701326
Available: Amazon
In this sequel to 2022’s The Crabtree Monsters, thirteen-year-old girl detective Kat Dylan and her little brother, Alec, are back!
Even after cracking the case of the century, Kat and Alec are still stuck in Crabtree, Michigan, and suffering through a long, cold Midwest winter. When Gabby, a middle school “mean girl,” approaches her with a problem, Kat can’t imagine it’s worth her time—or that there’s a chance Gabby’s problems will lead to the next big mystery. But when Gabby becomes the focus of the local police, especially Kat’s Grandpa Nick, her interest is piqued. Before Kat can get to the bottom of things, she finds Gabby lying dead on Crabtree’s frozen beach.
Suddenly, Kat is awash in questions. Who killed Gabby? Could Kat have saved her if she’d paid closer attention to the mean girl’s troubles? From there, Kat, with Alec in tow, sets out to find answers and bring the murderer to justice. Along the way, she learns that Gabby’s case is tied to another investigation: the kidnapping of a rich kid from Chicago whose family is intertwined with the people who own most of Crabtree.
As she and Alec dig, they find themselves at odds with kidnappers and killers, private eyes and cops, and more than a few kids and adults who would just like them to go away.
Review of The Body on the Beach
We’ve got a bit of everything in this story; middle school drama, kidnapping, murder, a blundering sheriff, and even cranky calls from Kat and Alec’s parents. The kids, still displaced from their California home, shiver in the Crabtree Lake snow. The addition of a mean girl in middle school is no stretch of the imagination but… guess who gets involved when said mean girl is found dead? You guessed it, our young detectives! The suspense in the book is built to fever pitch and kept me guessing throughout. The writing is stellar but I’m a little hesitant about the murder plot in a middle grade read. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to share my opinion.
About the Author
Chris Wieland is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. He is also the father of two fierce children, including a tough, smart tween who helped him find the voice of his protagonist, Kat Dylan. He lives in Southern California with his family.
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The Body on the Beach Giveaway
Enter here for the chance to win signed copies of both Kat Dylan Mysteries (The Crabtree Monsters and The Body on the Beach) and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
-A signed copy of The Crabtree Monsters
-A signed copy of The Body on the Beach
-A $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.
Four (4) winners receive:
-A signed copy of The Body on the Beach

The Body on the Beach Book Tour
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 The Children’s Book Review Book Review |
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 The Fairview Review Book Review |
Thursday, October 26, 2023 One More Exclamation Book Review |
Friday, October 27, 2023 The Momma Spot Book Review |
Monday, October 30, 2023 Joanna’s Bookshelf Book Review |
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 Crafty Moms Share Book Review |
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Cover Lover Book Review An Article by Chris Wieland |
Thursday, November 2, 2023 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review and Little Free Library Drop |
Friday, November 3, 2023 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review |
Monday, November 6, 2023 My Reading Getaway An Interview with Chris Wieland |
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Life Is What It’s Called An Interview with Chris Wieland |
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Country Mamas with Kids An Article Written by Chris Wieland |
Thursday, November 9, 2023 Because I Said So Book Review |
Friday, November 10, 2023 Stargirls Magical Tale Book Review |
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 The Growing Readers Podcast An Interview with Chris Wieland |
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight |
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