With just 16 days before the next full moon, the girls agree to take on the challenge. Their sleuthing leads them to the Ottawa archives and also to a seniors residence where they meet centenarian Sadie Squires, someone who lived in Glebe at the time of MacNeill's murder. What they discover is that MacNeill has not been entirely forthright with them for it appears that the married MacNeill was one side of a romantic triangle also involving Seamus and a beautiful young woman, Mary Burns. Despite what the girls have uncovered regarding the old murder, they must still prevent the impending one, and, to do so, they tail Patrick. His daily habits take him to a local pub where he holds court and where, on the day of the full moon, he encounters a new drinking companion, "Slick" O'Brien, whose given name, of course, is James. When the pair get into an argument over the affections of Tanya, the bartender, they agree to a fistfight during which Patrick tries to kill O'Brien; however, Punky and Caitlin intervene and prevent the murder from occurring. In the book's closing pages, readers learn that O'Brien was really the son of MacNeill's daughter, and, consequently, the grandsons of the original combatants were about to replicate the historical event. With the murder prevented, MacNeill's ghost can now find rest.

      In physical appearance, the book is unlike most early adolescent novels in two major ways: the cover illustration is a reproduction of a 1920's black and white photo (which is again reproduced in an uncropped version at the book's conclusion), and, in addition to chapter-beginning illustrations, there are another seven pen and ink illustrations scattered throughout the text. A hand drawn street map at the book's beginning assists readers in following the action. While the title, Murder at Summerhouse, suggests a mystery, the contents contain fantasy elements, and, although the plot initially appears to focus on the girls' preventing the murder, the book's real interest lies in their discovering the actual motive for MacNeill's murder. Generally well written, the plot challenges reader credulity in the scene involving the girls' actions during and immediately following the Kilpatrick/O'Brien fight. Nonetheless, McCloskey's work should be considered by libraries serving early adolescents.

Recommended.