THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FALLS Book Review and Giveaway

What kid doesn’t love a good mystery with coded maps and secret treasure? Check out this review of the Christian, middle-grade chapter book, THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FALLS. Discover what Christian elements were woven in to make this an exciting adventure!

The Coauthors

Jen Weaver is a wife and a mom of two young sons. She’s a Bible teacher, author of two other books, and the host of the “Good God Talks” podcast. She also serves as a ministry coach, bringing marketing & business strategy into ministry spaces. THE MYSTERY OF MISSING FALLS is her first children’s book, but more are coming because the Kingswell Kid Detectives is a series!

You can learn more about Jen Weaver on her website.

Gayle Veitenheimer is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She’s seminary-trained and says, “I weave my passion for Scripture with my calling to write by crafting adventurous tales and creative non-fiction that encourage kids to walk out their faith.”

Veitenheimer hosts of the “Christian Grandparenting Podcast.” She’s contributed her writing to several publications, but THE MYSTERY OF MISSING FALLS is her debut picture book!

You can learn more at GayleVeitenheimer.com.

The authors begin the book with a short note to parents. It ends with this sentiment:

“Kids don’t need perfect prayers—they need our God who listens. Our hope?
That your kid finishes a chapter and starts talking with God.”

About the Kingswell Kid Detective Series

Kingswell Kid Detectives is a Christian chapter-book series published by Kregel Publications for kids ages 8–12. It combines young detective adventures with practical ways to experience life with God.

Kingswellkids.com promises that every book offers:

A FUN READ (No lectures. No eye rolls.)

COVERT DISCIPLESHIP (Not just “clean” but informative.)

AGE-APPROPRIATE TRUTH (Kids can apply in real life.)

These promises sound good for kids and parents, don’t they?

Even though this is a series, I’ve read that each book will be a stand-alone, so readers can read them in any order they like.

About Book 1: THE MYSTERY OF MISSING FALLS

I found the characters engaging and relatable. Luka and Ember have started their own detective agency and are seeking to gain credibility and validation in the community. They set out to accomplish this by entering a contest to solve the town’s oldest mystery- the location of the legendary Kingswell Waterfalls.

Personalities clash when Luka and Ember team up with feuding cousins Jake and Callie. Each character wrestles with aspects of working on their own and working as a team.

Throughout the book, humorous and endearing moments inspire readers to pick up gentle lessons about ultimately following God’s lead.

Throughout their adventures, Ember and Luka search the Bible to learn more about prayer. They learn that God speaks through His Word, His Spirit, and His creation. And what He says will never contradict what is written in His Word, the Bible.

Just as in real life, spiritual maturity varies among the group of characters. But they learn to help one another. This book does a wonderful job encouraging kids facing that initial awkwardness when approaching God in prayer.

The dialogue is spot on for this age group.

Ember, you wanna start?”

She shook her head. “That’s okay. You can.”

“Come on, Ember.” Callie squeezed her arm.

Ember flinched.

Callie jerked her hand back like she’d been burned. “I thought you liked talking to God.”

“Pony up, Preacher’s Kid,” Jake teased.

“That’s Preacher’s Kid Kid Detective to you.” Ember huffed. “I do like talking with God. Just ’cause I’m a Preacher’s Kid doesn’t mean I have to lead the prayer every time.”

“Okay, man, it was your idea.” Jake slugged Luka. “You’re up.”

“Hi, God. It’s me, Luka. I’m here with Ember, and Jake, and Callie.” He fumbled. “Um, the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. But, um, God, we do want things right now, so please help us with these journals. Uh, he maketh me lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me . . .” Luka opened his eyes, searching Ember’s face for help.

Ember rescued him. “Yes, God. Please help us as we read Mr. Kingswell’s journals. Amen.” She opened her eyes and glanced at her cousin. “See? Nothing to it.”

“I dunno. That was rough.” Jake clapped a hand on Luka’s shoulder. “You got guts, man, I’ll give you that. Couldn’t pay me to pray out loud. I don’t even know prayers like that to say.”

“It’s just talking,” Callie assured him. “You did great, Luka. Even though Ember interrupted you.”

“She didn’t—­ ” Luka couldn’t let that slide, but the bell cut him off. He ran a mental checklist. “HQ tomorrow after school. Bring the journals.”

“Can’t.” Jake staggered under his stack of books. “Practice for the tourney. Wednesday?”

The team agreed and headed out.

-Excerpt from chapter 17, The Mystery of the Missing Falls

Extras

There are a lot of cool extras with THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FALLS.

One of those is how the story incorporates cultural elements of the Cherokee people. The authors wrote an interesting article about how they gained knowledge for this at KingswellKids.com.

Also, on the website you’ll find more articles, a book club, and a helpful resource called “Secret Clues.” This resource offers you excerpts from the book along with scriptures- the “hidden clues” that apply to prayer and hearing God.

I think these elements give parents and teachers ways to start discussions and check readers’ comprehension.

One example of a “Secret Clue” on KingswellKids.com:

Taken from chapter 2:

Secret weapon? Sometimes Luka found his cousin impossible to follow. “I don’t copy.”

“An advantage no one will think about.” She relaxed back into her chair with a confident smile. “Prayer.”

Luka rolled his eyes. “You’re kidding. When I think ‘secret weapon,’ I think rocket launchers or laser guns, not prayer.”

Scriptures

Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me.”

James 5:16b “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Debrief

Ember’s confidence in God’s availability, His willingness to listen, and His ability to answer is something we can have too. We start with baby steps toward God and faith in Who He is and Who He wants to be for us, a good Father. A track record of God’s faithfulness helps us trust Him the next time.

Recommendation and Giveaway

MISSING FALLS invites young readers to discover that prayer is more than talking to God—it’s part of an ongoing, growing relationship with a God who speaks, listens, and meets them wherever they are. I recommend this exciting, faith-filled book for ages 8 – 12.

We’ll select a winner for this book on October 1, 2026, using our winner selection process. We’ll announce the winner here and on my Sally Matheny-Encourager, Writer, Speaker Facebook page.

Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.

Her nonfiction writing appears in national and worldwide publications, including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.

I received a free copy of this product. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.