The Wright cousins are back for another adventure in the desert Southwest. After their previous Desert Jeepers mystery, the youth are still settling into their temporary living situation in the small town of Heberville. With the help of the town librarian, the cousins work to uncover the location of a mysterious lost city in the desert, referenced in an old, World War II era letter. Luckily, the cousins have connections, and they saddle up some horses and head out into the desert to test the theories they have developed. But they are not the only ones after the lost city, and they have to outsmart some dastardly villains to succeed in their mission.

This third installment of the Wright Cousin Adventures series begins not long after the second book ends and is an enjoyable companion to that story. While it does stand alone, familiar characters and locales from book two find their way into this book, which makes reading both more enjoyable. As in the other books in this series, the narrative is filled with enjoyable dialogue and banter between the cousins, which is presented in an accessible and wholesome format. The characters are all in their teens, but they use vernacular that is suitable for younger readers, incorporating many jokes and puns with no strong language or adult content.

Fans of mysteries and adventure will appreciate both the delivery and excitement found in this book, and for those who enjoy Nancy Drew and Indiana Jones, there are familiar threads woven throughout this series, as well. Short chapters and ample action and dialogue keep the story moving quickly, and readers will easily absorb this novel and be ready for the next installment. One of a series of wholesome adventure stories for youth, this is a delightful addition to library collections for young readers.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.