Features
- Reading level: Ages 9-12
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 153 pages
- Published by: Allen A. Knoll Publishers
- Edition: 1st Edition December 2002
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1888310227
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1888310221
-
Book Dimensions:
8.8 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
- Weighs: 12.5 ounces
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-A lumbering, kindhearted ex-cop and an intelligent 12-year-old with Asperger's syndrome are the unlikely detective team in this first installment in a new series. When the daughter of a rich family goes missing, followed two days later by her friend, James Allen "Bones" Fatzinger decides to become a private investigator to help pay for his room and board at the Broad Street Hotel. Verity Buscador, the granddaughter of the hotel proprietors, is determined to help. At first, Bones thinks he is indulging Verity, whom he calls "the duchess," by allowing her to work with him, but when she and a friend discover a series of clues from notes written in code based on references to The Wizard of Oz, it is clear that the 12-year-olds are the true detectives. Bones slips in a number of explanations about Verity's illness, which often come across as well intentioned but didactic. Even more prevalent are the constant arch references to the ridiculousness of Verity getting the credit for solving the mystery. Bones's detective patter is humorous and light, and is the most engaging element of a mystery that ends too quickly and neatly. Different characters show promise of depth and interest, but the story allows little time in which to learn about them.
Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Bellevue Regional Library, WACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. The disappearance of two girls gives Bones Fatzinger, former police officer, an opportunity to show everyone that he still knows how to solve cases. It also might help him pay his rent. But he requirements assistance from 12-year-old Verity Buscador and a computer whiz kid, who Bones calls Nerd. Yes, Bones mops things up, but it's the kids who really solve the case, thanks to Verity's persistence and Nerd's talent for breaking codes. There's a definite adult sensibility here: Bones narrates the story, and some of his remarks and his cryptic humor will not mean much to young readers. What's more, Eden's description of Asperger's syndrome ("sort of an
autism 'lite'") seems just that--a description rather than a well-integrated story element. Some of the adult characters are nicely drawn, though, and kids will certainly have fun with the codes. Best suited to more extensive mystery collections. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Reader Reviewsi like to read fiction books about aspergers to see how accrate they are. in this one the AS really only palys a minor part in the story. i think it would have been a better book if the duchess had narrated it.
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