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Half Moon Investigations
Ever since he can remember, 12-year-old Fletcher Moon has had to surfer the nickname Half Moon because of his short stature. But it's not so bad because Fletcher Moon is the youngest qualified private detective in the world. He graduated top of his class and received a gold plated detective's shield for his effort. Armed with his prized shield, Fletcher takes on various petty crimes cases in high school. Then one day his shield is stolen and Fletcher is caught up in an investigation involving the town's biggest crime family.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2006
157 people are currently reading
3827 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Colfer
155 books11.8k followersEoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 825 reviews
November 16, 2015
This was a very fun take on the hardboiled detective novel from the viewpoint of a thirteen-year-old Irish boy who takes a correspondence course and gets his detective license. It's very tongue and cheek, but that's a huge part of the fun of it. Colfer takes the story very seriously, in that it's serious enough for Fletcher Moon. He's really in everyway a bonafide detective. However, people don't seem to believe he's what he says he is. Fletcher's heart and soul is in detective work, but everything is rather theoretical until he gets a case that involves him up to his ears.
Kids make me laugh and I love reading middle grade stories because they're never boring. While it's been a long time since I was thirteen, I can identify with the angst of that age, and the aspects that are pretty darn funny.
The cast of characters are awesome. Fletcher is very likable, and to my surprise, Red became one of my favorite characters. He has some built in pathos in his situation as a Starkey, a family known for its criminal nature. Just because he's in the family, he's going to be seen as a criminal, even if he's honest. But it turns out the same person who frames Fletcher framed him, and together they expose a conspiracy that impacts their whole school.
I have tons of respect for Colfer as a writer. He writes books that a child and an adult can enjoy. His humor is accessible enough to entertain young readers, but sly and wry enough to appeal to an adult who likes that bit of sarcasm.
This was a great book to listen to. The narrator is probably Irish, so he had the accents down pat, and each character has a different feel to their vocalization. I would recommend this book for a fun and relatively short audiobook read. I think a family would enjoy listening to this together.
Kids make me laugh and I love reading middle grade stories because they're never boring. While it's been a long time since I was thirteen, I can identify with the angst of that age, and the aspects that are pretty darn funny.
The cast of characters are awesome. Fletcher is very likable, and to my surprise, Red became one of my favorite characters. He has some built in pathos in his situation as a Starkey, a family known for its criminal nature. Just because he's in the family, he's going to be seen as a criminal, even if he's honest. But it turns out the same person who frames Fletcher framed him, and together they expose a conspiracy that impacts their whole school.
I have tons of respect for Colfer as a writer. He writes books that a child and an adult can enjoy. His humor is accessible enough to entertain young readers, but sly and wry enough to appeal to an adult who likes that bit of sarcasm.
This was a great book to listen to. The narrator is probably Irish, so he had the accents down pat, and each character has a different feel to their vocalization. I would recommend this book for a fun and relatively short audiobook read. I think a family would enjoy listening to this together.
March 1, 2025
Colfer has created a timeless classic of a middle grade mystery novel with twists, turns, and a compelling narrative to boot. Its strengths lay in its more-than-meets-the-eye characters and unexpected relationships that shouldn’t work but do.
The humour and quirkiness of the narrative voice was fantastic and really enhanced the pacing of the book. The only thing that saddened me about this was its lack of a sequel.
The humour and quirkiness of the narrative voice was fantastic and really enhanced the pacing of the book. The only thing that saddened me about this was its lack of a sequel.
May 10, 2017
Great book for kids. Your hero is a witty misfit who is allowed to make mistakes.
September 10, 2009
My name is Moon. Fletcher Moon. And I'm a private detective. In my twelve years on this spinning ball we call Earth, I've seen a lot of things normal people never see. I've seen lunch boxes stripped of everything except fruit. I've seen counterfeit homework networks that operated in five counties, and I've seen truckloads of candy taken from babies.
I thought I'd seen it all. I had paid so many visits to the gutter looking for lost valentines, that I thought nothing could shock me. After all, when you've come face-to-face with the dark side of the school yard, life doesn't hold many surprises.
Or so I believed. I was wrong. Very wrong.
The story of a twelve-year-old, hard-boiled-noir private investigator told with excellent humor, a real mystery, and nice use of language. Petty theft and playground violence (There are several kinds of school fights. The three most popular kinds are the Pinwheel, the Hold-Me-Back, and the Headlock.), but an excellent place to steer series mystery readers looking for something else.
I especially enjoyed his Femme Fatale: This was April Devereux, ten years old and already the head of an entire tribe of Barbies.
Just found out BBC turned it into a TV series. I wish he would write some sequels, because I'd read them.
I thought that my cleverness would make me popular. I was wrong. No one wants a friend who can find out their secrets. Somehow I realized even at three years old that if I wanted friends, I would have to stop finding things out. I didn't stop, and Mary Ann has hated me now for almost a decade. If she wants to do anything about it after all this time, she'll just have to join the club.
I thought I'd seen it all. I had paid so many visits to the gutter looking for lost valentines, that I thought nothing could shock me. After all, when you've come face-to-face with the dark side of the school yard, life doesn't hold many surprises.
Or so I believed. I was wrong. Very wrong.
The story of a twelve-year-old, hard-boiled-noir private investigator told with excellent humor, a real mystery, and nice use of language. Petty theft and playground violence (There are several kinds of school fights. The three most popular kinds are the Pinwheel, the Hold-Me-Back, and the Headlock.), but an excellent place to steer series mystery readers looking for something else.
I especially enjoyed his Femme Fatale: This was April Devereux, ten years old and already the head of an entire tribe of Barbies.
Just found out BBC turned it into a TV series. I wish he would write some sequels, because I'd read them.
I thought that my cleverness would make me popular. I was wrong. No one wants a friend who can find out their secrets. Somehow I realized even at three years old that if I wanted friends, I would have to stop finding things out. I didn't stop, and Mary Ann has hated me now for almost a decade. If she wants to do anything about it after all this time, she'll just have to join the club.
July 17, 2014
I just can't dislike books by Eoin Colfer. I really can't. Although Half Moon Investigations wasn't my favorite book ever by him, I still enjoyed it a lot. I actually enjoyed it a whole lot more than I originally thought I would because this book is more in the mystery genre.
Once again Mr. Colfer managed to create very interesting characters. The main character, Fletcher Moon, of course being the most fascinating. But I also liked Red Sharkey a lot. And I also have to say that Colfer has a knack for creating batshit crazy female characters. Just saying - that April girl? There was seriously something wrong with her. She could give Opal Koboi (from Artemis Fowl) a run for her money.
But back to the story now. It was a good story and a great mystery. I found myself wanting to solve it along with Fletcher or as Red calls him, Half Moon. And in the end I must admit that I hadn't been able to guess who was really behind it all so that's more bonus points for this book and author.
Another thing, I feel I must say is that the story read really quickly. I flew through it in no time and it always had my attention. Colfer has a unique way of writing a story and keeping its audience hooked. At least, that's always the case with me.
So if you're looking for an awesome mystery book, look no further - you have got to read Half Moon Investigations. Colfer introduces us to unique characters, unexpected twists and the brilliance of his writing once again. I loved it!
Once again Mr. Colfer managed to create very interesting characters. The main character, Fletcher Moon, of course being the most fascinating. But I also liked Red Sharkey a lot. And I also have to say that Colfer has a knack for creating batshit crazy female characters. Just saying - that April girl? There was seriously something wrong with her. She could give Opal Koboi (from Artemis Fowl) a run for her money.
But back to the story now. It was a good story and a great mystery. I found myself wanting to solve it along with Fletcher or as Red calls him, Half Moon. And in the end I must admit that I hadn't been able to guess who was really behind it all so that's more bonus points for this book and author.
Another thing, I feel I must say is that the story read really quickly. I flew through it in no time and it always had my attention. Colfer has a unique way of writing a story and keeping its audience hooked. At least, that's always the case with me.
So if you're looking for an awesome mystery book, look no further - you have got to read Half Moon Investigations. Colfer introduces us to unique characters, unexpected twists and the brilliance of his writing once again. I loved it!
October 13, 2007
I knew when smoky jazz filled the car that I was in for trouble, and I was right. I had to leave ten minutes early for everything because I just had to finish the chapter. The combination of Eoin Colfer's dime-store humor and Sean Patrick Reilly's melodramatic brogue makes me believe I have entered the world of a P.I.
The characters are just wonderful, falling into mystery novel stereotypes while still managing to surprise you at every turn. The plot is engaging, the dialogue is entertaining, and the adventure is non-stop. This book has all the elements of a great read and an even better listen.
The characters are just wonderful, falling into mystery novel stereotypes while still managing to surprise you at every turn. The plot is engaging, the dialogue is entertaining, and the adventure is non-stop. This book has all the elements of a great read and an even better listen.
October 23, 2014
An absolutely charming and delightful middle-grade mystery set in Ireland. Fletcher Moon is a budding detective, called upon by schoolmates to solve neighborhood crimes. This time he might be in over his head, especially when he becomes a suspect himself and has to team up with the school thug to clear his name. Don't miss this one on audio, the Irish lilt of the narrator does so much for this story.
January 26, 2020
MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOK! WITHOUT A DOUBT!
I hate re-reading books, I think it's super boring. But I LOVE to re-read this book because it is an absolute charmer. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for a good old mystery but also because Colfer writes it so well and it's just a fun book to read!
So if you're thinking about reading then just go for it and I can assure you that you will enjoy it!
I hate re-reading books, I think it's super boring. But I LOVE to re-read this book because it is an absolute charmer. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for a good old mystery but also because Colfer writes it so well and it's just a fun book to read!
So if you're thinking about reading then just go for it and I can assure you that you will enjoy it!
October 30, 2019
A solid book for the younger set. I picked this one up after reading his more famous series, Artemis Fowl, and not really enjoying it. I realize these books are for a younger audience but in both I feel like the protagonists have too much of a know it all streak in them. At least in Half Moon Investigations the protagonist makes mistakes and learns from them. This is a good beginner's novel and I could see it being enjoyed by the same set of children that enjoyed the likes of Harry Potter, the difference here being a lack of depth. I can see why Colfer has become so important in children's and YA circles, he has a lot to offer certain crowds. I don't foresee myself reading much more of his works, it's just written too young for me, but I'd recommend it to grade schooler's and those a just a bit older.
July 10, 2021
A wild ride with plenty of laughs and adventure! I truly believe this is one of Eoin Colfer's best works. A definite favourite from me and my younger brothers!
July 31, 2018
3.5 stars
December 27, 2025
3,5 Dla dzieciaków spoko :)
September 27, 2013
I thought I was a heck of a lot smarter than I really was in middle school.
We had four channels to choose from in my house (2, 6, 8, and 10) and my mom was the official Lady of the Remote from 6:00 until 9:00 on Sundays. After that she allowed my dad to turn it to something else while she went to bed and read herself to sleep. But it was during those three hours, the time when my mother held domination over all things entertainment, when I became a die-hard fan of Murder She Wrote.
And also when I found out I’d be a terrible private investigator.
Every episode I watched, I knew the killer. I had the crime pinned on the thief in the first ten minutes. There was no criminal smart enough to escape the sleuthy savviness that was Brooks Benjamin, kid detective. But at the end of every episode I found myself fooled, embarrassed, and convinced that old lady had gotten it wrong. But, you know—I never stopped watching. They fueled my love for mystery and it stayed with me until this day.
Which is why I decided to review Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer. Many of you will recognize the name from the Artemis Fowl series, but those who are sitting there, scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to pronounce his name, just pretend it says “Owen” or “oh, win!” or something like that.
Half Moon Investigations follows twelve-year-old Fletcher Moon, the only kid in Lock sharp enough to earn an online degree in gumshoeing. He’s solved more cases than he can think of, but it’s the most recent one that's giving his P.I. skills a metaphorical wedgie.
Fletcher gets “hired” by April to find a lock of hair that turns up missing. A few interrogations later and our MC’s got his sights on Lock’s most infamous thirteen year old criminal, Red Sharkey. Before Fletcher gets a chance to slap the cuffs on ol’ Red, both boys get hurled into the world of arson, assault, and computer hackery with multiple crimes pointing to them as the main suspects!
With the real criminal out there setting them up to take the fall, they have 24 hours to team up, connect the crimes, and discover the true culprit before they’re hauled off by the police for good.
Half Moon Investigations has such a great MG voice and Colfer plugs in a few brilliant moments of pulp to give it that fun, over the top hero-saving-the-day feel to it. There were a couple of times I read a phrase and discovered later that it was an Irish quip of some sort. It was never enough to detract from the story and any good MG reader who had a good language arts teacher could apply that invaluable context clues lesson there and figure it out.
What they probably won’t figure out, though, is the answer to this question: Who was behind all the crimes?
Or at least I didn’t.
Even after reading the ending again, I still couldn’t find all those clues that would've led me to that particular person. Which means, for me anyway, it sort of came out of left field. Could it be enough to make you throw the book across the room, screaming, “THIS IS HORSERADISH HOW WERE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT, MR. OH-WIN?!?”
Nah. Or at least I hope not.
I mean, it’s not like in some episodes of Mrs. Marple where we find it was the gardener the entire time but we couldn’t have guessed it because we heard the gardener say three words during the entire show and no one ever suspected the gardener because he was in the garden gardening. But it’s certainly not Columbo-obvious, either.
I’m calling this one a happy medium. The reveal was brilliant and the book ends with a hint of a possible sequel. And I hope Colfer decides to continue this series because it’s got humor, action, adventure—every ingredient needed for a good MG mystery. While I was writing this review, I even discovered the BBC produced a TV series based on the book which I'll be searching for as soon as I'm done here.
So if you love a good whodunit, try Half Moon Investigations, even if you're not a crime solver at heart. Because if you're like me and have already decided that the detective world would be better left to those more worthy...
I completely understand. And I won't even tattle on you when you tell everyone you figured it out.
Happy reading!
We had four channels to choose from in my house (2, 6, 8, and 10) and my mom was the official Lady of the Remote from 6:00 until 9:00 on Sundays. After that she allowed my dad to turn it to something else while she went to bed and read herself to sleep. But it was during those three hours, the time when my mother held domination over all things entertainment, when I became a die-hard fan of Murder She Wrote.
And also when I found out I’d be a terrible private investigator.
Every episode I watched, I knew the killer. I had the crime pinned on the thief in the first ten minutes. There was no criminal smart enough to escape the sleuthy savviness that was Brooks Benjamin, kid detective. But at the end of every episode I found myself fooled, embarrassed, and convinced that old lady had gotten it wrong. But, you know—I never stopped watching. They fueled my love for mystery and it stayed with me until this day.
Which is why I decided to review Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer. Many of you will recognize the name from the Artemis Fowl series, but those who are sitting there, scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to pronounce his name, just pretend it says “Owen” or “oh, win!” or something like that.
Half Moon Investigations follows twelve-year-old Fletcher Moon, the only kid in Lock sharp enough to earn an online degree in gumshoeing. He’s solved more cases than he can think of, but it’s the most recent one that's giving his P.I. skills a metaphorical wedgie.
Fletcher gets “hired” by April to find a lock of hair that turns up missing. A few interrogations later and our MC’s got his sights on Lock’s most infamous thirteen year old criminal, Red Sharkey. Before Fletcher gets a chance to slap the cuffs on ol’ Red, both boys get hurled into the world of arson, assault, and computer hackery with multiple crimes pointing to them as the main suspects!
With the real criminal out there setting them up to take the fall, they have 24 hours to team up, connect the crimes, and discover the true culprit before they’re hauled off by the police for good.
Half Moon Investigations has such a great MG voice and Colfer plugs in a few brilliant moments of pulp to give it that fun, over the top hero-saving-the-day feel to it. There were a couple of times I read a phrase and discovered later that it was an Irish quip of some sort. It was never enough to detract from the story and any good MG reader who had a good language arts teacher could apply that invaluable context clues lesson there and figure it out.
What they probably won’t figure out, though, is the answer to this question: Who was behind all the crimes?
Or at least I didn’t.
Even after reading the ending again, I still couldn’t find all those clues that would've led me to that particular person. Which means, for me anyway, it sort of came out of left field. Could it be enough to make you throw the book across the room, screaming, “THIS IS HORSERADISH HOW WERE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT, MR. OH-WIN?!?”
Nah. Or at least I hope not.
I mean, it’s not like in some episodes of Mrs. Marple where we find it was the gardener the entire time but we couldn’t have guessed it because we heard the gardener say three words during the entire show and no one ever suspected the gardener because he was in the garden gardening. But it’s certainly not Columbo-obvious, either.
I’m calling this one a happy medium. The reveal was brilliant and the book ends with a hint of a possible sequel. And I hope Colfer decides to continue this series because it’s got humor, action, adventure—every ingredient needed for a good MG mystery. While I was writing this review, I even discovered the BBC produced a TV series based on the book which I'll be searching for as soon as I'm done here.
So if you love a good whodunit, try Half Moon Investigations, even if you're not a crime solver at heart. Because if you're like me and have already decided that the detective world would be better left to those more worthy...
I completely understand. And I won't even tattle on you when you tell everyone you figured it out.
Happy reading!
February 15, 2015
Original BookTube review HERE
This is perhaps one of Colfer's more underrated novels, but it’s a personal favorite of mine.
I originally picked up this book because I was on a mission to read each and every one of Colfer’s novels. At this point you’re probably remembering that yesterday I did warn you he is my favorite author.
Half Moon Investigations is vastly different from the Artemis Fowl series and The Supernaturalist in genre and style, and I think that is the main reason it doesn’t get the credit it deserves. People weren’t expecting it. But I love it when I see authors broadening their style.
This book is not about magic, or fairies, or even science. This is the story of Fletcher Moon, a half-pint Sam Spade wannabe trying to survive middle school and put his detective’s badge to good use –if only somebody would give him an actual case to solve. This is more Hardy Boys than Boxcar Children, and it is filled with Colfer’s trademark wit and shameless puns.
What makes this story so unique –what I really, really love about it– is that Colfer still manages to dance his way through the story with engaging and clever prose even in the first person point of view of a twelve-year-old boy who sees himself as an old time P.I. and the narration sounds entirely natural.
It’s very important to note that the mystery and investigation, while immensely entertaining, aren’t childish, and its being solved by two kids is handled believably. The mystery is also convoluted, so you’ll keep those pages turning until the very end. But the best part about this book, I think, is the human element. Aside from the mystery and the hilarity, there is a serious side that deals with loss, broken families, and the consequences of your actions. Don’t worry, though, this isn’t a book to get you down.
There is nothing I don’t like about this book, but as for my favorite part –well, that’s nearly impossible to decide. There’s just so much to love about this! I must admit, The Unicorn Room gets me every time.
Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer gets 5 extra-large shiny stars, because this is one of the most magnificent non-fantasy middle-grade books I have ever read.
This is perhaps one of Colfer's more underrated novels, but it’s a personal favorite of mine.
I originally picked up this book because I was on a mission to read each and every one of Colfer’s novels. At this point you’re probably remembering that yesterday I did warn you he is my favorite author.
Half Moon Investigations is vastly different from the Artemis Fowl series and The Supernaturalist in genre and style, and I think that is the main reason it doesn’t get the credit it deserves. People weren’t expecting it. But I love it when I see authors broadening their style.
This book is not about magic, or fairies, or even science. This is the story of Fletcher Moon, a half-pint Sam Spade wannabe trying to survive middle school and put his detective’s badge to good use –if only somebody would give him an actual case to solve. This is more Hardy Boys than Boxcar Children, and it is filled with Colfer’s trademark wit and shameless puns.
What makes this story so unique –what I really, really love about it– is that Colfer still manages to dance his way through the story with engaging and clever prose even in the first person point of view of a twelve-year-old boy who sees himself as an old time P.I. and the narration sounds entirely natural.
It’s very important to note that the mystery and investigation, while immensely entertaining, aren’t childish, and its being solved by two kids is handled believably. The mystery is also convoluted, so you’ll keep those pages turning until the very end. But the best part about this book, I think, is the human element. Aside from the mystery and the hilarity, there is a serious side that deals with loss, broken families, and the consequences of your actions. Don’t worry, though, this isn’t a book to get you down.
There is nothing I don’t like about this book, but as for my favorite part –well, that’s nearly impossible to decide. There’s just so much to love about this! I must admit, The Unicorn Room gets me every time.
Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer gets 5 extra-large shiny stars, because this is one of the most magnificent non-fantasy middle-grade books I have ever read.
August 2, 2009
Oh I loved this book! I listened to it on my ipod, read by a dude with an Irish accent (It takes place in Ireland.) I sincerely giggled in several parts. Fletcher Moon takes an online course to become a detective. Since he is only 12, he had to “borrow” his dad’s ID to actually receive his official private detective license.
He solves crimes in the playground, mostly for chocolate. But he finally gets a “real” case for 10 Euros. As he gets caught up in the case, he is helped by an unlikely guy… one of the notorious school bad guys, Red Sharkey. Imagine being forced to hide out in the home of the worst kid in school and actually meeting his notorious family and actually learning to like them!
Half Moon becomes a suspect of the crime himself and when he finally orchestrates a daring escape from his captors and uses some amazing mental deductions to solve the case, you learn that it is really two cases in one!
The action never stops, but what makes this a keeper are the great characters, from a small boy with a perpetual runny nose to a mom who wants to dress Fletcher is more colorful clothes! The surprise ending really hits the spot!
Susan Huff, Library Media Specialist
He solves crimes in the playground, mostly for chocolate. But he finally gets a “real” case for 10 Euros. As he gets caught up in the case, he is helped by an unlikely guy… one of the notorious school bad guys, Red Sharkey. Imagine being forced to hide out in the home of the worst kid in school and actually meeting his notorious family and actually learning to like them!
Half Moon becomes a suspect of the crime himself and when he finally orchestrates a daring escape from his captors and uses some amazing mental deductions to solve the case, you learn that it is really two cases in one!
The action never stops, but what makes this a keeper are the great characters, from a small boy with a perpetual runny nose to a mom who wants to dress Fletcher is more colorful clothes! The surprise ending really hits the spot!
Susan Huff, Library Media Specialist
September 21, 2014
Well, for starters, this book has a certain amount of mystery, and this cool plot twist.
I would say more, but it would spoil the book, so just read it. ;)
I would say more, but it would spoil the book, so just read it. ;)
February 13, 2024
Taki kryminalik dla dzieci. Morderstwa nie było, tylko napad i kradzieże. Ale bawiłam się dobrze. Przyjemnie się tak oderwać od wszystkiego. Świetne na ferie
October 22, 2022
There’s a Bad Moon Arising
__________________________________
My 11-year-old granddaughter recommended this kiddy cozy by Eoin Colfer to me a month or so ago. Yesterday, when I said I’d finished reading the Eoin Colfer book she’d told me about, she informed me that the author is (sigh) Welsh and his first name (sigh) is pronounced Owen not (sigh) EEE-OOW-AN. Well, we’ll see if you know how you pronounce COAL when Xmas time comes, my dear little SAY-UH-FREE-NO.
While, like my granddaughter, Moon is a very ambitious 11-year-old. My granddaughter wants to be the first female Tony award winning, four-foot-six-inch veterinarian on Mars. Moon is a little more focused. He has taken an online course on how to be a detective and is plying his trade at school, usually taking a fee of a Mars Bar to solve such mysteries as “Where did I leave my pencil box?” or “Does Terry McFeeny like me?” As the story begins, however, he gets his first real case and a one Euro retainer. It turns out to be a real mystery with a series of actual but seemingly unrelated crimes being committed. Moon finds himself framed for the misdeeds, and in deep trouble with the real cops.
I have dubbed the book a kiddy cozy, because it faithfully follows the formula for adult cozy mysteries, only with 10 and 11 year olds in most of the main parts, and a classic cozy ending.
Even though I am seriously chronologically challenged, I found myself enjoying the book. That doesn't wipe out the whole COAL thing though.
__________________________________
My 11-year-old granddaughter recommended this kiddy cozy by Eoin Colfer to me a month or so ago. Yesterday, when I said I’d finished reading the Eoin Colfer book she’d told me about, she informed me that the author is (sigh) Welsh and his first name (sigh) is pronounced Owen not (sigh) EEE-OOW-AN. Well, we’ll see if you know how you pronounce COAL when Xmas time comes, my dear little SAY-UH-FREE-NO.
While, like my granddaughter, Moon is a very ambitious 11-year-old. My granddaughter wants to be the first female Tony award winning, four-foot-six-inch veterinarian on Mars. Moon is a little more focused. He has taken an online course on how to be a detective and is plying his trade at school, usually taking a fee of a Mars Bar to solve such mysteries as “Where did I leave my pencil box?” or “Does Terry McFeeny like me?” As the story begins, however, he gets his first real case and a one Euro retainer. It turns out to be a real mystery with a series of actual but seemingly unrelated crimes being committed. Moon finds himself framed for the misdeeds, and in deep trouble with the real cops.
I have dubbed the book a kiddy cozy, because it faithfully follows the formula for adult cozy mysteries, only with 10 and 11 year olds in most of the main parts, and a classic cozy ending.
Even though I am seriously chronologically challenged, I found myself enjoying the book. That doesn't wipe out the whole COAL thing though.
December 14, 2012
i am currently reading half moon.the main character is fletcher moon.the authors name is eoin colfer and he does a really good job at making this book come to life its like i can picure exactly what is going on around me.and there are alote of mysteries trying to be solved and all you want to find out is how the mystery is solved i also like this book because its very suspensfull. when i start reading this book i feel like i cant stop it really drags you in. fletcher moon loves to solve mysteries and so do i. i rate this book 5 stars i really hope you read it.
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i am currently reading half moon written by eion colfer and the main character is fletcher moon.eoin colfer does a really good job at hooking the reader and making you want to read for the whole day because there is alote of action going on. every time i pick up this book and start reading it i feel like what ever is going on in the book is going on right next to me because the aouthor makes fletcher moon come to life and make him sound like a real peorson.if you like mystery then you will defiantly like this book i rate this book 5 stars.-----------------------------------------------------------------i am currently reading half moon written by eoin colfer and the main character is fletcher moon. fletcher moon has never been like other kids instead of playing out side he would rather be solving a mystery that is going around at his school like a stolen binder or book. eoin colfer does a really good job at making this book come to life i feel like what ever is going on in this book is going on around me because the plots are very realistic. eoin colfer also does a really good job at making this book very suspensfull because one time fletcher moon thought the bully of the school named red stole one of fletcher moons notebook and fletcher moon was trying to figure out clues so that he could find the notebook. but instead of telling you early in the book who had stolen the notebook eoin colfer would make you keep reading. if you like mystery and humor books i reccomend you to read this book. i give this book 5 stars.
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i am currently reading half moon written by eion colfer and the main character is fletcher moon.eoin colfer does a really good job at hooking the reader and making you want to read for the whole day because there is alote of action going on. every time i pick up this book and start reading it i feel like what ever is going on in the book is going on right next to me because the aouthor makes fletcher moon come to life and make him sound like a real peorson.if you like mystery then you will defiantly like this book i rate this book 5 stars.-----------------------------------------------------------------i am currently reading half moon written by eoin colfer and the main character is fletcher moon. fletcher moon has never been like other kids instead of playing out side he would rather be solving a mystery that is going around at his school like a stolen binder or book. eoin colfer does a really good job at making this book come to life i feel like what ever is going on in this book is going on around me because the plots are very realistic. eoin colfer also does a really good job at making this book very suspensfull because one time fletcher moon thought the bully of the school named red stole one of fletcher moons notebook and fletcher moon was trying to figure out clues so that he could find the notebook. but instead of telling you early in the book who had stolen the notebook eoin colfer would make you keep reading. if you like mystery and humor books i reccomend you to read this book. i give this book 5 stars.
January 29, 2008
I'm a fan of the Artemis Foul books. I've listened to them all. Quite entertaining. If for no other reason than they're read by an Irishman. So, I figured I'd take a listen at another one of Colfer's books. Half-Moon Investigations is a solid book that spoke (no pun intended) to me personally.
As with the Artemis books, you've got a pre-teen boy that tries his very best to be as independent as possible, has a higher than average IQ, is witty, clever, and finds trouble around every bend. As the book jacket will tell you, Fletcher Moon has to rely on his brains and even an enemy or two to get him out of the mess he currently finds himself in.
Basically, you've got a very organized, scientific, inquisitive, sarcastic and clever guy on a bit of a schoolyard adventure.
Read by an Irishman. Though pretty good, the reader wasn't my favorite. His voice and reading style fit very well with quite a few characters in the book, but more often than not, the reader had a 'guy' voice (which varied in deepness depending upon the age of the character) or a 'girl' voice (which also varied in shrillness depending upon the age of the character) and that was about it.
Still, Half-Moon Investigations was good enough that I certainly hope Colfer rights more of them. And I fully expect to add the actual book to my library to give it a read one of these days.
As with the Artemis books, you've got a pre-teen boy that tries his very best to be as independent as possible, has a higher than average IQ, is witty, clever, and finds trouble around every bend. As the book jacket will tell you, Fletcher Moon has to rely on his brains and even an enemy or two to get him out of the mess he currently finds himself in.
Basically, you've got a very organized, scientific, inquisitive, sarcastic and clever guy on a bit of a schoolyard adventure.
Read by an Irishman. Though pretty good, the reader wasn't my favorite. His voice and reading style fit very well with quite a few characters in the book, but more often than not, the reader had a 'guy' voice (which varied in deepness depending upon the age of the character) or a 'girl' voice (which also varied in shrillness depending upon the age of the character) and that was about it.
Still, Half-Moon Investigations was good enough that I certainly hope Colfer rights more of them. And I fully expect to add the actual book to my library to give it a read one of these days.
January 6, 2012
I've decided I'm pretty stingy with my stars because I loved this book but it only gets four.
1 star=I'm sorry I read this book. It was worthless to me.
2 stars=I know there is value to this book. It's probably a classic, but it didn't have a happy ending, so...
3 stars=It's a fine book.
4 stars=I really enjoyed this book. I might even be interested in reading it again sometime.
To get 5 stars, a book has to change me. It becomes a part of who I am.
So, that said, this book made me laugh out loud. I loved the main characters--12 year old Fletcher, the detective, Red, his 14 year old tough guy partner and Red's whole family, who are crooks. I love the relationship that grows between Fletcher and Red and what they learn from each other.
I loved the writing style. It's so "Joe Friday." So I'm not sure your average junior high school kid will actually "get" this book. They don't have a frame of reference for the old boy detective stories.
Having said that, though, this book is written on a lower reading level than the Artemis Fowl series and is more understandable for a young teenager than those books.
1 star=I'm sorry I read this book. It was worthless to me.
2 stars=I know there is value to this book. It's probably a classic, but it didn't have a happy ending, so...
3 stars=It's a fine book.
4 stars=I really enjoyed this book. I might even be interested in reading it again sometime.
To get 5 stars, a book has to change me. It becomes a part of who I am.
So, that said, this book made me laugh out loud. I loved the main characters--12 year old Fletcher, the detective, Red, his 14 year old tough guy partner and Red's whole family, who are crooks. I love the relationship that grows between Fletcher and Red and what they learn from each other.
I loved the writing style. It's so "Joe Friday." So I'm not sure your average junior high school kid will actually "get" this book. They don't have a frame of reference for the old boy detective stories.
Having said that, though, this book is written on a lower reading level than the Artemis Fowl series and is more understandable for a young teenager than those books.
August 13, 2009
HALF MOON INVESTIGATIONS is sort of a mystery. The main character Fletcher (Half Moon) Moon is accused of arson. He escapes from the police and with the help of the notorious Sharkey family has to figure out who really did it. Fletcher’s main internal conflict trying to solve the mystery by any means possible. That means even breaking the law to find the real criminal. His main external conflict is not being caught by the police.
Through the book I noticed that Fletcher was an extremely good detective. With this information I made a text to text connection. Fletcher was a child prodigy just like Artemis from ARTEMIS FOWL. Artemis was a criminal mastermind just like the Sharkeys. I believe Fletcher is even the same age as Artemis was in his first book.
I rate this book a five. It was well written with an excellent plot line. It also had interesting characters. I would recommend this book to all Eoin Colfer fans.
Through the book I noticed that Fletcher was an extremely good detective. With this information I made a text to text connection. Fletcher was a child prodigy just like Artemis from ARTEMIS FOWL. Artemis was a criminal mastermind just like the Sharkeys. I believe Fletcher is even the same age as Artemis was in his first book.
I rate this book a five. It was well written with an excellent plot line. It also had interesting characters. I would recommend this book to all Eoin Colfer fans.
August 1, 2018
This book was so much fun to listen to. I laughed out loud within the first chapter and there was plenty more laughter later on as well.
Fletcher Moon is a twelve-year-old Sherlock Holmes. He has gone through an online detective training course and now has his badge. He spends his time solving mysteries for his classmates and older sister. Until he gets dragged into the middle of a much bigger mystery and ends up in some unexpected places.
The story is fun from beginning to end and the friendship that develops between Fletcher and one of the other characters (not mentioning the name so I can avoid spoilers) is really nice. Fletcher learns that it's not easy walking in someone else's shoes.
Sean Patrick Reilly narrated the audio book and I really enjoyed his performance. His voices for the characters were very well done and helped bring them all to life in my head.
Fletcher Moon is a twelve-year-old Sherlock Holmes. He has gone through an online detective training course and now has his badge. He spends his time solving mysteries for his classmates and older sister. Until he gets dragged into the middle of a much bigger mystery and ends up in some unexpected places.
The story is fun from beginning to end and the friendship that develops between Fletcher and one of the other characters (not mentioning the name so I can avoid spoilers) is really nice. Fletcher learns that it's not easy walking in someone else's shoes.
Sean Patrick Reilly narrated the audio book and I really enjoyed his performance. His voices for the characters were very well done and helped bring them all to life in my head.
January 16, 2018
Essere credibili da giovani
Colfer scrive bene e la capacità di delineare contesti giovanili con arguzia e malcelata ironia la si ritrova tranquillamente anche in questo piccolo volumetto (indirizzato a lettori più piccoli).
La storia procede con le classiche vicissitudini del bambino in mezzo ai grandi, caparbio nel ritagliarsi il proprio spazio con improbabili indagini che vedeìono ogni persona brancolare nel buio.
In fin dei conti non si legge nulla che lasci davvero il segno, eppure qualche simpatica trovata (i walkie talkie di Action Man, l'amicizia con Rossi Squaletti) lasciano trapelare un genuino amore per la narrazione rivolta a una certa fetta di lettori.
E la sincerità di intenti va comunque premiata, a prescindere da tutto.
Colfer scrive bene e la capacità di delineare contesti giovanili con arguzia e malcelata ironia la si ritrova tranquillamente anche in questo piccolo volumetto (indirizzato a lettori più piccoli).
La storia procede con le classiche vicissitudini del bambino in mezzo ai grandi, caparbio nel ritagliarsi il proprio spazio con improbabili indagini che vedeìono ogni persona brancolare nel buio.
In fin dei conti non si legge nulla che lasci davvero il segno, eppure qualche simpatica trovata (i walkie talkie di Action Man, l'amicizia con Rossi Squaletti) lasciano trapelare un genuino amore per la narrazione rivolta a una certa fetta di lettori.
E la sincerità di intenti va comunque premiata, a prescindere da tutto.
June 21, 2009
Fletcher really can be a good detective. He proves people guilty that I thought were innocent. He seems to give justice all around the area though a lot of people hate him for it. It's both funny and interesting to hear about his first case when he was four. I'm a little confused about the nickname Half-Moon. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the name at all and I don't see anything offensive about it. Though a lot of people hate him, he has a family that cares about him and he makes a few friends at the end of the book. This book I think is good and fun to read. I think a lot of people would like it.
March 28, 2022
After reading Artemis Fowl, I found Colfer's humour right up my street. So it's no surprise that I picked up this book over a decade ago. This book is amongst a few that I will read alongside another because it's light-hearted and gives me enough motivation to finish the other book. This book on its own is full of typical Colfer humour (there were definitely times I burst out laughing without intending to!) because it's so tongue-in-cheek! I love it! It's a shame his work doesn't seem to get as much recognition as either Rowling or Wilson. Anyway, I heartily recommend this to all youngsters, boys and girls alike!
4.5*
4.5*
dnf
February 1, 2017My review is based on the first chapter because that's as far as I read. Strip away the humour and the detective theme, and what you have is a basic schoolyard story with all the usual suspects - bullies, outsiders and nasty girls. Dull stuff.
September 26, 2014
A cute detective story--I listened to in on CD and they put the old fashioned detective movie music behind it, which fit and made it funnier.
September 23, 2018
This book was cute, but it didn’t really click with me as much as some of Colfer’s other books. It did well at imitating the old New York detective lingo and writing style. Unfortunately, that made it feel weird to me when I realized they were all meant to be from Ireland and I’d been picturing New York tweens this whole time. All in all, it was an enjoyable read but it almost felt like a chore to read for me. It just wasn't my kind of book, I guess, but it's not a bad read.
The characters were interesting enough, and possesses equally strange names. I didn’t latch onto any one of them in particular, but they weren’t bad. The plot itself was a little difficult to solve as the reader, seeing as you aren't given critical information until much later in the book. Unfortunately, not being given enough information to solve it is one of my mystery pet peeves. I want to make my own guesses at it, not just follow along in wonder like John Watson. I want to be Sherlock.
On the whole, I'm not sure how believable the plot was. The ultimate solution to all the crimes seems to be a little strange to me. I feel like the person involved would have gotten caught doing all these different things because they'd stick out like crazy as an anomaly in most of these situations. I feel like the logic of reality was let go for the sake of the story, which is some of what fiction is about, but I still felt a little cheated by how far out of left field the solution was.
I would recommend this to middle school aged kids. Older than that? Maybe not. It's definitely meant for that age range.
The characters were interesting enough, and possesses equally strange names. I didn’t latch onto any one of them in particular, but they weren’t bad. The plot itself was a little difficult to solve as the reader, seeing as you aren't given critical information until much later in the book. Unfortunately, not being given enough information to solve it is one of my mystery pet peeves. I want to make my own guesses at it, not just follow along in wonder like John Watson. I want to be Sherlock.
On the whole, I'm not sure how believable the plot was. The ultimate solution to all the crimes seems to be a little strange to me. I feel like the person involved would have gotten caught doing all these different things because they'd stick out like crazy as an anomaly in most of these situations. I feel like the logic of reality was let go for the sake of the story, which is some of what fiction is about, but I still felt a little cheated by how far out of left field the solution was.
I would recommend this to middle school aged kids. Older than that? Maybe not. It's definitely meant for that age range.
October 31, 2025
Flecteur Moon is only 12, and he got a detective badge. Legally, he could only use it when he turned 21. This doesn't stop him from carrying the badge around and starting to do an investigation.
He was hired by April, a fellow student in school.
Of course, it is not that simple. He met Red Sharkey, who is only 13. The Sharekey family has a bad reputation, as the father was a known thief, and so is his younger brother Roddy.
Flecteur Moon has a nickname, Half Moon. Probably because he is small. Small but smart.
Then he was attacked. Red is the main suspect of the attack. Flecteur sneak out of the hospital to further investigate the case. A fire broke out, and Flecteur became the main suspect for arson.
Good story about Flecteur and Red partner up to solve the cases that were connected somehow.
Surprisingly good story with two main characters being minor. Both of them were framed for crimes they didn't commit, and to clear their names and prove their innocence, they have to do the investigation themselves.
A fun read. 5 stars.
He was hired by April, a fellow student in school.
Of course, it is not that simple. He met Red Sharkey, who is only 13. The Sharekey family has a bad reputation, as the father was a known thief, and so is his younger brother Roddy.
Flecteur Moon has a nickname, Half Moon. Probably because he is small. Small but smart.
Then he was attacked. Red is the main suspect of the attack. Flecteur sneak out of the hospital to further investigate the case. A fire broke out, and Flecteur became the main suspect for arson.
Good story about Flecteur and Red partner up to solve the cases that were connected somehow.
Surprisingly good story with two main characters being minor. Both of them were framed for crimes they didn't commit, and to clear their names and prove their innocence, they have to do the investigation themselves.
A fun read. 5 stars.
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