Partners in Crime

Sleuth or Dare #1

by Kim Harrington

Whodunit? When best friends Darcy and Norah have to create a fake business for a school assignment, they come up with a great a detective agency! Darcy loves mysteries, and Norah likes helping people, so it's a perfect fit. But then their pretend agency gets a real case. Someone is missing, and it's up to Darcy and Norah to take on the search. Unfortunately, there's someone else out there who doesn't want the two detectives stirring up any trouble. . . . With the help of hidden clues, spy gadgets, and trusted friends, can Darcy and Norah crack the case in time?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Mystery Thriller, Childrens, Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Kim Harrington is the author of A Killer for Christmas, her debut adult mystery coming in 2026 from Crooked Lane Books. She is also known for her teen novels Clarity, Perception, The Dead and Buried, and Forget Me, as well as books for younger readers including Revenge of the Red Club, the Sleuth or Dare series, and Gamer Squad series. Visit her website at KimHarringtonBooks.com.

Reviews

[PoojhaP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norah and Darcy have been friends forever. For a school project, they decided to make a detective agency. But they were wrong about it being fake. Somebody has eventually gone missing! And worse, somebody doesn't want them to interfere! Will they find the victim before it's too late? Well, to attach with the summary, This book is a really good starting to the sleuth or dare series. Read it if you can!!

[The Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was such a great book! SO mysterious and when you find out the end of the "crime" you'll be surprised. Overall, I wish wasn't that short of a book. I recommend reading this book if you like mystery and crime as a favorite genre in reading

[daysi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it is really mysteryious and entertaining.

[Asuka Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 best friends who always on Top of the class, a.k.a Nerd, Norah and Darcy. Have to do the school project. They decided to make a fake detective agency.

Darcy is computer expert, love to see Newyork serial detective series made the web for their Sleuth.
While Norah is Astronomy Nerd, love math and usually beat Darcy's score in their scool quiz, if Darcy got 96, she's 98 ^_^

But who knows they fake detective agency, become a real one, when an anonymous email ask them for help.

And their adventure begins to reveal the truth...

[Rebecca]

As an avid Kim Harrington fan I was excited to read her middle grade mystery series. The first book was so awesome it had me laughing at many points and I just thought the whole thing was really entertaining.
The story was really cool. The mystery was interesting and it was something a little different. I say that because most of the time I’m reading murder mysteries. Anyway, this mystery was quite refreshing and while I predicted it my 12 year old self would have greatly appreciated it.
Darcy and Norah were so awesome. I feel like I could relate to both of them because they both had personality traits that I also had. Norah was worrisome about getting good grades but a really nice person while Darcy had this wild streak but was good at heart.
Overall, I loved Partners in Crime and I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous introduction to the Sleuth or Dare series. I received my copy from Kellogg's and Scholastic's Free Book offer. Which makes it even better as I grew up with and still purchase Kellogg's cereals and Scholastic books.

Darcy and Norah made me think of my best friend, Ro, and me as if we were their age and they were us. Partners in Crime is intriguing and entertaining. I can hardly wait to read the other books in the Sleuth or Dare series.

[Nikki Mutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh take on a middle grade mystery series. My 10-year-old self would have been all over these, begging to buy the 2nd and 3rd in the trilogy. Charming and full of likeable characters.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my friend, Karol, for sending 'Sleuth or Dare' to me. Books about friends always remind me of you too! :) Although, I think we are a lot more similar than Norah and Darcy.

This book was immediately interesting with a great plot-line. Norah and Darcy are 7th graders and BFFs who have to do a class project that involves creating a business. What fun!

Not wanting to do the usual, boring, things like babysitting or dog walking, they decide to create a detective agency. Imagine their surprise when they actually get a mysterious request for help.

Their first job is to find out who their mysterious client is. To their surprise, it's someone they never would have imagined would need their help: Fiona, the most popular girl in the class.

As they get to know Fiona, they realize that they have more in common than they thought. This is a really good lesson that is good for kids to learn, and I liked that they book was set up this way, as more than just a mystery to solve.

'Sleuth or Dare' is a quick, fun read. Norah and Darcy are total opposites but seem to compliment each other. They are also both very likable characters. The only reason I took one star off is because while the solution to the mystery is a unique one, I guessed it early on. Maybe a lot of kids would not guess it, though, so it's very appropriate for the age group that it was intended for.

I recommend this book and hope to read the others in the series.

[Jada W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about two friends who do a fake business that is a detective agency for a school project. But one day they got a email about a missing sister. They decide they will help this person and together they solve the mystery of the lost sister. They come very close to the biggest mystery of there lives, but what they do not know is that is can put a class mate in danger.
Norah is a great character she always helps people. How she changed is she began to like a person she never thought she would like. She learned that even though people may seem like a bully that they go threw hard times and we should not judge. Than Darcy changed by realizing the same thing also that helping people is better than anything. Also there is Fiona she changed by finding the truth of her family's past.
I liked the book. It leaves you with lots of suspense and it is just so much fun to read. I love how they try to figure out the case. I also enjoy trying to figure out what will happen. It is a great book that is just very fun to read.

[Edshara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, quick read. It was a complete story, and didn’t suffer because it was short. I really liked the characters and it was nice to see how well they worked together. It was great that Darcy and Norah encouraged and welcomed the others differences. I’m glad the author chose not to have the girls have any unnecessary arguments that would harm the friendship. The mystery was really good and kept me interested. I plan to continue the series. I need to know the secret and what the next case is.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time around eight years old and loved it. I read it many more times after that. I decided to pick it up again while waiting for a hold at the library. It was lots of fun. the characters are fun to about and interesting; it has a character arc and subplots. The story is engaging. The writing is excellent. All in all, this is a great book. Maybe a 7-10-year-old-ish read, but don't let that stop you from reading it if it interests you.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Norah and Darcy are opposites but the best of best friends. Not to mention, I totally understand Darcy's love of mysteries and the like. And Norah's fascination with the stars is something I can totally relate with.
It's a mind-twisting fun mystery that proves that nothing is as it seems to be.

(I would have never guessed Fiona had more depth than the girls thought!)

[Raima Muhammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the interesting books. The writer has written so differently than the other children writer. This book 📚 has been written in such a creative way. I also like how the author differentiate between the two girls called Darcy and Norah.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT was a really good mystery book

[yalini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like Nancy Drew!! loved it!

[Lauren Fullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great, quick read, page turner. I loved every minute of it. I could not put it down at all.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is obviously written for audiences much younger than me. I only read it because I read it when I was ten, but it was a good mystery with fun characters as far as youth mystery books go.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - cute middle grade chapter book. I’m not the target audience but engaging.

[Ken Takis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daughter had me read to her, not the best of kids books but its fine.

[Tara Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It got better towards the end, but overall, I'm not particularly impressed with it. The mystery part was interesting enough, but the characters were only so-so.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

[Lelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good comfort read, I can see myself picking up over and over.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleuth or Dare
Partners in Crime
Written by: Kim Harrington
Review by: Autumn Anderson

In the book Sleuth or Dare, by Kim Harrington, two seventh graders, Norah and Darcy, start a project for Mrs. Feldman’s class online called Partners in Crime, a detective agency. After presenting their online website to the class, they shortly thereafter get a case from an anonymous person with only a birth date as a clue to who they are. Once they get help from some friends to figure out who’s birthday belong to which person, they found out that the person who emailed them was the most popular girl in the school, Fiona Fanning. Was it a scam? No, Fiona was not fooling with them, but only trying to find her twin sister.

These three seventh graders found a birth certificate in Fiona’s House that said “Bailey Ann Banks”, this led them to start looking for this person. The case changed all of the girl’s lives. Fiona starting hanging out with the unpopular girls for once (Norah and Darcy), Darcy started to like hanging out with a popular girl that doesn't have the same taste in horror movies as her, and Norah, went from a smart nerd to a little bit of a rebel. Norah told her parents lies just so they wouldn’t find out that they were on a case. This goes to show that you shouldn't judge someone from the outside, it’s what's on the inside that counts. Once you get to know people, you might like them more than you think. Give people a chance, don’t label them.

I loved this book, it really makes you ask yourself what is going to happen next on every page. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a book with suspense and mystery. In my opinion, this book was very well written. It kept my attention throughout the whole book. The parts I loved the most, were when the girls would all get together and talk about the clues on the case that they found during the day. This would really get my brain thinking to try to solve the mystery along with them. Even though this book doesn't have an award, I would give it one. This book is one of those stories that you could read over and over and not get tired of it.

Sleuth or Dare was totally a big 5 stars for me! This book made me feel at the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. This was the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to read the next ones, Sleepover Stakeout and Framed and Dangerous. I hope Kim keeps writing the series! I would say that this book is appropriate for ages of 12 or even 11, for understanding some of the harder words. This book was very easy to understand because of the way it was written. It captures your attention on the first page and doesn't let got.

All in all, great job Kim Harrington! This book rocked my thinking. It is totally one of my favorites, and I bet if you start reading this book, you will grow to love it as well.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Norah and her best friend, Darcy, are assigned to create a fake business for a school project, they decide to forgo boring business ideas like babysitting and focus instead on a detective agency. What Norah doesn’t realize, though, is that her fearless and unpredictable friend has hosted their project’s website on the school intranet. She finds out when, to the surprise of both girls, they receive a mysterious message from a popular classmate asking for help in finding her missing twin. Deciding they can’t let down anyone who is in trouble, the girls agree to take the case, but find that they may be in over their heads.

I have been eyeing this book for months, ever since I first caught a glimpse of the cover online, and I’m happy to say it was worth waiting for. I’m a sucker for tween paperbacks anyway, but this one’s lively characters, suspenseful plot, and twenty-first century technology make it exceptionally exciting. Norah is pretty similar to a lot of protagonists in books for this audience, but Darcy is a spunky, fun-loving girl who lives on the edge, and she is like a breath of fresh air. The mystery itself unfolds at just the right pace, with just enough clues and red herrings that the reader can solve the case, but can also get lost along the way. Even the explanation for the start of the girls’ detective agency is plausible, which is almost never the case in tween mysteries.

I described this book to a friend as a cross between the Nancy Drew series and the Candy Apple books. The Candy Apple comparison comes, of course, from the inevitable cute boy who catches Norah’s eye. His name is Zane, and Norah goes back and forth between thinking he likes someone else and imagining he likes her. Zane also has a secret of his own, but this book only hints at it, presumably leaving that thread to be picked up by a future book in the series.

Nancy Drew fans will enjoy this new series, as will girls who have read the Candy Apple and/or Poison Apple series. It makes a nice alternative for girls who aren’t into supernatural stuff, too, who might have a hard time finding enjoyable mysteries amongst all the vampires, ghosts and werewolves out there now. Girls who like Ruby Redfort might also enjoy Darcy, who shares Ruby’s same devil-may-care attitude and astonishing technical skills.

There are two more titles in the Sleuth or Dare series: Sleepover Stakeout, and Framed and Dangerous.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends

I really enjoyed Kim Harrington's young adult debut book, CLARITY, also a mystery book, so when I saw that she had a middle grades mystery series also, I made sure to get it right away. Part of the reason is that so many of my students liked CLARITY also, so it's always nice to have a favorite author in the classroom, but also because some of my students aren't ready for the maturity of the young adult book yet, so I was hopeful that the SLEUTH OR DARE series would be a good fit for my other readers, and I'm sure it will be.

PARTNERS IN CRIME is a perfectly middle grades book. The writing level and complexity of the subplots and main mystery are all right in that sweet spot. The mystery was a bit obvious to me, but again, I'm not the age or ability level of the intended audience. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book at all though. One thing that is really nice is that the mystery is such that it's a great fit for younger middle grades students who want to try mystery but aren't ready yet for more complex novels.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book. There was quite a bit about their relationships with their families, and the arc the characters take to accepting and appreciating their own families is a nice message. In addition, the two main characters are not the popular girls, but instead each have their own interests aligned with their intelligence and abilities. It's nice to see a story with these characters who are into astronomy and technology being the strong leaders of the book, and even though they're not popular, they still have good relationships and confidence in themselves. There are some subplots relating to bullying and typical middle school dynamics that are handled well also.

Once again Harrington has struck just the right voice. The book is written with a strong female lead and in such a way that it sounds like she's talking right to the reader. This allows us to get insights into what's happening, but also stay fully engaged in the story. Overall PARTNERS IN CRIME is a fun, quick mystery with heart. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series: SLEEPOVER STAKEOUT and FRAMED & DANGEROUS and handing these off to my students.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reviewing these three books together because they go together. Each book is a continuation of the previous ones, which I like. It makes it seem more realistic. Norah and Darcy are best friends. Despite some differences they complement each other nicely. Norah loves astronomy and shrugs off the title of 'nerd' believing that intelligence is something worth sharing. Darcy loves black and purple and crime shows, she also has great skills on the computer that she sometimes misuses.

In the first book, Partners in Crime, Norah and Darcy form a pretend business for a class assignment. They are surprised when an anonymous someone seeks their detective help in finding a missing person. They decide to help but first they need to find out the identity of the person seeking their aide. Using Darcy's computer skills and Norah's inescapable logic, can they find the mysterious requester or the missing person?

In the second book, Norah and Darcy's friendship is tested when Norah starts spending time with Fiona, the most popular girl in school, and Maya, the quietest girl in school. But the friendship issues take a back seat when Maya comes to them with a problem, mysterious noises are coming out of a baby monitor while she's babysitting. Can they catch the culprit(s) and maintain their friendship?

In the third book, Norah and Darcy's friendship seems to be over, but is it? And what about Zane, Norah's crush, did he really burn down the field house or has he been framed as he claims? Can Darcy and Norah stop fighting long enough to find out?

This is a delightful new mystery series of special appeal to girls. Not only is the writing good but the stories are interesting and believable. They also involve the technological side of things involving computer hacking, smart phones, and baby monitors. Okay, so baby monitors aren't really high tech, but once you've read book two you might think otherwise. This is a great series to recommend to readers who've moved past Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys or who want a more modern type of mystery. I think this series will really speak to young readers, and I really enjoyed it myself

[Morgan]

Two 7th grade girls, desperate for a project idea, come up with something rather brilliant. A fake detective agency! A fake agency! Did you catch that fake in there? I did. Maybe you did. However, someone most definitely didn’t. Who? They don’t know. But whoever it is, they need help.

Norah and Darcy are best friends. Darcy loves the colors black and purple. Her entire wardrobe is all black and purple. All she watches on TV, detective shows. And only detective shows. Norah is, well...normal. When the two girls team up for a school project, they have no idea what’s coming to them. They make a fake detective agency website, completely open to the public. The next day, they get an email.

They got a real case.

“The website we created for our fake detective agency just got an email about a real case.”
“How is that possible?”

The girls get to work, desperately trying to find answers to solve the case.

Who’s birthday is on April 4th? Whoever it is, is the silent emailer.

Who is warning them to stop? It’s not known.

Who is Bailey Ann Banks? No one knows.

But it’s soon to be found out.

Darcy and Norah face the mystery head on no matter what is said to them. They proceed through the confusing, yet intriguing problem. They are ambitious for answers and nothing is going to stop them from finding the truth. Not even threats.

Darcy and Norah dig deep and go beyond the wanted-to-know. The answer could be threatening.

In the book “Sleuth or Dare”, by Kim Harrington is, in my opinion, fantastic. I never had enough of the books clever characters and their personalities. The book never had me bored. It had me at the edge of my seat and I was always up for more of the intriguing mystery. I would give this book a rating of 5 out of 5. I recommend all ages.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norah and Darcy have to create a fake business for a school project. Darcy is obsessed with detective mysteries so she decides they should make their own detective agency. Norah goes along, because it's the best idea they've had. Darcy is a computer whiz, so they decide to make their presentation the best and have a website for they're company. Then they get an e-mail. Someone has found their website and wants them to help locate their twin. The girls aren't sure what to do, but decide to at least find out more information. Just because their 7th graders doesn't mean they can't help.

This was a really fun little mystery. I really like Norah and Darcy. It was a fun age that Kim Harrington put them at. A little bit about crushes, but still young enough to have some good clean fun. Both girls were very passionate about their hobbies too which made this book awesome. I can't wait to see Norah's love for astronomy come in to play more. The mystery was a little bit obvious for me to figure out, but it might be a bit trickier for younger kids (not adults like me). The length and adventure in this novel makes me quick to recommend to reluctant readers; it should keep them interested throughout it's brief story. If you like fun characters and a quick mystery read, make sure you check out this first Sleuth or Dare book.

First Line:
"The killer held his breath and huddled in the back of the darkened closet, hoping not to be found."

Favorite Lines:
"You know you're going to pee on the hydrant. I know you're going to pee on the hydrant. You pee on that thing every day. Stop acting like you're trying to make a decision."

Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1yTD...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What began as a seventh-grade school presentation by polar-opposite best friends Darcy Carter and Norah Burridge soon turns into a real-life situation. The girls designed a website advertising detective services under the name Partners in Crime, and shortly afterward, someone emails them and asks for help finding their twin sister. The new detective duo decides to take on the case, their first, and what follows is a grade-A adventure. Throw in some threats and suspense and a surprising ally, and this story becomes an exciting journey full of technological thrills and perhaps a hint of puppy love.

With the Sleuth or Dare books, Kim Harrington creates a new girls detective series for modern readers. “Partners in Crime” is similar to a twenty-first-century Nancy Drew and is very relatable for middle-grade readers, particularly girls. This book is narrated in the first person by Norah, which enhances the relevance for readers. Given that Norah and Darcy are so different and yet best friends who stick together and help others their own age, there is also a strong message of loyalty and friendship. These two main characters complement each other very well, and they take a stand against bullying while dealing with typical situations, both in school and at home, that face contemporary middle-school students. Norah and Darcy prove that being intelligent and unique and not necessarily belonging to the popular, “in” crowd is ok and has rewarding benefits. The use of technology such as cell phones and the Internet, coupled with teenage lingo, ensures that the plot will be applicable to young readers. Also, several of the chapters have mildly frightening cliff-hanger endings, and the end of the story leads into book two, “Sleepover Stakeout.”