Something's Missing

Viking Club Mystery #1

by Maureen Grenier

Something’s Missing A missing father … A missing team … A missing friend … What more could happen? Oh, no, something else is missing! Three young hockey players struggle with something missing in their lives as they and their teammates play in the annual Vikings versus Pirates Tournament. As well as being anxious to help wrest the trophy from their archrivals by winning first place in their respective age groups, the three Vikings have other worries. Chris is mourning his absent father, desperate for his dad’s encouragement since there is never any from his coach; Jaylon can’t seem to forget his former winning team, and knows he is now a loser on a team that can’t seem to catch a break (and probably can’t help win the trophy); and Rebecca is devastated when her best friend betrays her. But a father, a winning team, and a friend aren’t all that’s missing. Something else has disappeared and if it’s not returned, fingers will be pointing at the whole Viking organization! Chance draws Chris, Jaylon, and Rebecca together as the last game of the tournament is played. Can they head off the disaster facing the Vikings and the whole town? The three friends put their own problems behind them and concentrate on trying to solve the mystery before the tournament ends.

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2012

About the author

I'm a writer of mystery books for children and adults, and when I'm not writing fiction, I write and edit for a media consultant. I play piano, guitar, ukelele, and bongo drums – all of them badly. I also draw a little, and illustrate the stories I write for children.

In July 2018, High Tide Publications Inc. published my murder mystery, "Murder on a Monday," and it is now available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and a few other outlets. I am currently working on the sequel, "Murder on a Tuesday."

In 2012, I published a sports-mystery book for children ages 8 to 12 called "Something's Missing." The story is about three young hockey players who solve a mystery and form the Viking Club Detective Agency. The second book in the series, "Someone's Trapped," was published in 2014 and the three friends meet again to solve a mystery that affects their soccer world. I have a third book planned for the series.

Reviews

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three young people, all searching for something different, are all pulled together to solve a mystery in Maureen Grenier’s Something’s Missing. After a theft, the Viking hockey club is implicated leading Chris, Jaylon, and Rebecca to band together to save their organization. Grenier’s characters are fun and have their own unique interesting drive and journey. Couple that with a fascinating mystery and I was happily entertained! Check this one out both if you love sports and lighthearted mysteries!

[Barb Mcfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, entertaining children's book with good life lessons. Feels like it should be a series! I am passing it on to my husband to share with his grade 6 class. Please write more!!!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something's Missing takes young readers on an exciting and mysterious journey into the world of hockey where a championship is at stake and the winning trophy is missing!

The Vikings are taking on the Pirates in a tournament that will result in one team being the champs. The Vikings long to get the trophy back from the Pirates and they play hard to make sure that happens. It comes down to the final game and Chris, Jaylon, and Rebecca, having already played their games, remain at the arena to root for their fellow Vikings. However, when the trophy turns up missing the kids team up to solve a mystery. Will they find the trophy in time?

Something's Missing is a well written early chapter book that's perfect for sports fans. The fast pace and easy to follow plot will captivate young readers and the mystery will have them recalling the clues from earlier in the story, keeping them engaged.

I recommend picking up a copy of Something's Missing.