A Dangerous Game

Peabody #2

by Jeri Massi

Scruggs Grady is close to having his dream come true--a home of his very own, with his own mother! But disaster strikes when a mysterious aunt pops up and whisks him away to San Francisco. To muddle things even more, a secret note warns him to beware of the "Juggler." In the second book of the Peabody series, Scruggs--a new Christian--finds himself caught in the middle of a ring of international spies. He has to choose whom to trust as he tries to sort out the mystery of the Juggler and the reasons his aunt has for bringing him to San Francisco. And despite the odds against him, he is determined to get back to the home that has been promised him in Peabody, Wisconsin.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Mystery, Christian, Young Adult

121 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

About the author

Jeri Massi is the author of the Peabody Adventures, the Bracken Series, the Peabody High Mysteries (SF), and more

A passionate fan of classic Doctor Who, Jeri Massi has been regaling fans with space opera, SF mystery, and forensic procedurals for more than 30 years. A martial arts master in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Jeri further perfected her grasp of science and engineering by working in pharmaceutical research and validation for 20 years.

She has published short stories on the web, in fanzines, and in reading anthologies for large publishing houses before choosing Indy writing. Her novel, Valkyries, published by Moody Press, was nominated for a national book award. Jeri's SF relies on suspense, some horror, comedy, and vivid, relatable characters.

You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on great books on her Substack page.

https://jerimassi.substack.com

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved this as a child. Okay, I still really liked it in an I-still-enjoy-a-lollipop sort of way. It’s full of the wild adventures that fire a child’s imagination. Oh, as an adult I could write about the impossibilities and improbabilities, but I’m not going too. It was too much fun. Just accept it as a child’s mystery, and I think you too will too.
It does have a serious message under all the fun though. Massi uses the gangster’s love of money and power as a method of teaching the true importance of humility, love, and selflessness.
So if you are looking for a book for your child to read, this will surely capture their attention and keep them reading chapter after chapter. If you find yourself reading to younger children, it’s still a good choice because it won’t bore you too much.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scruggs is a quite different character from Penny and Jack, and the different sort of trouble he gets into is a lot more exciting. You can't imagine Penny or Jack pushing a bookshelf full of books on top of a gangster, or running away from thieves across the tops of buildings.

[♥Emie♥ BookLover & JesusFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

5/13/25 review
*Sighs contentedly*
This book was really good. I mean really good. I loved how it connected so much to the first book, and yet it was a whole different story all in itself.


My praise about the book:
🤍Tomb Thumb is back!😱
🤍Scruggs was just such a SWEET HEART!!! Whenever he called himself dumb or messed up...oh my word it was so sad!!😭😭😭
🤍That there was able to be so many twists and turns in such a short book
🤍Just the whole thing made my heart melt (and also laugh;like with Jack and Penny😉)

Now I really wanna read the rest of the series!!

My dislikes:
✖Nothing worth mentioning

[Catherine Chatmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caution! Danger Ahead!

Scruggs a.k.a.William Grady, whom we first met in Derwoods, Inc, is without a family. Having been shuttled from foster home to foster home. Now, he has met Mrs. Bennett through his friends, the Derwoods, and life seems to be looking up. Then he discovers that he has an Aunt Caroline and is forced to go life with her, pulling up his roots in Peabody, WI. However, things are not as they seem. Massi has written an engaging adventure/mystery for middle grades. It is helpful if the book Derwood, Inc is read prior to reading this story.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A must read for any adventure lover. 5 stars!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't re-read this book since first reading it (repeatedly) as a kid when my mom bought us the entire series. I didn't realize then that Massi has some issues with redundancy (lots of character name overlap and needless word repetition), but her plots still grip kids and her characters are quite real. Added enjoyment: while reading this to my nieces and nephews over the past few weeks, I had fun explaining 1980s technology (such as microfilm) to them. :)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series! Some children try to solve mysteries, and learn about God.

[Daniel jeffery herdklotz]

this book was good for me because it was short but very interesting. i loved the way that the author made it come to life while i was reading it.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book.