The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery

by Rosalind Barden

Bloody Crime Spree of the Century!

Meet Sparky, an orphaned, street-savvy 11-year-old living by her wits in the Depression-era Bunker Hill neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. She is on a mission to clear her name after being accused of the murder of a little girl whose body she discovers on a park bench—talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! And things only get worse when Sparky is blamed for ever more outrageous crimes until her body count is ridiculous.

Will Sparky be able to summon the gumption to solve the crime and clear her name?

Rosalind Barden crafts an unforgettable and uniquely zany mystery, filled with a web of colorful characters, recalling the charm of decades past, with Hollywood, movie stars, mobsters, and, of course, murder.

#1 Amazon Best Seller and #1 Amazon New Release, "The Cold Kid Case," first in Rosalind Barden's "Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery" series, has been awarded multiple accolades, including the Firebird Book Award 1st Place for Cozy Mysteries. The next book in this 1930s humorous historical cozy mysteries series, "The Cannibal Caper," was voted Best Young Adult Book in the Critters Readers Poll. The third in this fun mystery series, "The Monkey Island Murder," is a #1 Amazon New Release. The craziness continues with "The South Seas Shenanigans," coming in October 2024.

”The Cold Kid Case delivers a piece of the action—and a spunky streetwise sleuth to go with it!”
— Diane Vallere, national bestselling author of the Madison Night Mystery Series

“Depression-era downtown Los Angeles comes alive when an eleven-year-old back-alley gamin becomes fugitive suspect number-one in a Bunker Hill murder.”
— Jim Dawson, author of Los Angeles’s Bunker Hill: Pulp Fiction’s Mean Streets and Film Noir’s Ground Zero

“What a fun, exciting adventure book! . . . A winner for kids [that] will appeal to adult readers as well. You just can’t help loving Sparky!”
— Jackie Houchin, Here’s How It Happened

Genres: Mystery, Action

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2018

About the author

Discover more at https://rosalindbarden.com/. For bonus content, fun giveaways, and updates, sign up for the Readers Club newsletter at https://rosalindbarden.com/join-reade....
Rosalind Barden's zany, cozy noir mystery novel set in 1930s Depression-era Los Angeles, THE COLD KID CASE: A SPARKY OF BUNKER HILL MYSTERY, is a #1 Amazon New Release, Firebird Book Award 1st Place Cozy Mystery Winner, Author Academy Top 10 Mystery Winner, and Critters Readers Poll Top 10 Finisher for both Best Mystery and Best Young Adult Books. Over thirty of Rosalind Barden's short stories have appeared in print anthologies and webzines, such as the U.K.'s acclaimed WHISPERS OF WICKEDNESS. Mystery and Horror LLC has selected her stories for multiple print anthologies, including FAPA President's Book Award Silver Medalist HISTORY AND MYSTERY OH MY! She is a regular contributor to the STRANGELY FUNNY anthology series. Ellen Datlow selected her short story LION FRIEND as a Best Horror of the Year Honorable Mention after it appeared in CERN ZOO, a British Fantasy Society nominee for best anthology, part of DF Lewis' award winning NEMONYMOUS anthology series. TV MONSTER is her print children's book that she wrote and illustrated. In addition, her scripts, novel manuscripts and short fiction have placed in numerous competitions, including the Writers Digest Screenplay Competition and the Shriekfast Film Festival. She writes in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Guy Viau.

Reviews

[Lubov Leonova · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at LA history

The mystery follows the story of Sparky, an orphaned 11-year-old living in Depression-era Los Angeles. Accused of a murder she didn't commit, Sparky sets out to clear her name and solve the case of the little girl found dead on a park bench.

When I first started reading, I was taken aback by the story premise. Seriously, who would ever accuse a child in such a heinous crime?! However, I loved the way the story unfolded.

One of the standout features of this book is the author's ability to weave in witty observations about people and society, adding layers of humor and insight to the story. These moments of wisdom between the lines give the narrative depth and make the characters feel more real and relatable.

One significant flaw in the book lies in the writing style with its terse sentence fragments reminiscent of modern social-media discourse. It often felt out of place in a historical context and took me away from the overall immersion in the setting.

Despite these drawbacks, "The Cold Kid Case" is still a compelling and entertaining read, with a strong protagonist and a well-crafted mystery. The blend of charm, suspense, and humor makes this book a worthwhile addition to any YA mystery lover's collection.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tale. With no one to trust and nowhere to turn Sparky a young street-smart girl is on the run. Sparky is set to clear her name and find a killer, but friends soon turn to foes in this fun, mystery filled tale.
The Cold Kid Case - A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery is set in the 1930’s. Even though the book is aimed at a younger audience, it was still enjoyable even at my age, if not a little crazy.
This book of filled with plenty of quirky characters and lots of crazy action as Sparky and her would be helpers that tend to hinder rather than help track down what happened to the Cold Kid.
It took me a while to get used to the way the story is told but overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
To find out what happens in this story full of mayhem and madness you will have to read it for yourself.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tale. With no one to trust and nowhere to turn Sparky a young street-smart girl is on the run. Sparky is set to clear her name and find a killer, but friends soon turn to foes in this fun, mystery filled tale.
The Cold Kid Case - A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery is set in the 1930’s. Even though the book is aimed at a younger audience, it was still enjoyable even at my age, if not a little crazy.
This book of filled with plenty of quirky characters and lots of crazy action as Sparky and her would be helpers that tend to hinder rather than help track down what happened to the Cold Kid.
It took me a while to get used to the way the story is told but overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
To find out what happens in this story full of mayhem and madness you will have to read it for yourself.

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Fun and enjoyable cozy mystery with quite the characters! Although this story is more geared toward 11-18 years of age, I can say even the young at heart can enjoy this story. This book is set in the
1930's as we meet Sparky and be taken in on a who done it mystery....

Sparky, an 11 year old street smart girl, is on her own living in the streets due to her own cousins leaving her behind. Thinking she is celebrating her birthday with her "sweets" and taking it easy on the local park bench....she stumbles upon a child whom is deceased. Sparky is on the run and all fingers are pointing in her direction, even from her own "friends".....Sparky tries to find out whom is responsible for this death and clear her name.

Murder, mayhem and bad mobsters...will Sparky clear her name at then end? Definitely read and find out! This was a fun read.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1930s Los Angeles, Sparky is just 11 years old and unfortunately, a street kid. Always in trouble, but now, the police are after her for a murder! How about that? She deffo didn't do it! The only one who has her back is Bobby, her friend of the same age. He's a bit annoying though as he really wants to marry Sparky. While on the run, Sparky finds "The Creepy House" and stumbles into a world of very interesting characters. Movie stars, doctors, cheetahs, the wonderful Gilbert and so many more! But Sparky still has a name for herself, she's now being accused of many other crimes! Some she wasn't even alive when they happened. And the police are offering money for her capture! What will she do?

Such a fantastic book. Despite the dark theme of a murder, this book felt so cosy. This really is the definition of cosy murder mystery! I loved Sparky and I loved that the cover shows her because this helped me visualise her so well (that naughty smirk indeed!). Her adventures were wild, cheeky and dangerous! I loved her voice. The writing style was easy and fun so the book can be enjoyed in big chunks. I love Historical Fiction so this being set in the 1930s was ideal for me. I can't wait to follow Sparky on more of her dangerous adventures and I hope we get to see these characters again. Especially Gilbert! What a champ!

I highly recommend this one to fans of cosy murder mystery and historical fiction. Worth noting that the murder is that of a child, however this is not detailed so it didn't make the story distressing to read or anything. Plus while Sparky wants to clear her name, she also wants justice for this child. How about that?

[Miia Salomäki · Rating 4 out of 5]

a witty mystery

The Cold Kid Case is a witty mystery book set in LA in the 1930s. The main character is a young homeless girl who gets blamed for a murder she didn’t commit, so she starts investigating. The characters are a motley crew of a has-been movie star and her servant, a young bookish boy and loads of good and bad guys. The story is told from the POV of a 10-year-old, which adds a humorous element to it. I would recommend this book to people who are into witty mystery books with a dab of naivety and people who enjoy an old fashioned detective story.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tale. With no one to trust and nowhere to turn Sparky a young street-smart girl is on the run. Sparky is set to clear her name and find a killer, but friends soon turn to foes in this fun, mystery filled tale.
The Cold Kid Case - A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery is set in the 1930’s. Even though the book is aimed at a younger audience, it was still enjoyable even at my age, if not a little crazy.
This book of filled with plenty of quirky characters and lots of crazy action as Sparky and her would be helpers that tend to hinder rather than help track down what happened to the Cold Kid.
It took me a while to get used to the way the story is told but overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
To find out what happens in this story full of mayhem and madness you will have to read it for yourself.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed a copy of "The Cold Kid Case" and got hooked on the 1930s Los Angeles atmosphere from the start. The writer paints a fantastic picture of Bunker Hill and the Depression era. The setting feels lively and unlike a dusty history textbook. You follow Sparky, a smart eleven-year-old girl trying to survive on the streets. She possesses a ton of grit and personality. The story starts when the police accuse her of a murder. She is innocent. She has to clear her name before the police catch her. I loved the way the book mixes the mystery elements with humor. Sparky is sassy and notices things about the adults near her that made me laugh. It feels like a mix of a classic noir detective story but with a kid as the lead detective. The way she talks and thinks feels authentic to the time period. I felt immersed in the world the author built. The street smarts Sparky shows are impressive for her age. She drives the plot with her determination.

The mystery plot kept me guessing until the final chapter. Sparky runs through the city trying to find clues while dodging trouble and the story stays exciting the entire duration. The other characters add flavor to the mix with the Hollywood transition from silent films to talkies happening in the background. It is a cozy mystery that is great for young adults but I think older readers will enjoy the book. The writing style is fast and punchy which makes the pages fly. I recommend this title to anyone who wants a fun read with a spunky main character. It was fresh to read something unique like this. The author balances the suspense and the fun moments with skill. It is a solid five stars from me for the entertainment value. The twist at the end was a big surprise. I plan to read future books from this author because this one was a delight.

[CJ]

Artful storytelling and a slightly annoying wunderkind

Rosalind Barden’s ‘The Cold Kid Case’ is a fast-paced, exciting murder mystery. Eleven-year-old orphan Sparky discovers the body of a little girl and becomes a potential suspect in the subsequent investigation. This young adult story is a first-person romp through 1930s Los Angeles. A typically plucky ‘Annie’ character, Sparky leads us through her world with more than a bit of sass. While the target audience will undoubtedly adore Sparky, I found her slightly irritating, which I suppose means Barden’s portrayal of historical tween life is spot on.

Sparky leans on a surprising supporting cast of characters, using her eleven-year-old charm to win the day. Barden presents this in a broadly descriptive narrative, where we are party to everything young Sparky thinks, sees, feels and does. This style does drive the story forward and makes for a pleasant read. Packed amongst the action is a little humour, slapstick, danger and thrill, as well as a fair representation of American life ninety years ago. The historical details are great, presumably the product of extensive research.

Barden just about closes out all of the loose ends (no spoilers) in a well-executed climax. This is a charming, innocuous teen thriller, combining artful storytelling and a slightly annoying wunderkind. Thankfully, I have no idea what Sparky sounds like.

[Veagan Aphor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cold Kid Case ended up being such an entertaining read. Right from the beginning, Sparky pulls you into her world. She is this tough, street smart kid who has clearly been through a lot, and you feel that immediately. When she gets caught up in a situation she did not cause and suddenly has to clear her own name, the story really takes off and keeps you hooked.

What I loved most was Sparky as a character. She is not perfect at all. She can be stubborn, defensive, and a little rough around the edges, but that is exactly what makes her feel real. You understand why she acts the way she does, especially given how she has had to survive on her own. Watching her slowly navigate who to trust and how to handle everything going on around her adds a lot of depth to the story.

The setting also stood out to me. The 1930s Los Angeles backdrop gives the story a unique atmosphere that makes everything feel more immersive and gritty. The mystery itself is well paced, with enough twists to keep things interesting without getting confusing.

If I had one small critique, it would be that some moments move a little quickly, especially when things start coming together, but it does not take away from the overall experience.

Overall, this is a really enjoyable mystery with heart, humor, and a strong main character. It is easy to get into and hard to put down once you start.

[L.H. Boltson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden is a heartfelt, character-driven mystery that stays with you after you turn the last page. While there’s plenty of suspense, the story isn’t built on flashy twists. Instead, it pulls readers in through emotional depth, strong relationships, and a vivid sense of community.

At the center is Sparky, an 11-year-old growing up in Depression-era Los Angeles. When she finds herself accused of a crime she didn’t commit, her determination to clear her name sets the story in motion. Sparky is street-smart and observant, but still wonderfully kid-like. Her voice feels natural and honest, making it easy to root for her as she digs for the truth.

As the mystery unfolds, the case carries real emotional weight. The “cold kid” isn’t just a plot device; the story thoughtfully explores how unresolved loss can ripple through families and neighborhoods for years. Barden’s writing brings Bunker Hill to life through small, meaningful details, and the steady pacing allows the characters and tensions to develop in a believable way.

Overall, The Cold Kid Case is engaging, warm, and sincere. It is a mystery with heart, depth, and just the right amount of intrigue.

[Vanessa Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, set in 1920s Los Angeles and told from the sole perspective of an eleven-year-old street kid, is a delight. I had feared it might stray into the twee but not a bit of it. The aptly named Sparky, savvy and engaging with a wry sense of humour, doggedly puts together the jigsaw pieces — often at considerable personal risk to herself — until she solves the mystery of a small child’s death. The cast of additional characters is wide, varied, and colourfully sketched, if sometimes amusingly tongue-in-cheek. The atmosphere of Hollywood at a febrile time of transition from silent to talking movies is skilfully crafted.

Sparky’s vibrant recounting of some of the scenes she witnesses, including fisticuffs between two actresses vying for supremacy in the new cinematic world, is always astute, observant and funny, as is her eye-rolling ‘whatever’ reaction to pomposity or long words.

I thoroughly recommend this refreshingly original and entertaining murder mystery.

[Adria Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story unfolds in the 1930s and revolves around a little girl named Sparky, who is being hunted by the police. Although she is innocent and desperately tries to prove it, her efforts only seem to draw her deeper into trouble. Sparky, together with other characters such as Bobby and Tootsie, carries a sense of candor and mystery that makes the book hard to put down. The message of the story is simple yet meaningful, speaking about the courage required to stand up for one’s innocence, even when the world seems unfair.

This work of fiction feels fresh, playful, and gently imaginative. The plot develops quickly, keeping young readers engaged, while the characters remain mysterious yet charmingly naive, preserving the spirit of a classic children’s tale. The language is light and flowing, making the book extremely easy to read. More often than not, the story leaves a smile on the reader’s face and warmth.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining historical cozy mystery with an orphaned street savvy eleven year old, Sparky as the heroine. Set during the 1930’s in the Depression-era Bunker Hill neighbourhood of downtown LA, Sparky lives by her wits. When she discovers the body of a little girl on a park bench she’s accused of the murder. On a mission to clear her name, Sparky turns amateur sleuth and meets an array of colourful characters as she tries to solve the mystery and clear her name. This is a fun and at times humorous mystery with a quirky main character, in Sparky who is likeable and relatable. The setting and the era are brought to life through the descriptive narrative, and the added historical details bring the charm of the era to life including, Hollywood, movie stars, mobsters, and murder. I look forward to being back with Sparky of Bunker Hill soon!

[La Toya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cold Case Kid by Rosalind Barden is part of the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. When 11-year-old street kid Sparky discovers a dead body, she is made a suspect for the crime. She has to hide out after she sees everyone turn on her. Sparky puts her wits to good use and goes on a mission to try to solve the crime. This story was not what I expected. Despite being aimed at kids this was a very engaging story for adults. Sparky is a well-written preteen. Sassy, spunky, and very much a street kid. There was humor and twists that helped keep you engaged. The story is richly woven and pulls you in. I enjoyed this story.

[Kim Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book for my granddaughter because she’s really into mysteries these days, and I have to say—we both ended up loving it! I started reading it just to see what it was about, and before I knew it, I was hooked right along with her.
What I liked most is Sparky talks like a real person. She's tough but not annoying. She's funny, but you can tell she's also been through a lot. And even though this happened a long time ago, the stuff she goes through still makes sense—like trying to figure out who to trust and what to do when everything is falling apart.
The story is full of old Hollywood charm, movie stars, gangsters, and a lot of suspense. Sparky’s voice is so spunky and real. She’s got a tough shell, but you can tell she’s got a good heart. My granddaughter said she wants to be like her—and honestly, I do too!
We had such fun reading it together and guessing who the real culprit was. There were lots of twists and turns, and we both got surprised more than once. It’s written in a way that’s exciting for younger readers but still really entertaining for us older folks.
If you’re looking for a smart, sassy mystery with heart and humor, The Cold Kid Case is just the ticket. Sparky is a little firecracker, and I hope this isn’t the last we see of her!

[Alison Risher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystery. It is told in the first perspective, from the point of view of a young girl living on the streets. It is set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. The main character finds herself needing to prove she did not commit a heinous crime. Along the way, she learns the importance of considering the feelings of others.

[Samantha Cleaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was my first read by this author and it did not disappoint!

The Cold Kid Case is the first book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. This book was aimed toward a younger audience, but I definitely still enjoyed it. It’s set in Los Angeles in the 1930s

Sparky is on a mission to solve a mystery and clear her name. This book kept me very engaged with twists and turns.

A def read!

[Tonya Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is an easy one to follow, full of mystery and crime. Told from the perspective of 11 year old Sparky. Sparky is quirky and fun loving. This story, though directed towards a younger age group, is still a good story for all ages to read and will keep you well entertained.

[Angie Boyter]

I lasted through 42 pages. The whole premise was whimsical and sounded like fun, but it was so extreme I decided it was more not credible than whimsical. I will not rate it because MAYBE it gets better, but it would be difficult to rescue.

[Jennifer P Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this cozy mystery book, eleven year old girl Sparky finds herself an orphan, street kid in the Great Depression Era. Her life is tough to survive and eat each day but one day things go unexpectedly wrong. After finding a dead girl where she runs from screaming and dropping her belongings with her name on it, she tries to clear her name as police are looking for her. The book brief and cover does not do the story justice as it is a fun mystery that Sparky endures and readers are taken for an adventure through this case.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild adventure with Sparky, an 11-year-old street urchin living in the downtown LA suburb of Bunker Hill in the 1930s!

Sparky has done many illegal things to survive on the streets after her parents died, and the relatives who took her in moved away without her. However, she has never murdered anyone! Unfortunately, an incident of being in the wrong place at the wrong time makes Sparky a suspect in the murder of a young girl in the park, and she needs to find a hiding spot fast!

After seeking refuge in the Creepy House, owned by aging silent movie star Tootsie and her faithful manservant, Gilbert, Sparky sets out to clear her name and discover the real murderer, with help from her friend Bobby.

This book is an over-the-top historical cozy mystery, packed with quirky characters and absurd situations. It is not meant to be taken seriously; in fact, you can't! But it is a lot of fun, and I believe young teens would enjoy it immensely.

[Finn Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cold Kid Case is book one of the "Sparky of Bunker Hills Mystery" Series by Rosalind Barden. An excellent opener to an enthralling YA mystery series! This had a very cozy feel to it, and I'm a sucker for anything set in the 1930's so I really couldn't help myself! The world building was good, and I loved how quirky Sparky is! Despite being intended for a younger audience I absolutely loved this book!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Meet Sparky, an orphaned, street-savvy 11-year-old living by her wits in the Depression-era Bunker Hill neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. She is on a mission to clear her name after being accused of the murder of a little girl whose body she discovers on a park bench—talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! And things only get worse when Sparky is blamed for ever more outrageous crimes until her body count is ridiculous. Will Sparky be able to summon the gumption to solve the crime and clear her name? Rosalind Barden crafts an unforgettable and uniquely zany mystery, filled with a web of colorful characters, recalling the charm of decades past, with Hollywood, movie stars, mobsters, and, of course, murder."
Was Sparky able to clear her name? Will have to read the book to find out. This story had my attention from the beginning and throughout, the characters were great, I give this book 4 stars.

[C.M. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From page one, this story is full of twists and turns. The reader is plunged immediately into the action alongside Sparky. The suspense woven throughout the story keeps you just on edge of your seat wondering who is really responsible for the murder she has been accused of.

The story balances more serious elements alongside elements of humor. Since Sparky is a young girl, her reactions and perspective on life are both humorous and endearing. It’s not easy to write from a child’s perspective, but I found Sparky’s reactions and choices realistic for someone her age.

All in all, Sparky makes for an adorable and spunky heroine that young readers can relate to. The ending ties together everything that has happened but also leaves room for Sparky’s adventures to continue. Each character is unique, and it was fun to see how Sparky found unexpected allies along her journey as well. Worth a read!

[Kirsten Berkebile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Rosalind. It’s the first book in the series. Sparky, is an 11 year-old orphan. She has been accused of murdering a little girl, that she found on a park bench. Can she help the police find the killer and clear her name or does she wind up doing time for something that she didn’t commit. I like it but I did have a hard time wanting to read it. While it was an interesting story, it really wasn’t my kind of book. I could always give it another chance as well as read the other books in the series.

[Micalah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although The Cold Kid Case is geared toward a YA audience I was still able to enjoy this fun, cozy mystery. After looking at the cover and reading the blurb about the book I thought it was going to be a little more geared toward young children but that wasn’t the case. We get a good idea of how the 1930’s was and how kids were treated and with Sparky being an 11 year old orphan it definitely wasn’t safe and she had to fight for everything. Told from her point of view it was a wild, entertaining ride to the end.

[Syl · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed this book. It has a slightly alice in wonderland feel to it, with a plot that keeps you guessing and a quirky protagonist you can't help but love. I also really enjoyed the setting, it was very cool, and very atmospheric. There’s also a great cast of supporting characters, who lend an undeniable charm and eccentricity. I found myself looking forward to learning more about all of them.

Like others have mentioned, I found the language a little hard to get into. I’m not sure how historically accurate it was, as that is not my forte. But I sometimes had a hard time staying ‘in’ it because of the language choices.

Overall though, highly recommended! A really unique story, well told. Will definitely be picking up the next in the series. I think anyone who likes unique and quirky stories would like this.

[Julie Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers: Rosalind Barden’s YA Historical Mystery, The Cold Kid Case, is what you get when you give Little Orphan Annie Nancy Drew’s detective skills. You get a charming scrappy kid protagonist and a fun engaging mystery.

Sparky is an 11 year old street smart orphan living in Depression Era Bunker Hill, California. Her life of running errands for a local bookie, picking pockets, stealing food scraps, and hiding in out of the way places is interrupted when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young girl since Sparky was the one who found the body. Sparky hides out in Creepy House, a mansion owned by Tootsie, an eccentric but kind silent movie actress. Sparky, Tootsie, Tootsie's loyal butler Gilbert, and Sparky’s protective friend Bobby are on the case to investigate the girl’s death and clear Sparky’s name.

The Cold Kid Case is reminiscent of one of those old Kid Adventure films starring the likes of Shirley Temple, The Little Rascals, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Hayley Mills, Tatum O’Neil, Jodie Foster, Gary Coleman, Aileen Quinn, Sean Astin, Coreys Haim and Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Macaulay Culkin, The Olsen Twins, Mara Wilson, Dakota and Elle Fanning, or the many kids who front Nickelodeon or Disney shows. It stars precocious kids who have either busy, distracted, neglectful parents, or no parents at all. They are born with smart mouths, plenty of attitude, uncanny survival instincts, and a penchant for finding adventure wherever they turn. Adults are usually clueless or evil. Though there are occasionally good kind adults who help the kids, mentor them, and if orphaned might adopt them. The kid's lives might be in danger but they usually come out on top and often end up in a better situation than when they started.

Sparky is that type of kid and Borden has fun with her character. Her first person narration is a delight to read with its 1930s slang and tough kid attitude. (“Once (Bobby) tried kissing me. That’s when I socked him good and down he went….Didn’t faze him. He kept on proposing, and telling other kids that I was his ‘girl’ which made me think he warranted another whammo.”) Her savviness in sneaking into and hiding in various spots around Bunker Hill come in handy when she has to run from police officers, violent gangsters, or potential murderers. Even small touches like how we barely learn about Sparky's past, don’t even know her real name or if she even has a real name add to her characterization as a kid who had to survive on her own and harbors no illusions about how the world works.

In fact, there is an edge to this book that is often found in some of the best Kid Adventures: an awareness of the darker real world that is around these kids. Sure, they have fantastic adventures and more often than not succeed in them but they aren’t without serious conflicts. These kids are often faced with deaths of parents or other family members, poverty, divorce, addiction, family arguments, criminal activity, abuse, and adults who want to kill them and don’t care that they are kids. Often these conflicts surround the adventures, maybe as an instigating factor or exist to make the kids even more vulnerable and unable to rely on the adult world around them. Sure Annie might have sung that “the sun’ll come out tomorrow” but she certainly knew that most of the time it didn't.

That is at play within young Sparky. It’s hard to avoid the reality of the Great Depression when it’s all around her. She isn’t the only orphaned or abandoned kid and she sees adults unable to survive and fighting for last scraps of a meal or employment at a demeaning dead end job that can only admit five people. If her elders have a hard time surviving in these circumstances, then what chances do kids like her have? In fact, the dead girl’s backstory is such an example. The identity of the murderer and the motive are pretty appalling and become more terrifying the longer one thinks about it. This might be a YA Novel, a Kid’s Adventure, even some form of a Kid’s Wish Fulfillment in many ways but don’t under any circumstances think that it avoids the real world around it. In fact it plunges headlong into it. There is a strong sense of reality and a savage bite within the fantastic proceedings. Sparky knows how the world works. She just chooses to fight against it in her own way.

Some of the bite of reality gets lost once Tootsie enters the scene but in her own way, she also plays into the Adventure subgenre. Supporting characters in these types of stories, particularly adults, are often broad and larger than life with very little subtlety and Tootsie definitely plays that trope to the hilt. Of course her being a former actress definitely adds to that. If this was a movie instead of a book, Tootsie would reject the catered lunch and prefer instead to gnaw on the scenery.

She is very melodramatic, vain about her appearance, and often waxes nostalgic about her former roles and stardom days. There is an almost youthful playful innocence like she has the childlike nature that Sparky lacks. Sparky directly faces the reality of the Great Depression while Tootsie prefers instead to get away from it and live in an idyllic fantasy.

Despite its name, Creepy House is anything but. It is a study in fantastic imagination of what a movie star’s home would look like with its ornate furniture, room sized bathtub, and particularly Tootsie's two stuffed leopards which were once real leopards that she had stuffed (and Sparky loves so much that Tootsie allows her to keep them in her new bedroom). Tootsie’s butler, Gilbert, also plays into this fantastic setting. He is the straight man to his mistress’ comic antics and encourages her while occasionally keeping her grounded and providing some direction to Sparky. He is stern but willingly indulges the schemes of the two women in his life. He provides shelter and alibis when authorities come looking for Sparky and plays along with Tootsie’s elaborate ruse to extract information from a rival actress to help the girl.

Like Sparky, Tootsie is also never referred to by her real name, though in her case it’s probably for artistic reasons and adds to her eccentricities. While she is clearly concerned about her new young charge, Tootsie indulges Sparky’s investigations even furnishing disguises and at one time appearing incognito to assist her. Tootsie is a maternal figure who is loving but acts like a big kid herself. She offers enough of a safe harbor for Sparky to find shelter and freedom for the girl to be herself and learn from her mistakes.

It is not too much to assume that some legal papers, a court visit, a new last name and a change of address for Sparky, and a new title that begins with “mo-” for Tootsie are in the duo’s future. Not since Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian have I wanted to see a surrogate parent/child relationship become an adopted reality more.

The Cold Kid Case is a fun, bright, sassy mystery that plays into the genre with a lot of wit, bite, and heart.

[April B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review Day!

The Cold Case Kid

Rosalind Barden

This book has everything you could want!  A spunky, smart 11 year old that always ends up finding her way to trouble but this time the trouble comes in the form of police looking at Sparky as a #1 suspect for a Murder, oh no!  Sparky sets on a quest to clear her name into the streets of 1930's Los Angeles, clearly she can clear her name.. easy peasy.. right?  Wrong!  The police try to pin more nasty deeds on her so the clock is ticking and the pressure is on! 

Despite the talk of murder, the book is more of a cozy mystery very young adult novel but any age will greatly enjoy this book with lots of quick wit, amazing world building, historical accurate descriptions and characters to love and root for to the end!  Once you start this book you find yourself flipping pages easily and enjoying the adventure, I love anything historical in this Era and the author does an amazing job bring 1930's LA to life with vibrant detail!  I will definitely be reading more from this author!