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The Ghost and Max Monroe #2
The Missing Zucchini
Zeeta and Zelda Zamboni are beside themselves when they call the Monroe Detective Agency. "Our most prized possession has been stolen!" the sisters announce. "Will you help us? Please?" Max agrees to help them find their missing possession, and then he finds out what it is: a two-hundred-pound zucchini!
Looking for a zucchini is "sure to be duller than dirt," Max thinks. However, once he and Uncle Larry (the ghost) start digging around for clues, they discover this new case is actually full of interesting possibilities. In fact, the Zamboni sisters have some awfully suspicious neighbors. The big question is, will Max and Uncle Larry manage to solve the mystery and locate the giant zucchini in time to enter it in the Harvest Fair's vegetable competition?
Looking for a zucchini is "sure to be duller than dirt," Max thinks. However, once he and Uncle Larry (the ghost) start digging around for clues, they discover this new case is actually full of interesting possibilities. In fact, the Zamboni sisters have some awfully suspicious neighbors. The big question is, will Max and Uncle Larry manage to solve the mystery and locate the giant zucchini in time to enter it in the Harvest Fair's vegetable competition?
96 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Falcone
9 books14 followersLucy Falcone (aka L.M. Falcone) is a former children's television writer for such series as The Littlest Hobo and Nickelodeon's hugely popular, Are You Afraid of the Dark? She turned her hand to writing a number of award-winning novels and a junior-fiction detective series. Her debut picture book, I Didn't Stand Up, won the 2019 Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Children's Literature Award.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 23, 2014
Good, Basic, Engaging Early Reader Mystery
From what I've been reading it seems fairly clear that it's very hard to write an early reader chapter book that incorporates a decent mystery. Usually the trade off is that to keep sentences short and punchy and to maintain interest the author has to come up with a sort-of mystery that ends up being solved by chance, coincidence, or a timely confession or a convenient witness.
I'm happy to report that in this second Ghost and Max Monroe book we have an accessible, engaging and reading level appropriate story that also has a fair and well built mystery. What a nice find.
Max is spending the summer with his grandfather; grandfather's brother Larry is a ghost who haunts the backyard. Great Uncle Larry was a bad detective who wants to redeem himself. He teams up as ten year old Max's sidekick, and they're in the detective business. The mystery in the first Ghost and Max Monroe book involved a five year old girl who went in to a Magician's magical box at her birthday party and disappeared for real. In this sequel we travel to a farm to investigate the disappearance of a prize 200 pound zucchini.
There are a number of high points here. While Max and his grandfather didn't do anything for me, Max and ghost Larry make a good team. Only Max can see Larry so in addition to their byplay you get a lot of slapstick humor from Max appearing to others to be speaking to himself when he's speaking to ghost Larry. The writing is not overly broad, and there are a few funny lines tossed off. Larry is pretty much a one joke character, but it's a good enough joke and seems right for very early readers.
The mystery turns up three suspects, some real clues, some red herrings and a classic meeting-with-the-suspects-to-announce-the-perpetrator scene. Some of the clues are very clever, and unlike almost every other similar book I've read the reasoning and the deductions are sound and logical. Max keeps a note book with subject's names, motives, and incriminating evidence, and his methods are sound even if some of the clues are obvious.
So, you get entertaining characters, an engaging premise, and an actual mystery that will set up an early reader for reading and enjoying classic style mysteries. That's not bad at all.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
From what I've been reading it seems fairly clear that it's very hard to write an early reader chapter book that incorporates a decent mystery. Usually the trade off is that to keep sentences short and punchy and to maintain interest the author has to come up with a sort-of mystery that ends up being solved by chance, coincidence, or a timely confession or a convenient witness.
I'm happy to report that in this second Ghost and Max Monroe book we have an accessible, engaging and reading level appropriate story that also has a fair and well built mystery. What a nice find.
Max is spending the summer with his grandfather; grandfather's brother Larry is a ghost who haunts the backyard. Great Uncle Larry was a bad detective who wants to redeem himself. He teams up as ten year old Max's sidekick, and they're in the detective business. The mystery in the first Ghost and Max Monroe book involved a five year old girl who went in to a Magician's magical box at her birthday party and disappeared for real. In this sequel we travel to a farm to investigate the disappearance of a prize 200 pound zucchini.
There are a number of high points here. While Max and his grandfather didn't do anything for me, Max and ghost Larry make a good team. Only Max can see Larry so in addition to their byplay you get a lot of slapstick humor from Max appearing to others to be speaking to himself when he's speaking to ghost Larry. The writing is not overly broad, and there are a few funny lines tossed off. Larry is pretty much a one joke character, but it's a good enough joke and seems right for very early readers.
The mystery turns up three suspects, some real clues, some red herrings and a classic meeting-with-the-suspects-to-announce-the-perpetrator scene. Some of the clues are very clever, and unlike almost every other similar book I've read the reasoning and the deductions are sound and logical. Max keeps a note book with subject's names, motives, and incriminating evidence, and his methods are sound even if some of the clues are obvious.
So, you get entertaining characters, an engaging premise, and an actual mystery that will set up an early reader for reading and enjoying classic style mysteries. That's not bad at all.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
July 28, 2015
Max Monroe’s mom passed away 2 yrs. ago. Dad was a reporter & in China covering a story.
Max stayed with his G/P Harry & Uncle Larry (ghost)
Max & his Uncle Larry ran their own detective agency.
Zeeta & Zelda Zamboni called the 2 & wanted them to find their missing #200 lb. Zucchini squash.
As the 2 goofy total opposite detective’s piece the puzzle/suspects together; 3 names turn up.
1. Mr. Leonard
2. Mr. Jordan
3. Edwena Whacker
Nope not gonna tell you.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great hand drawn black/white pictures, font & writing style. A very well written children’s mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s mystery movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Kids Can Press; hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Max stayed with his G/P Harry & Uncle Larry (ghost)
Max & his Uncle Larry ran their own detective agency.
Zeeta & Zelda Zamboni called the 2 & wanted them to find their missing #200 lb. Zucchini squash.
As the 2 goofy total opposite detective’s piece the puzzle/suspects together; 3 names turn up.
1. Mr. Leonard
2. Mr. Jordan
3. Edwena Whacker
Nope not gonna tell you.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great hand drawn black/white pictures, font & writing style. A very well written children’s mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s mystery movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Kids Can Press; hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
March 2, 2015
Who stole the two-hundred pound prize-winning vegetable, and why?
Max is a bright kid and a tenacious problem solver, easily recognizable to fans of Encyclopedia Brown. The Ghost, Max's Uncle Larry, is the Id to Max's Superego, eating and pranking his way through witnessarias interviews. My child(ren) enjoyed the absurd sense of humor when it appeared, and missed it when the story asked to be taken more seriously.
Uncle Larry is established as invisible and inaudible to all the characters but Max, which offers many opportunities for side commentary. Falcone could do more exploring of Max's discomfort with separating Larry's interruptions from his mundane conversations, I suppose, though looking for Baltar in full Chip-Six mode may be a bit much to expect from an easy-reader.
** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
Max is a bright kid and a tenacious problem solver, easily recognizable to fans of Encyclopedia Brown. The Ghost, Max's Uncle Larry, is the Id to Max's Superego, eating and pranking his way through witness
Uncle Larry is established as invisible and inaudible to all the characters but Max, which offers many opportunities for side commentary. Falcone could do more exploring of Max's discomfort with separating Larry's interruptions from his mundane conversations, I suppose, though looking for Baltar in full Chip-Six mode may be a bit much to expect from an easy-reader.
** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
November 24, 2014
This is a fun and humorous chapter book mystery. Max Monroe is staying with his Grandpa Harry and his Uncle Larry. Uncle Larry is a ghost who was a failed detective during his life. Max is a smart kid with plenty of deductive reasoning skills. Together they make a great detective team. In their second case together Max and Larry are hired to find a two hundred pound zucchini that's been stolen right before it's to be entered in the local fair. Max hunts clues while Larry provides comic relief. Sure to keep young readers entertained.
June 9, 2016
I thought this book was adorable
It's not terribly long, only 91 pages. It is the second case that Max has to solve but you don't necessarily need to read the first case to understand the second, they have a neat synopsis at the beginning. It's a fun little mystery with multiple suspects so that your own little one can try to solve it before the Monroe Detective Agency cracks the case.
Short stories like these would be perfect to occupy kids on slightly longer car rides or rainy days. Personally I just wish there were more than 3 cases.
It's not terribly long, only 91 pages. It is the second case that Max has to solve but you don't necessarily need to read the first case to understand the second, they have a neat synopsis at the beginning. It's a fun little mystery with multiple suspects so that your own little one can try to solve it before the Monroe Detective Agency cracks the case.
Short stories like these would be perfect to occupy kids on slightly longer car rides or rainy days. Personally I just wish there were more than 3 cases.
June 8, 2015
Totally delighted to have discovered a charming mystery series for young readers, ready to venture into slightly longer beginning chapter books! While mystery, combined with a good dose of humor is popular with young readers, there isn't that much available yet, especially not in series format. The books in this series are witty, clever and entertaining, without overwhelming. I know these books will just fly off our Primary Library shelves.
August 17, 2016
This title is nominated for the 2017 Hackmatack award in the fiction category.
Boy detective Max Monroe and his ghost Uncle are back to solve another mystery. This time they are on the case of the missing zucchini. With an easy to follow story, simple language and fun characters I would definitely recommend this to readers who are just getting into chapter books.
Boy detective Max Monroe and his ghost Uncle are back to solve another mystery. This time they are on the case of the missing zucchini. With an easy to follow story, simple language and fun characters I would definitely recommend this to readers who are just getting into chapter books.
June 24, 2015
The ghost and Max Monroe case #2: The missing zucchini by:L.M. Falcone was good, but felt like the story was rushed. Unlike the first case I felt the cover emulated the story dead on. It was basically max on a case to find an extremely large zucchini. So all in all I have this story 3 stars.
April 16, 2021
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 5, 2015
I think the first one was a lot better but it was still good. I can not wait ro read the third one!
September 9, 2015
Not sure what to think of this series...Definitely not for every reader but I enjoyed the way the character used reasoning to solve crime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews