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Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game
Glass Onion meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library in this twisty, laugh-out-loud middle grade mystery about an inexperienced detective who plans to solve a local murder to achieve greatness.
Only you can solve the mystery of my murder.
Grady Jones has spent nearly all twelve years of his life trying to find a way to be great at something. So when a mysterious note is delivered to his door, addressed to him, asking Grady to solve the murder of his town’s reclusive billionaire, Grady believes his search is over. He’ll be a Great Detective! The only problem is he is not known for being very observant…or intuitive…or clever.
Oh, and he has no idea how to solve a mystery.
Luckily, he has some friends who have skills of deduction, and together, they might have the chops to figure out the murderer. Then a stranger also named Grady Jones comes to town, and Grady fears the note might not have been meant for him at all. And if that’s the case, how will he ever become Great?
In this hilarious mystery, one boy must make life-changing decisions, perhaps most important of is it more important to be a Great Detective, or a great friend?
Only you can solve the mystery of my murder.
Grady Jones has spent nearly all twelve years of his life trying to find a way to be great at something. So when a mysterious note is delivered to his door, addressed to him, asking Grady to solve the murder of his town’s reclusive billionaire, Grady believes his search is over. He’ll be a Great Detective! The only problem is he is not known for being very observant…or intuitive…or clever.
Oh, and he has no idea how to solve a mystery.
Luckily, he has some friends who have skills of deduction, and together, they might have the chops to figure out the murderer. Then a stranger also named Grady Jones comes to town, and Grady fears the note might not have been meant for him at all. And if that’s the case, how will he ever become Great?
In this hilarious mystery, one boy must make life-changing decisions, perhaps most important of is it more important to be a Great Detective, or a great friend?
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2025
9 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Douglas Dye
1 book3 followersKERRY DOUGLAS DYE was born in Philadelphia and studied film and television at New York University. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, puzzles, scary movies, and, of course, reading. (Historical adventures are his favorite.) He lives in an apartment in New York City with his wife, his daughter, and a funny little dog named Albert.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 12, 2025
This was a great middle grade mystery! I loved following Grady as he worked with his friends to solve the murder of Mr. Bancroft. This book had a great cast of characters that could be found relatable and you can’t help but root for Grady to solve the mystery. This was a fast paced story and it kept me hooked from start to finish. This book is perfect for mystery lovers.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.
December 11, 2025
This was quite easily one of the best middle grade book I've read this year! So much fun!
September 23, 2025
** “Dear Mr. Jones: Only you will be able to solve the mystery of my murder.” **
Debut author Kerry Douglas Dye offers an outstanding first novel that readers of all ages will love in “Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game,” a story about striving to find one’s greatness versus goodness.
When Grady receives a letter from the town’s millionaire J.T. Bancroft stating that he, Grady Jones, is the only person who can solve Bancroft’s murder, Grady jumps into action. But there’s one problem — Grady isn’t great, let alone good, at anything. But if he can solve the murder, he’ll inherit the dead man’s estate.
Grady quickly realizes he needs to accept help from his friends — Anwar, Mikayla and little brother Kit — to figure out what really happened to Mr. Bancroft.
With lots of twists and turns and red herrings, Dye keeps the reader guessing until the very end. He develops fun and relatable characters, including Grady who is trying to figure out something he can be good at while trying to find acceptance from others, as well as some quite unlikable ones. He also fills the story with several great themes, like forgiving ourselves; being there for the people who need you; paying attention to others and other things besides yourself; saying sorry is very powerful; “always do what scares you”; and look at problems from various angles.
One disclaimer: the book does contain one instant of a very mild curse word if parents are concerned about that.
Fans of series like “Minerva Keen’s Detective Club” by James Patterson and Keir Graff and “Confessions of a Junior Spy” by Rosaria Munda will love “Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game,” which is due out Sept. 30.
Five stars out of five.
Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Debut author Kerry Douglas Dye offers an outstanding first novel that readers of all ages will love in “Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game,” a story about striving to find one’s greatness versus goodness.
When Grady receives a letter from the town’s millionaire J.T. Bancroft stating that he, Grady Jones, is the only person who can solve Bancroft’s murder, Grady jumps into action. But there’s one problem — Grady isn’t great, let alone good, at anything. But if he can solve the murder, he’ll inherit the dead man’s estate.
Grady quickly realizes he needs to accept help from his friends — Anwar, Mikayla and little brother Kit — to figure out what really happened to Mr. Bancroft.
With lots of twists and turns and red herrings, Dye keeps the reader guessing until the very end. He develops fun and relatable characters, including Grady who is trying to figure out something he can be good at while trying to find acceptance from others, as well as some quite unlikable ones. He also fills the story with several great themes, like forgiving ourselves; being there for the people who need you; paying attention to others and other things besides yourself; saying sorry is very powerful; “always do what scares you”; and look at problems from various angles.
One disclaimer: the book does contain one instant of a very mild curse word if parents are concerned about that.
Fans of series like “Minerva Keen’s Detective Club” by James Patterson and Keir Graff and “Confessions of a Junior Spy” by Rosaria Munda will love “Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game,” which is due out Sept. 30.
Five stars out of five.
Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
December 7, 2025
4.5
This is a fun murder mystery that will keep MG students engaged and guessing to the very end. Not only that, but laughing at the antics of Grady and his lack of crime solving skills.
He has never been good at anything and is determined to find something that will help him shine. When a mysterious note is delivered to his home, he is sure he had found his niche. He will be a great detective. There are a couple of stumbling blocks to his greatness; he is not very observant, can't focus on one thing very long, and is pretty awkward. Luckily, he finds a team that has strengths where he is weak, and they can benefit from his sense of adventure and his bravery.
"Different is good! We're peanut butter and jelly! Ham and mozzarella."
"I'm worried we're more like bean sprouts and rocky road ice cream."
"That's a classic combination!" Grady assures her. "On a waffle cone with sprinkles...works way better than you'd expect."
A mysterious stranger with his same name shows up in town, and a new game is on. Can they trust him, or not? Is he helping them or following them? Will they end out in jail, or will they be able to catch the person actually responsible for the death of the local billionaire?
In Grady's quest for greatness and popularity, he realizes that being truly great may not be the same thing he always thought it was. He may have to re-think who and what he wants to be.
Fun, exciting, dangerous, silly, and has some great lessons to be learned about friendship and trust.
This is a fun murder mystery that will keep MG students engaged and guessing to the very end. Not only that, but laughing at the antics of Grady and his lack of crime solving skills.
He has never been good at anything and is determined to find something that will help him shine. When a mysterious note is delivered to his home, he is sure he had found his niche. He will be a great detective. There are a couple of stumbling blocks to his greatness; he is not very observant, can't focus on one thing very long, and is pretty awkward. Luckily, he finds a team that has strengths where he is weak, and they can benefit from his sense of adventure and his bravery.
"Different is good! We're peanut butter and jelly! Ham and mozzarella."
"I'm worried we're more like bean sprouts and rocky road ice cream."
"That's a classic combination!" Grady assures her. "On a waffle cone with sprinkles...works way better than you'd expect."
A mysterious stranger with his same name shows up in town, and a new game is on. Can they trust him, or not? Is he helping them or following them? Will they end out in jail, or will they be able to catch the person actually responsible for the death of the local billionaire?
In Grady's quest for greatness and popularity, he realizes that being truly great may not be the same thing he always thought it was. He may have to re-think who and what he wants to be.
Fun, exciting, dangerous, silly, and has some great lessons to be learned about friendship and trust.
October 5, 2025
Grady cheerfully and optimistically works to gain notoriety and recognition for something. He isn't quite sure what he is capable of being recognized for, but he knows he is supposed to accomplish something great and be placed in front of adoring fans and grateful community citizens. After a string of failures, Grady receives a mysterious note telling him he is the 'only one who can solve the mystery.' Problem is, the mystery he needs to solve is for a murder that hasn't happened yet. Until the next morning, when it did. Grady ignores his mother's pleas to stay away from the mansion of the deceased and Grady is reluctant to tell her the wealth and fame that will come his way, opting instead to surprise her when he finally gets his hands on the cold, hard cash.
Humorous murder mystery suitable for upper elementary and middle school grades. Grady is somewhat irritating because he lacks empathy, even though he is well-meaning. Fortunately, Grady is surrounded by a very intelligent new friend and a little brother who is not the fame and fortune seeker as his older brother. As Grady's friend and brother actually solve the mystery, Grady is distracted by the newcomer to town who shares his name and his efforts to keep it secret so his imagined future is not threatened.
Good recommendation for students who like Chris Grabenstein, Stuart Gibbs, and Carl Hiaasen's children's novels.
Humorous murder mystery suitable for upper elementary and middle school grades. Grady is somewhat irritating because he lacks empathy, even though he is well-meaning. Fortunately, Grady is surrounded by a very intelligent new friend and a little brother who is not the fame and fortune seeker as his older brother. As Grady's friend and brother actually solve the mystery, Grady is distracted by the newcomer to town who shares his name and his efforts to keep it secret so his imagined future is not threatened.
Good recommendation for students who like Chris Grabenstein, Stuart Gibbs, and Carl Hiaasen's children's novels.
November 10, 2025
Super fun read. The author has a great sense of humor and uses it well not only in dialogue, setting, and plot but also in creating great characters (main and extras) as well. Grady is a middle child; he is a bit weird and overexcited sometimes, which gives him great energy and helps advance the plot, even when his misunderstandings (or other people's misunderstandings) try to stop this investigation. He is "hired" to solve a murder that hasn't happened yet, until it does, and then the knives-out vibes start with lots of suspects, even a cryptogram to solve, and clues to follow. Easy to read and hard to put down because it puts us in a great mood. There are other themes, loss of a parent (in the past), finding what one is good at, social interaction, new friendships, and changes in family structure. Whether Grady is plainly optimistic or in denial, he doesn't allow anything to bring him down, and he has a great heart and mind, always doing the right thing. Mikayla was a great new friend and sidekick, along with Kit's smart remarks.
One thing I loved about this one is that some major reveal moments happen earlier than I expected and then more plot twists turn the end into a new promise. Great start for a series.
One thing I loved about this one is that some major reveal moments happen earlier than I expected and then more plot twists turn the end into a new promise. Great start for a series.
December 21, 2025
WOW—this middle grade mystery truly surprised me! Twelve-year-old Grady is still trying to figure out what he’s good at, so when a mysterious letter arrives asking him to solve the murder of one of the richest people in town, he jumps at the chance to play detective.
Along the way, Grady teams up with new friends Mikayla, Anwar, and his little brother Kit. Together they face plenty of ups and downs (and some very funny missteps!) but ultimately learn how to communicate, trust each other, and crack the case.
If your young reader enjoys Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or any classic middle grade mysteries, this one will be a hit. For older readers, it offers The Westing Game vibes—but geared toward a younger audience. I highly recommend this fun, fast-paced mystery!
Thank you to author Kerry Douglas Dye for sending me a copy. I truly enjoyed it, and I’m excited to pass it along to my grandson next. All opinions are my own.
Along the way, Grady teams up with new friends Mikayla, Anwar, and his little brother Kit. Together they face plenty of ups and downs (and some very funny missteps!) but ultimately learn how to communicate, trust each other, and crack the case.
If your young reader enjoys Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or any classic middle grade mysteries, this one will be a hit. For older readers, it offers The Westing Game vibes—but geared toward a younger audience. I highly recommend this fun, fast-paced mystery!
Thank you to author Kerry Douglas Dye for sending me a copy. I truly enjoyed it, and I’m excited to pass it along to my grandson next. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2025
Just finished Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game by Kerry Douglas Dye and wow, what a ride!
This book was such a fun, fast-paced middle grade mystery that completely hooked me from the start. Grady Jones and his crime-solving partner Mikayla might just be my new favorite detective duo. Between the red herrings, twists, and perfectly balanced humor, this one had me grinning and guessing the whole way through.
Grady’s quirky charm and Mikayla’s “no-nonsense” attitude make them the perfect team. I loved how the story blended heart, suspense, and that classic detective vibe without ever feeling too heavy. It’s the perfect first mystery for a middle grade reader or for anyone who already loves the genre.
I really hope this turns into a series because I’m absolutely ready for more Grady and Mikayla adventures!
This book was such a fun, fast-paced middle grade mystery that completely hooked me from the start. Grady Jones and his crime-solving partner Mikayla might just be my new favorite detective duo. Between the red herrings, twists, and perfectly balanced humor, this one had me grinning and guessing the whole way through.
Grady’s quirky charm and Mikayla’s “no-nonsense” attitude make them the perfect team. I loved how the story blended heart, suspense, and that classic detective vibe without ever feeling too heavy. It’s the perfect first mystery for a middle grade reader or for anyone who already loves the genre.
I really hope this turns into a series because I’m absolutely ready for more Grady and Mikayla adventures!
September 10, 2025
Overall this is a perfectly acceptable read but two decisions the author made leave me hesitant to recommend it to students.
1) Allegedly humorous reference to "Glengarry Glen Ross" (the 1980s play and 1990s film)
as "Cranberry Glen Ross" and "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (the 1970 film) as "Menorah! Menorah! Menorah!" (p171) will go right over kids heads. Young readers will not get the jokes and they stick out like a sore thumb. Who is Dye writing for?
2) Dye tells readers the literary character "Sherlock Holmes" (by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) is based on "Sherlock Jones", Grady's real-life ancestor (p316). While this book is fiction, kids will believe this absolutely incorrect statement. Why do it? Completely unnecessary.
1) Allegedly humorous reference to "Glengarry Glen Ross" (the 1980s play and 1990s film)
as "Cranberry Glen Ross" and "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (the 1970 film) as "Menorah! Menorah! Menorah!" (p171) will go right over kids heads. Young readers will not get the jokes and they stick out like a sore thumb. Who is Dye writing for?
2) Dye tells readers the literary character "Sherlock Holmes" (by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) is based on "Sherlock Jones", Grady's real-life ancestor (p316). While this book is fiction, kids will believe this absolutely incorrect statement. Why do it? Completely unnecessary.
February 16, 2026
Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game is such a fun mystery! I instantly connected with Grady, who isn’t necessarily anyone’s idea of a hero but takes on the challenge of solving Mr. Bancroft’s murder anyway. He needs a little help, of course, and his friends Anwar and Mikayla, plus brother Kit make up the perfect sleuthing crew.
Don’t let the humorous tone of this book fool you: it’s a smart mystery full of plot twists that put these kids to the test. The message of working together to solve a problem is deftly woven into this mystery, making for a story with depth and full of heart.
Bring your reluctant readers and they will be hooked, right along with Grady Jones. I highly recommend this mystery for kids!
Don’t let the humorous tone of this book fool you: it’s a smart mystery full of plot twists that put these kids to the test. The message of working together to solve a problem is deftly woven into this mystery, making for a story with depth and full of heart.
Bring your reluctant readers and they will be hooked, right along with Grady Jones. I highly recommend this mystery for kids!
September 26, 2025
Grady Jones was a normal 12 year old boy. Well as normal as a 12 year old boy with an over active imagination can be. Until he got a note one day saying that he was the only one who could solve the mystery of a murder.
This was a really cute book. I love the twists and turns that happen and that every chapter ended wanting me to know what happened next. I could really see Grady Jones as a normal kid that everyone has in their life and was excited for him to go on this adventure. There was mystery, there was humor and there were life lessons that could be learned.
I really enjoyed this book and Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a fun read.
This was a really cute book. I love the twists and turns that happen and that every chapter ended wanting me to know what happened next. I could really see Grady Jones as a normal kid that everyone has in their life and was excited for him to go on this adventure. There was mystery, there was humor and there were life lessons that could be learned.
I really enjoyed this book and Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a fun read.
January 13, 2026
BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED
12yo Grady is desperate to be great at something, even though he doesn’t take the time to build the skills to be great at anything. However, Detective-ing is his latest greatness of choice and a murder mystery lands in his lap - he will inherit a large sum of money if Grady Jones can solve the mystery. hen another Grady Jones shows up to also try to solve the murder, Grady #1 will have to really step up.
The only way Grady can get anyone to help him is because the author wrote the other characters that way. Grady’s personality is so grating, I was excited to see a second Grady show up - because I wanted Grady #1 to lose.
12yo Grady is desperate to be great at something, even though he doesn’t take the time to build the skills to be great at anything. However, Detective-ing is his latest greatness of choice and a murder mystery lands in his lap - he will inherit a large sum of money if Grady Jones can solve the mystery. hen another Grady Jones shows up to also try to solve the murder, Grady #1 will have to really step up.
The only way Grady can get anyone to help him is because the author wrote the other characters that way. Grady’s personality is so grating, I was excited to see a second Grady show up - because I wanted Grady #1 to lose.
November 27, 2025
Laugh out-loud scenarios and witty responses abound in this fast-paced middle grade mystery. I immediately fell in love with the flawed Grady Jones. His need for acceptance and belonging is something every middle school kid struggles with, and it makes him a believable and relatable character. About halfway through, when a new character emerged as a major factor in the mystery, I couldn’t put the book down. Trying to discern what was going to happen next had me turning the page and telling myself “Just one more chapter.” I certainly hope Grady Jones comes back for another great adventure.
November 28, 2025
Grady Jones wants to be great. His main goal is to see his name in lights! In reality, Grady is somewhatof a goof up. He receives a note hand delivered, stating that ONLY Grady can solve the mystery of the murder of a very mysterious and wealthy man. Grady builds his private dectective team. Joined my Mikayla (his new neighbors) and his two brothers, the group begin searching for the clues and information needed to solve the mystery. This was a very enjoyable fast paced mystery suitable for middle schoolers.
October 10, 2025
Grady Jones and the Great Detective Game is a charming, funny, quirky read suitable for kids of every age. Delightful story, well written, with many twists and turns. Would love to read more by this author!
October 21, 2025
What a wonderful debut middle grade novel! This book had it all - suspense, humor, and a good plot. Not to mention the fast pace and the stellar writing. This book can be enjoyed by middle graders as well as adults!
December 2, 2025
I am always on the hunt for good middle grade for my kids, and often wind up a little underwhelmed. But I loved this one. It's incredibly fun and smart - and funny! The author's dialogue is pitch perfect, and I adored middle-child Grady. Sequel, please!
May 21, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Review to come closer to publication date.
Review to come closer to publication date.
August 20, 2025
So much fun! Murder and humor, what more could you want? It's like Only Murders in the Building for middle schoolers.
October 24, 2025
I loved this with my whole heart! This was cute and funny and witty!
October 24, 2025
Fast paced and fun! This book is sure to be a hit with our students. I hope we get to have more adventures with Grady!
January 30, 2026
A satisfying mystery with a very sellable hook: a kid receives a letter from a wealthy stranger asking to solve his murder.
February 3, 2026
Grady approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm, conviction—and zero skills. But his attempt to solve a local murder will turn all of that around. Maybe.
February 17, 2026
This is a great middle school mystery and has become one of my favorites!
January 26, 2026
What a fantastic whodunnit middle grade read. If you love Sherlock Holmes, and detective books in general this book is perfect. The story centers around Grady Jones and like a lot of kids he wants to be the best at what he does. He has done a little bit of everything, until one day he gets an unexpected letter from the towns reclusive billionaire. The note says, Grady Jones is the only one who can solve his murder.
Thus starting a chain of events that will lead the reader to a cat and mouse chase that is both entertaining and unique. I loved all the characters and how the author gave them such amazing personalities, especially Grady. I can’t wait to read more from the author and hoping to have a second book.
Thus starting a chain of events that will lead the reader to a cat and mouse chase that is both entertaining and unique. I loved all the characters and how the author gave them such amazing personalities, especially Grady. I can’t wait to read more from the author and hoping to have a second book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews