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The Sherlock Society #3
Art Attack
The Sherlock Society goes undercover in the Miami street art scene to find an anonymous graffiti artist in this third book in the hilarious, New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!
The Sherlock Society’s latest case is tracking down stealth graffiti artist Funky Munky—well-known for their artistic statements calling out local politicians—on behalf of a developer who wants them to create a mural for a new hotel. Their investigation leads Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi deep into the very colorful south Florida art scene.
But finding someone who doesn’t want to be found is challenging, and it doesn’t help that Miami Art Week is coming up, bringing lots of attention—and lots of new artists—to the area. The Sherlock Society’s best bet is an elaborate sting operation, which involves them picking up spray cans themselves. Can they trap their quarry without exposing themselves?
The Sherlock Society’s latest case is tracking down stealth graffiti artist Funky Munky—well-known for their artistic statements calling out local politicians—on behalf of a developer who wants them to create a mural for a new hotel. Their investigation leads Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi deep into the very colorful south Florida art scene.
But finding someone who doesn’t want to be found is challenging, and it doesn’t help that Miami Art Week is coming up, bringing lots of attention—and lots of new artists—to the area. The Sherlock Society’s best bet is an elaborate sting operation, which involves them picking up spray cans themselves. Can they trap their quarry without exposing themselves?
Unknown Binding
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
James Ponti
62 books1,661 followersJames Ponti is the New York Times Bestselling author of three Middle Grade book series: the DEAD CITY trilogy about a secret society that polices the undead who live beneath New York City; the Edgar Award-winning FRAMED! series about a pair of Sherlockian tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, D.C.; and the all-new CITY SPIES about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 spy team.
James grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida and lives in Orlando. He's a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, the USC Trojans, and the Italian National Soccer Team. He loves travel, writing, and spending time with his amazing family.
James grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida and lives in Orlando. He's a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, the USC Trojans, and the Italian National Soccer Team. He loves travel, writing, and spending time with his amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 6, 2026
The Sherlock Society is thrilled! They’ve been hired for their first paying case. A developer wants to have Funky Munky, graffiti artist (or graffiti writer, which is their preferred term), do a mural on their new building. Just one problem – Funky Munky has kept their identity a secret for the year that they’ve been tagging buildings in Miami. But it’s hard to turn down the money, so the society takes on the case. Will they be able to piece together some clues? Or will Funky Munky remain elusive?
The book took a bit of time to fully set up graffiti culture. I was glad to see the fact that it is a crime was eventually brought up, even if in passing. I was impressed with how the characters followed a logical set of clues, and there were some good twists along the way. Unfortunately, the climax was a bit rushed, including a plot point left dangling. On the other hand, I continue to love the characters. Their friendship is great to watch, and I love the fact that the adults are responsible as well. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I’m sure the target audience will as well.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The book took a bit of time to fully set up graffiti culture. I was glad to see the fact that it is a crime was eventually brought up, even if in passing. I was impressed with how the characters followed a logical set of clues, and there were some good twists along the way. Unfortunately, the climax was a bit rushed, including a plot point left dangling. On the other hand, I continue to love the characters. Their friendship is great to watch, and I love the fact that the adults are responsible as well. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I’m sure the target audience will as well.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Four Funky Munky Stars for the latest mystery in The Sherlock Society series. 🐒🐒🐒🐒
Here's what I liked about this third book:
🍌The mystery! An anonymous graffiti artist is the focus. Known as the Funky Munky, he or she uses a distinctive color of paint and style to deliver social commentary around Miami. A company wants to hire the artist and asks the Sherlock Society to sleuth out the identity and deliver an offer.
🕵Their methods are effective and intriguing to follow. Ponti delivers a strong sense of place as the team investigates in Miami. Definitely feels like Florida. Loved the reminder of the TOAST method which was highlighted in the Framed! series.
🧓Grandpa is my favorite member of the team. He is a former reporter with many Miami connections (including retired FBI members) and drives a distinctive cadillac named Roberta. Also on the team are his grandkids Alex and Zoe and their friends Yadi and Lina.
😂Even while dealing with serious situations, the team keeps their sense of humor. I loved this corny joke from our narrator Alex:
Why is soccer Sherlock Holmes's favorite sport?
Because the game is afoot.
While this one had a few too many suspects and graffiti locations, I will be watching for the next book. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Available on September 8, 2026.
Here's what I liked about this third book:
🍌The mystery! An anonymous graffiti artist is the focus. Known as the Funky Munky, he or she uses a distinctive color of paint and style to deliver social commentary around Miami. A company wants to hire the artist and asks the Sherlock Society to sleuth out the identity and deliver an offer.
🕵Their methods are effective and intriguing to follow. Ponti delivers a strong sense of place as the team investigates in Miami. Definitely feels like Florida. Loved the reminder of the TOAST method which was highlighted in the Framed! series.
🧓Grandpa is my favorite member of the team. He is a former reporter with many Miami connections (including retired FBI members) and drives a distinctive cadillac named Roberta. Also on the team are his grandkids Alex and Zoe and their friends Yadi and Lina.
😂Even while dealing with serious situations, the team keeps their sense of humor. I loved this corny joke from our narrator Alex:
Why is soccer Sherlock Holmes's favorite sport?
Because the game is afoot.
While this one had a few too many suspects and graffiti locations, I will be watching for the next book. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Available on September 8, 2026.
September 15, 2026
4.5⭐️
Oooh man. Another funny one for the ages.
James Ponti…Imma need you to get started on Book #4. LIKE NOW!!! 🥰🥰🥰!!!
~~~~~~~
***Pre-Read:*** I am FINALLY ready for this. I think. I only have 4 days to read this before my Libby hold expires. 🤭🤭🤭.
Oooh man. Another funny one for the ages.
James Ponti…Imma need you to get started on Book #4. LIKE NOW!!! 🥰🥰🥰!!!
~~~~~~~
***Pre-Read:*** I am FINALLY ready for this. I think. I only have 4 days to read this before my Libby hold expires. 🤭🤭🤭.
October 29, 2026
A real-estate developer hires the Sherlock Society (siblings Alex and Zoe and their friends Yadi and Lina) to track down an elusive, anonymous street artist known as Funky Munky (FM), who is famous for painting signature tangerine-colored cartoon monkeys and sharp social commentary on abandoned buildings in Miami. The developer wants FM to paint a high-profile mural for a new hotel. The kids dive deep into South Florida's colorful, part-legitimate and part-outlaw street art culture, gathering clues and analyzing local art styles with the help of their strict lawyer mom and flashy, ex-newspaper writer grandpa. To flush find FM, the Sherlock Society devises an elaborate sting operation with Alex pretending to put up mural at an abandoned soft-drink bottling plant. Caught in the act, he is arrested by police officers, including Officer Higuera recognizes him from previous cases. Through clever clue-gathering, linguistic analysis (including a critical slip-up with a pronoun), the quartet works to track down FM and resolve the mystery before Art Week reaches its peak.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
9/7/2026 Another winning chapter in The Sherlock Society mystery series. Full review tk tomorrow at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
9/8/2026 with a special shout-out to Yaoyao Ma Van As, who's done an even better than usual job on the terrific cover.
Young sleuth Alex Sherlock is absolutely stunned when one of the most popular girls in school sits down next to him and his best friend Yadi while they're having lunch one day. He's crestfallen when his older sister Zoe almost immediately chases her away, but Zoe has arrived with both Lina, the last member of their detecting club, and some exciting news. The website that The Sherlock Society set up to receive inquiries has finally landed a credible and potentially profitable case. The siblings' Grandpa, former investigative reporter and current honorary member of TSS, will arrive after school to pick them up and chaperone their appointment.
Bennett Turner is a property developer who wants to attract a young, hip crowd to his most recent property, the luxurious but also eco-friendly and socially responsible Grove Bohemia. After reading about TSS's success in solving a case that had baffled detectives for years, he decides that they're perfect for a somewhat delicate business matter of his that requires investigation. The Miami graffiti artist known only as Funky Munky has recently ascended to near-Banksy levels of fame, and Turner wants to hire them to paint a buzzworthy ten-storey mural for the Grove Bohemia. He's willing to pay FM two hundred thousand dollars -- and TSS a ten percent finder's fee -- but has no way of making contact with the deliberately elusive art provocateur, whose graffiti is not always legal nor welcome by the powers that be.
After some discussion amongst themselves, TSS decides to take the case but with one caveat: they're to act strictly as a go-between for Turner and FM. While they want to make sure that FM learns about a potentially life-changing gig, they don't want to reveal the artist's identity without explicit consent. Turner negotiates them to allowing one phone call between himself and their target, in case he needs to sell the artist on the commission. After agreeing to the deal -- and receiving the first of four promised weekly stipends -- TSS throws themselves into the case in earnest, applying their considerable wit and ability to the investigation. Nothing, however, goes quite as planned as they discover that the world of emerging art can be far more treacherous than it appears.
Set against the backdrop of the thriving Miami art scene, James Ponti's latest excellent Middle Grade mystery realistically immerses four young sleuths in a case that's educational to both them and the reader, without being at all preachy about it. As a big trivia nerd, I loved learning not only about the different kinds of graffiti but also Miami geography, Harshad numbers and other fascinating bits of information. The mystery itself is very well done, with the book opening on a suspenseful chapter involving Alex himself being apprehended by the police for tagging a building.
The third installment of The Sherlock Society is just as excellent as the first two, with our sleuths' endeavors growing in a very realistic fashion as the series progresses. Mr Ponti writes some of the best MG mysteries out there (and I chuckled at the allusion in these pages to his earlier Framed! series, which I'm still looking forward to reading.) His books are a can't-miss for fans of the genre.
Art Attack (The Sherlock Society #3) by James Ponti was published today September 8 by Aladdin and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
9/8/2026 with a special shout-out to Yaoyao Ma Van As, who's done an even better than usual job on the terrific cover.
Young sleuth Alex Sherlock is absolutely stunned when one of the most popular girls in school sits down next to him and his best friend Yadi while they're having lunch one day. He's crestfallen when his older sister Zoe almost immediately chases her away, but Zoe has arrived with both Lina, the last member of their detecting club, and some exciting news. The website that The Sherlock Society set up to receive inquiries has finally landed a credible and potentially profitable case. The siblings' Grandpa, former investigative reporter and current honorary member of TSS, will arrive after school to pick them up and chaperone their appointment.
Bennett Turner is a property developer who wants to attract a young, hip crowd to his most recent property, the luxurious but also eco-friendly and socially responsible Grove Bohemia. After reading about TSS's success in solving a case that had baffled detectives for years, he decides that they're perfect for a somewhat delicate business matter of his that requires investigation. The Miami graffiti artist known only as Funky Munky has recently ascended to near-Banksy levels of fame, and Turner wants to hire them to paint a buzzworthy ten-storey mural for the Grove Bohemia. He's willing to pay FM two hundred thousand dollars -- and TSS a ten percent finder's fee -- but has no way of making contact with the deliberately elusive art provocateur, whose graffiti is not always legal nor welcome by the powers that be.
After some discussion amongst themselves, TSS decides to take the case but with one caveat: they're to act strictly as a go-between for Turner and FM. While they want to make sure that FM learns about a potentially life-changing gig, they don't want to reveal the artist's identity without explicit consent. Turner negotiates them to allowing one phone call between himself and their target, in case he needs to sell the artist on the commission. After agreeing to the deal -- and receiving the first of four promised weekly stipends -- TSS throws themselves into the case in earnest, applying their considerable wit and ability to the investigation. Nothing, however, goes quite as planned as they discover that the world of emerging art can be far more treacherous than it appears.
Set against the backdrop of the thriving Miami art scene, James Ponti's latest excellent Middle Grade mystery realistically immerses four young sleuths in a case that's educational to both them and the reader, without being at all preachy about it. As a big trivia nerd, I loved learning not only about the different kinds of graffiti but also Miami geography, Harshad numbers and other fascinating bits of information. The mystery itself is very well done, with the book opening on a suspenseful chapter involving Alex himself being apprehended by the police for tagging a building.
The third installment of The Sherlock Society is just as excellent as the first two, with our sleuths' endeavors growing in a very realistic fashion as the series progresses. Mr Ponti writes some of the best MG mysteries out there (and I chuckled at the allusion in these pages to his earlier Framed! series, which I'm still looking forward to reading.) His books are a can't-miss for fans of the genre.
Art Attack (The Sherlock Society #3) by James Ponti was published today September 8 by Aladdin and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
October 27, 2026
this was stinking cute as usual from ponti and I liked it very much 👏
October 14, 2026
James Ponti does it again. He deftly manages to be consistent and always interesting. Parent and kid approved.
September 26, 2026
The Sherlock Society #3 Art Attack by James Ponti read by Mark Sanderlin is a mystery series aimed at readers ages 8-12, but for full disclosure as an adult I was still very invested in this story. The Sherlock society is a group of young detectives and their grandfather. Together the team solves the mystery of who is Funky Monkey, a graffiti artist, in Miami, Florida. There are twists and turns in this very engaging book. You have to love a story with a grandfather who use to be a reporter, some retired FBI members, a lawyer mom, and is filled with humor.
The Sherlock Society #3 Art Attack by James Ponti and read by Mark Sanderlin was so engaging and the narrator did a fantastic job. The pacing, character distinction, and flow of the book was wonderful. My son and I listened to the audio in the car and we looked forward to all opportunities to listen. The audio is appropriate for ages eight and up and this can definitely be a whole family listening experience.
What I loved as a parent about this series was that the characters valued family, were respectful to each other, and the characters had integrity. I very highly recommend The Sherlock Society #3 Art Attack by James Ponti read by Mark Sanderlin. This will be a 2026 favorite for me.
I was gifted an ALC and not required to write a positive review.
The Sherlock Society #3 Art Attack by James Ponti and read by Mark Sanderlin was so engaging and the narrator did a fantastic job. The pacing, character distinction, and flow of the book was wonderful. My son and I listened to the audio in the car and we looked forward to all opportunities to listen. The audio is appropriate for ages eight and up and this can definitely be a whole family listening experience.
What I loved as a parent about this series was that the characters valued family, were respectful to each other, and the characters had integrity. I very highly recommend The Sherlock Society #3 Art Attack by James Ponti read by Mark Sanderlin. This will be a 2026 favorite for me.
I was gifted an ALC and not required to write a positive review.
November 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Format: Ebook
This was a cute and fun mystery for younger readers!
I enjoyed the mix of family, friendship, and everyday kid experiences, including getting grounded, alongside the mystery, laughs and adventure. The setting was another highlight and added a lot of charm to the story.
I also appreciated the inclusion of Spanish words and phrases throughout the book, especially since translations were provided. It’s a nice touch that introduces young readers to another language while keeping the story easy to follow.
Overall, an enjoyable mystery with a nice balance of adventure, friendship, and family dynamics. A fun read for kids who love a good mystery!
October 29, 2026
5 stars. Fun things:
Gpa wearing dress sandals, must be a date - lol
Not talking about social security health plans or cute K-pop stars
“A girl who skateboards and quotes Walt Whitman … that gives me hope for the future.”
Pronic & Harshad numbers - learn something new
Drone stuff cool
I see what you did there, James - having Alex use TOAST method
Yadi has good advice about not worrying about things you can’t control
Just when they discover who funky Munky is, a big twist!
Like how story starts at the end and then circles back
Wonder if the next book really will be about UFOs and the Bermuda triangle? Is it still a thing?
Gpa wearing dress sandals, must be a date - lol
Not talking about social security health plans or cute K-pop stars
“A girl who skateboards and quotes Walt Whitman … that gives me hope for the future.”
Pronic & Harshad numbers - learn something new
Drone stuff cool
I see what you did there, James - having Alex use TOAST method
Yadi has good advice about not worrying about things you can’t control
Just when they discover who funky Munky is, a big twist!
Like how story starts at the end and then circles back
Wonder if the next book really will be about UFOs and the Bermuda triangle? Is it still a thing?
June 22, 2026
The Sherlock Society is back for their third adventure, this time centering on the Miami graffiti scene. This was probably my favorite of the 3 books since the mystery of identifying an anonymous graffiti activist seemed more plausible and the team now has some great chemistry— siblings Alex and Zoe are even becoming friends. Fans of Ponti’s other series will be thrilled to find a T.O.A.S.T. reference from FRAMED! All in all, this will be a great add to the Ponti portion of my classroom library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
October 31, 2026
I’m such a fan of James Ponti (I’ve read all 16 books and am anxiously awaiting number 17!) and this might be the best in the Sherlock Society series.
Set in Miami, full of realistic kid antics, and just an all-around great mystery. My 12yo flew through the book and I loved it too. Especially loved how the art scene was discussed and the way relevant and cultural nods were seamlessly incorporated.
City spies remains my favorite series but this series is also so clever.
Set in Miami, full of realistic kid antics, and just an all-around great mystery. My 12yo flew through the book and I loved it too. Especially loved how the art scene was discussed and the way relevant and cultural nods were seamlessly incorporated.
City spies remains my favorite series but this series is also so clever.
August 4, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Art Attack is a cool artistic mystery. While the series has always blended fast-paced adventures that delve into the historic city of Miami. It adds clever puzzles, this installment discusses art particularly Miami’s graffiti culture. That brings the thematics such as identity, truth, respect, morality, and the impact our passions can have on ourselves and those around us.
The mystery hooked me immediately especially with the opening chapter. The way we get a vignette into the semi end and begin in the beginning really makes us wonder if Alex is ok and sound of mind. The pacing is addicting and good. I found myself flying through the pages while still wanting to slow down. I really liked spending time with this story. I appreciate the ideas the story was exploring. The investigation feels fresh, asking the team to look beyond the obvious and truly observe the world around them. It’s less about simply finding clues and more about learning how to see what others overlook especially as we explore the world of graffiti and the art scene.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the characters. Alex’s talent for observation shines here, but every member of the team contributes in ways that feel true to their personalities. We meet people who aren’t cookie cutter and that really makes this story an art attack. Lol. One thing is for certain we explore the friendship of the team and experience the creativity. We explore in this book motives. The team encounters art in more ways that you might imagine. Their friendship has become stronger and more natural with each book, and the dialogue, humor, and banter make it a joy to spend time with the novel. Grandpa Pete remains a highlight, bringing wisdom, heart, and just the right amount of humor whenever the team needs him. And how we are living art pieces.
As someone who has lived in Miami, I especially appreciated how the setting is woven into the story. Places like Wynwood are cool to learn and we definitely help shape the mystery itself. And I bet people who live in Miami feel seen. James Ponti captures the city’s artistic spirit and cultural history collide once again. This book is not only mystery but a whole lot of other things.
I also appreciated how this installment builds naturally on the previous books while still standing on its own. The first and second books looked to the past in different ways, but Art Attack feels rooted in the present, using contemporary art and community to ask larger questions about voice, purpose, and responsibility. This book talks about social media and public perception. Rather than offering simple answers, it encourages readers to think for themselves especially as we discuss vandalism, art, work ethic along with morality, how people don’t see in black and white but can see shades of gray.
James Ponti delivers a fast-paced, clever, heartfelt, and accessible novel. The chapter titles are creative, the dialogue is engaging, the stories of each character play like a symphony and the mystery balances excitement with meaningful themes remarkably well.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the series for the first time, Art Attack is a wonderful reminder that art isn’t just something we look at because it’s about seeing people tell their stories, beliefs and of course actions that come from stories and beliefs.
5/5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Art Attack is a cool artistic mystery. While the series has always blended fast-paced adventures that delve into the historic city of Miami. It adds clever puzzles, this installment discusses art particularly Miami’s graffiti culture. That brings the thematics such as identity, truth, respect, morality, and the impact our passions can have on ourselves and those around us.
The mystery hooked me immediately especially with the opening chapter. The way we get a vignette into the semi end and begin in the beginning really makes us wonder if Alex is ok and sound of mind. The pacing is addicting and good. I found myself flying through the pages while still wanting to slow down. I really liked spending time with this story. I appreciate the ideas the story was exploring. The investigation feels fresh, asking the team to look beyond the obvious and truly observe the world around them. It’s less about simply finding clues and more about learning how to see what others overlook especially as we explore the world of graffiti and the art scene.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the characters. Alex’s talent for observation shines here, but every member of the team contributes in ways that feel true to their personalities. We meet people who aren’t cookie cutter and that really makes this story an art attack. Lol. One thing is for certain we explore the friendship of the team and experience the creativity. We explore in this book motives. The team encounters art in more ways that you might imagine. Their friendship has become stronger and more natural with each book, and the dialogue, humor, and banter make it a joy to spend time with the novel. Grandpa Pete remains a highlight, bringing wisdom, heart, and just the right amount of humor whenever the team needs him. And how we are living art pieces.
As someone who has lived in Miami, I especially appreciated how the setting is woven into the story. Places like Wynwood are cool to learn and we definitely help shape the mystery itself. And I bet people who live in Miami feel seen. James Ponti captures the city’s artistic spirit and cultural history collide once again. This book is not only mystery but a whole lot of other things.
I also appreciated how this installment builds naturally on the previous books while still standing on its own. The first and second books looked to the past in different ways, but Art Attack feels rooted in the present, using contemporary art and community to ask larger questions about voice, purpose, and responsibility. This book talks about social media and public perception. Rather than offering simple answers, it encourages readers to think for themselves especially as we discuss vandalism, art, work ethic along with morality, how people don’t see in black and white but can see shades of gray.
James Ponti delivers a fast-paced, clever, heartfelt, and accessible novel. The chapter titles are creative, the dialogue is engaging, the stories of each character play like a symphony and the mystery balances excitement with meaningful themes remarkably well.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the series for the first time, Art Attack is a wonderful reminder that art isn’t just something we look at because it’s about seeing people tell their stories, beliefs and of course actions that come from stories and beliefs.
5/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
BLURB:
Alex and the Sherlock Society hunt for mysterious graffiti artist Funky Munky before Miami Art Week, diving into Miami’s street-art scene while racing to uncover the artist’s identity.
REVIEW:
After giving the first two books in The Sherlock Society series 5⭐️, I was so excited to pick up this third one, especially with the awesome cover! I look forward to these books every year because I’m invested in the characters—a middle-grade mystery-solving team led by 12-year-old Alex, his sister Zoe & friends (Lina & Yadi), and his retired reporter grandpa Pete!
I read A LOT of mysteries and thrillers written for adults, and I have to say that this series is just as intricate and unpredictable! I haven’t been able to fully solve any of these mysteries before the characters do, so don’t expect straightforward or basic mysteries just because they’re middle-grade books.
All of the mysteries in the series are centered in Miami, and with every new book, I feel like I’m learning something new about the city, its districts, and history. This time, the story takes us into the world of street art and graffiti, using real Miami art districts and locations.
The story is told from the 1st-person POV of 12 y/o Alex, and after getting to know him and the entire crew in the first two books, I felt like I’d never left this world right from the start. The story opens with a dramatic prologue where Alex is arrested for spray-painting a building, but he quickly lets us know that this is all part of the plan. Then it jumps back a few weeks to see how it all started. He and his crew now have their own investigation company and take on an assignment from developer Turner-McGee to track down the mysterious Funky Munky, an anonymous graffiti artist whose viral artwork has been appearing throughout Miami. The developer wants Funky Munky to create a mural for a new development and offers the team a $20,000 finder’s fee—but they have to crack the case ahead of Miami Art Week!
Just like the previous books, the investigation begins with the team dividing up the 5 Ws—Who, What, Where, When, and Why—and I loved watching each member approach their piece of the puzzle. From there, the mystery gets complex, introducing a cast of suspicious characters from the art world, along with podcasters, social media personalities, local politicians, and even suspicious law enforcement figures! I literally had no idea where this story was heading most of the time. I kept jotting down clues as I listened and even created my own mystery board (again), but it still wasn’t enough for me to figure out either the identity of Funky Munky!! 🤣 One thing that surprised me was that a major reveal happens much sooner than I expected, and the story takes towards a darker mystery for Alex and his team to solve! Loved it!
The pacing is relentless, and almost every clue/discovery sends Alex and the team somewhere else to investigate. Some animated characters who helped the team in earlier books make unexpected reappearances, which I reallyenjoyed! Alex’s parents also become more involved as the mystery unfolds, especially his mom, who’s a lawyer with some tricks up her sleeve. And Grandpa Pete continues to be one of my favorites. He continues developing in every book, and while he’s still charismatic, intelligent, funny, and invested in helping the kids solve their cases, we also get to see a different side of him here—especially with his relationship with a new character, Marisol! 😍
At 320 pages (under 6 hours on audio), you can finish this in a day, just like the previous books. I also love that every chapter has a unique, fun title that gives you hints of what’s coming next, adding a bit more suspense. The final chapters give satisfying closure while leaving some intriguing possibilities for where the next investigation could take the Sherlock Society!
If you enjoy intricate, fast-paced mysteries with memorable characters, I highly recommend this series! You’ll be surprised, even if you’re an adult reader who doesn’t normally pick up middle grade, by just how entertaining, immersive, and puzzle-like these books are! Don’t hesitate if any of this sounds intriguing to you!
Alex and the Sherlock Society hunt for mysterious graffiti artist Funky Munky before Miami Art Week, diving into Miami’s street-art scene while racing to uncover the artist’s identity.
REVIEW:
After giving the first two books in The Sherlock Society series 5⭐️, I was so excited to pick up this third one, especially with the awesome cover! I look forward to these books every year because I’m invested in the characters—a middle-grade mystery-solving team led by 12-year-old Alex, his sister Zoe & friends (Lina & Yadi), and his retired reporter grandpa Pete!
I read A LOT of mysteries and thrillers written for adults, and I have to say that this series is just as intricate and unpredictable! I haven’t been able to fully solve any of these mysteries before the characters do, so don’t expect straightforward or basic mysteries just because they’re middle-grade books.
All of the mysteries in the series are centered in Miami, and with every new book, I feel like I’m learning something new about the city, its districts, and history. This time, the story takes us into the world of street art and graffiti, using real Miami art districts and locations.
The story is told from the 1st-person POV of 12 y/o Alex, and after getting to know him and the entire crew in the first two books, I felt like I’d never left this world right from the start. The story opens with a dramatic prologue where Alex is arrested for spray-painting a building, but he quickly lets us know that this is all part of the plan. Then it jumps back a few weeks to see how it all started. He and his crew now have their own investigation company and take on an assignment from developer Turner-McGee to track down the mysterious Funky Munky, an anonymous graffiti artist whose viral artwork has been appearing throughout Miami. The developer wants Funky Munky to create a mural for a new development and offers the team a $20,000 finder’s fee—but they have to crack the case ahead of Miami Art Week!
Just like the previous books, the investigation begins with the team dividing up the 5 Ws—Who, What, Where, When, and Why—and I loved watching each member approach their piece of the puzzle. From there, the mystery gets complex, introducing a cast of suspicious characters from the art world, along with podcasters, social media personalities, local politicians, and even suspicious law enforcement figures! I literally had no idea where this story was heading most of the time. I kept jotting down clues as I listened and even created my own mystery board (again), but it still wasn’t enough for me to figure out either the identity of Funky Munky!! 🤣 One thing that surprised me was that a major reveal happens much sooner than I expected, and the story takes towards a darker mystery for Alex and his team to solve! Loved it!
The pacing is relentless, and almost every clue/discovery sends Alex and the team somewhere else to investigate. Some animated characters who helped the team in earlier books make unexpected reappearances, which I reallyenjoyed! Alex’s parents also become more involved as the mystery unfolds, especially his mom, who’s a lawyer with some tricks up her sleeve. And Grandpa Pete continues to be one of my favorites. He continues developing in every book, and while he’s still charismatic, intelligent, funny, and invested in helping the kids solve their cases, we also get to see a different side of him here—especially with his relationship with a new character, Marisol! 😍
At 320 pages (under 6 hours on audio), you can finish this in a day, just like the previous books. I also love that every chapter has a unique, fun title that gives you hints of what’s coming next, adding a bit more suspense. The final chapters give satisfying closure while leaving some intriguing possibilities for where the next investigation could take the Sherlock Society!
If you enjoy intricate, fast-paced mysteries with memorable characters, I highly recommend this series! You’ll be surprised, even if you’re an adult reader who doesn’t normally pick up middle grade, by just how entertaining, immersive, and puzzle-like these books are! Don’t hesitate if any of this sounds intriguing to you!
October 26, 2026
The Sherlock Society has been hired by a condominium developer to find the graffiti artist known as Funky Munky. They want to hire the artist to do a huge mural for them for hundreds of thousands of dollars and will give the investigators a 10% cut if successful. The Sherlock Society agrees but on the condition they can do so in a way that allows Funky Munky to keep their identity a secret if they so choose. Their investigation has them getting to know several artists decorating a building for a fashion week show, learning about spray paint types, plotting out where Funky Munky's artwork has been seen, and more. But when their case takes a turn and gets tangled up with an arson investigation, will the Sherlock Society be able to pivot and stay on their feet and do the right thing?
It was fun to hang out with Alex, Yadi, Lina, Zoe, and especially Grandpa again. Grandpa always cracks me up with his antics. At one point Alex and Yadi cross a boundary in their investigation that could have put them in danger so they get grounded from phones and computers for a week (which was a good parenting move, and they accept) and it was nice to see them problem solving unplugged. It is Spirit Week and then Thanksgiving over the course of this book, and the little bits about their outfits for each of the Spirit Week days (which Lina and Zoe have helped plan) and the Thanksgiving get together were nice, though there was less about Thanksgiving than I expected (though that's right around the big climax so it does get upstaged a bit). I really like how these kids work with adults, get advice from adults, and have fun with adults. It is so abnormal for a middle grade mystery book, but such a great bit of role modeling for readers. Also, I love how Grandpa shows kids old people can have fun and fulfilling lives too. All the bits on painting murals with spray paint, different spray paints, and how graffiti artists can do sanctioned artwork too was interesting and obviously well-researched. And I like the ending that showed there are consequences for unsanctioned artwork but those artists can choose to do good things for the community in legal ways too with their skills.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Alex and Yadi get chased at one point by a scary-looking man but end up ok.
Ethnic diversity: Hispanic American, white American, and Black American mostly.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Artists using their skills in unlawful ways and lawful ways are both shown. The Sherlock Society is taken advantage of at one point, but they regroup and catch the bad guys. Alex and Yadi go outside the boundaries of where they communicated with a parent they'd be and put themselves in danger; they get consequences.
It was fun to hang out with Alex, Yadi, Lina, Zoe, and especially Grandpa again. Grandpa always cracks me up with his antics. At one point Alex and Yadi cross a boundary in their investigation that could have put them in danger so they get grounded from phones and computers for a week (which was a good parenting move, and they accept) and it was nice to see them problem solving unplugged. It is Spirit Week and then Thanksgiving over the course of this book, and the little bits about their outfits for each of the Spirit Week days (which Lina and Zoe have helped plan) and the Thanksgiving get together were nice, though there was less about Thanksgiving than I expected (though that's right around the big climax so it does get upstaged a bit). I really like how these kids work with adults, get advice from adults, and have fun with adults. It is so abnormal for a middle grade mystery book, but such a great bit of role modeling for readers. Also, I love how Grandpa shows kids old people can have fun and fulfilling lives too. All the bits on painting murals with spray paint, different spray paints, and how graffiti artists can do sanctioned artwork too was interesting and obviously well-researched. And I like the ending that showed there are consequences for unsanctioned artwork but those artists can choose to do good things for the community in legal ways too with their skills.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Alex and Yadi get chased at one point by a scary-looking man but end up ok.
Ethnic diversity: Hispanic American, white American, and Black American mostly.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Artists using their skills in unlawful ways and lawful ways are both shown. The Sherlock Society is taken advantage of at one point, but they regroup and catch the bad guys. Alex and Yadi go outside the boundaries of where they communicated with a parent they'd be and put themselves in danger; they get consequences.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When these four friends (and Grandpa) take on a case, the fun begins.
Now, that the four sleuths had their photo in the newspaper for helping solve the last case, they're facing all sorts of requests for help. Or maybe, the sudden influx of jobs is due to Grandpa's fancy, new website? Either way, the four find themselves picking and choosing their next case during lunch in the cafeteria. When they get an offer of $20,000 to locate the mysterious graffiti artist Funky Munky so a new building complex can use him to paint a mural on the wall, they're on the case. While they have a bit of help thanks to Grandpa's connections, they've been offered the large sum of money for a reason; Funky Munky has kept his/her identity locked tight for years. Worse yet, Funky Munky seems to have paused their work...or switched over to bananas. The friends aren't sure what the activist is up to but follow clues to an empty warehouse, where they meet more trouble. But these sleuths are determined and clever, and even someone as sly as Funky Munky might not be able to outmaneuver them.
This is a smooth, quick-paced read, which carries mystery, action, friendship, school drama, and family goodness. Each of the four friends has their talents, their weaknesses, and packs personality. This creates a fun back-and-forth on every page as they try to solve the mystery, while dealing with other aspects of life, too. But then, Grandpa, their families, and even the police and other characters add to the atmosphere to make each moment interesting. While the friendship between these four is inspiring, it's the family interactions which add lovely richness. Of course, Grandpa is always up to his antics and drives the most amazing vehicles. But even the parents step in with support and help, while also setting boundaries and holding to punishments when the rules are broken. It creates a wholesome foundation, which doesn't forget to bring in factors such as responsibility and consequences to the mix as the four friends test limits to solve the case. There is plenty of action as well as tense situations, but it all stays based in reality, which makes it even that much more enjoyable.
Fans of mystery, adventure, and teamwork are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.
Now, that the four sleuths had their photo in the newspaper for helping solve the last case, they're facing all sorts of requests for help. Or maybe, the sudden influx of jobs is due to Grandpa's fancy, new website? Either way, the four find themselves picking and choosing their next case during lunch in the cafeteria. When they get an offer of $20,000 to locate the mysterious graffiti artist Funky Munky so a new building complex can use him to paint a mural on the wall, they're on the case. While they have a bit of help thanks to Grandpa's connections, they've been offered the large sum of money for a reason; Funky Munky has kept his/her identity locked tight for years. Worse yet, Funky Munky seems to have paused their work...or switched over to bananas. The friends aren't sure what the activist is up to but follow clues to an empty warehouse, where they meet more trouble. But these sleuths are determined and clever, and even someone as sly as Funky Munky might not be able to outmaneuver them.
This is a smooth, quick-paced read, which carries mystery, action, friendship, school drama, and family goodness. Each of the four friends has their talents, their weaknesses, and packs personality. This creates a fun back-and-forth on every page as they try to solve the mystery, while dealing with other aspects of life, too. But then, Grandpa, their families, and even the police and other characters add to the atmosphere to make each moment interesting. While the friendship between these four is inspiring, it's the family interactions which add lovely richness. Of course, Grandpa is always up to his antics and drives the most amazing vehicles. But even the parents step in with support and help, while also setting boundaries and holding to punishments when the rules are broken. It creates a wholesome foundation, which doesn't forget to bring in factors such as responsibility and consequences to the mix as the four friends test limits to solve the case. There is plenty of action as well as tense situations, but it all stays based in reality, which makes it even that much more enjoyable.
Fans of mystery, adventure, and teamwork are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Alex and Zoe are back after their adventures in The Sherlock Society and Hurricane Heist. With the approval of their parents and the help of their ulta-cool Grandpa Pete, they have put together a web site for their investigative concern and get a job offer; Turner-McGee construction is building a luxury condo and wants to hire the artist Funky Munky to paint a mural on the side of the ten story building. They are willing to pay the artist $200, 000, which means that the Sherlock Society would get a finders fee of $20,000... if they can locate the reclusive and secretive artist. Like Bansky, Funky Munky does guerilla painting with social messages, and no one knows who this is. Since the Turner-McGee group is making their project eco friendly and also putting in low income housing, they are hoping that Funky Munky will agree. It doesn't hurt that Grandpa Pete is spending a lot of time with Marisol, who was the art editor at the Miami Herald, where he used to work. As Art Week approaches in the city, the kids have just a month to find the artist. This search takes them to meet lots of different artists, as well as Peyton Reed, a pod caster and muralist. They look at different paints, see lots of graffiti, and learn terms and techniques from the artists themselves. They even manage to figure out who Funky Munky is... but does Turner-McGee really want to hire the artist?
This is another fun romp with Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi. I loved how the grandfather continues to be involved, and how the parents occasionally step in and punish Alex for breaking their rules! There are a lot of artists, and the grandfather and Marisol's connections help... and who doesn't want to be driven around in a vintage car. Some of the funniest moments were Alex's attempts to dress for spirit week at school, but there are plenty of adventures as well. This series has been popular with my students, so I will definitely be ordering a copy. If your Carl Hiaasen books are worn out, this is a great replacement for them.
Alex and Zoe are back after their adventures in The Sherlock Society and Hurricane Heist. With the approval of their parents and the help of their ulta-cool Grandpa Pete, they have put together a web site for their investigative concern and get a job offer; Turner-McGee construction is building a luxury condo and wants to hire the artist Funky Munky to paint a mural on the side of the ten story building. They are willing to pay the artist $200, 000, which means that the Sherlock Society would get a finders fee of $20,000... if they can locate the reclusive and secretive artist. Like Bansky, Funky Munky does guerilla painting with social messages, and no one knows who this is. Since the Turner-McGee group is making their project eco friendly and also putting in low income housing, they are hoping that Funky Munky will agree. It doesn't hurt that Grandpa Pete is spending a lot of time with Marisol, who was the art editor at the Miami Herald, where he used to work. As Art Week approaches in the city, the kids have just a month to find the artist. This search takes them to meet lots of different artists, as well as Peyton Reed, a pod caster and muralist. They look at different paints, see lots of graffiti, and learn terms and techniques from the artists themselves. They even manage to figure out who Funky Munky is... but does Turner-McGee really want to hire the artist?
This is another fun romp with Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi. I loved how the grandfather continues to be involved, and how the parents occasionally step in and punish Alex for breaking their rules! There are a lot of artists, and the grandfather and Marisol's connections help... and who doesn't want to be driven around in a vintage car. Some of the funniest moments were Alex's attempts to dress for spirit week at school, but there are plenty of adventures as well. This series has been popular with my students, so I will definitely be ordering a copy. If your Carl Hiaasen books are worn out, this is a great replacement for them.
September 26, 2026
In true form, I devoured another one of James Ponti’s books in just two days. I knew I would probably like Art Attack going into it, because I’ve really enjoyed his books before, but I ended up liking this one even more than I expected.
This was such a fun and entertaining mystery. Ponti has a way of writing stories that are incredibly easy to get absorbed in, and Art Attack was no exception. The pacing kept the story moving, and I was interested in what was happening from beginning to end. There was always another clue, another development, or another piece of the mystery that made me want to keep reading.
Without giving away any spoilers, I especially loved the way Ponti revealed who was behind the crime. I thought it was such a creative way to handle the reveal, and it made the mystery even more enjoyable. I always appreciate when a mystery can surprise me without the solution feeling completely out of nowhere, and I thought this one struck that balance really well.
I also really enjoyed the characters. They brought a lot of personality to the story, and I liked seeing how their different strengths and personalities came together as the mystery unfolded. The humor was another highlight for me. It added a lot of fun to the story without taking away from the mystery or the more serious moments.
There’s also a great sense of adventure throughout the book. The story never felt stagnant, and I liked how everything kept building toward the eventual reveal. By the time I reached the end, I was really satisfied with how all of the pieces came together.
I think what I enjoyed most about Art Attack is that it was simply a really fun book to read. I went into it expecting to enjoy it, and James Ponti absolutely delivered. It was clever, funny, adventurous, and had a mystery that kept me invested all the way through.
This was such a fun and entertaining mystery. Ponti has a way of writing stories that are incredibly easy to get absorbed in, and Art Attack was no exception. The pacing kept the story moving, and I was interested in what was happening from beginning to end. There was always another clue, another development, or another piece of the mystery that made me want to keep reading.
Without giving away any spoilers, I especially loved the way Ponti revealed who was behind the crime. I thought it was such a creative way to handle the reveal, and it made the mystery even more enjoyable. I always appreciate when a mystery can surprise me without the solution feeling completely out of nowhere, and I thought this one struck that balance really well.
I also really enjoyed the characters. They brought a lot of personality to the story, and I liked seeing how their different strengths and personalities came together as the mystery unfolded. The humor was another highlight for me. It added a lot of fun to the story without taking away from the mystery or the more serious moments.
There’s also a great sense of adventure throughout the book. The story never felt stagnant, and I liked how everything kept building toward the eventual reveal. By the time I reached the end, I was really satisfied with how all of the pieces came together.
I think what I enjoyed most about Art Attack is that it was simply a really fun book to read. I went into it expecting to enjoy it, and James Ponti absolutely delivered. It was clever, funny, adventurous, and had a mystery that kept me invested all the way through.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
James Ponti continues his fun Sherlock Society series with “Art Attack,” a story that dives into the graffiti art scene in Miami.
Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, their friends Lina and Yadi, and Grandpa Pete are still reveling in the fact they solved a case the FBI couldn’t solve for 60 years when they are approached to find an unknown graffiti artist. With the promise of a huge paycheck, they quickly agree to take on the case to find the true identity of Funky Munky. But when the artist is seemingly linked to several arsons, and their own safety comes into question, the group has to decide how to proceed.
Will they find out who Funky Munky really is? And while they’re at it, will they determine who is actually starting the fires?
Ponti once again does a great job of creating a fun story with twists and turns and thrills, but also a fun and quirky cast of characters, building off the strengths and weaknesses of each other. He also fills the story with some great themes, like we should never question how interesting we are, because we each have something special inside us to offer; friends are there for each other, through the good times and the bad; and “the key to life isn’t being good at things; it’s finding joy in them.”
“Art Attack” which is due out Sept. 8, will appeal to fans of James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” and “Minerva Keen” series, Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series, and Tom Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.
Five stars out of five.
Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, their friends Lina and Yadi, and Grandpa Pete are still reveling in the fact they solved a case the FBI couldn’t solve for 60 years when they are approached to find an unknown graffiti artist. With the promise of a huge paycheck, they quickly agree to take on the case to find the true identity of Funky Munky. But when the artist is seemingly linked to several arsons, and their own safety comes into question, the group has to decide how to proceed.
Will they find out who Funky Munky really is? And while they’re at it, will they determine who is actually starting the fires?
Ponti once again does a great job of creating a fun story with twists and turns and thrills, but also a fun and quirky cast of characters, building off the strengths and weaknesses of each other. He also fills the story with some great themes, like we should never question how interesting we are, because we each have something special inside us to offer; friends are there for each other, through the good times and the bad; and “the key to life isn’t being good at things; it’s finding joy in them.”
“Art Attack” which is due out Sept. 8, will appeal to fans of James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” and “Minerva Keen” series, Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series, and Tom Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.
Five stars out of five.
Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
September 14, 2026
The Sherlocks are back, this time tasked with uncovering the identity of a mysterious graffiti artist and activist known as Funky Munky. The middle-school aged Sherlock Society are detectives for hire; siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, along with their friends Yadi, a Latine cinematography wiz, and Lina, Wyoming transplant and avid reader, as well as their quirky septuagenarian grandpa, must hone their collective skills before the start of Miami Art Week. With the clock ticking and their reputation (and paycheck) on the line, the team races to expose the elusive tagger before time runs out. Set against the vibrant Miami backdrop, Ponti's creative storytelling illuminates the world of street art, showcasing graffiti as a legitimate and public display of artistic talent. Characters are richly drawn and three-dimensional, grounding this well-developed, engaging mystery in a way that keeps readers hooked until the final chapter. Readers will relate to the authentic teen struggles with popularity, fitting in, balancing life with parental expectations as well as extracurricular passions. Central themes of friendship, staying true to oneself and community activism are interlaced naturally throughout the narrative, adding depth without overshadowing the mystery. Humorous yet suspenseful, this installment will keep readers avidly anticipating the next title in the Sherlock Society’s adventures. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
October 25, 2026
Art Attack, the third book in James Ponti's The Sherlock Society series, was a fun mystery with a satisfying denouement. Whereas in the second book (Hurricane Heist), the team is not able to do much to the bad guys due to how much time has passed, I was quite entertained and engaged with how this book ended. The book is aimed at middle grade readers, but as an adult I was quite invested so I think it would be suitable for all ages across that spectrum.
Mark Sanderlin was excellent with bringing all of the characters to life in the audiobook narration. While the focus is on the kids of the Sherlock Society and Grandpa Pete (a retired investigative reporter), there is quite the colorful cast of supporting characters. I loved the extended members of the Sherlock Society.
Since the book focuses on unmasking an artist similar to Banksy, there was a focus on the line between legal murals and what officials consider vandalism on public property(even if the artist considers them more statement pieces). The amount of research the author shared on the graffiti scene, such as the different types, colors, and the ‘honor among thieves’ really helped immerse myself in the mystery. There are some more intense scenes (like the children running from sketchy adults), but I think it's balanced well with humorous ones, like poor Alex not knowing how to interpret the themes for his school's spirit week. The pacing was great, and I found myself not wanting to stop listening.
Overall, an excellent book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
Mark Sanderlin was excellent with bringing all of the characters to life in the audiobook narration. While the focus is on the kids of the Sherlock Society and Grandpa Pete (a retired investigative reporter), there is quite the colorful cast of supporting characters. I loved the extended members of the Sherlock Society.
Since the book focuses on unmasking an artist similar to Banksy, there was a focus on the line between legal murals and what officials consider vandalism on public property(even if the artist considers them more statement pieces). The amount of research the author shared on the graffiti scene, such as the different types, colors, and the ‘honor among thieves’ really helped immerse myself in the mystery. There are some more intense scenes (like the children running from sketchy adults), but I think it's balanced well with humorous ones, like poor Alex not knowing how to interpret the themes for his school's spirit week. The pacing was great, and I found myself not wanting to stop listening.
Overall, an excellent book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Sherlock Society, a group of four kids, were keen to embark on an adventure that would turn their summer into anything but boring. Alex and Zoe Sherlock, along with their friends Lina and Yadi, have formed their own detective agency, The Sherlock Society. Their grandfather is the perfect adult partner for the team. Not only does he provide transportation when needed, but his decades of experience as a reporter are also invaluable when it comes to their investigations.
The unusual team of young detectives has come a long way since their first case, and in this third installment, Art Attack, they now have their choice of cases. This time, they are offered a nice paycheck to discover the identity of a graffiti artist known only by the name Funky Munky. The developers want the mysterious artist to create a mural on one of their buildings, but they have no idea who Funky Munky actually is.
Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. Before long, Alex finds himself arrested for vandalism! Now The Sherlock Society has to figure out how to get Alex out of trouble while also tracking down their elusive graffiti artist. And, as you might expect, there is a deeper mystery hiding behind their search, making this a nicely paced and entertaining adventure.
I really enjoy watching the four young members of the agency - Alex, Zoe, Yadi, and Lina - as they continue to grow. They experience some growing pains along the way, and their changing dynamics could either bring them closer together or pull them apart. That’s part of what makes this series so much fun.
James Ponti has once again delivered a fun mystery with plenty of action, friendship, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting. The Sherlock Society always leaves me wanting to know what they will get themselves into next, and Art Attack is no exception. I’m definitely ready for the next adventure!
Many thanks to Aladdin and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The unusual team of young detectives has come a long way since their first case, and in this third installment, Art Attack, they now have their choice of cases. This time, they are offered a nice paycheck to discover the identity of a graffiti artist known only by the name Funky Munky. The developers want the mysterious artist to create a mural on one of their buildings, but they have no idea who Funky Munky actually is.
Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. Before long, Alex finds himself arrested for vandalism! Now The Sherlock Society has to figure out how to get Alex out of trouble while also tracking down their elusive graffiti artist. And, as you might expect, there is a deeper mystery hiding behind their search, making this a nicely paced and entertaining adventure.
I really enjoy watching the four young members of the agency - Alex, Zoe, Yadi, and Lina - as they continue to grow. They experience some growing pains along the way, and their changing dynamics could either bring them closer together or pull them apart. That’s part of what makes this series so much fun.
James Ponti has once again delivered a fun mystery with plenty of action, friendship, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting. The Sherlock Society always leaves me wanting to know what they will get themselves into next, and Art Attack is no exception. I’m definitely ready for the next adventure!
Many thanks to Aladdin and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun mystery with all the charm I’ve come to expect from James Ponti
This was my first book in the Sherlock Society series, but I’m a huge fan of James Ponti’s City Spies, so I was really excited to give this one a try. Art Attack did not disappoint!
I really enjoyed the Miami setting and the street art storyline. The mystery was fun and kept me guessing, while the characters had plenty of personality and the humor made the story an easy and enjoyable read. Ponti does a great job of making the investigation feel clever without making it too complicated, and the kids getting involved in the art scene made the whole adventure even more entertaining.
Even though I jumped into the series with the third book, I never felt completely lost. There was enough here to enjoy the story on its own, while also making me curious about the earlier books and the characters’ previous adventures.
If you’re already a fan of James Ponti, I think there’s a lot to love here. And if you haven’t read his books before, Art Attack is a great introduction to his fast paced mysteries, humor, and memorable young characters.
I’m definitely going back to read the first two Sherlock Society books now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing | Aladdin for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book in the Sherlock Society series, but I’m a huge fan of James Ponti’s City Spies, so I was really excited to give this one a try. Art Attack did not disappoint!
I really enjoyed the Miami setting and the street art storyline. The mystery was fun and kept me guessing, while the characters had plenty of personality and the humor made the story an easy and enjoyable read. Ponti does a great job of making the investigation feel clever without making it too complicated, and the kids getting involved in the art scene made the whole adventure even more entertaining.
Even though I jumped into the series with the third book, I never felt completely lost. There was enough here to enjoy the story on its own, while also making me curious about the earlier books and the characters’ previous adventures.
If you’re already a fan of James Ponti, I think there’s a lot to love here. And if you haven’t read his books before, Art Attack is a great introduction to his fast paced mysteries, humor, and memorable young characters.
I’m definitely going back to read the first two Sherlock Society books now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing | Aladdin for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Alex, Yadi, Lena, and Zoe are on the case. This time, a building developer wants them to find the infamous graffiti artist Funky Munky so he can hire that person to paint a mural on the side of his new building. Their investigation leads them to many artists, but how to know which one is Funky Munky when Funky Munky doesn’t want to be found, and how to talk to the person? The team, along with some of Grandpa’s, contacts, led them into the world of graffiti art and all the colors and little quirks of each artist that make it up.
As always, Mr. Ponti has come up with another wonderful mystery to solve. The plot is great. I loved reading about graffiti and the artistic differences that make it up, but the way the kids come up with a way to solve this mystery is out-of-the-box thinking that has to be respected, as long as they don’t end up in the clink doing it. This book is action-packed and full of suspense. It does involve a bit of some plot twists and turns. But it is a wonderful book that is good for all middle graders and above, as well as reluctant readers, budding sleuths, and artists. I can’t wait for more books from Mr. Ponti as I am also a huge fan of the City Spies as well.
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
As always, Mr. Ponti has come up with another wonderful mystery to solve. The plot is great. I loved reading about graffiti and the artistic differences that make it up, but the way the kids come up with a way to solve this mystery is out-of-the-box thinking that has to be respected, as long as they don’t end up in the clink doing it. This book is action-packed and full of suspense. It does involve a bit of some plot twists and turns. But it is a wonderful book that is good for all middle graders and above, as well as reluctant readers, budding sleuths, and artists. I can’t wait for more books from Mr. Ponti as I am also a huge fan of the City Spies as well.
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
September 8, 2026
It took me a while to get into this third Sherlock Society book, probably because I have very little affinity with the graffiti scene, other than indeed the pretty murals.
I was also a little confused about the ages of the people they were helping. I first assumed they were teenagers, but later realized they were adults in their late 20s to early 40s.
There were also some jumps in logic that I found a little hard to overlook.
That said, I really liked that team Sherlock made sure to be careful about being hired to find someone's identity. And once I got into the story a bit more, it was a lot of fun to revisit these characters. I enjoy their tight friendships and solid investigative skills. There were some amusing breaks from the main plot (spirit week!) and I even learned a bit more about Miami by googling the locations and buildings that were mentioned in the book - turns out the gentrification in Wynwood is a real thing. 3.5 stars from me for this one. The next book in this series looks like one I might like better!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley for supplying me with an early copy of this ebook. I'm so glad I came across this series. This book was surprisingly good. Reading it as an adult, I'm impressed. There are a lot of facts thrown in that the kids stumble upon as they work to solve the mystery. For instance, one of the dads is a nerdy math teacher who constantly throws out math puns, weaving some math facts in along the way. Also, as the kids investigate, they learn a lot about graffiti and the art form that it is, with the history of graffiti artists "writers" and the tools they use and styles they use explained as part of the investigation. I was very impressed that this isn't just a fun story, but also very informative. I'm tempted to read the entire series - it's that good, and I enjoyed the facts I learned along the way. The language is intelligent and the author treats their readers with respect, knowing they can handle intelligent subject matter without having it simplified.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
e-ARC provided by Netgalley.
Art Attack is a fantastic 3rd book of the Sherlock Society. After solving their second mystery, the
Hurricane Heist, the crew has established their own website in order to solicit and triage their next case options. They decide on a paying client, a real-estate developer who wants to find the identify of a graffiti artist, so he can offer them a chance to paint a mural in his new community. They quickly divide up areas of focus and make good progress. But while the rest of the Sherlock Society are busy with other plans, Alex and Yadi go off on their own to explore an off-limits area with a drone. They end up landing in some trouble. So now the group has to figure out how to continue while the boys are under the ultimate grounding.
This book was fun and perfectly paced. I love how the pieces of the mystery came together and the banter between Zoe and Grandpa. Fans of James Ponti will enjoy the nod to his other series with a reference to TOAST (Theory of All Small Things). This is another one that I will be adding to my classroom library!
Art Attack is a fantastic 3rd book of the Sherlock Society. After solving their second mystery, the
Hurricane Heist, the crew has established their own website in order to solicit and triage their next case options. They decide on a paying client, a real-estate developer who wants to find the identify of a graffiti artist, so he can offer them a chance to paint a mural in his new community. They quickly divide up areas of focus and make good progress. But while the rest of the Sherlock Society are busy with other plans, Alex and Yadi go off on their own to explore an off-limits area with a drone. They end up landing in some trouble. So now the group has to figure out how to continue while the boys are under the ultimate grounding.
This book was fun and perfectly paced. I love how the pieces of the mystery came together and the banter between Zoe and Grandpa. Fans of James Ponti will enjoy the nod to his other series with a reference to TOAST (Theory of All Small Things). This is another one that I will be adding to my classroom library!
October 29, 2026
In classic Ponti style, we open with the characters caught in some kind of bind (in this case, being arrested) and then we flashback to see how we ended up here. I enjoy this set up as it makes it very easy to get hooked on the book. Alex and company are hired to discover the identity of a graffiti artist and present them with a job offer. The money is good and the case interesting. The kids dive into the local art scene as they investigate the case and bring the reader along through abandoned neighborhoods, gentrification, pod casts, local politics and more as they solve the case.
I appreciate the book is written in such a way that you can pick this one up without reading the previous books and follow along easily. The outcomes of the previous mysteries are not spoiled and the dynamics between the characters are easy to see. The call back to TOAST, from the Framed! series, was a fun Easter egg.
A fast, fun read!
I appreciate the book is written in such a way that you can pick this one up without reading the previous books and follow along easily. The outcomes of the previous mysteries are not spoiled and the dynamics between the characters are easy to see. The call back to TOAST, from the Framed! series, was a fun Easter egg.
A fast, fun read!
September 23, 2026
James Ponti’s books are a mix or fun, mystery, and education. The kids are a mix of nerds, popular, insecure, new kid trying to fit in, etc. The parents are not betrayed as idiots. Thankfully Ponti has created normal parents with normal jobs. Married and divorced parents. No major horrible drama with the parents. They are supportive, concerned, loving, and they discipline with love and explanation. There are silly, eye roll moments, like dad jokes. Family and friendship is a central role throughout the story. Old people are respected, loved, and cool. Grandpa and his retired FBI friends are awesome. There is some fun jabs between Grandpa and Zoe but it is in fun. Highly recommend The Sherlock Society for your kids. No foul language, no belittling of parental rolls, no sex, just a great adventure and lessons on respect for the law and doing right.
October 3, 2026
The Sherlock Society's adventures continue in book #3, and it is every bit as good as the first two.
In this new adventure, students have been officially hired (with a very nice compensation package!) to discover the identity of prolific, political activist and graffiti artist Funky Munky. As the kids divide and conquer with the support of their grandfather and his love interest, they become engaged in a high stakes cat and mouse game only to discover they have actually been the mouse all. along. The research that went into graffiti art was intriguing and I learned something about this art genre as well as being caught up in a great mystery.
Easily one of the best new detective/mystery series available for upper grade readers. I'm glad Ponti is continuing this series and am eagerly awaiting the next one!
In this new adventure, students have been officially hired (with a very nice compensation package!) to discover the identity of prolific, political activist and graffiti artist Funky Munky. As the kids divide and conquer with the support of their grandfather and his love interest, they become engaged in a high stakes cat and mouse game only to discover they have actually been the mouse all. along. The research that went into graffiti art was intriguing and I learned something about this art genre as well as being caught up in a great mystery.
Easily one of the best new detective/mystery series available for upper grade readers. I'm glad Ponti is continuing this series and am eagerly awaiting the next one!
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