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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?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
James Ponti
61 books1,635 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Another great Sherlock Society mystery! (Note: It's better to read them in order.) In this one, Alex and the crew take on a client who is interested in hiring the mysterious graffiti artist, Funky Munky, who is credited with work all over Miami. As the team uses the 5 Ws and deductive reasoning, they also learn a lot about graffiti writing. There is a fun shout out to the TOAST method from Ponti's Framed series. Art Attack contains a good mix of action and adventure as well as logic. A must read for mystery lovers! Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The third Sherlock Society book has the gang searching for the identity of a local guerilla graffiti artist in order to offer them a high-paying job. But it's going to be difficult to find someone who doesn't want to be found. But with these four amazing kids and one super cool grandpa, it's only a matter of time before they solve the case. Once again, Ponti writes a fun mystery that will keep you guessing!
September 5, 2026
The Sherlock Society is back on a new case in Miami. Graffiti, someone being set up, and more mysteries to solve for them. Such good mysteries to solve and very relatable for kids. These books would be good for kids 8 and up who like mystery books. I love the way James starts with the end and gets you hooked into the book. You read it and want to know how it got there. Love this series and can’t wait to find out what other mysteries the Sherlock Society can solve.
September 8, 2026
This was released on the final day of a long road trip, and it’s just what we needed. Kids 6-18 and parents enjoyed it. It’s funny, the mystery was interesting, and the audio book narrator is excellent. If listening over a long period of time, the extensive list of suspects might be confusing but we were fine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again, Ponti nails it! I think this is the best story in the series so far and they've all been amazing. I did not expect that plot twist and thoroughly enjoyed this read. Couldn't put it down!
I received free E-ARC from Netgalley & Simon & Schuster for my honest review.
I received free E-ARC from Netgalley & Simon & Schuster for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This author is a “go to” source for fresh, interesting, and humorous middle grade stories. This latest in the series does not disappoint.
This author is a “go to” source for fresh, interesting, and humorous middle grade stories. This latest in the series does not disappoint.
September 9, 2026
A strong addition to the series. Very fun.
June 24, 2026
Another fast paced adventure for the Sherlock Society! My whole family loves Ponti 's books and I can't wait to share this newest instalment with them. One of my favorite things about Ponti is he won't shy away from older references or niche subjects. Giving kids a broader scope of pop culture and in this book art. And a reason to do some digging of their own while reading to learn more about some fascinating pieces of history. Oh, and the twists and turns will keep even the most observant armchair sleuth on their toes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Art Attack is a super clever mystery with an engaging plot. I loved seeing Alex and Zoe's grandpa join the investigation, and thought the book provided a fascinating look into the world of graffiti art, everything from "tags, throwies to pieces," along with the artists motivations behind their temporary works on structures and buildings. Banksy immediately came to mind, since their art also blends creativity with political or social commentary.
I appreciated the way the friends support each other, and how Alex and Yadi experienced real consequences when they took a drone into an empty building without telling their parents first. The details about the Miami art scene were interesting and the mystery of Funky Munky's identity kept me guessing right up to the end.
I appreciated the way the friends support each other, and how Alex and Yadi experienced real consequences when they took a drone into an empty building without telling their parents first. The details about the Miami art scene were interesting and the mystery of Funky Munky's identity kept me guessing right up to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
James Ponti has done it again with the third installment of The Sherlock Society! This time we find the kids and Grandpa Pete taking a job to find an elusive graffiti artist known as Funky Munky. Woven into the mystery is the history and cultural relevance of graffiti art, showing the kids that it’s not just spray paint on a wall but an act of civil disobedience and a way to send messages to the whole community. As with the previous books, I love how the past and present intertwine and bring generations together to solve this mystery. The Sherlock Society is my favorite middle-grade mystery series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a fun book! Funky Monkey is a graffiti artist that the Sherlock Society is hired to find. The graffiti is something that she found interesting because it isnt something you see in books much. So that was a fun, new thing for this series. This book felt a little more spy-ish than the first 2, which was a good touch for this book. It felt fitting for what they were doing in this book.
We wish we could say more but we don't want to give away an spoilers 🙊
We can't wait for the next book! We know it will be just as great and a fun adventure!
Thank you for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
We wish we could say more but we don't want to give away an spoilers 🙊
We can't wait for the next book! We know it will be just as great and a fun adventure!
Thank you for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
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