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The Sherlock Society #3
Art Attack
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
6 days and 13:28:32
25 copies available
U.S. only
Setting: Miami art scene
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
James Ponti
61 books1,630 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
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 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
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
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!
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.
Read
June 2, 2026Review closer to release
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 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!
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