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The Ghost and Max Monroe #3
The Dirty Trick
Max is thrilled when his favorite writer, Rhonda Remington, calls up the detective agency. But Rhonda is less than thrilled: someone has warned her to beware on the night of a big storytelling competition. Max is on the case, but his unusual partner — the ghost of his great-uncle Larry — is his usual bumbling self. Will they solve the mystery or lose the plot? It’s the spookiest case yet in the Ghost and Max Monroe series!
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
21 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Falcone
9 books14 followersLucy Falcone (aka L.M. Falcone) is a former children's television writer for such series as The Littlest Hobo and Nickelodeon's hugely popular, Are You Afraid of the Dark? She turned her hand to writing a number of award-winning novels and a junior-fiction detective series. Her debut picture book, I Didn't Stand Up, won the 2019 Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Children's Literature Award.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2015
Another Fair, Early-Reader, Mystery
It's a formula, but it's a formula that works.
Max is a ten year old detective who is assisted by the ghost of his Uncle Larry, a failed detective who now has a chance at redemption as Max's invisible assistant. (Uncle Larry is there for comic relief; the mysteries aren't solved through any magical intervention by Larry.)
Here, someone plans to pull a dirty trick during Max's client's performance at a story-telling contest. Max is called in to discover and foil the trickster.
As always, the classic mystery conventions are observed. There are three suspects with motives and opportunity, a crime/trick, red herrings, multiple clues, and then a meeting of the suspects at which the villain is revealed. The reader is teased as Max uncovers possible motives. Clues are scattered about. Tension is built, and then the reveal is efficient and satisfying.
These are for early readers so they aren't exactly airtight. But that's O.K. because for me the important aspect is that they are fair as mysteries and engaging and amusing as stories. The length is good and the story zips along, so the reader can stay invested in the mystery as it unfolds. Some funny bits and a few puns from Uncle Larry add to the entertainment value. It seems that these Max Monroe books would be successful with any early reader with an interest in the form.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
It's a formula, but it's a formula that works.
Max is a ten year old detective who is assisted by the ghost of his Uncle Larry, a failed detective who now has a chance at redemption as Max's invisible assistant. (Uncle Larry is there for comic relief; the mysteries aren't solved through any magical intervention by Larry.)
Here, someone plans to pull a dirty trick during Max's client's performance at a story-telling contest. Max is called in to discover and foil the trickster.
As always, the classic mystery conventions are observed. There are three suspects with motives and opportunity, a crime/trick, red herrings, multiple clues, and then a meeting of the suspects at which the villain is revealed. The reader is teased as Max uncovers possible motives. Clues are scattered about. Tension is built, and then the reveal is efficient and satisfying.
These are for early readers so they aren't exactly airtight. But that's O.K. because for me the important aspect is that they are fair as mysteries and engaging and amusing as stories. The length is good and the story zips along, so the reader can stay invested in the mystery as it unfolds. Some funny bits and a few puns from Uncle Larry add to the entertainment value. It seems that these Max Monroe books would be successful with any early reader with an interest in the form.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
July 16, 2015
This is the third book in the series, although the first I have read. It is a beginning chapter book for young readers and I think it will be a hit. Max is a ten year old detective who is assisted by the ghost of his Uncle Larry, a failed detective who now has a chance at redemption as Max's invisible assistant. Uncle Larry is able to help Max by going through walls to save Max time, but otherwise is there to cause trouble (i.e. eating food so it looks like it is floating in the air, then disappearing).
In this story, Max gets a phonecall from an author who is up for admission into the Mystery Writer's Hall of Fame. She has found a note saying someone is going to play a dirty trick on her. She is worried this will cause her to lose the contest to enter the Hall of Fame. Max heads off to the contest to solve the mystery. There are 3 suspects who all have motive and opportunity to "Play the Dirty Trick". As the night moves on, Max and Larry snoop, listen and deduce who the culprit is. The trick still gets played, but it does not ruin the contest as they are going to do it again.
This is a cute mystery that will engage young readers. The chapters are short and the story moves along at a good pace. There are just enough illustrations (black & white) to add to the story, but not overwhelm it. A good book and hopefully series for kids.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In this story, Max gets a phonecall from an author who is up for admission into the Mystery Writer's Hall of Fame. She has found a note saying someone is going to play a dirty trick on her. She is worried this will cause her to lose the contest to enter the Hall of Fame. Max heads off to the contest to solve the mystery. There are 3 suspects who all have motive and opportunity to "Play the Dirty Trick". As the night moves on, Max and Larry snoop, listen and deduce who the culprit is. The trick still gets played, but it does not ruin the contest as they are going to do it again.
This is a cute mystery that will engage young readers. The chapters are short and the story moves along at a good pace. There are just enough illustrations (black & white) to add to the story, but not overwhelm it. A good book and hopefully series for kids.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 6, 2015
A delightful mystery tale for younger readers who are moving on to their first chapter books.
There's a real sense of fun in Falcone's writing, as young Max Monroe and his ghostly great-uncle investigate a threat (or warning?) received by one of their favourite mystery authors. Just who would want to play a dirty trick on the great Rhonda Remington?
Could it be her rival for the Mystery Writers Hall of Fame? Or her overlooked assistant who feels neglected? Just what's the dirty trick, and who is behind the note?
LM Falcone's storytelling flows along nicely, with plenty of fun moments to make younger readers smile, and keep them hooked as intrepid Max does his best to solve the case. There's a lovely mix of silliness and intrigue.
Overall a really good introduction to mystery chapter books for younger readers, with some cool characters and a good story. I'd read more of Max Monroe and his burgeoning detective agency.
There's a real sense of fun in Falcone's writing, as young Max Monroe and his ghostly great-uncle investigate a threat (or warning?) received by one of their favourite mystery authors. Just who would want to play a dirty trick on the great Rhonda Remington?
Could it be her rival for the Mystery Writers Hall of Fame? Or her overlooked assistant who feels neglected? Just what's the dirty trick, and who is behind the note?
LM Falcone's storytelling flows along nicely, with plenty of fun moments to make younger readers smile, and keep them hooked as intrepid Max does his best to solve the case. There's a lovely mix of silliness and intrigue.
Overall a really good introduction to mystery chapter books for younger readers, with some cool characters and a good story. I'd read more of Max Monroe and his burgeoning detective agency.
December 12, 2015
Max solves mysteries with the help of his grandfather Harry's brother, Larry. Larry is a ghost, and, although he ran a detective agency when he was living, he was no good at it. He mostly provides comic interference while 10-yr old Max works on the case. In this episode, Max's favorite mystery writer, Rhonda Remington, needs his help to figure out who wrote the cryptic note warning of a "dirty trick" she finds in her purse on the night of the big Mystery Hall of Fame reception. Max works through several suspects, but time is running out as the night wears on. A satisfying fast-paced early chapter book mystery.
August 6, 2015
this wasnt the best in the series but pretty good! this is a great series for kids!! I love the writing and the characters but the little sections during each chapter are not necessarily needed. I will be putting a series review in my blog if you want a longer review!
Mediageeksunite.blogspot.com
Mediageeksunite.blogspot.com
February 29, 2016
Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review.
This was a fun children's mystery that follows 10 years old detective Max Monroe and his Uncle Larry (who is a ghost) on their latest case.
This was a fun children's mystery that follows 10 years old detective Max Monroe and his Uncle Larry (who is a ghost) on their latest case.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews