What do you think?
Rate this book
Howard Wallace, P.I. #2
Shadow of a Pug
“Give this to fans of Encyclopedia Brown who are looking for longer (and funnier!) well-plotted mysteries.” — Booklist on Howard Wallace, P.I.
“My partner scanned the message and a slow grin took over her face as she said our four favorite ‘ We have a case.’”
HOWARD WALLACE IS BACK!
Middle-school detectives Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason are itching for a juicy case. But when their friend and cohort Marvin hires them to prove his nephew— über-bully Carl Dean—didn’t pugnap the school mascot, they’re less than thrilled. To succeed, not only must Howard and Ivy play nice with Carl, they’ll have to dodge a scrappy, snoopy reporter and come face-to-face with Howard’s worst enemy, his ex-best friend Miles Fletcher. Can Howard deal with all these complications and still be there for Ivy when her life is turned upside down? Or will he once again find himself a friendless P.I.?
“ Another sequel is in the offing, and young mystery fans should be glad .” — Kirkus Reviews
“My partner scanned the message and a slow grin took over her face as she said our four favorite ‘ We have a case.’”
HOWARD WALLACE IS BACK!
Middle-school detectives Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason are itching for a juicy case. But when their friend and cohort Marvin hires them to prove his nephew— über-bully Carl Dean—didn’t pugnap the school mascot, they’re less than thrilled. To succeed, not only must Howard and Ivy play nice with Carl, they’ll have to dodge a scrappy, snoopy reporter and come face-to-face with Howard’s worst enemy, his ex-best friend Miles Fletcher. Can Howard deal with all these complications and still be there for Ivy when her life is turned upside down? Or will he once again find himself a friendless P.I.?
“ Another sequel is in the offing, and young mystery fans should be glad .” — Kirkus Reviews
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2017
3 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Casey Lyall
15 books150 followersCasey Lyall lives in Southwestern Ontario where she also works at her local library. When she’s not writing, Casey loves to bake, doodle, and learn extremely groan-worthy jokes to tell her friends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 23, 2017
From the title, I expected this would be a fun middle grade mystery with great snappy dialogue by noir wordsmith Casey Lyall—and it is all of that. But it’s also much more. As much as I loved Howard Wallace, P.I., the first book in the series, there’s something about Shadow of a Pug that touched me even more. In this book, Howard and Ivy are deep into their partnership. While on the surface everything seems fine, Howard learns that Ivy is keeping a secret from him. In the meantime, their investigation (finding that adorable pug!) brings Howard’s old friend (now nemesis) Miles back into his life. And not everything is what it seems. I love how Lyall shows us all the gray areas in relationships—how nothing’s black or white, even in middle school. And how Howard has to learn empathy to save his partnership and friendship. There’s a particularly authentic conversation between Howard and his dad where the young detective gets illuminated! I love Howard and Ivy and can’t wait for the next installment.
September 17, 2017
I was delighted to get my hands on an ARC of the latest adventure of Howard and Ivy. The first book in the series was a refreshing read that I would love to share with a class, and the second is possibly even more entertaining. The kids in the book are funny, and just realistic enough to be relatable, with some genuinely funny stereotypes - like Layla Bashir, a modern Nellie Bly who knows how to get her scoop. The adults are genuinely human, not clueless or mean, and it's a pleasure to read a book that includes honest and respectful interactions between middle school children and adults. The core of the story is the complicated nature of friendships and social groups in a tumultuous time in a child's life, and Howard explores the nature of friendship and trust with more than one character.
My only disappointment? Blue was in hibernation. I think she's my favourite character of them all. 😉
My only disappointment? Blue was in hibernation. I think she's my favourite character of them all. 😉
August 4, 2021
Howard and Ivy have a permanent place on my bookshelf. And in my heart.
April 29, 2019
Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader!
Wallace and Mason Investigations are back on the case in Shadow Of A Pug, the second novel in Casey Lyall’s endlessly clever, creative and charming middle grade series, Howard Wallace, P.I. In the series’ latest installment, middle school detectives and best friends Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason have been tasked with recovering the school mascot, an unfortunate-looking pug named Spartacus, and clearing the name of Howard’s third-worst enemy and constant tormentor, Carl Dean, all before the basketball team’s upcoming game against their rivals from Stoverton. From players with divided loyalties to a coach who will do anything to win, it will take all of Howard and Ivy’s teamwork, cunning and investigative skills to crack the case in two shakes of a dog’s tail.
Readers familiar with Lyall’s 2016 middle grade debut will discover the same delightful formula in Shadow Of A Pug: An inventive, intelligent mystery that perfectly captures and deconstructs the language and tropes of the noir genre with hilarious and heartwarming results. Armed with his now-familiar bathrobe, blue bicycle and unrepentant gum-chewing habit, Howard is still the same hard-boiled detective with a heart of gold that readers have come to know and love. Where Lyall’s sophomore release deviates from its predecessor, however, is in its greater exploration of the characters’ individual histories and motivations.
While the demise of Howard’s relationship with his former best friend, Miles, was mentioned in passing in Lyall’s debut, the reader is given a much clearer understanding of how and why their eventual estrangement came to pass in Shadow Of A Pug. Similarly, Ivy’s tenuous and often difficult home situation, on which her move to Grantleyville was predicated, is examined in greater detail. In doing so, Lyall allows her audience not only a greater insight into the detective’s investigative process, but also into the detectives themselves. The author also turns her discerning eye to Howard and Ivy’s friendship. Miscommunication and misunderstandings create a rift between the two detectives as their individual insecurities and issues – Howard’s lingering pain and resentment regarding his former friendship with Miles and Miles’ subsequent betrayal; Ivy’s secrecy about an ongoing familial issue – create a roadblock in their otherwise successful partnership. It is only through clear communication, honesty and mutual respect that Howard and Ivy are able to repair their relationship. Finally, Shadow Of A Pug also touches upon several topics that are relevant to and will resonate with young readers. The author uses Howard and Ivy’s investigation into Spartacus’ disappearance, eventually (and hilariously) named “Operation Sportsball” by Ivy, to delve into compelling issues such as parental abandonment, divorce, bullying, peer pressure, and the importance of the arts and arts funding in school.
It doesn’t take the investigative prowess of an astute detective to determine why Shadow Of A Pug is such a wonderful addition to the middle grade market. With an ease and accessibility that introduces the noir genre to a new generation and a subtle sophistication that adults can also enjoy, Casey Lyall’s latest installment in the Howard Wallace, P.I. series promises a little something special for readers of all ages. The only mystery that remains is how we’ll ever muster the patience to wait until we can once again embark on another exciting adventure with Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason.
Wallace and Mason Investigations are back on the case in Shadow Of A Pug, the second novel in Casey Lyall’s endlessly clever, creative and charming middle grade series, Howard Wallace, P.I. In the series’ latest installment, middle school detectives and best friends Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason have been tasked with recovering the school mascot, an unfortunate-looking pug named Spartacus, and clearing the name of Howard’s third-worst enemy and constant tormentor, Carl Dean, all before the basketball team’s upcoming game against their rivals from Stoverton. From players with divided loyalties to a coach who will do anything to win, it will take all of Howard and Ivy’s teamwork, cunning and investigative skills to crack the case in two shakes of a dog’s tail.
Readers familiar with Lyall’s 2016 middle grade debut will discover the same delightful formula in Shadow Of A Pug: An inventive, intelligent mystery that perfectly captures and deconstructs the language and tropes of the noir genre with hilarious and heartwarming results. Armed with his now-familiar bathrobe, blue bicycle and unrepentant gum-chewing habit, Howard is still the same hard-boiled detective with a heart of gold that readers have come to know and love. Where Lyall’s sophomore release deviates from its predecessor, however, is in its greater exploration of the characters’ individual histories and motivations.
While the demise of Howard’s relationship with his former best friend, Miles, was mentioned in passing in Lyall’s debut, the reader is given a much clearer understanding of how and why their eventual estrangement came to pass in Shadow Of A Pug. Similarly, Ivy’s tenuous and often difficult home situation, on which her move to Grantleyville was predicated, is examined in greater detail. In doing so, Lyall allows her audience not only a greater insight into the detective’s investigative process, but also into the detectives themselves. The author also turns her discerning eye to Howard and Ivy’s friendship. Miscommunication and misunderstandings create a rift between the two detectives as their individual insecurities and issues – Howard’s lingering pain and resentment regarding his former friendship with Miles and Miles’ subsequent betrayal; Ivy’s secrecy about an ongoing familial issue – create a roadblock in their otherwise successful partnership. It is only through clear communication, honesty and mutual respect that Howard and Ivy are able to repair their relationship. Finally, Shadow Of A Pug also touches upon several topics that are relevant to and will resonate with young readers. The author uses Howard and Ivy’s investigation into Spartacus’ disappearance, eventually (and hilariously) named “Operation Sportsball” by Ivy, to delve into compelling issues such as parental abandonment, divorce, bullying, peer pressure, and the importance of the arts and arts funding in school.
It doesn’t take the investigative prowess of an astute detective to determine why Shadow Of A Pug is such a wonderful addition to the middle grade market. With an ease and accessibility that introduces the noir genre to a new generation and a subtle sophistication that adults can also enjoy, Casey Lyall’s latest installment in the Howard Wallace, P.I. series promises a little something special for readers of all ages. The only mystery that remains is how we’ll ever muster the patience to wait until we can once again embark on another exciting adventure with Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason.
November 16, 2017
I read this book immediately after reading book 1 in the series, Howard Wallace, P.I., I read both books over the span of three days. In fact I could hardly wait, I had bought the eBook of this volume before I had even finished book 1. I must admit I picked up a signed copy of book 1 at the launce. But being a physical book it sat on my bed site table for almost a year. Twice I picked it up, did not finish a chapter and put it down. But once I had the eBook I just could not stop.
With my dual form of dyslexia I never read much as a child, it was only after grade 8 that I became an avid reader. And then in university I did two different children's lit courses. And through those fell in love with middle grade and young adult books. I have a few criteria for what makes a book great, first is did it have an impact on me, second is can I immediately think of people who would enjoy reading it, and third do I want to read it with my kids either now or when they are older. This book hits solidly on all three scales.
Much like book 1 I believe that this book is well written. The text is tight. It is a great read for the middle grades or tweens. I have started reading this series with my oldest and already have plans to read it with my middle child early next year. In my review of book 1 I stated that: "in many ways it reads like a young Spencer for Hire. Or like Mike Hammer in print. Reading this book took me back to my own days in school, but also when I was older and started watching detective TV shows with my father." And that statement is even truer with book two. I love he characters and their relationships. Casey does an amazing job of capturing interpersonal dynamics between the friends, and the former friends. She captures the change in relationships when people go through status changes, and move social groups at school. It also does an excellent job of capturing what can happen when we keep secrets from those we care about. And teaches a bit about learning to unlearn our preconceived notions and mend burnt bridges.
In some ways this book and series is The Great Mistake Mysteries from Sylvia McNicoll. Both are set in smaller Canadian towns. Both involve children who are on the outside at school. Both involve mysteries and children trying to solve them. And to be honest both are great reads. But in the book Howards quirks were chosen and created by him as a way of coping, where Stephen Nobel's are more of an anxiety disorder issue.
Our cast in this volume really expands. We have the main two from book one, but also the whole basketball team, members of the drama and music clubs, the reporter from the school newspaper, and the captain of the opponents to the basketball team. And of course a missing mascot.
This was a book I could hardly put down. I read it while walking to the bus. I read it while on the bus to work, and I read it on my coffee breaks and lunch at work. It is a wonderful read that I look forward to sharing with my children and someday hopefully grandchildren. And to be honest I hope we see more of the Wallace and Mason Investigative team!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Casey Lyall.
With my dual form of dyslexia I never read much as a child, it was only after grade 8 that I became an avid reader. And then in university I did two different children's lit courses. And through those fell in love with middle grade and young adult books. I have a few criteria for what makes a book great, first is did it have an impact on me, second is can I immediately think of people who would enjoy reading it, and third do I want to read it with my kids either now or when they are older. This book hits solidly on all three scales.
Much like book 1 I believe that this book is well written. The text is tight. It is a great read for the middle grades or tweens. I have started reading this series with my oldest and already have plans to read it with my middle child early next year. In my review of book 1 I stated that: "in many ways it reads like a young Spencer for Hire. Or like Mike Hammer in print. Reading this book took me back to my own days in school, but also when I was older and started watching detective TV shows with my father." And that statement is even truer with book two. I love he characters and their relationships. Casey does an amazing job of capturing interpersonal dynamics between the friends, and the former friends. She captures the change in relationships when people go through status changes, and move social groups at school. It also does an excellent job of capturing what can happen when we keep secrets from those we care about. And teaches a bit about learning to unlearn our preconceived notions and mend burnt bridges.
In some ways this book and series is The Great Mistake Mysteries from Sylvia McNicoll. Both are set in smaller Canadian towns. Both involve children who are on the outside at school. Both involve mysteries and children trying to solve them. And to be honest both are great reads. But in the book Howards quirks were chosen and created by him as a way of coping, where Stephen Nobel's are more of an anxiety disorder issue.
Our cast in this volume really expands. We have the main two from book one, but also the whole basketball team, members of the drama and music clubs, the reporter from the school newspaper, and the captain of the opponents to the basketball team. And of course a missing mascot.
This was a book I could hardly put down. I read it while walking to the bus. I read it while on the bus to work, and I read it on my coffee breaks and lunch at work. It is a wonderful read that I look forward to sharing with my children and someday hopefully grandchildren. And to be honest I hope we see more of the Wallace and Mason Investigative team!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Casey Lyall.
May 3, 2017
I loved this sequel to Howard Wallace, P.I.! In this latest adventure, Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason they are hired to figure out a pug-napping. It just so happens that the person they're trying to prove innocent is none other than one of the biggest bullies around - Carl Dean. But as Howard and Ivy get deeper into the case, they discover that people (and suspects!) are more complicated than they thought, including Howard's ex-best friend Miles. This sequel was fun with a great new mystery that will surely appeal to fans of the first book.
August 16, 2021
Shadow of a Pug is a sequel to the book, Howard Wallace, P.I., written by Casey Lyall. I found this novel and was surprised that there was a second implementation to he Howard Wallace series, although this book felt more of it's own book instead of a sequel. In Howard Wallace (the first) it focuses more on how much Howard can do on his own and how friends can slow down work, but as he works with his partner, Ivy Mason, he slowly switches his perspective on this. However, in this book, it shows how old friends could be your worst enemy, or in Howard's case, the main suspect. What I love about this book is the various scatters of Morse code messages all across the novel, leaving the reader curious to what they translate to. In this novel, Howard Wallace and his assistant detective, Ivy Mason, were requested by Carl Dean, one of the most notorious bullies of Grantley Middle School, to pursue a case to find the school basketball team's mascot, Spartacus the pug, after he was mysteriously stolen. Throughout the story, Howard and Ivy start to settle on who are the suspects, including one of Howard's former best friend. The detective duo suddenly find out it was someone totally unexpected. This novel had a various amount of plot twists which I could appreciate since they kept me engaged. Shadow of a Pug is a great book, however it does not beat the original.
July 10, 2017
I'm so thrilled to have received an ARC of this book to review because I adored the first one, and Howard and Ivy are back to solve another crime! They solve their latest mystery with just as much witty banter, mayhem, and middle school madness as they did before. Craving a case, Howard is thrilled when the school mascot -- Spartacus the pug -- goes missing, and he's hired to clear the name of the lead culprit according to the basketball team. The problem is the culprit is one of Howard's long-time bullies. But to be true to his crime-solving art, Howard proceeds with Ivy, who seems to be having some mysterious sideline problems of her own at home. Howard needs to balance being the best P.I. he can be with maintaining the relationships that are most important to him, and author Casey Lyall does a spot-on job of balancing the hilarity of Howard and Ivy's noir personas with the tough situations and emotions many modern-day middle schoolers face. Another awesome Howard Wallace, P.I. book!
August 6, 2017
Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason are an amazing detective duo. I loved watching them become friends in the first book, and enjoyed watching what they had to do to stay friends in the second book. Being a detective is tricky business, but so is being a friend.
Howard is dying for a harder case. But when he gets his wish, he discovers that things aren't always what they seem, and that being a detective means really listening to others.
Casey Lyall is such a fun author. I love the old-school detective voice that flavors the book. I love the diverse cast of characters, and the complex relations between them all. I love trying to gather the clues and solve the case before Howard can.
If you love mysteries, this book is for you. If you love friendship stories, this book is for you. If you love reading entertaining stories, this book is for you. Can't wait to own my own copy!
Howard is dying for a harder case. But when he gets his wish, he discovers that things aren't always what they seem, and that being a detective means really listening to others.
Casey Lyall is such a fun author. I love the old-school detective voice that flavors the book. I love the diverse cast of characters, and the complex relations between them all. I love trying to gather the clues and solve the case before Howard can.
If you love mysteries, this book is for you. If you love friendship stories, this book is for you. If you love reading entertaining stories, this book is for you. Can't wait to own my own copy!
November 26, 2017
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved Howard Wallace, P.I., book one in Canadian author Casey Lyall's middle grade detective series, so I was delighted when I read that there was going to be another entry. Shadow of a Pug is indeed a more than worthy follow-up, with Howard and his crime-fighting partner Ivy as awesome, real and likable as I remembered them. The film noir voice and tone seems a little quieter in book two- that's about the only aspect of the novel that struck me as a little different from book one. The case itself, the main and supporting cast, as well as the teamwork and friendship between Howard and Ivy is all terrific. Love this one! Looking forward to book three!
June 29, 2017
Howard Wallace is back, and he's at it again! This time the basketball team mascot—a pug named Spartacus—has been kidnapped.
But have no fear, Howard is on the case! Along with his intrepid partner Ivy Mason and a host of often troublesome characters, he must deftly navigate the hallways and relationships of middle school if he's going to solve the mystery before the day of the big game. There is no clue too small, and apparently no dog too small, to escape Howard's sharp eyes and keen instincts.
Howard Wallace is the perfect blend of film noir and middle grade fiction. My kids and I both loved it, and we think you will too!
But have no fear, Howard is on the case! Along with his intrepid partner Ivy Mason and a host of often troublesome characters, he must deftly navigate the hallways and relationships of middle school if he's going to solve the mystery before the day of the big game. There is no clue too small, and apparently no dog too small, to escape Howard's sharp eyes and keen instincts.
Howard Wallace is the perfect blend of film noir and middle grade fiction. My kids and I both loved it, and we think you will too!
June 4, 2017
This second installment of Howard Wallace is just as fun as the original! I loved Ivy and Howard's partnership and their banter had me laughing out loud on nearly every page. As the go-to detectives in their middle school, Ivy and Howard are forced to investigate some of their friends in their quest to recover a lost team mascot. No one is above suspicion and the case takes several unexpected turns that kept me guessing right along with Howard. This is a great book to recommend for middle school readers.
October 2, 2017
'Shadow of a Pug' is a creative, surprising and fun adventure into the life and mind of 7th grade Howard Wallace, P.I. and his sidekick (or partner, as she likes to be know) Ivy. My grade 4's and 5's LOVE Howard Wallace and can't wait to read another adventure from this cunning investigator. Lyall holds both a young person's and an adult's attention with her bang-on narrative and her stellar storytelling skills. You'll never guess the ending!
November 19, 2018
The second installment of the Howard Wallace series keeps the twists, turns, and humor found in the first installment. Who stole the school mascot? Could it be the main suspect and tormentor of Howard Wallace? Just when you think you've solved the mystery, Lyall throws you a curve ball. Great books for reluctant readers in upper grade school and middle school. Also an entertaining entry for genre studies.
May 22, 2017
Howard and Ivy are back! And twice as funny as they were in book one! This time they're hot on the case to figure out who took school mascot, Spartacus, and framed Howard's #3 nemesis Carl. You know this is going to be a humdinger, and Casey Lyall does not disappoint. This is a wonderfully fun book, and I can't wait for book three!
October 18, 2018
Howard and Ivy are back and they have a doozy of a case to solve. A missing pug, a framed basketball player, an ex-best friend, a rival team, and a coach with everything to lose. Who did the deed? Whose guilty of a kidnaping most dog-gone sinister? Guess you will just have to read it to find out.... trust me you won’t regret it.
July 18, 2020
There are so many parts that made me laugh out loud. I should have noted them here, but I wanted to see WHO DONE IT! I honestly did not know who was the culprit for the majority of the book. The ending was great. I can not wait to continue this series! I'm so glad a new book will eventually be coming out!
August 24, 2017
I loved the first Howard Wallace book and this one is now a favorite too! Howard and Ivy are such great characters and this story is so fun. I love, love, love the voice and look forward to more books from this author.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2017
This was a lot of fun to read. I recommend this book especially to teachers to read to their classes. This book was written to be read aloud.
April 18, 2018
Another great adventure with Howard and Ivy! I loved the added depth to the characters this time around. Looking forward to book 3.
June 13, 2018
I liked book 2 just as much as book 1. Howard and Ivy have a new case, involving friends, enemies, and--obviously, a missing pug. If you liked them in book 1, you will love them in book 2!
March 7, 2019
Things get a little dicey for Howard and Ivy in this case, but they so often do in middle school. Character growth and a great mystery!
July 1, 2019
Slow start for me but a fun read in the end.
January 14, 2021
I just flat out love this series! So much fun!
Want to read
April 1, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
August 12, 2021
Such a fun series.
June 11, 2022
4.5 stars
February 26, 2024
This is the best noir ever written and I’m so serious
March 19, 2024
Another delightful chapter in the case books of Howard Wallace PI
April 29, 2025
Fun and entertaining middle grade mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews