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The Garvie Smith Mysteries #2
Kid Alone
Meet Garvie Smith. Good-for-nothing scoundrel, genius, and sometime detective. Right in the middle of exams hell -- until now.
A boy from Marsh Academy has been shot, with no clear motive and no clues. Disgraced police detective Raminder Singh is on the case, and he's determined to keep Garvie away.
But Garvie knows he's the only one who has any idea where to look for the answers. Starting with his best friend's girlfriend. And it's going to take more than pointless studying or flunking his tests to stop him getting involved.
Exams. What exams?
A boy from Marsh Academy has been shot, with no clear motive and no clues. Disgraced police detective Raminder Singh is on the case, and he's determined to keep Garvie away.
But Garvie knows he's the only one who has any idea where to look for the answers. Starting with his best friend's girlfriend. And it's going to take more than pointless studying or flunking his tests to stop him getting involved.
Exams. What exams?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2017
38 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Simon Mason
56 books237 followersSimon Mason was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on 5 February 1962. He was educated at local schools and studied English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. He splits his time between writing at home and a part-time editorial position with David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House and publisher of his 2011 children's novel, Moon Pie.
He is the author of the Quigleys series for young readers: The Quigleys (Highly Commended in the UK's Branford Boase Award), The Quigleys at Large, The Quigleys Not for Sale, and The Quigleys in a Spin. He has also written three adult novels.
Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and two children.
He is the author of the Quigleys series for young readers: The Quigleys (Highly Commended in the UK's Branford Boase Award), The Quigleys at Large, The Quigleys Not for Sale, and The Quigleys in a Spin. He has also written three adult novels.
Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 3, 2016
A mystery crime-to-solve amateur-detective story for teens, with a real anti-hero in Garvie Smith, the high IQ- low achiever from ‘Running Girl’ and the world-weary Sikh detective Inspector Singh.
Ticks a lot of boxes: Afro-Carribean hero, Sikh policeman, set in an urban estate in London. Garvie was previously the protagonist of Running Girl, and though this continues his story immediately afterwards, it’s a separate case and could be read in isolation.
Garvie is about to take his exams at school, but not only is his persistent attitude of ‘can’t be bothered’ getting in the way of revision, but someone at his school is brutally murdered late one night, an autistic boy, out at 2am in his school uniform. Not one to leave a puzzle alone, it’s now a tough decision between attending exams and attending crime scenes. Inspector Singh knows how smart Garvie is, but is determined to keep him away.
Singh is an unusual creation, it’s wonderful to see a practicing Sikh portrayed as a smart, loyal and respected officer. Garvie is harder to pin down, and does annoy (“just get to the bloomin’ exam on time!!!” went through my head more than once), but he follows on from Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe and their ilk as the cool and logical understated detective, slowly piecing it all together.
I was much more interested in these two than the eventual solving of the crime (the reveal of which I must say I didn’t quite follow), and I would definitely want to read more about what happens to them next.
I would hope younger readers would enjoy this as an introduction to crime noir, but older ones enjoy the teenage protagonist and unique pairing of Sikh copper and teenage genius/layabout.
No violent scenes particularly, only the description of the murder and a couple of scenes where characters are beaten up (no graphic description).
With thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Ticks a lot of boxes: Afro-Carribean hero, Sikh policeman, set in an urban estate in London. Garvie was previously the protagonist of Running Girl, and though this continues his story immediately afterwards, it’s a separate case and could be read in isolation.
Garvie is about to take his exams at school, but not only is his persistent attitude of ‘can’t be bothered’ getting in the way of revision, but someone at his school is brutally murdered late one night, an autistic boy, out at 2am in his school uniform. Not one to leave a puzzle alone, it’s now a tough decision between attending exams and attending crime scenes. Inspector Singh knows how smart Garvie is, but is determined to keep him away.
Singh is an unusual creation, it’s wonderful to see a practicing Sikh portrayed as a smart, loyal and respected officer. Garvie is harder to pin down, and does annoy (“just get to the bloomin’ exam on time!!!” went through my head more than once), but he follows on from Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe and their ilk as the cool and logical understated detective, slowly piecing it all together.
I was much more interested in these two than the eventual solving of the crime (the reveal of which I must say I didn’t quite follow), and I would definitely want to read more about what happens to them next.
I would hope younger readers would enjoy this as an introduction to crime noir, but older ones enjoy the teenage protagonist and unique pairing of Sikh copper and teenage genius/layabout.
No violent scenes particularly, only the description of the murder and a couple of scenes where characters are beaten up (no graphic description).
With thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
February 12, 2017
I found the first book hugely entertaining in this series and this one was almost as good. I think some judicious editing could have been in order, it seemed to get a bit waffly. However, it was truly a good read and I'll be lined up for the next one. YA crime fic, not a romance with a seriously lazy crime fighter with Sherlock overtones. 4.5
August 2, 2018
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I do love a good mystery.
This one is fascinating, just like the last and it kept me guessing right up to the last second. There were three main suspects and I genuinely couldn’t make my mind up which one it was, until it was revealed. I actually discounted the murderer because I thought it was too obvious!
The main character, Garvie Smith, is one of my favourite characters in literature. The tagline for the book sums him up pretty well:
If you want an idea of his character, think Kaz Brekker, but in our world and bored out of his mind with school.
His friends Felix and Smudge never fail to make me laugh. They’re like the three musketeers, just more modern, younger and with slightly more questionable methods. Felix is essentially a cat burglar (which I found hilarious, because Felix the cat) and his specialty is picking locks. Smudge is the stereotypical ‘dumb friend’ and his dubious specialty is reading people.
Our other main character is DI Singh, a Sikh police officer (and I will say it: this book has a lot of diversity and it is BRILLIANT) who was disgraced after the last case because Garvie interferes with everything. He’s uptight and follows the law to the letter. Turns out, he is also trained in (I think) martial arts and is brilliant in a fight. Like, he’s a total badass at the end of the book, but shh spoilers!
Garvie and Singh’s relationship developed in this book to almost friendly? Singh actually treated him like a partner in places (they did argue, we do still have that aspect) and they worked together to solve the mystery.
Another character that I always feel infinitely sorry for is Garvie’s mother. That poor woman. In this book, we had the obligatory scene where they have a heart-to-heart (and although expected, it still made me tear up a little bit). Afterwards, I thought that Garvie might actually go to his exams – spoiler alert, he did not, and I wanted to punch him multiple times.
This book also saw the introduction of more characters. Zuzana, for one. She’s Garvie’s mate’s girlfriend and she’s from Poland (again, diversity!). Also, she’s pretty smart. On a level with Garvie almost. I do have a bit of a problem in that she’s reduced to a love-interest-come-villain, but she’s fascinating enough.
Our victim is a school boy called Pyotor, who is also Polish. He falls on the autistic spectrum too, and most of what he faced from people is true in real life. I feel like this murder is more likely to have happened in real life than in the last book, but the circumstances are less realistic.
Khalid and Sajid are Asian, I believe, and it is kind of stereotypical that they run a corner shop, but I mean, it’s realistic that it gets broken into. Racism is tackled in this book, specifically the type of racism that happens in England. I’m not so sure about other countries, but people from elsewhere in Europe (Poland, mostly but there are plenty of others) face a lot of racism. This book calls people out on it and on the effects of it – it’s worth the read, seeing how people are attacked.
Again, I did love this book and it was well worth the read. I look forward to any more in this series!
This one is fascinating, just like the last and it kept me guessing right up to the last second. There were three main suspects and I genuinely couldn’t make my mind up which one it was, until it was revealed. I actually discounted the murderer because I thought it was too obvious!
The main character, Garvie Smith, is one of my favourite characters in literature. The tagline for the book sums him up pretty well:
"Garvie Smith
Like Sherlock – but lazier"
If you want an idea of his character, think Kaz Brekker, but in our world and bored out of his mind with school.
His friends Felix and Smudge never fail to make me laugh. They’re like the three musketeers, just more modern, younger and with slightly more questionable methods. Felix is essentially a cat burglar (which I found hilarious, because Felix the cat) and his specialty is picking locks. Smudge is the stereotypical ‘dumb friend’ and his dubious specialty is reading people.
Our other main character is DI Singh, a Sikh police officer (and I will say it: this book has a lot of diversity and it is BRILLIANT) who was disgraced after the last case because Garvie interferes with everything. He’s uptight and follows the law to the letter. Turns out, he is also trained in (I think) martial arts and is brilliant in a fight. Like, he’s a total badass at the end of the book, but shh spoilers!
Garvie and Singh’s relationship developed in this book to almost friendly? Singh actually treated him like a partner in places (they did argue, we do still have that aspect) and they worked together to solve the mystery.
Another character that I always feel infinitely sorry for is Garvie’s mother. That poor woman. In this book, we had the obligatory scene where they have a heart-to-heart (and although expected, it still made me tear up a little bit). Afterwards, I thought that Garvie might actually go to his exams – spoiler alert, he did not, and I wanted to punch him multiple times.
This book also saw the introduction of more characters. Zuzana, for one. She’s Garvie’s mate’s girlfriend and she’s from Poland (again, diversity!). Also, she’s pretty smart. On a level with Garvie almost. I do have a bit of a problem in that she’s reduced to a love-interest-come-villain, but she’s fascinating enough.
Our victim is a school boy called Pyotor, who is also Polish. He falls on the autistic spectrum too, and most of what he faced from people is true in real life. I feel like this murder is more likely to have happened in real life than in the last book, but the circumstances are less realistic.
Khalid and Sajid are Asian, I believe, and it is kind of stereotypical that they run a corner shop, but I mean, it’s realistic that it gets broken into. Racism is tackled in this book, specifically the type of racism that happens in England. I’m not so sure about other countries, but people from elsewhere in Europe (Poland, mostly but there are plenty of others) face a lot of racism. This book calls people out on it and on the effects of it – it’s worth the read, seeing how people are attacked.
Again, I did love this book and it was well worth the read. I look forward to any more in this series!
November 13, 2016
I read the first book and absolutely fell in love with it, but this one I wasn't so sure about. There was always a fairly obvious villain in the story and I guessed the murderer from near the beginning. However I still want another book in this series to come out and I would recommend it.
April 25, 2017
Garvie strikes again. #3wordbookreview
Love the cover blurb: Like Sherlock - but lazier!
I also liked how we could get straight into the story since we already know the characters. And how Garvie is developing as a human being. He could turn out all right yet.
Love the cover blurb: Like Sherlock - but lazier!
I also liked how we could get straight into the story since we already know the characters. And how Garvie is developing as a human being. He could turn out all right yet.
April 26, 2023
4,5/5🌟
December 15, 2024
i misjudged this book sorry garvie it was actually really interesting and well thought out and i’m kinda obsessed with him
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November 29, 2016I really enjoyed this book as you followed Garvie through his life as he solved the mystery of the boy who got shot. I really like the way it is set out as it makes it interesting to read, it was also a real page turner.
January 1, 2017
What fun! I'd been looking forward to this after enjoying 'Running Girl', and it did not disappoint. Garvie Smith is such a great character, and Simon Mason writes brilliant dialogue for him. Highly recommend - would be enjoyed by both boys and girls, Y10ish.
January 26, 2021
I really enjoy these Garvie Smith mysteries, he’s a cool character who likes to give the impression he doesn’t care but actually does quite a lot. Very likeable smart arse in my opinion. Not too many characters to keep track of and short chapters make this a good one for intermediate plus.
July 15, 2017
This is the second book in the series. The first book was running gir
l and this book was equally enjoyable and made me want to continue reading. the main character Garvie Smith gets in to lots of trouble, tries to help the police and has exams going on. I believe this book has more plot changes than running with this one involving more than 3 suspects for who killed Pyotor - also known as the gimp-. a excellent book and i really recommend reading this series.
l and this book was equally enjoyable and made me want to continue reading. the main character Garvie Smith gets in to lots of trouble, tries to help the police and has exams going on. I believe this book has more plot changes than running with this one involving more than 3 suspects for who killed Pyotor - also known as the gimp-. a excellent book and i really recommend reading this series. September 19, 2019
I didn't expect I would like this book at first. I do like mysteries, but I don't particularly care for action-intensive mysteries. However, this book evenly balances its action with the investigations I adore in series like Instinct and Danganronpa. All of the characters have strengths and flaws, and I wanted everyone to succeed, even the "bad guys." There are a few mentions of drug use that make me a little uncomfortable that keeps this book from being five stars, but I highly recommend this book to any fans of mystery!
February 20, 2020
A compelling, well-told YA crime story. I really liked 'Running Girl,' the first installment about smart-alec, juvenile amateur detective Garvie Smith. I think I enjoyed this one more. This writer trusts his reader, and although not everything is tied up neatly by the end, this feels it is as it should be. Gripping, clever and unputdownable.
May 21, 2018
I'm the first person to write review for this book?!?! Folks, this is a book you should be reading! Do you like Sherlock Holmes? Do you read teen/YA books? This is a great teen detective book! I look forward to reading future books in the series.
March 5, 2020
A good sequel! I preferred the first as I got a little bit lost with the plot in this one but I love the characters. I would definitely recommend as a good follow up!
March 22, 2020
Great story. As good as the first, really ramps up at the end !
December 12, 2021
Top end of 3*, not as good as the first.
I'm starting to find Garvie a bit annoying and hard to root for. He needs to show some more growth in the final book. Likewise Singh needs fleshing out. The best part of this book is the relationship and dialog between the two of them and the dynamic really needs to show some progression or it'll get too samey (perhaps why there's only 3?)
There were only a couple of key locations in this book that we went back and forth between and all of them were a little dull. That being said I do appreciate when books don't overburden you with descriptions of places, clothes, actions etc. So the book does a good job for me at least of setting a scene up then letting the character interaction do the legwork. Slight lack of intrigue to the plot but overall a positive sentiment. An easy read and an enjoyable time to just switch off and be taken along for the journey. Will be wrapping up with book 3 at some point I'm sure :)
I'm starting to find Garvie a bit annoying and hard to root for. He needs to show some more growth in the final book. Likewise Singh needs fleshing out. The best part of this book is the relationship and dialog between the two of them and the dynamic really needs to show some progression or it'll get too samey (perhaps why there's only 3?)
There were only a couple of key locations in this book that we went back and forth between and all of them were a little dull. That being said I do appreciate when books don't overburden you with descriptions of places, clothes, actions etc. So the book does a good job for me at least of setting a scene up then letting the character interaction do the legwork. Slight lack of intrigue to the plot but overall a positive sentiment. An easy read and an enjoyable time to just switch off and be taken along for the journey. Will be wrapping up with book 3 at some point I'm sure :)
November 18, 2023
I wish Garvie got more repercussions for his actions. How does he get out scot-free each time? With his poor mother having to chase him about exams. His apathy is written brilliantly, if that's the case, but it makes me mad and I hope his mum successfully gets him in trouble for it for once.
It was a boring exposition but then the mystery was fine, really easy to read. But, in terms of the plot and mystery, the first book is wayyy better imo. However, I feel like I need to focus more though while reading because I'm a bit confused on how the ending came together. My problem though.
PS: I reckon DI Singh and Garvie's mum will get together. Oh please, that would be hilarious.
3.4 starss
It was a boring exposition but then the mystery was fine, really easy to read. But, in terms of the plot and mystery, the first book is wayyy better imo. However, I feel like I need to focus more though while reading because I'm a bit confused on how the ending came together. My problem though.
PS: I reckon DI Singh and Garvie's mum will get together. Oh please, that would be hilarious.
3.4 starss
September 9, 2021
I liked and hated this book.
I liked it because I thought the mystery really interesting.
I hated it because Garvie never changes, never cared about how is actions effect others and that really really bugs me.
The author said has the tag line: Sherlock but lazier.
My thought though is what Sherlock?
It can’t be based on ten original because that Sherlock is actually really compassionate to the people who come searching for help.
Can’t be the BBC Sherlock because he has John and cares.
Can’t be Elementary because that Sherlock has Joan and truly grows.
So who the flip is this Sherlock???
Worth the read?
Not in my book.
I liked it because I thought the mystery really interesting.
I hated it because Garvie never changes, never cared about how is actions effect others and that really really bugs me.
The author said has the tag line: Sherlock but lazier.
My thought though is what Sherlock?
It can’t be based on ten original because that Sherlock is actually really compassionate to the people who come searching for help.
Can’t be the BBC Sherlock because he has John and cares.
Can’t be Elementary because that Sherlock has Joan and truly grows.
So who the flip is this Sherlock???
Worth the read?
Not in my book.
September 1, 2020
I wanted to rate this book higher, really, I did! It just didn’t meet my expectations at all.
It was slow and tedious at times, and I just thought Garcia was going to far by literally missing/being disqualified/being extremely late for all his exams.
The ending was disappointing and I just think the whole book was really, it didn’t have much substance to it compared to the first one and if the plot went any slower it would have been moving backwards.
I loved the phrase on the cover though ‘like Sherlock, but lazier’ 😂
It was slow and tedious at times, and I just thought Garcia was going to far by literally missing/being disqualified/being extremely late for all his exams.
The ending was disappointing and I just think the whole book was really, it didn’t have much substance to it compared to the first one and if the plot went any slower it would have been moving backwards.
I loved the phrase on the cover though ‘like Sherlock, but lazier’ 😂
September 27, 2020
At last!
I finished it. I feel like now this book is over I can actually get back into reading like I used to.
This is a good, light, easy to read novel and the murder mystery is well constructed... it just really didn't engage me that much.
I've accustomed to reading much deeper and more sophisticated texts and now I don't think I can ever go back.
Nothing against this book! Just wasn't one of my faves.
I finished it. I feel like now this book is over I can actually get back into reading like I used to.
This is a good, light, easy to read novel and the murder mystery is well constructed... it just really didn't engage me that much.
I've accustomed to reading much deeper and more sophisticated texts and now I don't think I can ever go back.
Nothing against this book! Just wasn't one of my faves.
nope
October 8, 2020Dnf p. 205
I really love garvie and I'm interested in the mystery
But it seems like all the development he had in book one got thrown out the window and honestly the whole zuzuna thing is pretty annoying
So Thad nk you but no thank you I'm going to pretend it's a stand alone
If you do like garvie, this book started pretty good and didn't loose quality in mystery so if my points don't bother you go wild
I really love garvie and I'm interested in the mystery
But it seems like all the development he had in book one got thrown out the window and honestly the whole zuzuna thing is pretty annoying
So Thad nk you but no thank you I'm going to pretend it's a stand alone
If you do like garvie, this book started pretty good and didn't loose quality in mystery so if my points don't bother you go wild
August 21, 2021
I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like thriller and suspense. I won't really say anything about because I don't want to spoil it for you, but I will say that once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Mysterious and suspenseful, this book will leave you guessing right up to the last page.
June 24, 2025
As before, marketed as a YA book (I guess because the main characters are teens) it’s just a very good mystery set in a hardscrabble unidentified English town featuring slacker genius, the overly inquisitive (when it suits him) Garvie Smith. An autistic Polish classmate of Garvie is shot and everyone, especially the feckless police, get it wrong. Garvie plugs away, aided by the beguiling Zuzana, and just about manages a result despite a monstrous coke addled dog.
April 11, 2023
Salute to Simon Mason. Though, it was not shocking as it was to me like on the first book (everyone was suspicious in here), the plot kind of still made its way to make it through the reader to surprise them.
It was well-explained the way how things went, how precisely the night went, but the ending was to fast (at least for me). Perhaps I preferred to find something more evidential than explained. At the end I was left wondering if it was really over.
Got stressed out on Garvie for some time, he gets progressively worse as a son. Perhaps character development on the next book? To show that he actually tries to make his mother happy? I mean he does try, but only half-heartedly.
It was well-explained the way how things went, how precisely the night went, but the ending was to fast (at least for me). Perhaps I preferred to find something more evidential than explained. At the end I was left wondering if it was really over.
Got stressed out on Garvie for some time, he gets progressively worse as a son. Perhaps character development on the next book? To show that he actually tries to make his mother happy? I mean he does try, but only half-heartedly.
May 2, 2021
honestly idk what it is about these books but they just not that good. In the end, when it is all figured out it's not even interesting and there is SO MANY TYPOS!!!!
October 30, 2022
Es hat sich sehr angefühlt wie der erste Band, keine neuen Handlungen. Leider nur 3 Sterne.
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November 7, 2022I chose this book because of how intriguing the blurb was and how I can infer based on the introduction that the reader must always be thinking about different theories and possibilities.
October 22, 2023
This book was really nice. I like the plot and the character development and the plot twists.
October 24, 2023
garvie smith: british criminal percy jackson
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews