Bounced

by Ted Staunton

A detective story with as many laughs as there are twists and turns, from award-winning author Ted Staunton!

In the beginning, it was I wanted to be a detective, and I needed something to detect . . .

Thirteen-year-old Duncan lives with his unconventional bohemian aunt. She's determined to give him an expensive private education, even though Duncan isn't particularly interested in school. He wants to be a detective like the ones in the World's Best 100 Detective Stories, which he reads when he should be studying.

Fortunately for Duncan (and readers!), he gets something to detect in the first chapter of this funny crime mystery. Full of twists and turns and laugh-out-loud adventure, this highly entertaining story will have readers wondering if they've solved the mystery (and most likely they haven't) until the last page turn.

Ted Staunton ratchets up the fun in this fast-paced romp, loosely based on a true story from Texas in the early 2000s.

Genres: Canada, Middle Grade, Mystery, Fiction

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2017

Reviews

[Stacey Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book. It started right away with the mystery, but then it started going into a whole bunch of other stuff before the main characters actually started collecting clues and solving the mystery. I really thought Marty Raymond and Lamar Del Ray were working together to rob banks because it just seemed to obvious. When it started seeming like they were the same person, I just didn't believe I because Aunt Jenn had seen them both and not said anything about them being the same.
I always knew Aunt Jen was sketchy because she seemed to know a whole lot more than she was telling Duncan, but I also figured that based on the type of book it wouldn't be her. But then it was! I was actually pretty surprised. I also did not see it coming when we found out that Marty Raymond's real name was Lamar Del Ray and that he was Duncan's actual dad. Very twsty.

I wanted them to turn Aunt Jen in and Duncan move in with Marty and they collect the prize money and everyone goes to school, and the end was actually pretty similar to that. Still, something about it wasn't satisfying... I don't know what it was. (Also poor friends, they're all separated)

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan Fortune is a mystery loving writer who wants to attend the exclusive private school Studies Institute even though the tuition is exorbitant. He and his friends in grades 6, CC and Zal decide to try and solve the mystery of the local bank robberies for the reward money. This middle grade novel is full of surprising plot twists and written in an appealing easy to read language. Highly recommended for mystery lovers who will enjoy the sleuthing aspect of the book.

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bounced is a middle-grade mystery written in easy language and, unfortunately, a bit too far-fetched. Duncan and his pals have been accepted to an elite and expensive private school. They have also found themselves tucked into the middle of a mystery that they are determined to solve, both to prove how smart they are and to collect the reward money.

Short-listed for the 2019 MYRCA Sundogs.

[Rebecca Mckenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book that kids aged 6-10 would enjoy - its got mystery, reptiles and robbery involved - a little farfetched but an easy read.

BOB: In which book does Duncan try to solve the mystery of the Borsolino Bandit and discovers the culprit is his aunt whom he lives with?

[Mireille Messier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, reptiles and bank heists - what's not to love! Bounced was a fun read that left no loose ends.

[Danny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2019 MYRCA Sundogs nominee. A mystery-comedy that never really takes off. There are some fun moments, but Duncan was a bit dull as a main character.

[JoAnne Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun 'who-done-it' for 9 year olds.

[Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story, the characters, and the humor in it. It is beautifully written.