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Case Closed #2

La actriz desaparecida

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La protagonista de una famosa serie de televisión ha desaparecido sin dejar rastro. ¿Cómo encontrarla cuando a cada paso de la investigación surgen enigmas enrevesados, se desvelan secretos sorprendentes y deben tomarse decisiones peliagudas?

Carlos está convencido de que esta es su oportunidad para lanzarse a investigar y demostrar a su madre que se ha convertido en todo un detective. Pero el tiempo se le acaba y necesitará tu colaboración. ¿Podrá ayudarle a encontrar a la actriz, capturar al culpable de su desaparición y salvar a sus amigos antes de que lo desscubran?

¡Tú decides a qué sospechosos interrogar, qué preguntas hacer y qué pistas seguir!

512 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2019

81 people are currently reading
236 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Magaziner

28 books221 followers
Lauren Magaziner is the internationally bestselling author of the The Incorruptibles series, the Case Closed series, The Mythics series. She is also the author of stand-alone humorous middle grade books: The Only Thing Worse Than Witches, Pilfer Academy, and Wizardmatch. Lauren is originally from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and she currently resides in Philadelphia, where she writes full-time. You can visit her at laurenmagaziner.com or follow along with her newsletter at laurenmagaziner.substack.com.

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5 stars
139 (49%)
4 stars
99 (35%)
3 stars
29 (10%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
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6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Josiah.
3,486 reviews157 followers
January 18, 2025
How did Lauren Magaziner follow up Mystery in the Mansion, episode one of her Case Closed gamebooks series? With a sequel that's four hundred seventy-one pages long, eighty-one more than Mystery in the Mansion. Stolen from the Studio picks up the narrative with Carlos Serrano and his friends Eliza and Frank Thompson on a three-hour car ride to the television studios of Burbank, California. Solving the LeCavalier mystery a few months back breathed life into Ms. Serrano's failing Las Pistas Detective Agency, but Carlos's mother isn't pleased that he, Eliza, and six-year-old Frank were sneaking behind her back in order to crack the case, and she doesn't want them doing it again in Burbank. Executive producer Wolfgang Westover is at his wit's end after Layla Jay, sixteen-year-old star of the popular Teen Witch television program, went missing yesterday. He fears she's been kidnapped. At the studio, Carlos feels the familiar urge to dig in and interrogate people connected to Layla, but his mother insists he, Eliza, and Frank wait in another part of the studio while she investigates alone. Will she ever recognize his aptitude for detective work?

Carlos and friends won't sit idly when there's sleuthing to be done, of course. There are promising leads pointing every which way, but it's up to you which ones Carlos should follow. Will he, Eliza, and Frank eavesdrop on his mother's closed-door interview with Westover, where all the major facts of the case will be shared? It's crucial to gather this information without alerting Carlos's mother. If she knows he's defying her, she'll implement stronger measures to exclude him from the case. A kidnapper may be lurking around the studio, and she doesn't want Carlos or his friends in harm's way. By all accounts, Westover had an amicable relationship with Layla, but the abduction has brought his studio mounds of publicity. Would he have kidnapped his teen star to boost ratings? Layla's mother, Miriam, is another suspect; Layla had her ejected from the set more than once, and reports indicate the rift became more serious recently. Layla's agent, Agatha Tuggle, has also exhibited shifty behavior toward her client, and Brad Bradley, teen co-star of the show, is known to be jealous of Layla's immense popularity. The temperamental director of Teen Witch, Douglas "Guillotine" Chen, has little affection for Layla, but he seems to dislike everyone. Are any of these suspects responsible for Layla's disappearance?

You may direct Carlos, Eliza, and Frank's investigation however you choose. They could wind up in the sub-basement, where the kidnapper has set up an ambush. He or she might lock Carlos and friends in a room with a bomb programmed to detonate in a few minutes, or lure them onto an isolated set outdoors where no one will hear their screams for help. Keeping track of all the suspect information is difficult, but it's the only way to find Layla before her abductor gets scared and eliminates her. What does Louise Jenkins, Layla's teen "stalker", have to contribute to the investigation? Westover's niece, Louise was grudgingly allowed to be at the studio even if she made Layla uncomfortable, but has she seen something that could break this case wide open? Alternatively, could Louise be the kidnapper? Brad Bradley comes across as a run-of-the-mill Hollywood narcissist, but he's left a paper trail of secret communications that could illuminate who has compelling reason to want Layla out of the picture. If you make one wrong choice at any juncture it could end Carlos's hope of solving the case, and is likely to cost Layla her life, so you mustn't relax until you're all the way to a positive ending. That requires hefty helpings of shrewdness and luck, but getting there on your first attempt is doable.

Stolen from the Studio lacks the atmospheric moments of Mystery in the Mansion. The silliness of some endings is just as extreme, and negative endings often seem arbitrary, so the extra eighty-one pages make this sequel feel more tedious than the original. Grateful as I am that Lauren Magaziner put such effort into a twisty gamebook marketed to mainstream middle-grade readers, I have to admit I felt relieved when I finished the book. Four hundred seventy-one pages feels like it takes forever when the story lacks originality and does a poor job maintaining a baseline level of realism. Also, Frank's "contributions" to the investigation don't make up for his constant inappropriate behavior that goes mostly unchallenged by even the adults. I do like that the hints for the puzzles are more comprehensive than in Mystery in the Mansion, so readers are less likely to get stumped and have to quit the game. Carlos's ongoing conflict with his mother about his desire to be a detective resolves in a satisfying way if you make it to certain endings, but that's not enough to lift Stolen from the Studio to be even an average book, and I have doubts I'd rate it one and a half stars. I'll be back for episode three, Haunting at the Hotel, but I'm not sure Lauren Magaziner has the vision to be a great gamebook author. Not everyone can be the next Edward Packard or Joe Dever.
Profile Image for Olivia.
3,744 reviews99 followers
August 10, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

STOLEN FROM THE STUDIO is a fun middle grade mystery with a choose-your-own-adventure plot. Carlos travels with his mother, a detective, BFF Eliza, and her brother, Frank, to the set of a TV show, Teen Witch, where the star Layla has gone missing. Carlos's mother doesn't seem to recognize his skill as a detective, so he sets off with Eliza and Frank to solve the mystery on their own. Readers will flip through the pages as they pick their next steps- sometimes with dead-ends (Case Closed!) and plenty of puzzles to solve along the way.

What I loved: The fun of a choose-your-own-adventure is in directing the characters, and this book features a ton of choices. Aside from the beginning passage which is several pages, the rest are relatively short, no more than a few pages, before you are able to make another choice or solve a puzzle to find out which page to go to next. The puzzles are a particularly nice touch as they add to the fun with an interactive element to the book (with hints for how to solve if needed). The story is engaging, and the mystery will take readers on the path to solve it.

What left me wanting more: I found that I kept hitting dead-ends without solving the case, so I had to back-track a lot and pick another path. I found that it worked best if I used a bunch of book marks, so I could remember where the last step or two I took was. This could be pretty frustrating but does add to the length of the story the reader experiences in the search to solve the case. Case Closed does not always mean that the case is solved, but that Carlos got caught and kicked off the case or trapped or something else along those lines.

Final verdict: STOLEN FROM THE STUDIO is an engaging middle grade mystery with cool interactive puzzles and choose-your-own-adventure style writing. Recommend for readers who enjoy stories that you dive into and participate in.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Coleccionista de finales tristes.
680 reviews46 followers
January 24, 2022
Este libro está dirigido a niños, no sabría especificar la franja etaria. Supongo que alrededor de 12

Las pistas es una agencia de 🕵🏻 detectives, en la que la mamá de Carlos lleva los casos sin embargo Carlos y sus amigos Frank y Eliza siempre están implicados “ayudando” a resolver o a complicar los casos

El libro tiene la peculiaridad de que el lector va decidiendo que pista investigar, a veces es solo a través de decidir si ir a una página u otra pero las otras veces es resolviendo un pequeño “puzzle”

Esos puzzles suelen ser de lenguaje, matemáticas, código morse, etcétera. Es por esto que resulta difícil decidir a qué franja etaria está dirigido el libro porque hay algunos que aún para un adulto no son fáciles claro que sin llegar a ser irresolubles . Además de que Eliza es la sabelotodo y ayuda al lector cuando este no da una

Tiene más de 50 finales distintos

Me parece una buena opción para iniciar a un niño en lectura así como en juegos de destreza mental sin acudir a videojuegos

Profile Image for trash nebula.
38 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2023
The “correct” answers were so unrealistic and the characters are not that smart. There’s no evidence, and the clues are super easy to figure out. Don’t recommend.
Profile Image for BOUNDLESS_READER - GIADA.
166 reviews9 followers
April 17, 2021
La prosa di Lauren Magaziner è fluida, semplice e accattivante, le descrizioni dei luoghi e la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è davvero ottima. All’interno del volume non vi sono delle illustrazioni che permettono al lettore di aiutarsi con il senso visivo questo potrebbe essere una piccola pecca essendo un volume indirizzato ai giovani, ma sicuramente questa mancanza viene accantonata se consideriamo tutte le modalità e tutti i percorsi che sono all’interno del tomo (sono davvero tanti e tutti ben strutturati). I protagonisti sono tre giovani investigatori Carlos, Eliza e Frank. Carlos coraggioso e intraprendente è figlio della proprietaria dell’agenzia investigativa Las Pistas, Eliza è una carissima amica di Carlos ed è un asso per risolvere i misteri e gli enigmi e poi abbiamo Frank il fratello minore di Eliza che, anche se pasticcione aiuta molto nella squadra. Nel secondo volume “Caso Chiuso - Il mistero dell’attrice scomparsa” Wolfgang Westover noto produttore di Hollywood chiede aiuto alla madre di Carlos la signora Serrano di indagare sulla scomparsa dell’attrice Layla Jay. La scomparsa dell’attrice è davvero un danno perché senza di lei non è possibile continuare le riprese della serie tv “Una strega al liceo” che è la serie preferita di Carlos ed Eliza e proprio per questo motivo che devono risolvere loro il caso dimostrando di essere dei veri e propri investigatori. Fatevi conquistare da un’avventura che non ha eguali dove il lettore sarà il vero protagonista! La lettura di questi libri è consigliata a un pubblico giovane ma questo non vuol dire che non sia adatta anche ai più grandi
93 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2023
Reading this again was super fun, plus I got a new ending!

This book was awesome! Even better than Case Closed #1, it was super funny and had an interesting plot. This time, I solved the mystery. I think you would enjoy the two books in the Case Closed series.
Profile Image for Helen.
1,243 reviews38 followers
December 26, 2024
This is even more fun than book 1! Some people complain about culprits being too easy to guess but the perpetrator is not immediately obvious and even when you have a hunch, you need to follow the right paths to get there and that's where the joy comes from! You get to find your way through by means of logic puzzles! What's not to like? Also, the characters are so vibrant and three dimensional. I love to see it.
Profile Image for Becky.
6,177 reviews303 followers
July 28, 2022
First sentence: "Are we there yet?" Frank asks for the millionth billionth time. "No," I sigh. "Are we there yet now?" "No," my best friend, Eliza, says through gritted teeth.

Premise/plot: Stolen from the Studio is the second in an interactive choose-your-own-adventure style mystery novel. Carlos, Eliza, and Frank are back for another adventure--or misadventure. Carlos' mom has been hired by a studio executive to find a missing television star, Layla Jay. Teen Witch was supposed to resume filming the third season, but, the actresses' disappearance has halted things. So the mom and three kid-detectives (or defectives as Frank likes to introduce themselves) are heading to Burbank, California, to solve the case. Technically, the three are just along for the ride. They are not supposed to get carried away and insert themselves into the case. But. We all know that if she truly wanted the kids to NOT get involved in another case, she'd have found a babysitter. (And why bring a friend and friend's little brother???)

Our three amateur detectives have plenty of people to "interview" and plenty of scenes to investigate. Will their involvement lead to triumph or disaster?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I think the second novel has definitely increased in intensity. The stakes are higher, in my opinion. The children face real danger as they risk it all to solve the case. (This choose-your-own-adventure still isn't as dangerous as Oregon Trail, mind you. More failures abound in Oregon Trail than in Stolen From the Studio.)

Choose your own adventure novels may not be known for their substance--fully fleshed out stories and well developed characters. But I was pleasantly surprised by both Mystery in the Mansion and Stolen from the Studio. It is still very much a premise-driven, plot-driven, action-packed adventure. But attention has been paid to details. I like how fleshed out the whole story is when you take the time to read all the various paths.

It does require a bit suspension of disbelief--that a detective agency from a small(er) town is called to Hollywood (essentially) to solve a missing persons case instead of local or federal agencies that are designed to do just that. But still, the book is fun.
1 review
February 14, 2020

The adventurous and suspenseful book Case Closed: Stolen From The Studio is written by the whimsical, creative author Lauren Magaziner. This is a book about how three kids named Carlos, Eliza and Frank help Carlos’s mom find Layla Jay who has been kidnapped when she was rehearsing her play part. They encounter many unexpected mysterious situations that they have to conquer in order to find Layla Jay.

Do you like reading funny, hysterical and adventurous mystery books? If so, you should read Case Closed: Stolen From The Studio. Case Closed: Stolen From The Studio by Lauren Magaziner is the second book in the series of CASE CLOSED. This outstanding book contains every single detail that a mystery book should have and more. For example, it has suspense, action, plot twists, red herrings, and intriguing suspects. All of these characteristics result in one thing: not wanting to stop reading. Add to this, spell-binding clues and puzzles that tease your brain, and you get total awesomeness. Everyone enjoys a simple intriguing mystery right? Well, then take that and multiply it by 50 and you get Case Closed: Stolen From The Studio. Anyone can read this book starting from young kids about 7-8 all the way through 100-102.

1 review
January 4, 2020
In the book Case Closed Stolen from the Studio by Lauren Magaziner, the main characters are Eliza, Carlos, Frank, and Carlos's mother. The mom is a detective and she brought the three kids with her to Hollywood, California to solve a mystery. A teenage actress named Layla Jay went missing and no one knew where she was. Layla's mother was freaking out and could not wait one more second. She needed to find her daughter. This book is a choose your own path. The book gives you clues and puzzles and you get to choose which path to take.
This entertaining book by Lauren Magaziner is very intriguing. I love how this story is a choose your own path because it makes it engaging and involves the reader. The choices create unexpected twists and turns in the plot. Another part I enjoy is the creative puzzles. They are tricky, tough, and toilsome. Furthermore, I loved how the book was very suspenseful. The suspense leaves the reader wanting to read more. This choose your own path mystery novel is riveting.
Profile Image for Engel Dreizehn.
2,064 reviews
March 30, 2020
Thank goodness the ebook edition works fabulous with the kindle! It's another exciting mystery and twist turned adventure with Carlos and the gang trying to solve a case set in a movie studio (kind of unique venue for a mystery caper). Encountered several bad endings (some which are hilarious) before finding the "right" path and again we got some clever puzzles abound plus oooo villinary and movie industry legal drama abound!
59 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2019
I had received a free copy of Case Closed #1 thanks to Goodreads and my son and I were delighted when reading it together. So I just bought Case Closed #2 and it is the same pleasure. We really like the characters, the puzzles and the twists and turns. I particularly appreciate the development of the relationship between Carlos and his mom.
Profile Image for Allison Renner.
Author 5 books34 followers
August 8, 2024
A bookseller recommended this when I mentioned Encyclopedia Brown so I was excited to give it a try! It’s a great mix of that and Choose Your Own Adventure and felt very interactive. I loved it as an adult and can’t wait to let my kid read it. Though we’re starting with #2, we have the whole series now!
59 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2020
It was very interesting and when I had to decide which path to take I sometimes found not decide
Profile Image for Carina.
21 reviews
January 2, 2022
Layla Jay, the star in a show has vanished! I suggest this book for mystery lovers and deep thinkers.
Profile Image for Rowan.
38 reviews
May 19, 2022
You can re-read so many times and find different paths!
Profile Image for Maureen Stewart.
13 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2022
Nathan, age 7: these are the best books! I think you should keep writing more because of how good they are. I like the mystery about it and picking my own story.
6 reviews
March 5, 2025
Está bastante bien, pero es una lectura ligera y a veces no se entiende muy bien. Por lo resto está genial, un libro perfecto para niños que empiezan a leer.
Profile Image for Anna Field.
204 reviews
February 13, 2020
This book was really fun! I picked it up just out of curiosity off the display at the library without realizing it was a pick your path book. I had to start over 2 or 3 times but otherwise so much fun! Loved the clues and riddles you had to solve out on your own to continue the story.
Profile Image for Yaroslava.
22 reviews
December 15, 2024
I read this book really quickly and it was so fun! I loved how you have little puzzles and riddles to go to the next page. A very nice mystery!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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