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P.C. Hawke Mysteries #1
The Scream Museum
When their friend Tom is accused of murder, teenage sleuth P.C. Hawke and his partner Mackenzie attempt to clear their friend's name by unraveling the circumstances surrounding the death of the museum's chief biologist.
149 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Paul Zindel
83 books301 followersPaul Zindel was an American author, playwright and educator.
In 1964, he wrote The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, his first and most successful play. The play ran off-Broadway in 1970, and on Broadway in 1971. It won the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also made into a 1972 movie by 20th Century Fox. Charlotte Zolotow, then a vice-president at Harper & Row (now Harper-Collins) contacted him to writing for her book label. Zindel wrote 39 books, all of them aimed at children or young adults. Many of these were set in his home town of Staten Island, New York. They tended to be semi-autobiographical, focusing on teenage misfits with abusive or neglectful parents. Despite the often dark subject matter of his books, which deal with loneliness, loss, and the effects of abuse, they are also filled with humor. Many of his novels have wacky titles, such as My Darling, My Hamburger, or Confessions of A Teenage Baboon.
The Pigman, first published in 1968, is widely taught in American schools, and also made it on to the list of most frequently banned books in America in the 1990s, because of what some deem offensive language.
In 1964, he wrote The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, his first and most successful play. The play ran off-Broadway in 1970, and on Broadway in 1971. It won the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also made into a 1972 movie by 20th Century Fox. Charlotte Zolotow, then a vice-president at Harper & Row (now Harper-Collins) contacted him to writing for her book label. Zindel wrote 39 books, all of them aimed at children or young adults. Many of these were set in his home town of Staten Island, New York. They tended to be semi-autobiographical, focusing on teenage misfits with abusive or neglectful parents. Despite the often dark subject matter of his books, which deal with loneliness, loss, and the effects of abuse, they are also filled with humor. Many of his novels have wacky titles, such as My Darling, My Hamburger, or Confessions of A Teenage Baboon.
The Pigman, first published in 1968, is widely taught in American schools, and also made it on to the list of most frequently banned books in America in the 1990s, because of what some deem offensive language.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 16, 2020
I really did not like this book at first, but by about 25% of the audiobook, I was hooked and had to know who the killer was. I would say the ending was just as good as any Agatha Christie novel.
July 27, 2024
I like this series. Good vocabulary "avuncular " etc. Always an interesting plot and a unique setting. I also like the length and pace of the books in this series.
October 22, 2016
Sometimes it's nice to break away from the gritty adult mysteries and listen to/read the books for young adults. I wish books like these had been available when I was young!
January 29, 2024
I'm surprised to see this is book 1 (which is only in very small type on the spine), because it hints at a prior mystery the main character "P.C." and his sidekick Mackenzie had solved, which seems like a more reasonable starting point to establish their budding detective training (read: skipping school to solve crimes, as you do).
It also feels like another attempt at a boy detective with girl sidekick series, though this one is a bit more awkward than the others I've read for the abovementioned reason, and also because the writing is just strange:
- Guard: "Stay out of it, P.C." Proceeds to let him continue not being in school and investigating a crime scene.
- We had a little discussion about whether the rising moon was a gibbous or not a gibbous, said good night, and I turned and started away. I guess this is to add flavour to the story, but it feels bizarrely out of place when almost all the other dialogue and descriptions have been straight to the point. (Also, it's a strange run-on sentence.)
- "What it is?" I asked. Assuming this is a typo, because it sounds awkward unless it's echoing someone saying, "What it is." (No one said it.)
- For a coroner, Mrs. Riggs seems to have a very, "You go along and do that," tone about P.C. and Mackenzie trying to solve the crime, as though they told her they were going outside to play.
- Curiously namedrops Resident Evil 3: Nemesis on my Play Station (which should be one word, PlayStation, but is also four generations of consoles out of date by now, so good luck on keeping current young readers' attention)
Also, I don't know... the main plot point is . I kind of can't suspend my disbelief enough to go along with this.
(update)
Ugh, why didn't they EXPLAIN their theory to the prison guards BEFORE . *disappointed head shake*
(update 2)
Okay, Mackenzie suddenly kicks off her shoe, but then... doesn't go get it to put it back on?
(update 3)
I'm "live-reading" this book because I have a lot of comments I feel like I want to capture but would otherwise completely forget. It might be mean of me, but... I almost want them to get a bad grade on this group project they're skipping out on to solve this case? (if for no other reason than spitefully because their "partner" only joined their group to ride on P.C.'s dad's connections, despite his dad being on the other side of the world, and who needs hangers-on like that)
(update 4)
- "Oh, that part is so horrible it makes me want to engage in reverse peristalsis," Mackenzie said. Yeah... that's a phrase. (I'd almost expect "retroperistalsis" instead, to be honest.)
(update 5)
Oh, good, they use the "c-word" for someone with disabilities. Always lovely. Sure, I know some folks with disabilities have "reclaimed" the word, but it's still uncomfortable when an abled person uses it.
I don't know. The whole story feels awfully contrived and harder to follow than it needs to be. I also just don't like any of the characters very much. (The prior owner must have felt the same way to have destroyed my copy the way they did. At least it's still readable-ish.)
I guess recommended for readers who are REALLY bored and/or wish Encyclopedia Brown was in high school and no longer working for just 25 cents a day plus expenses?
It also feels like another attempt at a boy detective with girl sidekick series, though this one is a bit more awkward than the others I've read for the abovementioned reason, and also because the writing is just strange:
- Guard: "Stay out of it, P.C." Proceeds to let him continue not being in school and investigating a crime scene.
- We had a little discussion about whether the rising moon was a gibbous or not a gibbous, said good night, and I turned and started away. I guess this is to add flavour to the story, but it feels bizarrely out of place when almost all the other dialogue and descriptions have been straight to the point. (Also, it's a strange run-on sentence.)
- "What it is?" I asked. Assuming this is a typo, because it sounds awkward unless it's echoing someone saying, "What it is." (No one said it.)
- For a coroner, Mrs. Riggs seems to have a very, "You go along and do that," tone about P.C. and Mackenzie trying to solve the crime, as though they told her they were going outside to play.
- Curiously namedrops Resident Evil 3: Nemesis on my Play Station (which should be one word, PlayStation, but is also four generations of consoles out of date by now, so good luck on keeping current young readers' attention)
Also, I don't know... the main plot point is . I kind of can't suspend my disbelief enough to go along with this.
(update)
Ugh, why didn't they EXPLAIN their theory to the prison guards BEFORE . *disappointed head shake*
(update 2)
Okay, Mackenzie suddenly kicks off her shoe, but then... doesn't go get it to put it back on?
(update 3)
I'm "live-reading" this book because I have a lot of comments I feel like I want to capture but would otherwise completely forget. It might be mean of me, but... I almost want them to get a bad grade on this group project they're skipping out on to solve this case? (if for no other reason than spitefully because their "partner" only joined their group to ride on P.C.'s dad's connections, despite his dad being on the other side of the world, and who needs hangers-on like that)
(update 4)
- "Oh, that part is so horrible it makes me want to engage in reverse peristalsis," Mackenzie said. Yeah... that's a phrase. (I'd almost expect "retroperistalsis" instead, to be honest.)
(update 5)
Oh, good, they use the "c-word" for someone with disabilities. Always lovely. Sure, I know some folks with disabilities have "reclaimed" the word, but it's still uncomfortable when an abled person uses it.
I don't know. The whole story feels awfully contrived and harder to follow than it needs to be. I also just don't like any of the characters very much. (The prior owner must have felt the same way to have destroyed my copy the way they did. At least it's still readable-ish.)
I guess recommended for readers who are REALLY bored and/or wish Encyclopedia Brown was in high school and no longer working for just 25 cents a day plus expenses?
September 8, 2022
Actual rating: 4.5/⭐️s
This is a decent mystery, I can’t say I paid completely paid attention to the story but the plot was good and there were several red herrings. I could tell who the suspect was though I didn’t see that plot twist coming ( ). I think it was interesting how the murder is connected to the Jewel thief and heist angle.
This is a decent mystery, I can’t say I paid completely paid attention to the story but the plot was good and there were several red herrings. I could tell who the suspect was though I didn’t see that plot twist coming ( ). I think it was interesting how the murder is connected to the Jewel thief and heist angle.
June 26, 2017
When I was younger I read the Square root to murder, and I had loved it. I'm 25 now and they just don't live up. The mystery holds up well enough but the writing is outdated and not people of color friendly. I was uncomfortable with the way they voiced Tom, the fact that they actually used the word Oriental to describe someone of asian decent, and they way the treated Spalding, the student who just wanted to get a good grade on their project.
P.C. comes off as very elitist and that is something I just am not interested in. This is the first in the series but the 3rd one I've read, so I'm glad that the writer learns from his mistakes, but this one, could definitely use some more work.
P.C. comes off as very elitist and that is something I just am not interested in. This is the first in the series but the 3rd one I've read, so I'm glad that the writer learns from his mistakes, but this one, could definitely use some more work.
March 9, 2018
Okay read. Was proofing it for the library at our school and will not be putting it in the library due to the references to voodoo, ouija boards, tarot cards, etc. However, it was not a terrible book. Just don't feel it's a good addition for our library for the missionary community here in Haiti.
June 19, 2022
Enjoyable enough, but not memorable, and the two main characters weren't particularly interesting--not a lot of character development. But if you are looking for books for kids who like mysteries, this isn't a bad choice.
February 21, 2020
Fans of Zindel's classic works will likely be disappointed by the later adventure stories.
December 18, 2022
its a good book
July 4, 2025
Thrifted this book, it was not the vibe I thought it was at all, read it though. 🤷🏼♀️
May 8, 2025
2.5 stars
It was okay. P.C. is kind of a dick ngl, in the beginning he talks about how he should've treated Tom better, but turns around and treats an innocent kid who's basically working on their group project by HIMSELF, like trash and those moments didn't sit well with me. He also doesn't actually treat his friends well majority of the time. He treats them more like assistants and boss them around a lot. And there were some loose ends that were never explained. The twist didn't feel like one to me. Even though I thought the plot would go one way, I wasn't surprised when it went another way. It just followed a trope so it wasn't surprising to me. But there were some suspenseful moments, and it wasn't all too bad to read.
It was okay. P.C. is kind of a dick ngl, in the beginning he talks about how he should've treated Tom better, but turns around and treats an innocent kid who's basically working on their group project by HIMSELF, like trash and those moments didn't sit well with me. He also doesn't actually treat his friends well majority of the time. He treats them more like assistants and boss them around a lot. And there were some loose ends that were never explained. The twist didn't feel like one to me. Even though I thought the plot would go one way, I wasn't surprised when it went another way. It just followed a trope so it wasn't surprising to me. But there were some suspenseful moments, and it wasn't all too bad to read.
February 5, 2024
Witnesses see Tom Bogg’s hands around Dr. Conchita Farr’s neck so naturally the police arrest him for the murder of New York’s Museum of Natural History’s chief biologist. P. C. and Mackenzie know that Tom is innocent and set out to prove it. The security tapes show Tom in a kind of trance and a blood test reveals a strange drug in his system. Both pieces of evidence suggest that Tom was hypnotized; the hypnotist used certain words or sounds to get Tom to strangle Dr. Farr. When P. C. and Mackenzie recreate the crime scene, Tom falls into the hypnotic state and puts his hands around Mackenzie’s neck but he doesn’t tighten them. Now they know that Dr. Farr was dead before Tom put his hands around her neck; he didn’t really kill her. With further investigation, the pair finds out that Dr. Farr’s murder is linked to India’s famous Genesh necklace soon to be on display in the museum. Now they must sift through the other suspects’ motives and alibis so they can clear Tom. After P. C. becomes certain of the real murderer’s identity, he risks his own life to flush out the killer.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
June 5, 2009
It was a mystery...and I loved it! PC Hawke (private investigator) and his partner in crime, Mackenzie ( a snake skin purse carrying diva of a detective!) take on a tough case at the New York City's Museum of Natural History where PC's Dad is employed. When the innocent and motive-less janitor is accused of the crime, the detecting duo know something is up and they decide to get to the bottom of the case.
Great read for middle schoolers. I love how they put together all the clues! Nice one!
Great read for middle schoolers. I love how they put together all the clues! Nice one!
December 12, 2014
At times I thought I was reading about adults with this book, and not teenagers. How they manage to insert themselves so constantly into the investigation is completely beyond me. And the fact that they seem to have unlimited freedom and funds puts this story pretty far outside of reality. I DID like the mystery itself, but these inconsistencies brought the whole thing down and so I can't give beyond 3 stars, when this really had the potential to be a five-star book at some point.
July 12, 2010
A fun and interesting mystery that went by quickly. Probably even more quickly because I turned up the speed on the cassette! I might recommend this for those wanting an easy read or for a reluctant reader. I enjoyed the two main teen characters. I liked their friendship and how they worked together. If the other ones are this quick and light, I wouldn't mind reading another.
December 12, 2015
Definitely written for teens. It would have been nicely suited to my fifth grade teacher's shelf of R.L. Stine novels. That said, it was well-written and a fun mystery. I felt some conclusions were reached with no lead-up and those felt contrived. For writing years ago, Mr. Zindel succeeds is not being overly dated. He wrote his teen protagonists well and believably.
August 15, 2008
This was a good book if you just want to take up an hour or so. The main characters were a little too knowing, but if you just want to escape for a little while, this is a good, though not the best, choice. I'd actually give it a 2.5, but two will have to do.
August 6, 2016
An odd murder mystery set in the Museum of Natural History. Characters do too much thinking aloud. There is the standard hard-headed, I-am-right detective that frustrates the young sleuths every time they have a clue that needs consideration.
Not very exciting.
Not very exciting.
April 25, 2013
Decent mystery who done it for the younger crowd. Good start to a series of characters. Enjoyed the cultural references to Asian culture and artifacts. Enjoyable read and kept me awake on a long road trip.
September 22, 2007
The audio book of the is great.
March 11, 2010
a good 6th/7th grade mystery
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June 2, 2010F ZIN pch bk.1
July 6, 2012
I've been enjoying the P.C. Hawke series. They are enjoyable mysteries and appropriate for children younger than I would expect. They are short but sweet!
November 7, 2012
I think this book was exciting and made me keep turning the pages. I recommend this book to those who are mystery lovers.
June 7, 2009
Absolutely love it! Yeah, that's all I can say without spoiling it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews