The Ghostwriter Secret

Gr 4—6—Steve Brixton, private detective, is back in the second installment (S & S, 2010) in the series by Mac Barnett. Steve and his friend Dana discover that there are two mysteries colliding as they dodge criminals, bullets, and the police in this hilarious and thrilling adventure. Twists at every turn and fast-paced plot lines will keep mystery fans engaged while the comedy will appeal to a broader audience. Part of the fun is the complete improbability of the situations the pair find themselves in. This is not a detective novel for the timid, though everything works out swimmingly in the end. Narrator Arte Johnson expertly draws out all the characters from Steve's sardonic sense of humor to tough-talking gangster goons. Those unfamiliar with the first book, The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (S & S, 2009), will have no trouble enjoying this story which will probably inspire them to pick up the first title.—April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA