The World's Greatest Detective

Gr 4-6--Eleven-year-old Toby Montrose has been shunted from one relative to another in the three years since his parents disappeared. Now, he's at the last stop before the orphanage: Uncle Gabriel, who lives on the city's famed Detectives' Row. Unfortunately, the city of Colebridge has more detectives than crime, and only Hugh Abernathy, the World's Greatest Detective, is making any money. When Abernathy announces a detectives' competition in a country house, Toby is sure it's the answer to their financial problems, but because of an old feud with Abernathy, Uncle Gabriel refuses to participate. Toby hatches a plan to get into the house party himself, hoping to solve the case on his own. When Abernathy is unexpectedly found murdered, Toby must team up with Ivy Webster, daughter of the family who own the country house and a fellow aspiring detective, to get to the bottom of the mystery. Readers who enjoy classic tales of detection complete with chemical experiments, disguises, interrogations, and surprising revelations will relish this story. Carlson expertly evokes a Sherlockian atmosphere and drops just enough clues to keep readers guessing. Hand this book to fans of Blue Balliett and Trenton Lee Stewart. VERDICT For general purchase, especially where mysteries are in demand.--Misti Tidman, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Carlson (the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series) creates a richly imagined Victorian-esque setting in a mystery that highlights the capabilities of adults and children alike, regardless of gender. Following years of being bounced around from relative to relative after the disappearance of his parents, 11-year-old Toby Montrose ends up with his Uncle Gabriel on Detectivesa Row in the fictional city of Colebridge. Heas determined to avoid trouble to ensure that his investigator uncle will let him stay, despite financial strains. So when an opportunity arises to make a significant amount of moneya and earn the title of Worldas Greatest Detectivea by solving a weekend murder mystery at an estate, Toby jumps at the chance, relying on his smarts, lessons learned in a detection-focused correspondence course, and the help of new friend Ivy and her dog. Toby is a delightfully complex character, prone to doing the wrong things for the right reasons. His misadventures with Ivy lead to hilarious and gasp-worthy moments that will keep readers racing toward an ending thatas sure to keep them guessing. Ages 8a 12. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (May) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.