September 2, 2025 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
After escaping an exploding yacht during their quest to find Al Capone's treasure in The Sherlock Society, siblings Alex and Zoe are back. This time, they are being chased by dogs and being threatened by a rhinoceros while trying to solve a 60 year old mystery. The aftermath of Hurricane Clyde has revealed a dead body at the Moroccan Hotel, and the group has a lot of motivation to solve the mystery. Their grandfather, Pete Lassiter, knew the victim and has been investigating his purported involvement in a jewel heist at the hotel on and off since 1964. Back then, young Pete was helping his father deliver supplies to fortify the hotel against another hurricane. Their friend Doc, whose real name was Ignacio, was a pediatrician who lived in Cuba and could only get work as the Bell Captain at the fancy hotel. When a movie, The Cat Strikes at Midnight, was being filmed there, real jewelry and artwork was used. After the hurricane, it went missing, but so did Doc. He was presumed to be the thief, especially since his car was found far away at Dulles International Airport, and a ticket to Europe was bought in his name. The CIA decided he was guilty, even though young Pete tried to prove his innocence, even contacting Edna van Buren at the Miami Herald to help him. Even though he couldn't close the case, it inspired his career as an influential investigative journalist. Now 73 and retired, when Doc's body is found, he provides the Sherlock Society, which includes Yada and Lina, with his 60 year old notes. The group also manages to find some of the original investigators at an area senior facility, and get lots of information from them. Combined with visiting various Florida locations to follow up leads, they are able to figure out who really stole the art. Even after so many years, however, someone wants to stop the society from uncovering the truth.
Strengths: Ponti's work is upbeat and fun even when dealing with a murder! Alex and Zoe's parents (an environmental scientist and a lawyer) are around to support their children, and Grandpa Pete drives them all over the area to investigate crimes while teaching them investigative skills. He even outruns Alex and has mysterious date nights. What great representation of an older character. I absolutely adored getting to meet him as a 12 year old just embarking on his career. He also takes the kids for fried food and rents and furnishes a storage unit for their office. This was so much better than having the children solve a mystery while grieving the death of loved ones. There are lots of details about Hurricanes in Florida, fun connections to 1960s heist movies and fancy hotels, and plenty of clues to follow. Starting a book with a chase scene is always a good plan. Ponti definitely knows how to write an engaging and exciting mystery!
Weaknesses: I'm torn about the level of detail in some of the explanations. While I enjoyed hearing details about hurricanes from Alex's scientist dad, fun facts about the BeeGees' musical inspirations, and investigative journalism techniques from Grandpa Pete, young readers might think this information slows down the story. Also, now I have Stayin' Alive stuck in my head!
What I really think: Middle school readers have an insatiable desire for murder mysteries that publishers do NOT seem to understand. While the Sherlock Society books don't approach the CSI style of investigation that April Henry's books do, they definitely appeal to readers who want their murders to be softened by intervening years while the investigation has plenty of excitement. Hand to readers who can't get enough of this author's City Spies books, Stuart Gibbs' Spy School series, or books like Tubb's Fowl Play or Gerber's The Liar's Society. Definitely purchasing.
Strengths: Ponti's work is upbeat and fun even when dealing with a murder! Alex and Zoe's parents (an environmental scientist and a lawyer) are around to support their children, and Grandpa Pete drives them all over the area to investigate crimes while teaching them investigative skills. He even outruns Alex and has mysterious date nights. What great representation of an older character. I absolutely adored getting to meet him as a 12 year old just embarking on his career. He also takes the kids for fried food and rents and furnishes a storage unit for their office. This was so much better than having the children solve a mystery while grieving the death of loved ones. There are lots of details about Hurricanes in Florida, fun connections to 1960s heist movies and fancy hotels, and plenty of clues to follow. Starting a book with a chase scene is always a good plan. Ponti definitely knows how to write an engaging and exciting mystery!
Weaknesses: I'm torn about the level of detail in some of the explanations. While I enjoyed hearing details about hurricanes from Alex's scientist dad, fun facts about the BeeGees' musical inspirations, and investigative journalism techniques from Grandpa Pete, young readers might think this information slows down the story. Also, now I have Stayin' Alive stuck in my head!
What I really think: Middle school readers have an insatiable desire for murder mysteries that publishers do NOT seem to understand. While the Sherlock Society books don't approach the CSI style of investigation that April Henry's books do, they definitely appeal to readers who want their murders to be softened by intervening years while the investigation has plenty of excitement. Hand to readers who can't get enough of this author's City Spies books, Stuart Gibbs' Spy School series, or books like Tubb's Fowl Play or Gerber's The Liar's Society. Definitely purchasing.
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