Sleuth & Solve: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries

In Escandell's visual adaptations of mini mysteries by Gallo, quirky cartoons flesh out brief descriptions of curious goings-on. Encouraging readers to make a game out of solving the puzzlers ("as a family," "in teams," or "by yourself"), the creators rank them by difficulty (though the criteria seem somewhat random), awarding commensurate points for the correct answers. Each puzzle is also labeled as requiring either logic or imagination to solve, though the line between those two classifications tends to blur. There are some cleverly concocted conundrums (Why did a man who neglected to turn on his light at bedtime confess his guilt to the police?), while others are inanely unconvincing (Was it a family member or the gardener who killed a man in his mansion?). The exaggerated, caricatured style results in a few images that veer toward cultural stereotype, particularly in "The Sultan's Successor." An uneven assemblage of not-so-challenging brainteasers. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)

Gr 2-4-Escandell presents readers with 23 mysteries that can all be solved using either logic or a bit of imagination. Each scenario is different, but enough clues and background are given so that readers can determine the answer for each mystery (the solutions are also hidden behind convenient cards). The text is legible and works with the detailed, comic, zany illustrations to highlight pertinent clues and flesh out each scenario. There is some blood drawn in a few of the illustrations, but the artwork is not violent. The book can also double as a game, with a point system and rules to play in larger groups, in teams, or alone. Escandell has created a book that is like playing the board game Clue; it's fun, confounding, and full of twists and turns--and is a great mystery to solve no matter how young or old readers are. VERDICT An excellent collection of logic puzzles and mysteries that can be solved alone or in a group.-Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL