The World's Greatest Detective

by Caroline Carlson (Author)

The World's Greatest Detective
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

A 2017 Agatha Award Nominee! * A Best Children's Book of the Year Pick for Kids 9 to 12 from Bank Street College!

Caroline Carlson, author of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series, returns with The World's Greatest Detective, a story of crime, tricks, and hilarity for those who know that sometimes it takes a pair of junior sleuths to solve a slippery case.

Detectives' Row is full of talented investigators, but Toby Montrose isn't one of them. He's only an assistant at his uncle's detective agency, and he's not sure he's even very good at that.

Toby's friend Ivy is the best sleuth around--or at least she thinks so. They both see their chance to prove themselves when the famed Hugh Abernathy announces a contest to choose the World's Greatest Detective.

But when what was supposed to be a game turns into a real-life murder mystery, can Toby and Ivy crack the case?

Select format:
Hardcover
$16.99

School Library Journal

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.

Publishers Weekly

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.

Review quotes

 
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780062368270
Lexile Measure
840
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
May 16, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
Library of Congress categories
Mystery and detective stories
Detective and mystery stories
Murder
Contests

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!