Art Attack by James Ponti

Today's read comes from a well-known and enjoyed author in the middle grade spy/mystery realm. This is the third book in his latest series....I think it's his latest, but you never know when a new one will begin with him. I've enjoyed this series so far and posted my thoughts on the 2nd one HERE. No doubt, this latest addition will be just as enjoyable as the last, since this author's works tend to be top-notch.

But let's just dive in and find out!

ART ATTACK

The Sherlock Society #3

by James Ponti

Aladdin

Middle Grade Mystery

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING SEPTEMBER 8th!!!

The Sherlock Society goes undercover in the Miami street art scene to find an anonymous graffiti artist in this third book in the hilarious, New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

The Sherlock Society’s latest case is tracking down stealth graffiti artist Funky Munky—well-known for their artistic statements calling out local politicians—on behalf of a developer who wants them to create a mural for a new hotel. Their investigation leads Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi deep into the very colorful south Florida art scene.

But finding someone who doesn’t want to be found is challenging, and it doesn’t help that Miami Art Week is coming up, bringing lots of attention—and lots of new artists—to the area. The Sherlock Society’s best bet is an elaborate sting operation, which involves them picking up spray cans themselves. Can they trap their quarry without exposing themselves?

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

When these four friends (and Grandpa) take on a case, the fun begins.

Now, that the four sleuths had their photo in the newspaper for helping solve the last case, they're facing all sorts of requests for help. Or maybe, the sudden influx of jobs is due to Grandpa's fancy, new website? Either way, the four find themselves picking and choosing their next case during lunch in the cafeteria. When they get an offer of $20,000 to locate the mysterious graffiti artist Funky Munky so a new building complex can use him to paint a mural on the wall, they're on the case. While they have a bit of help thanks to Grandpa's connections, they've been offered the large sum of money for a reason; Funky Munky has kept his/her identity locked tight for years. Worse yet, Funky Munky seems to have paused their work...or switched over to bananas. The friends aren't sure what the activist is up to but follow clues to an empty warehouse, where they meet more trouble. But these sleuths are determined and clever, and even someone as sly as Funky Munky might not be able to outmaneuver them.

This is a smooth, quick-paced read, which carries mystery, action, friendship, school drama, and family goodness. Each of the four friends has their talents, their weaknesses, and packs personality. This creates a fun back-and-forth on every page as they try to solve the mystery, while dealing with other aspects of life, too. But then, Grandpa, their families, and even the police and other characters add to the atmosphere to make each moment interesting. While the friendship between these four is inspiring, it's the family interactions which add lovely richness. Of course, Grandpa is always up to his antics and drives the most amazing vehicles. But even the parents step in with support and help, while also setting boundaries and holding to punishments when the rules are broken. It creates a wholesome foundation, which doesn't forget to bring in factors such as responsibility and consequences to the mix as the four friends test limits to solve the case. There is plenty of action as well as tense situations, but it all stays based in reality, which makes it even that much more enjoyable.

Fans of mystery, adventure, and teamwork are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.

And here he is...

James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by James Ponti

Have you been seeing this one everywhere like I have? Today's read is the 2nd in the latest series from James Ponti. I did read the first one (amazing, right?) and enjoyed it quite a bit. James Ponti's tales tend to be easy to read and very smoothly created, which  makes them a nice pick-em-up and know that they'll be enjoyable. Or at least, they have been up until now. Yes, I've read more than a couple of his books, so I can say that. But this one? Well, I guess we'll have to dive in and see if he's pulled it off again or not.

Plus, I do love a good mystery.

So, off we go!

HURRICANE HEIST

The Sherlock Society #2

by James Ponti

Aladdin

Middle Grade Mystery

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 2nd!!!

When a hurricane uncovers new information in a cold case, the Sherlock Society investigates a decades-old heist in this second book in the action-packed and funny New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

When a category three hurricane hits Miami Beach, it uncovers a body buried at the renowned Moroccan Hotel. The body is identified as the man who served as the hotel’s bell captain sixty years ago…and the presumed culprit of the million-dollar jewel heist that took place just before his disappearance.

Since the bell captain clearly didn’t take off with the goods as had been long believed, the Sherlock Society sets their sights on uncovering the real culprit of the theft. But when the thief may also be implicated in the bell captain’s murder, even sixty years later, there are people who want the truth to stay buried.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Not all mysteries only happen in the present, and this one glides with clues over the years and enough tension to hold until the very last page.

A body has been discovered at the Moroccan Hotel and identified as a man, who'd died sixty years before. Although the Sherlock Society wasn't planning for another case, Grandfather's relationship to the deceased many years ago makes it impossible to ignore, especially since he'd been trying to prove that the deceased was innocent in a jewelry theft for years. While it might seem that the trail has long grown cold, the Sherlock Society comes across more and more information in unexpected ways. But this isn't going unnoticed. Someone doesn't want them to discover the truth and is going to extreme extents to make sure they don't.

Already on the first pages, this tale starts out with energy and grabs...but not in the way that might be expected. It starts with the Grandpa, who might be aged but packs more life than most and adds zest, which fits since it's also his past which underlines the mystery. Alex and Zoe along with their friends have a golden relationship with him (adding goodness), but it also lays a great foundation as the mystery and murder unfolds. Their are hints of darker tons to entice the audience and draw in, but the author uses the character's personalities and situations to add just the right amount of humor to make it a fun adventure. It's an addictive balance.

The writing is smooth as always and adds information and facts, here and there, while weaving a nice web of clues and intentions. There were moments of teetering over-information, which had me skimming over several paragraphs. Still, that didn't quite outweigh the high-tension, dangerous stakes, and action scenes enough to make the book disappoint, either. I just hope this draws back in the future books a bit.

Summed up, this is another fun, grabbing read with characters, who live up to their Sherlock name and with side characters to enjoy or hate...and I can't wait to see what adventure lies in store for them next.

And here he is...

James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.