Name of This Book is Secret

by Pseudonymous Bosch

Paperback, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Publication

Usborne (2008)

Description

Two eleven-year-old misfits try to solve the mystery of a dead magician and stop the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais, who are searching for the secret of immortality.

User reviews

LibraryThing member SmithSJ01

The beginning of this book is a little confusing and I was pleased the rest didn’t follow the style. I can see why the author did it, they took the conventions of opening paragraphs whereby the scene is set, a location introduced, one or two characters identified and a problem established but

turned it on its head. Because the name of this book is secret (literally) everything else has to be, therefore the author asks us to imagine the book is set somewhere we know with people we know etc. I think this would appeal to younger readers. After this the novel takes off and an adventure ensues with the teenagers Cass and Max-Ernest as our two investigators.

The adventurers come across an intriguing diary resulting in a fiery adventure involving smells and secrets. Quite captivating! It reminded me of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz whereas from the blurb and description I was expecting something along the lines of Justin Thyme. There were aspects of the novel that I didn’t enjoy – such as some of the footnotes to provide explanations and I feel this may distract a young reader. On the other hand there are some quirky parts that many young writers might like – such as the ending, which is very unusual and to a point I felt this was a bit of a scam on the author’s behalf but there was more to come which made me feel more positive.

Each chapter is presented very well with the author talking to the reader and the length is great for a young reader branching out into longer books or for a less developed reader. If I had to pitch this at a particular age group, I’d say sophisticated 10 year old readers or if not as confident, then maybe 12 or 13 year olds. However, if any reader is after a well-written adventure, then does it matter what age they are? The author expects us on occasion to forget the realms of reality but doesn’t every adventure spy story? Good fun to read!

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LibraryThing member woodge

This was written for the Young Adult crowd but looked like it might be fun. Well, it was a little fun, a little clever, but ultimately not very satisfying. Not enough plot twists, really, and the narrator was being coy and that wasn’t really working out that well. I could've skipped this one. I'm

going to be more discerning about what sorts of YA books I may try in the future. This was just far too lightweight.

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LibraryThing member KayDekker

Threadbare plot that lurches all over; flimsy characters; author too self-indulgent of his own conceit.

LibraryThing member spiralsheep

Firstly: DON'T read this book!

Secondly: I mean it!

{Still here?}

Okay, thirdly: don't say I didn't warn you!

Fourthly: The Name of this Book is Secret is a delightful metafictional adventure story about {name removed for safety reasons} and {name also removed for safety reasons} who get together

because {reason removed for safety reasons} and have adventures such as {you don't actually expect me to tell you that, do you?}.

In conclusion: don't read this book even though I rated it as 4/5 because you might enjoy it but that won't do you any good if {conclusion removed for conclusive reasons}.

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LibraryThing member JRlibrary

Would probably be appreciated by a younger crowd, such as 9 or 10.
I found it a bit annoying to read after the first couple chapters.

LibraryThing member artstudent

This is a great book! I read it about a year ago and it still sticks in my head as one of the most unique books I have read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, and a good laugh. The unique cast of character includes Benjamin a boy with synesthesia and Owen a butler who seems

shy at first but really... well I geuss you will just have to find out. A great mystery book with a creepy twist. I can't wait to read the next one!

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LibraryThing member glowing-fish

I actually bought this book at Goodwill as an "advanced reading copy", and thought that perhaps that was part of the lay out. In fact, I am not sure that it is not.

That is the type of book it is.

LibraryThing member MissTeacher

A nice, if not a little confusing, mystery for younger readers. The premise is wonderful...a secret so deadly that the author is afraid to even write about it. The problem is, Psuedonymous Bosch spends so much time telling you why he/she shouldn't be telling you about it that he/she often loses the

story. The mix between mystery and puzzle is quite a bit like Chasing Vermeer or The Wright 3, but with some fantastical elements mixed in, a la The Alchemyst: The Immortal Secrets of Nicholas Flamel. In short, when this book isn't following in the footsteps of better writtten books or confusing young readers by saying "I really shouldn't be saying this", it is actually a quite nice mystery/thriller, with promise of a good sequel.

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LibraryThing member Runa

This was like something directly out of an adventurous questing dream put down in words. While found in the children's section of libraries and bookstores, it's a book that plenty should read. Pseudonymous Bosch, whoever they are, is the next Lemony Snicket. It's an engaging, real-life topic

(synesthesia) blended with fantastic mysteries. Two ordinary children give it a lifelike surrealism, with surprisingly deeper characterization than an adult book would give. The author talks back to the reader with quirky, hilarious footnotes and in-dialogue intermissions, adding a whole new dimension of incredulous amazement. The story ends on an open note, leaving room for the sequels to come (and one already has and is just as great!)

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LibraryThing member aang2014

This book was a very easy to read Comedy/Mystery book, I read it in a week. Story line was great. and it was very funny how you could make it your own as you are given the room to choose names for the characters and places.

LibraryThing member skier123

This book involves a deadly secret that two eleven-year-olds stumble upon. With a boy's life at stake, Cass and Max-Ernest must risk their lives to save him.

LibraryThing member VirginiaGill

This book seriously short circuited my brain! Stopped reading without finishing but will probably one day go back and try again. Gave me nearly as many giggles as puzzled headaches. Would be fun to share with a child.

LibraryThing member MrsBond

My 9 year old found this book in her classroom library. Later that evening she informed me that I MUST read this book and read it now (she finished it in one afternoon, a true sign of a good book). I can see why she and others devoured the pages -- this is an exciting tale wrought with danger,

suspense and a mystery that is a little bit creepy. Cass and Max are a great team, albeit hesitant to work together. The narrator is reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, guiding the reader through tense moments, assisting with challenging vocabulary, and encouraging the reader to look away or simply stop reading to save themselves the agony of what might follow.

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LibraryThing member AnnRig

This mystery for upper middle grade students is written from the point of view of a young person wanting to keep the "secret". I found myself annoyed by the sarcasm in the telling of the story. Younger students might like it, but I didn't.

LibraryThing member Allisondi

I just started reading this book a few days ago but I really like it so far. I also love how the narrator is really funny. This book makes me LOL.

LibraryThing member John.Fougere

This book is about a secret. Not just any secret, but the gretest secret on the planet. A secret about immortality. The book is told by an odd, mysterious and funny narrator. The main characters, Cass and Max-Ernest, go to a magicians house and find a box filled with many substences in tubes. The

box has four big words printed on it. "The Symphony of Smells". Cass and Max-Ernest quickly find out that two mysterious people are looking for this box. After reading the magician's journal, Cass and Max-Ernest find out that the symphony of smells will poit the way to were the secret to immortality is. All they have to do is find it before the two mysteroius adults find it.

This book was not as good as I thought it would be. For example, the author would spend about 8 chapters talking about the same thing. What I really liked about this book was that the narrator was very entertaining. The narrator would occasionally say that the secret of this book is to much for one person to bear, than he would just tell you. The characters in this book had their own sense of humor that I enjoyed very much. In this book, the kids seem to be smarter than the adults. I say this because the adults are missing a bunch of clues and crimse that only the kids seem to be finding. I recomed this book to readers who enjoy mystery books with a touch of humor.

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LibraryThing member LiLLY.afou5564

This book is about 2 kids that have an incredible secrect about emmortality. The main charaacters are: Cass & Max Ernest. Telling the story is a silly narrator. The 2 friends find a book with 4 words on it saying "The Symphony Of Smells." The kids found out that 2 mysterious adults are looking for

it...... When Cass and Max Ernest read the magician journal they start to understand what's really going on. So, now they can count on the "The Symphony of Smells" to lead them to were the secrect of immotality is, before the strange people find it first.

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LibraryThing member mariamsultana

Read this to convince my nephew that it was a good book. And it was! Full of adventure and good vocabulary for ages 9-11. I miss the adventure of children's chapter books -- might go back to reading some of them :]

LibraryThing member ewyatt

This series has been really popular at school. That being said, I got a bit tired of the over the top secrecy and the author's notes to the reader. The story itself was fun with two misfits tracking down clues from a missing magician which lead them into a lot of hot water at a spa with folks

engaging in alchemy and not afraid to kill a few kids in the quest for eternal life.

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LibraryThing member Radella

I like how the author talks to the reader... there's a lot of that going on in this book. It really draws the reader into the story, and makes them feel like they're part of the story. Especially with so many foot notes!

The plot was rather predictable, if you've read any other sort of understated

adventure type. Think Series of Unfortunate Events, or Charlie Bone or Guild of Specialists. Adventure, with a touch of science fiction. Although that's more a function of the genre.

The characters seemed sort of flat to me- there wasn't a lot to them. I would like to see some more character development in the sequel. Even the main characters were entirely too flat for my liking... especially in a book of this length.

I am usually the sort to read a book all in one sitting, especially when I've bought them for my classroom. It usually doesn't take me too long. This book was much more difficult to get through. I had to stop because I wasn't really interested in the characters, and I pretty much knew what was coming. I want to say it was boring, but that's not exactly the right word... It wasn't boring, it just didn't hold my interest well.

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LibraryThing member Mezzanotte

I really enjoyed reading this book along with the rest of the series, even though it's targeted more towards a slightly younger audience. There are plenty of flaws in it, the worst probably being the author's constant secrecy (a fun idea, but slightly overused). I have spoken with the author via

email and I truly enjoyed talking with him/her.

I have followed this series from book one all the way and will likely continue reading. There is only supposed to be one more in the set, but I expect that we'll see more from Pseudonymous (if we haven't already, under a different name) and I plan to stick by their side faithfully.

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LibraryThing member Ms.Turtle

This book was about a girl named Cass. She finds these scents in her grandpa's thrift store. A boy named Max helps Cass figure out what the scents mean. i can't tell you. It might ruin some of the story. There is lots more to the story and all most all of it revolves around the scents.

LibraryThing member piggy345

I think this book is really interesting because at first you have to put together all of the clues to get what is going on. Then the rest of the book is really suspenseful. The book is vary hard to put down.

LibraryThing member Bianca0_0

6 word review: Original; interesting. Many mysteries to solve!

LibraryThing member ctmsrapa

Cass, a quirky, natural born “survivalist”, who carries around a backpack full of useful things in case of an emergency, and is always prepared for any situation and Max-Ernest (his parents couldn’t decide on a name, so they just combined two together), a superfluously logical and

intelligent--not to mention loquacious--young boy who has an unknown condition that makes him socially awkward, band together. But together will they be able to discover “The Symphony of Smells”, save an innocent classmate, and uncover an ancient secret to rescue mankind?

The Name of This Book is Secret starts off with the eccentric and fun-loving characters Cass and Max-Ernest finding the Symphony of Smells, a large collection of countless smells in vials ranging from peanut butter to Echinacea. But, the Symphony of Smells is much more complicated than just a few scrawny scents. It is wanted by two sinister and inscrutable people, Dr. L and Ms. Marvais, both who are exceedingly handsome and stunning. Although beautiful and enchanting on the outside, they were not equally as nice on the inside. Snatching the Symphony of Smells and a young yet gifted boy at Cass and Max-Ernest’s school, Benjamin Blake, Dr. L and Ms. Marvais fled. The characters in this book are peculiar and mysterious, compelling and fearless, daring and capricious. They grab your attention and never give it back, while also making you become connected to them. These lovable characters are a wonderful asset to this intriguing story, as they compliment the plot and each other simultaneously.

The plot thickens in this wonderful book when the Symphony of Smells, like a compass, leads them to a mysterious spa called the Midnight Sun, run by the evil Dr. L and where unorthodox and questionable methods are used to make its guests become beautiful and thin. Cass and Max-Ernest follow the two villains to find their classmate Benjamin Blake being held prisoner! One thing that makes this story especially interesting is that its narrator is very mysterious and descriptive, amusing you throughout the story with opinions and antics; in the end, he came to grow on me and I became to almost love him. The plot was amazing; it went from the narrator catching me up on things, to a dramatic event occurring, like Benjamin Blake being kidnapped. One minor criticism though; sometimes the narrator was a little too wordy, rambling on to the reader, which either distracted me or made me disinterested in the story. But all in all, the narrator was a great addition to this book and he added great character.

Soon, Benjamin’s life lay on the line, but to save him Cass and Max-Ernest had to first solve a few anagrams and word puzzles. This also added to the character and mystery of the book, which I loved. “What word begins the beginning? What if you erased the end of life, and replaced it with the center of joy? Now end as you began. For your name is a mirror. And you are the reflection of us all.” The answer to this puzzle is Thoth, an ancient Egyptian god, his Greek counterpart Hermes. Cass and Max-Ernest used their intelligence and excellent collaboration to crack the code, which also made me ponder the question at the same time. Their cleverness and compatablility with each other was almost flawless; the author slowly helped their relationship, or as they called it, "collaboration" grow, tending to them like a gardener watering and caring for his precious plants and flowers until they were so close and comfortable with each other they were almost brother and sister!

The Name of This Book is Secret is an excellent book with adventure, word puzzles, and much more. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars for its witty and strange characters, mysterious narrator, twisting plot, and most of all, how it conjures magic with words. There is something special about this book; whether it's the narrator or how quirky and eccentric things tend to be in general in this book, The Name of This Book is Secret is not one that you will forget.

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