Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (2011), Hardcover, 288 pages
Description
Seventh-grader Steve Brixton finds himself pulled back into sleuthing when, during a train trip down the California coast, he uncovers a mystery involving a fleet of priceless automobiles, an assassin, and a private rail car.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Arte Johnson (!). Twelve-year-old private detective Steve Brixton is semi-retired after learning the author of his favorite mystery series has a criminal background. But the juices start flowing again during a train trip to San Diego when Steve and his friend Dana meet a wealthy couple
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whose valuable cars are being stolen. There are plenty of surprise twists and suspenseful chapter endings to keep young readers guessing and becoming fans of the genre. Although Johnson's narration doesn't really bring out the personalities of the characters or the moments of high suspense, his avuncular tone is easy on the ears, like listening to your grandpa reading aloud to you. Show Less
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — Juvenile — 2012)
Language
Original publication date
2011
ISBN
1416978194 / 9781416978190
Local notes
Steve is in the seventh grade and is obsessed with the Brixton Brothers, a pair of sibling sleuths who solve crimes in a mystery book series. He inadvertently becomes America's top sleuth by practicing the tactics (not always so successfully) that he has learned from his fictional heroes.