Franklin is not your typical middle school in this noir mystery. With an unofficial student organization reminiscent of the mafia running the show behind the scenes, bullies no longer have free reign to pick on smaller kids, because if they do, they must answer to the boss, Vincent “Vinny Biggs” Biggio. As a private investigator, Matt Stephens knows better than to get involved with “the boss,” but when he’s offered a paycheck that is too large to ignore, Matt agrees to find out who is responsible for the latest “hit.” This well-paced whodunit filled with twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. While not always laugh out loud funny, every sentence drips with subtle humor that is smart in a Lemony Snickett way. Dripping with sarcastic similes, this would be perfect for a middle school teacher looking to cover literary elements in a book students will rave about. Also look for the sequel, Quick Fix.
ISBN: 97808109977127 277 pages Ages 11-13
Read alike: The Fourth Stall series by Chris Rylander
Recommended by Carrie Shaurette, Librarian, New York City
